[sistergoldenhair]

This morning I ran my first race since mid-March (the BQ marathon attempt I DNF'd due to spraining my foot at mile 6) and first 5K since October. I know I haven't been anywhere near back in shape yet or running very well lately, and this morning's more than 3 min. slower than my 5K PR of last September was a definitive reminder of that.<br><br>
The race was held in Virginia Beach and is a fund-raiser for the region's YMCA scholarship program. I work part-time at the Y, so that was one of the reasons I wanted to come out.<br><br>
I was supposed to run at Tempo pace (8:00 min/miles). It ended up being a Marathon Pace run. Naively, I thought I would exceed Tempo pace! I have been doing Tempo interval workouts so far successfully, but that is not yet translating into a full-on steady tempo run.<br><br>
It was cool (low 70s), overcast, and breezy during warm-up, but just as the race started the sun came out and the humidity increased.<br><br>
My splits --<br><br>
Mile 1: 8:11 - bogged down by runners at the start otherwise felt good<br>
Mile 2: 8:24 - hello, it got hot and humid fast!<br>
Mile 3: 8:39 - not feeling good, queasy and a bit discouraged, felt like I wanted to quit when passing the Finish area for the final turn-around but no way would I DNF a 5K<br>
Mile .1: :47 - attempt to kick<br>
Chip time: 26:04<br><br>
Admittedly I was pretty bummed during the last half and just after the race. Especially at how negative my mind had gotten while running. I have run faster 5Ks in warmer weather on less weekly mileage and no speedwork, so I really think my mind game is contributing. <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif"> I talked to my coach (who rocks and won the women's overall), and she wasn't phased at all. She said she half didn't want me to race this morning because she didn't want me to be discouraged if I wasn't where I want to be. I was able to put the race in better perspective after we talked.<br><br>
Apparently I'm in the process of the slowest comeback ever! I have quite a ways to go, but a little less body weight, some more consistent work, and patience will get me there. There's nowhere to go but forward.

 

[Buxtehude]

Woo!<br><br><img alt="wav.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wav.gif">

 

[Buxtehude]

After my initial "Woo!" I read your report in depth.<br><br>
You certainly articulated many of the mental issues I'm working on too.

 

[sistergoldenhair]

Update: My coach just e-mailed me to say she picked up my 3rd place age group award for me. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
I feel a little better. It was a decent sized race -- about 500 people.

 

[diablita]

hardware at a 500 person race ain't bad, Andrea. Congrats! I know it's not where you want to be, but think of this as a stepping stone. A lot of people would have given up on the BQ after what you endured, but you are much stronger than that.<br><br>
how about trying a 'strong woman' mantra during your next run where the mental thoughts go south?

 

[Nettie]

WTG on the hardware!

 

[sistergoldenhair]

Dev, either I need an uber-mantra or a lobotomy! My brain was a scary scary place the last half. Fear about getting injured in a race again, discouragement at my performance, not loving the heat, despairing about some personal life stuff, wondering when I'll feel like my old self again ... woo, good times, I tell ya.<br><br>
I've got to put it behind me, though. I do not want to give up on my running life or on myself.

 

[Buxtehude]

Well said, SGH.

 

[ScratchType1]

I remember my first race back, there's a lot of nerves going on in that one because it takes time to learn to trust the formerly injured body part again. So don't get yourself too worked up about the time it took you, just focus on how you felt while doing it and how your ankle did okay. With the ankle okay, you can get your fitness back, it just takes some time.

 

[altoids]

First off, congrats on placing in your age group!<br><br>
Secondly, {{{{sistergoldenhair}}}} The mental aspect is rough. I hope you are able to continue working on that. Keep trying. I know I defeated myself mentally when I ran the Philly half (different issues of course), and I struggled with my mental self-talk at points during my last race, but I was able to emerge on the other side of the valley by the end. Hang in there, sweetie.

 

[Gingerbread]

Andrea, you're on the way back. I know it's not what you hoped for, but it's just a step in the recovery journey. Patience is difficult to maintain during this recovery phase. I hate the negative stuff. I get it too, even in the 5K races. I pretty much hate every person I see in the last .3 or .4 miles of a 5K.

 

[Dankinia]

Congrats on the 3rd in age group. It sounds like the run was tough, but you did good.

 

[equinox marathon 43]

Hey SGH,<br><br>
You'll get back to form. Recovering from injuries takes time. But you'll get there!<br><br>
Congrats on your race today, and on the hardware! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Jensparks]

SGH, congrats on the hardware! I've been where you are, and occasionally still get that way. It took me a year to get back to where I was pre-injury, and even now I question my ability. But doubt doesn't do anything but get in your way ... which isn't suited for a Rock Star such as yourself! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[mmoonptdeux]

SGH, congrats on the hardware! I know that time may not be up to what's your standard, but I know you'd kick my ass in a 5K that's for sure. I'd say this is a pretty promising start to your comeback by any measure

 

[Hippo]

Congratulations on the hardware, SGH! At some level, any run is a good run.<br><br>
FWIW, something I find helps me is to approach these situations as mental training. Humility and grace are things I frequently suck at, but they are key ingredients of mental toughness and discipline. Someday I may be able to take what I have to work with and use it wisely.<br><br>
But you're back in the game, that's all we stalke/spectator/boosters care about.

 

[Ileneforward]

Hey Sistergoldenhair, congratulations on the hardware and supporting a great cause! And you got a great sustained tempo run done too. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[dg1]

Great job SGH and congrats on the hardware!!!<br><br>
Your tagline says it all SGH. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[roots]

<img alt="icon_cheers.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_cheers.gif"><br><br>
And what Ilene said. When I saw the name of the race my first thought was hmm, this is what Andrea does!<br><br>
Its pre-season. Take it as an early season benchmark, knowing that soon after more weeks of consistent milage and with the introduction of quality that your fitness will improve soon enough.<br><br>
Congrats.