NYC Race Weekend

Finally getting a chance to post this after catching up with some work stuff after vacation.  What a bittersweet weekend last weekend was. My first real trip to New York to run a half marathon with my cousin and I had a bum foot.  Once she found out about my tendonitis we discussed canceling for a little while but decided to just go and make the best of the weekend.  We had already bought the plane and race tickets and I still wanted her to run.  And I know she did too!  So we agreed to go and take it as easy as we could.  I knew that she would understand if I needed to rest after walking for awhile or didn't feel like going out late night because I needed to ice my ankle. And of course, that's exactly what happened and we had a great time.   

On Saturday, we did some sight seeing.  Of course we rode the huge red double decker around town like typical tourists.  But it was fun and it kept me off my injured foot.  Later that afternoon, we picked up our race packets and perused the booths at the race expo (one of the most depressing half hours of my life).  Then we made our way to the fitness store Athleta which was a few blocks away. They were one of the race sponsors and had a little event at the store- free snacks and energy drinks and raffles for fitness gear.

I liked a look of the things in the store but WOW, can we talk about expensive?  Sorry, I have a hard time shelling out $80 for a pair of running tights or a light running hoodie.  I was hoping they would have some deals for girls running the race, but nope. :(

Race morning was Sunday and I knew from the beginning that I wanted to go out to Central Park with Allison to watch her off and then to meet her at the finish line. I knew it would be difficult to see all the other racers getting excited and jittery before the start.  I was jealous, disappointed and overall just sad.  But now, I was there for Allison and I knew she would kill it.  I channeled all my negative emotions about the run into positive, exciting and hopefully motivating ones for Allison.  There were at least 10,000 runners, all women. It is the biggest women's only half in the country. Hoda Kotb was there hosting it as well, which is pretty cool.  Allison loves her and wants to be her best friend.  Haha.

As I was walking to a coffee shop nearby I got to wander through Central Park and what an awesome place. It's really a different experience to be among trees, flowers, fountains, ballparks, walkers/runners, people playing fetch with their dogs, (even a zoo) and then look up and see sky scrapers catching the morning sun on their windows. Two separate worlds, one circling the other.

During my alone time while Allison was running, I got a chance to sit and think (and write) about this whole healing thing.  Resting has really been a challenge for me.  For the last 5 years of my life I've been one of those people that is up before her alarm without any groans or "5 more minutes" croaking out between yawns.  And I'm out the door, either at the gym or (more recently) enjoying the sunrise on a long morning run outside.  I'm constantly needing to be on the go.  After work I usually go to a fitness class at least 3 times a week. So I'm not used to having all this extra free time on my hands, and to be honest, I don't like it.  But I just have to keep telling myself it is what it is.  There is nothing I can do to change my current situation.  And once you hear it from a doctor that its either "two weeks off now or six months off later" you know its no joke.  That really hit me hard.

Advice from my friend that I can't get out of my head- "All you can do now is focus on healing for the next opportunity.  You'll get another shot."  So that's what keeps playing on repeat in my head.  

OK back to what else we did in New York.  Believe it or not after 2 solid straight days of walking my foot actually felt better.  It was sore at night and hurt after I iced it but I think that's pretty normal.  Today marks 8 days that I haven't run.  The doc said 10-14 was what I needed to take off.  So the trip was just the first few days of recovery but now I'm half way there!  Anyway Sunday after the race, (which Allison killed!- beat her last time by like 5 mins) we grabbed lunch (Dean and DeLuca, duh) and then went back to the apartment.  Allison only rested for about half an hour before we decided we should go out again and see Brooklyn via the double decker bus.  This was a great idea because we got to see some cool parts and landmarks there as well as the famous Junior's restaurant.  (You know the one with the cheesecake that P. Diddy made the cast of that show Making the Band WALK miles just to bring him back cheesecake!?… RUDE).  Needless to say, we both got cheesecake…. but just so you know, it kind of sucked.  :(

Monday we did the uptown loop on the tour bus route which included Harlem and the parts north of Central Park.  Then we went to Chelsea Market which was another highlight for me.  It was this neat market that had tons of local boutiques and restaurants.  It is also where some food network shows are filled.

