I left Portland limping pretty bad. My left heel/plantar faciitis struck hard. It has been about three years since I have had a flare up. Last time it was the other foot. So back to the foot doctor. I have had two anti inflammatory injections and was fitted for new orthodic inserts. I have been resting up, stretching and icing. Did not race the Defiance 50K. Lost my streak of 100 mile months (93). Gave up on trying to make the 2013 Tacoma Marathon my 100th marathon or ultra. The foot has been improving although I can still feel some discomfort in there. On Thursday I ran a good 4 miles and felt fine afterwards. In my recovery I would be running another 4 today. As long as I take it easy I might as well do this fun short race.
Cold and frosty. It is right about 32 degrees but feels much colder since it has not been this cold yet this season. I will wear tights and layers, especially since I will not be moving so fast.
About the same turn out as last year. Most of the runners I do not know this year. At least Amy is here to add to the fun factor. We warm up together, but of course I will not be anywhere near her in the race.
Start - I start in the back and hope that there will be a few others about my pace. Most of the runners look really quick and in fact, when the race starts most of them take off fast. I feel like I am going faster than I should, but even so, I am way in the back. I do pass two women early on, and there is one more father back. Now on the road I pass one guy. Everyone else is coming back from the turn around and are already too far ahead.
Mile 1 - Frozen leaf trail. Good footing though. This really is a very fast course as far as trails go. No hills and the turns are not excessive. Just watch for the roots and I should not fall. At times I can feel my foot discomfort and I slow down a little. Other times I am moving about as fast as I can and my breathing is ragged. Hopefully I am not making my foot worse and I am getting a great cardio workout today.
Mile 2 - Woman a ways ahead of me keeps running at my pace, I can not catch her. People behind me are not getting any closer, so I am on my own for most of this race.
Finish - 3.03 on the GPS and last year the exact same course came out at 3.08 miles. Either way it is my slowest time here by far and one of my slowest 5Ks ever. But I'll take it. Happy to be out here today.
25:18
14th place of 18
Race#283
5K#71
Tis the Season for a 5K at Millersylvania State Park #5
1 comment:
It was about the same number of runners, but a totally different crowd! I only knew a few as well. It was a great race and fun to run with you again! I hope your foot is back to 100% soon!
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