Beginners and Beyond

1

On the comeback trail-Redeye 8k RR-sort of long (Read 26 times)

workinprogress11


    2014 has been a year of major suckage for me.  I started off the year with a knee that kept filling with fluid.  I would get it drained, be able to run for a month, come to a screeching halt, get it drained again, etc....  My mileage suffered greatly from all of this and other than the catch-all osteoarthritis, I was unable to get any kind of real diagnosis.  For whatever reason, in early April, the knee started cooperating and I started building up mileage again in hopes of running the Erie Marathon.  Those plans were derailed with two deaths in my immediate family within a month and a half of each other.  These events lead to moving back to my hometown near Chicago and once again put me back to very low mileage.  I did keep running, though.  There was never a week that I didn't get out there for at least 15 miles.

     

    The clouds have finally started to clear within the past two months both personally and running-wise and I got back on track and got my mileage back into the 30's.  I have taken easy runs very easy and started really trying to do some intentional speed work instead of just progression runs.  With the upswing in training happening, I decided it was time to get back into the racing game.  I found a local 8k which interested me just because I had never done a race of that distance before and was sure I would at least be able to handle the distance without a major meltdown.

     

    I knew I wasn't in the shape I was a year ago so wasn't going to try to run what I would have been capable of then.  I decided sub 45 was a challenging goal, but not out of the question, for my current fitness.  What I wanted most out of this race was to run it in a way that I didn't get side stitches or stomach cramps, didn't outrun my fitness and didn't get discouraged.  However, I also didn't want to phone it in.

     

    It was about 25 degrees at the start of the race which is quite a bit colder than I like, but I had dressed appropriately and was cold for the first mile and just fine for the rest of it.  My Garmin measured at 5.02 miles so the splits below reflect that.

     

    Mile 1-8:54

     

    I started out the race just where I wanted to be.  It felt slightly difficult, but certainly nothing I couldn't handle.  The first mile is always where my breathing is a little harder than it should be.

     

    Mile 2-8:54

     

    I was very pleased to be so consistent.  My breathing had settled down and I felt good.  I thought I might be able to push it a bit more, but didn't want to get ahead of myself.

     

    Mile 3-8:49

     

    Mile 3 actually kind of snuck up on me. It was in an area I'm very familiar with so I was just kind of coasting along and had just had the thought that I was at about 2.5 miles when I passed the mile 3 marker.  I take the distance reading off the screen of my Garmin for races because it doesn't matter really, the race is as long as it is.  That's why I I thought I was at 2.5 miles when I was actually at 3.  It was a very pleasant surprise to be at 3 still feeling strong.

     

    Mile 4-8:43

     

    This is where I started really believing that I was going to accomplish what I had set out to accomplish and I can't tell you how happy that made me.  The last decent race I had run was the Chicago marathon in 2013.  I knew if I just held steady, didn't go crazy and kept doing what I was doing, I was going to go sub 45.

     

    Mile 5-8:41

     

    Even though an 8k is only 4.97 miles, as I said above, my Garmin measured at 5.02 which is actually closer to 4.97 than I expected.  During this mile I was amazed that I hadn't had any side stitches or stomach cramps as one or the other or both has happened to me in every single race I've ever raced shorter than a half marathon.

     

    Last .02-7:41 pace-Wow, I was fast for about 10 seconds, haha

     

    Final time-44:10

     

    At the end of the race, I definitely knew I had run a race and needed a minute to catch my breath.  The progressively faster miles suggest I could have gone a tad faster, but I'm really glad I ran the way I did as going out too fast and flaming out would have totally discouraged me.  The race went exactly how I needed it to and showed me where my current fitness lies so I can get to work getting my endurance and speed back so I can reach all of the goals I had set for myself before everything went to hell in 2014.