So overall our NYC trip was great.  Obviously, we both would have had more fun if I wasn't hurt and was able to run but oh well, there's always next year!  I'm kind of hesitant to write about my plan for my next run because I might jinx it like I did this one. So I just won't… at least for now.  But please PLEASE running Gods, let me be well enough to start training again soon.  PLEASE.   

Hoda cheering on the runners

the view from the apt we stayed in

me about to devour that raspberry tart

Tulsi for dinner on Friday

Allison and me before the race

the accomplished runner

a cool piece of graffiti outside of Nolita

Holy Peroneal Tendonitis

On Sunday I had my last long run before my half in NYC in two weeks.  I did 10.1 miles.  Two weeks before that I did 7.2 so this was sort of a big jump to do in one week.  Five miles were on the Cooper River Bridge and then the other 5.1 on the trails under the bridge and down and back Coleman blvd.  So I checked the weather like I always do before I head out and the little image next to the temp was a little swirl, not a cloud, but a swirl.  NOW I know that that little swirl means that there will be epic hurricane like winds that will try to blow you completely off the bridge, rip your hat off your head (that happened) and do everything possible to keep you from moving forward (while crushing your spirit and all motivation you have at the same time).  My hat really did get blown off my head by a gust of wind at the top of the bridge.  And I had it on tight with my ponytail through the loop too.  INTENSE.  My first mile time was about 3 minutes (THREE MINUTES!!!) longer than my usual average mile. It was just nuts.  It took almost all of my energy to just stay put and not fall backwards as I running up the incline.  And obviously it took a little more to actually move forward uphill. 

note the little swirly character...lesson learned

When my watch beeped at mile one I almost died when I saw the mile time.  “11:06”.  HAHAAAA I really did laugh out loud as I was running, and then quickly stopped because I couldn't breathe and eat a bunch of wind at the same time. This Saturday will be my last mid length run before my half on the 13th. In true tapering fashion for training, I’m doing the CRBR which is 6.2 miles, the perfect length to do one week away from a half. It also obviously incorporates an incline, which my half has 5 of.  FIVE.  CINCO.  CINQ.  What was I thinking?  

So after my run I relaxed the rest of the day, went to a movie with my family.  (Non-Stop. Liam Neeson… DO IT). And I felt fine all day and fine all day the next day (took Monday off from running), a little dehydrated but my body felt completely normal.  UNTIL… Monday night after I had heavy bag fitness class and krav.  That night before bed, I felt this strange pain in my ankle and bottom of my foot.  It was a dull pain but still noticeable.  I thought it would go away, but it hasn’t.  It’s actually gotten much worse.  I’m an idiot and don’t take anyone’s advice (not even my own) and ran on it Tuesday which was a really dumb thing to do. My planned 4.5 mile run got unexpectedly and painfully cut short at 3.2 when I rounded a corner and I thought a knife had gone through the bottom of my shoe and into my ankle.  I did some research and it’s got to be peroneal tendonitis.  PT is an inflammation of the two tendons rhat run behind the ankle and down into the foot.  They help stabilize and support the ankle and it’s movement.  Overuse of these tendons (or stupidly jumping from 7 miles to 10 miles in one week) can result in inflammation and pressure on the ankle as well as extreme tightness and soreness along the tendons.  Treatment?  Rest.  REST.  REST????  What’s that? UGHHHH… this is the worst.  I not only have my half in 10 days but like I mentioned above, I'm supposed to run the bridge run in 3.  I’ve been icing the beast like crazy and I’m addicted to ibuprofen at the moment.  No big deal.

So here's my NEW plan of action: Take the next 3 days off... 99.9% sure I wont be running the bridge.  (I don't' want to talk about it, more than a little upset.)  But I know that if I run the bridge I probably wont be able to do the half and that's more important to me right now.  I really need to stay off this thing.  Most of the things I read about PT said that if you keep training and irritating the tendons, they will tear and then you will need surgery.  In other words, I'd be S.O.L and my life would be a complete mess without running. It sucks and is super frustrating, but what can I do?

Focus. Focus. Focus.  I just keep thinking that in 8 days I’ll be on a plane to enjoy a fun filled weekend in NYC with my best friend and then doing a little bit of a run (painfree) on Sunday (HOPEFULLY).

yep... that's where it's ouchie.

Dreamboat