I knew I was in the worst shape I had ever been, entering a race of this distance, but I put together a game plan and stuck to it. With a course time limit of 3 hours, I set a pace that would bring me in just under that. The run went pretty much as I expected. From the get go, the lower back was extremely painful. The ankle was still very tender too. Also, as expected, my other leg got sore for having to over-compensate due to my limp, which made it very interesting for most of the race, as I found myself using my bad right ankle to support the now worse left upper leg.
Another interesting issue was the matter of hydration management. The sun felt hot, even though it was rather cool, and I found myself dehydrated. They only had gatorade stops at 5k, 10k, and 17k, so I had to make due. Another unfortunate incident was that very early into the race, the pocket in my shorts ripped, and my keys, watch, and emergency kit broke loose. This meant that I ended up running pretty much the entire race while carrying this in my hands. Oh well, I am so used to running with my purse, that this seemed to be a minimal distraction.
Given that I ran wire to wire at the back of the pack, I had a police escort right behind me for the entire race (turned out to actually be saint john ambulance folks in the car). While I knew they were there, not once did I turn back to look at them (runner's superstition is to never look back during a race, no matter what).
My pace remained fairly constant throughout the race. I slowed down to a walk during the few short hills on the course, and found myself limping badly and feeling totally exhausted during the last 4 km, but I managed to get accross the finishing with a smile on my face, essentially laughing along with the finish line attendants - all of who know me. Gun time was 2.57.40, and chip time will likely prove to be about 20 seconds less. Close call and a few moments where I though I would have to drop out, but I struck it through. Depicted below is my finishers medal and my bib.
Not sure when or where I will race next. For now, I am extremely happy to have survived this one, a race that was pure physical torture for 3 hours.
I
3 comments:
So you managed to get to the finish line with a couple minutes to spare before they close up and go home. At that pace, pretty much a walk, you likely put less stress on yourself physically than an actual run would have, so kudos to you for having enough sense to basically walk a half marathon. Not really anything to get excited about, I am sure the volunteers were glad you struggled through without needing assistance. Now is maybe the time to quit the nonsense and decide if you really want to put an honest effort into training properly, managing your nutrition, and see where your post-op running scope is. I would suggest that you enlist the help of an experienced runner, someone who can help you actually train, and not just 'wish' for a decent result. I've looked at your other finish times, and can only conclude that you were a somewhat strong mid-pack runner when you were 'male', but far far from elite, so why not try to attain something of the same mid-pack ranking now. I know other transitioned athletes who have managed to compete at an only slightly diminished ability so it is puzzling that you have such a difficult time turning it around. In any case, i'd strongly suggest you re-think before foolishly risking injury and creating unnecessary work for medical personnel on race day. I believe they are there for legitimate racing injuries or unpredictable medical emergencies. Just trying to put some common sense on the table, no ill intent.
midpacker? LOL
me at my prime:
2008 Mississauga 107th out of 1369
2008 Eastern Marathon 2nd out of 9
me already into estrogen:
2008 Massey Marathon 10th out of 70
2008 NFLD Marathon 8th out of 37
2008 TO Water 506 out of 2457
stats don't lie.
i feel sorry for the amount of time and attention you seem to feel the need to spend critiquing me and trying to downplay my accomplishments.
to hide behind an alias, you have no credibility to be giving anyone running or medical advice. if u truly want me to take anything u say seriously, then please identify yourself and put you running credentials on the table..
perhaps u should take a look in the mirror and worry more about yourself and try to get over whatever insecurities, jealousies, and bitterness you seem to have for me.
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