Notes
Windham Flat'n Fast 5k. Actually slightly uphill the entire time - somewhat misleading. No expectations coming into this race, I was just hoping the adrenaline would get some speed back into my legs. Talking to Brandyn at the start line he was looking for 5:10 pace for the first mile. That sounded about perfect to me so we started out together. But I was feeling quite good so it wasn't too long before I started moving away from him. I had my eyes on the front pack which was starting to string out. Sam Fazioli was lingering back a little as was that UNH kid. I was somewhat close after the first mile so I set my sights on them. UNH kid fell back a little more and I was able to pass him pretty decisively. Looking ahead Fazioli was probably about 75 meters in front of me but seemed to be going close to the same speed I was. It stayed like that for a minute or two more but after that disaster struck.
I started getting a pain in my left heel that was slight at first but grew significantly over about 5 or 6 seconds. When it got to that point I decided to walk. I gave it 30 seconds and tried jogging but stopped again after the first stride. Not worth it. Walked it in.
Now that I'm home and have been able to assess it a little better I think the place that is causing the pain is my soleus. It definitely responds to stretching and rolling. Digging deeper I'm guessing the combination of race flats and a rail trail was too much for my soleus / calves to handle right now. This is the first time I've felt anything like this. It makes some amount of sense considering I was also having calf problems a couple months ago when I was more starting out building my mileage up. I'll continue rolling and stretching, maybe take tomorrow off and see how I feel when I run again.
This race was a mixed bag. On the one hand I felt great and although I did not have a clock on it I would estimate my time to be between 16:50 and 17 flat based on how Fazioli finished. So aerobically I think I am getting where I want to be. On the other hand obviously it is really frustrating how stuff like this soleus thing keeps happening. I really hope it is minor and goes away in a day or two. I am feeling good and don't want all my hard work to go down the fucking toilet again.