[QuixoticNotions]

Alternate Title: <b>The Worst Run Ever</b><br><br>
Okay, so, I ran this 4 mile race in 40:55. For those fans keeping track at home, yes, that is a slower pace than my current half-marathon race time. It's about the speed as my normal 5 mile training runs. I never run less than 5 miles, except in races, so I have no other training run times to compare it to.<br><br>
I had a bad run Thursday. I had an even worse run yesterday, as my chronic bronchitis decided to act up and I just wasn't in the mood. I took tons of Mucinex yesterday. The motivation, I didn't know what to do-- because I haven't been looking forward to most my workouts in quite a while lately. This morning when I woke up, my shin was in all kinds of pain. Not long ago the doctor told me I had a stress fracture but it was almost healed. I've been taking it easy. Also, my bronchitis was still acting up and I could feel the phlegm in my chest. I decide to take it easy.<br><br>
I start off and do first mile at 9:30... start coughing some. I was right... today is not going to be the race day I had been planning on.<br>
Second mile in ten flat. Figured I'd stick to that the rest of the race, finish in 39:30 and call it a day. The next two miles didn't cooperate. My shins hurt-- but that's not what was holding me back. It's like I couldn't go faster! I ran with a girl for a while, and she pulled away. That's about an unknown for me, because while I finish slow in races, I always finish faster if I'm running with someone (because my tendency is to go quiete a bit slower than I physically can at any given distance. Mental thing.) I don't get pulled away from. Yet I did. And then I got PASSED. I'm not accustomed to being passed much if at all in the latter stages of a race. (That going slower than I can thing again.)<br>
I felt like I couldn't go faster. I felt like I wanted to walk. I felt like I wanted to stop running and just sit down and not get back up ever again. I hated what I was doing. This has been popping up during my runs lately-- but during a race? I love races! That's why I go even when I have no intent of racing. But yet, I was miserable. Only time I was a little happy was when I saw GaRebelRunner.<br><br>
I finished the race in a sprint-- not only because that's what I always do (I sprint at the end of my training runs, and sprint at the end of races) but because I no longer wanted to be running.<br><br>
I then limped back to my car. Yes, limped. It would appear that I shouldn't have started the run this morning with my shins already hurting. Even when I was told I had the stress fracture, I wasn't limping. Hopefully that stops. I'll go back to the doctor next week if it hasn't. I'm sure it will though.<br><br>
I got back to the car and I just burst into tears. I sat there for five minutes crying.<br><br>
Then, I started heading home. I almost pulled into my normal route to force myself through another five miles as punishment (yes, despite the limp while walking... actually hurts worse walking than running though.) ... but I didn't have my park pass.<br><br>
And so I'm back home wondering what the hell has happened.<br><br>
I knew I haven't had motivation lately. I haven't been able to handle as much, and it's been 6-7 weeks since the mileage/intensity I like to be at-- (since the shins were hurt) But I thought I was forcing myself through enough workouts to at least maintain my fitness. My race times have been going back up, but I haven't had a case where I had such a hard time, and disliked what I was doing so much in a RACE before. There's no reason for a time this slow based on what I've been doing, even though it's less than I like to be doing.<br><br>
What is wrong with me? <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif">

 

[diablita]

bronchitis = illness that sidelines many (yes, I run with bronchitis, but slowly, and terribly)<br>
stress fracture = injury that sidelines most<br>
mucinex = medication that can dehydrate you and it makes me drowsy<br><br>
Heather, that does not sound like a good combo for a run. Console yourself with the thought that most people wouldn't have had the willpower to go out there and run this morning. Then give yourself a break. And a rest. You sound worn out; don't you want to enjoy your runs?

 

[QuixoticNotions]

It's not normal bronchitis... it's chronic bronchitis. I always have it. Sometimes it's just more "present" than others. It's a COPD... the way it works is kinda akin to asthma<br><br>
Yes, I want to enjoy my runs <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif"> I love running. That's why I'm so concerned.

 

[merigayle]

you need time off and you need to listen to your body.