     

    I haven't posted much this year, but have continued reading everything.  I always learn something from each and every race report so appreciate those who post them.  I'll try to be less of a lurker and be a bit more active in the future.  Thanks for reading!

    hog4life


      I'm sorry to hear about the deaths in your family, those are always difficult. It looks like you have rebounded quite well though, your splits were very consistent. Congrats on getting that sub 45!

        Nice job. Looks like you picked a good goal, paced smart, and raced hard. A strong finish to an otherwise shitty year; sounds like you are setting yourself up well for a great 2015. Already have any goal races picked out?

        Dave

        Cyberic


          That sounds like a strong race you ran there. A confidence booster.

          Thanks for the RR. Like you, I enjoy reading them.

          LRB


            Moving under the best of circumstances sucks on its on, moving under those is much worse.

             

            I remember your posts in the injury thread, I am glad to see you still at it.  I am not sure anyone could critique you all that much on leaving any time on the course as sometimes it's just good to get out there and put in a pretty strong effort, which you did!

            Docket_Rocket


              Congrats on the comeback!  I am sorry for 2014, the deaths of your family members, and all the suckage.  Hugs.

              Damaris

               

              As part of the 2024 London Marathon, I am fundraising for VICTA, a charity that helps blind and visually impaired children. My mentor while in law school, Jim K (a blind attorney), has been a huge inspiration and an example of courage and perseverance. Please consider donating.

              Fundraising Page

              tracilynn


                Sorry to hear about the flyid on the knee etc but glad it seems to be cooperating now. What do you think "fixed" it? It wasn't meniscus?

                 

                anyway, congrats on meeting your goal and having a good time doing it.  Sounds like a good 2015 around the corner for you.

                ~~~~~~~

                Traci

                 

                fourouta5


                Healed Hammy

                  Thanks for the RR.  Negative splitting is always fun, shows you what fitness level you are at.  So glad you have yourself in better place, you have been missed in these here parts.  Hunker down for the winter, I see a good HM in the spring for you.


                  You Rang?

                    Nice race.  And given the opening paragraph of your race report, I wish you a happy new year.

                    Rick 

                    PR: 5k 25:01 (10/15) 10k: 57:44 (7/14) HM: 1:57 (5/15) FM: 4:55 (1/15)


                    From the Internet.

                      Congrats on the comeback! Sorry to hear how rough 2014 was, hope the next year is much, much better for you!

                      happylily


                        That you kept running through all those challenges and never gave up on it is so inspiring! The mark of a real runner at heart... I'm so sorry for your loss and all the physical problems that hit you during this recent period, but no doubt it has made you a stronger woman and I'm so happy to hear that you are doing better and are back to training! Congratulations on a perfectly executed race, those splits were beautiful! Well done!

                        PRs: Boston Marathon, 3:27, April 15th 2013

                                Cornwall Half-Marathon, 1:35, April 27th 2013

                        18 marathons, 18 BQs since 2010

                        GinnyinPA


                          Congratulations on running such a strong consistent pace.  I'm sorry that 2014 was such a hard year and I hope that next year will be much better for you.

                          workinprogress11


                            Thank you all for your kind words. I'm certainly looking forward to ringing in the new year and putting 2014 in the rear view mirror.

                             

                            As as far as racing goes, I am looking at a goal half in the spring and then I'll take another shot at the Erie Marathon.  If all goes spectacularly well, it will be a BQ attempt.  Even if I'm not quite there, though, I look forward to racing a solid marathon.

                             

                            Regarding the the knee, I was told the meniscus was ok. My knees have never been great.  Even before I started running they would hurt going up and down the stairs.  I honestly don't know what helped me turn the corner unless it was the reduced mileage that the fluid build up and subsequent pain demanded. I am just going to keep on going as long as the knees will let me and try not to worry about it too much until I have to.   One advantage to where I live now is that there are a lot of asphalt trails very near my house. In my prior location I did a lot of sidewalk running. I think the asphalt has been kinder to the knees than the concrete sidewalks.