My First Race!! Hard Work Pays Off

After months of hard work, training, and aches and pains, I finally started and finised my first race.  As you've read previously, I started the Couch to 10k program in October.  Just after the first of the year I had to take a couple weeks off due to tendinitis issues in my right leg.  A week and a half ago it my leg started feeling better so I started back at the running.  I had already signed up for a race, but instead of a 10k (6.2miles) I signed up for a 9 miler.  Once I had to take time off from training, I knew 9 miles was not feasible.  Instead I stepped it back down to the 4 mile race.

The night before I made a list of items I thought would be good to take.  Quite a few items were a "just in case" deal.  I made sure I had my shoes all set with the race transponder in the laces.  Got my shirt all pinned up with my number along with the rest of my running attire laid out.  It was going to be cold in the morning.

Cold it was...in the teens.  I got up at 6am, had some toast with honey, grabbed a couple bananas and off to feed the horses.  I skipped making coffee and instead had 24oz of water with two packets of Emergen-C.  While at the horses I realized I did not put my shirt on with the number pinned to it.  Luckily I gave myself enough time to stop home to get it.  I then stopped by Walmart to pick up a pair of gloves.  I arrived at the US National Whitewater Center around 8am.  Plenty of time to warmup....as good as one can warmup in 20°F.  I changed into my Xterra trail running shoes and decided to leave my windbreaker on.  Then got my Garmin heartrate transmitter strapped around my chest.

Just before 9am event organizers had everyone gather in the staging area.  They informed us that the 13 and 9 mile races would start together at 9am.  The 4 mile race would start 10 minutes later.  The pic to the left shows the start of the 13/9.  Notice the guy's shirt that I've pointed out.

Once the 13/9 runners were off we had to wait another 10 minutes for the start of the 4 mile.  As you can see from the pic to the right people were doing all they could to stay warm.  Thought it would be fun to wear my horn hat.  Received lots of compliments.

All the 4 milers were gathered at the start line watching the official clock count down.  As it hit 0 the group was off.  For some reason everyone stopped, went back, and started laughing.  Appently even though the clock said start, we were not to go yet.  The group gathered back up and waited for the OFFICIAL start.  AND WE'RE OFF!!

The first half mile ran us around part of the whitewater park, which as you can see has been emptied for the winter.  This gave the group a chance to spreadout a bit and each person to find a pace.  The trail quickly went into single track as it entered the woods.  Everyone was pacing along nice.  The trail weaved all around, up and down, and had lots of rocks and roots to watch out for.  This trail also had a bunch of foot bridges which were a blast to run over.  About a mile in, the people in front of me started to slow a bit and I was still feeling good.  So I did my best to find good spots to pass.  Passing was a bit tricky at times, especially when there was a steep slope on either side, one up and one down, with the down slope going to a lake.  On I want though.  As I picked my way through I had one guy that seem to follow me through the whole way.  2 miles in, as we ventured away from the lake we start to hit more hills.  A few declines you literally had to leaping down the trail.  Really had to watch the ankles here, but still a blast.

The last mile I found many runners starting to hit a wall I guess.  My stomach was feeling a bit odd, but I ran through it and worked it out.  Many others started walking, so I was able to pass quite a few.  According to my Garmin I knew we were close.  I didn't try pushing it any faster since I felt my pace was still pretty good.  The last stretch was round a corner and up a hill to the finish line.  Crossed the finish strong and feeling great.  Not once through the whole run did my tendinitis flare up.  Now right after the event is a different case.  I walked around to cooldown and grabbed a free coffee which hit the spot.  Went back to my truck to wrap ice on my leg and down a couple more waters with Emergen-C.

I'm so glad I went ahead and did the 4 mile race at least.  Wish I would have had someone there to cheer me on.  Unfortunaly my wife was at a conference in Chattanooga and I didn't want anyone else to suffer in the cold just for my little race.  All I can say is that I'm hooked on running now.  They say you need to do something for 3 months before it becomes a habit, well I've been running since October so I guess it's a habit now.  Finished 51st out of 225.  My pace averaged 9:30/mile....not too shabby.

Place     Div       No.                    Name                Age S              City          St         Time   
===== === ===== =================== === = ============ == =======
       51     11     190                  Timothy Worden   34 M          Iron Station NC       34:36

Making Progress!!

I've been pretty quiet on my blog for the last couple weeks.  Been quite bummed about having to rest from running.  I know I've mentioned having some pain in my lower right leg on the inside just above the ankle.  Through research on the internet I found that it was tendinitis.  So for the last couple weeks I've been avoiding running, taking ibuprofen, and ice it a couple times a day.  This also meant I had to pause my Couch to 10k training and bow out of the race I had signed up for on January 22nd.

Instead of sitting around being bored and eating junk I decided to look into the new fitness studio just down the road.  They were running a special for the day since it was the new year.  I had some cash so I decided to join 24/7 Fitness Studio.  It's located just 5 miles down the road, right next to Jersey Mike's!!  So you can guess what I'll be having for lunch quite a bit.   The membership does not require you to sign a long term contract; I can pay cash month to month.  The studio is nicely equiped with top notch machines and free weights.  Since I could not run I decided to try the stationary bikes and elliptical machines.  Both worked really well and did not bother my leg one bit.  The elliptical machine is the best, though not quite like running, it still gave my legs and cardio a great workout without stressing my injury.  I like to try burning 400-500 calories per workout.   After a good cardio burn I've been hitting the weights.  My goal is to tone up with more definition in my upper body.  I'm not looking to bulk up since my long term goal is focused around running and weightloss.

My ankle had been feeling really good lately so I decided to jump on the treadmill for a little run.  I was not sure how long I was going to run at first so I just felt things out and decided after about 10 minutes.  Since I was still feeling good I figured a 5k distance (3.1miles) was a good intro back.  I set the pace at 10min/mile.  I hit 5k and was almost to 500 calories burned.  Finished the workout at 3.45 miles in 37min and 528 calories burned.  Mild discomfort in the ankle, but not pain.  Did some ab work to finish up my workout for the day.  Went home for ibuprofen and ice.  Still feeling great.  Official weight before workout was 184.2lb.  Down from 200lb in October.  I seem to be stuck in the mid 180s.  Guess I need to work a little harder;)