 

[Tithers]

I'm with Meri...take a rest.<br><br>
Also-why use running as punishment? You'll hate running if you do that. I'm referring to where you said you wanted to do the stone mountain loop.<br><br>
I'm fearful for your shins. Hope you didn't re-activate your stress fracture. How old are your shoes? Have you thought about custom orthodics? I went to Dr. Julien's office and saw his partner....should get them in another week or 2. We wear the same model...wonder if you need extra support.<br><br>
It's a nice rainy day here today girlfirend! You like to read (and I'm not talking about STUDYING!) Have you read Kite Runner or the Land of 1000 Suns? Same author-both excellent. I read both in 3 days.<br><br>
Don't be down on yourself. Just last week you had so much fun doing the Peachtree. Maybe you should leave your watch at home once you feel better and do runs for fun<img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[GaRebelRunner]

Hey QN, it was nice seeing you this morning. Sorry you aren't feeling well. But take some time off and maybe do some swimming exercises and spin classes instead to let your shins heel.<br><br>
It was very muggy this morning even with the overcast skies. Humidity was at 64% with temps right at 70. I saw a couple people using inhalers before the race.<br><br>
As for my race, it was good and bad. I cannot for the life of me keep an even pace without a running partner. My goal was to simply run 9 minute miles.<br><br>
Before the start I ran into a semi-elite runner from the Fleet Feet Duluth store and talked to him and his wife. Just before the start he moved to the front and I moved to the back. The runners moved forward and as we crossed the white tape marking the start I started my Garmin.<br><br>
The first mile once we turn onto Clairemont is a nice long undulating hill that doesn't end until the 1st mile marker. As usual I got caught up in the moment and found myself way ahead of schedule at the 1st mile marker. The second mile has a few downhill inclines but you are constantly either going up an incline or down. There were not a whole lot of just level running areas on this course. Grabbed a cup of water just after the 2nd mile and managed to get it down without stopping. For the 2nd mile and first half of mile 3 we are running through a fairly nice older neighborhood with every well kept homes. I noticed as we passed Fernbank Elementary they resume school on 8/13. That just seems too early to me.<br><br>
Just after the 2.7 mile mark we turn onto North Decatur Road in the Emory University Campus which will take us back to Clairemont Road and 400 meters later to the finish at the Decatur YMCA. This is a killer incline though. It just keeps going and going until just before you reach Clairemont a little over a mile later. Just before we reached Clairemont they had us make a slight turn through a fast food restaurant's parking area. As I was running up North Decatur I heard my name on the other side of the street. There was a Galloway group of runners I sometimes run with using the other side for their Saturday run.<br><br>
Finally made the turn on Clairemont Road and a little about 400 meters later made the right turn by the Decatur YMCA and passed the finish marker about a 100 yards after the final right turn.<br><br>
Turned in my card, got some Gatorade and was walking back to my car when I saw QN approaching the final turn, looking in very good spirits and all smiles. I would never have known she was not feeling well.<br><br>
The good: My back is apparently 100% healed now and I had no problems on the course. I really enjoyed seeing QN as I didn't catch her at the start.<br><br>
The bad: My mile splits suck all over the place. I was aiming for 9:00 miles, or 8:45 at the very least. I ended up with an 8:30 pace but that does me no good if I can't maintain consistent splits, + or - 5 seconds. I'm going to have to start running more miles at a specified pace and if I get ahead just walk until I'm back at my correct pace.<br><br>
I'm thinking for my long run tomorrow I might go back to this course and run a 12 mile loop keeping my run at 9:30 just to see how close I can come on my splits.<br><br><br>
My mile splits:<br><br>
1 7:51<br>
2 8:11<br>
3 8:33<br>
4 8:41<br><br>
Total: 33:58 8:30 pace

 

[Dankinia]

<b>QN</b> - Sorry your race was not what you hoped for. But you got out there with bronchitis and leg pain. Maybe a few days of rest will help out.<br><br><b>GaRebelRunner</b> - glad the race with well for you with the exception of the pacing.

 

[QuixoticNotions]

I remembered that incline from last time! I was thinking about it the whole race, until it was over. I even warned somebody by me. haha! It's a doozy!

 

[Jensparks]

QN - I echo Meri, rest ... it takes @6 weeks of NO running for a Stress Fracture to heal (some take a little shorter, some take longer). You keep running on it and you undo the healing you've already done. I know it stinks to hear it - I've been there/done that.<br><br>
The chronic bronchitis must be difficult to deal with ... hopefully it subsides again soon.

 

[Shadow38]

Sorry you had a bad race. Take it easy on yourself and give yourself a break.

 

[equinox marathon 43]

sorry you had such a tough race Heather.<br><br>
Cut yourself some slack. It sounds like you're not 100%.