Half Marathon Report and the Foot Story!


I originally planned to race both this half and the full marathon 6 days later but after 2 weeks of awful allergies and less the adequate training all winter due to nasty weather and hamstring issues I rethought my plan. On Saturday night Matt asked me if it was the smartest idea to race on Sunday and reminded me how frustrated I would be if the marathon did not go well. I had a very tough time with this decision as I am very competitive and hate to not give it everything even when I know what is best. I mean I have finished a marathon with a broken foot, danced a competition thanks to cortisone and ran through multiple other pains leading to stupid results. Time to get smart!

The weather was still less than ideal 30s with wind chills in upper 20s (yes on May 5th) also meaning I would be able to race hard with my asthma. Matt and I got to the start and I met up with my friend (college roommate who is a newer runner) and saw my cousin who was the instigator for us deciding to run Dopey in 2014 and then headed to the start. After a moment of silence for Boston we headed to the start by corral but then waited, the lead police car was missing and it took 10+ minutes for this to arrive, ugh. I was freezing, this was way too long to stand in shorts with a breeze off the lake.

Finally, we started and I made sure I was behind the 1:35 pacer to not push myself. My goal was to run marathon pace at least for 10 miles in the middle, Mile 1 was a large hill with crowding so I managed an easy warm up and then hit marathon pace and managed 7:40s for much of the next 10 miles then Mile 11 and I started noticing a little ache in my right foot and left hamstring and almost decided to walk the rest just to be safe but I slowed and used it as an easy cool down.

I look down and remember why I am running as I see my Marathon Mom bracelet from Amy at Momentum and smile. I have never worn anything more than a watch when I run so I was a little unsure of this but it was great, I couldn’t even tell it was there and it was great motivation to look down and see those words! The bracelet was super lightweight and comfortable and even better cute. I plan to make this part of my racing outfit J The bracelets can be custom made for your motivating saying. Thank you Amy for making this for me to review! And she has agreed to give a bracelet to one of my readers, watch for the giveaway soon.

As I ran the final mile there was a man who passed me in full out sprint, my first thought wow he sure saved a lot for the end. But then he walked, he repeated this pattern sprint 30 secs walk. I am all about run/walk but don’t get this why sprint just to walk when you could likely run slow much longer. I see the finish line and was probably the only one not starting to push but I cross and done! Half #2 of 13 in 2013 and race #5 or 2013. Time 1:42 I think I really didn’t look.

Grabbed my pants and got ice on my leg and waited for Matt. I started noticing the outside of my right foot was achy, not a huge deal since I had surgery on this foot 18 years ago (the joy of being a lifelong dancer) and have issues off and on. But we got home and wow, the pain had increased. Yikes I walked in to the house and ouch! I rolled my hamstring and iced my foot only to notice a hard lump on the outside. Here I am in taper mode and I have new pain, so I turn on panic mode! I am nearly putting myself in a boot on Sunday as I start my foot exam to rule out peroneal tendinitis, stress fracture, Achilles tendinitis. None fully fit, so I am clueless. I did talk to the doctor I am working with who also ran the course and we think it is due to the slanted road on the course (similar to an issue I had over summer) and just a bruise since my bone already protrudes extra in that spot. If this is it, I should be fine. Fingers crossed and I need all the good thoughts I can get. 



Seriously, anyone have a crazy issue like this right before a race? 3 or 4 weeks ago I would have pushed through and not thought much but with 4 days to marathon day I am terrified. The pain is much better I can walk pain free but the lump has not changed. I walked 2.5 miles yesterday to start breaking in my brand new race shoes that UPS brought Monday and it felt okay. I am hoping for an easy trial run soon but in the mean time it is all about ice and rolling here.






Comments

  1. UnknownMay 7, 2013 at 8:07 AM

    So happy you found some extra motivation from your bracelet! You are truly a dedicated athlete!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yo Momma RunsMay 7, 2013 at 9:48 AM

    Ugh, that stinks that your are hurting. I've definitely run hurt before. It always seems to disappear while I run (endorphins, adrenaline?) just to reappear even worse afterwards. I hope you get some answers and that the pain lessens enough to make your next race a go!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenMay 7, 2013 at 4:31 PM

      I hope so too, I have managed to run through worse!

      Delete
  3. Mindy BobeMay 7, 2013 at 10:44 AM

    So glad you had a great race! But so sorry about the foot pain! Hopefully it will be so much better come race day!

    ReplyDelete
  4. M.LoveMay 7, 2013 at 11:44 AM

    You've got this!! Hope the foot clears up buddy!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownMay 7, 2013 at 1:05 PM

    I hope that your foot is for sure nothing and quits hurting quickly!
    Running hurt is never fun but trying to race hurt is the worst (as you already know!).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenMay 7, 2013 at 4:34 PM

      Oh yes, I know all too well, just hoping I don't have to do it again.

      Delete
  6. EmmaMay 7, 2013 at 1:38 PM

    Glad to hear the half went so well but bummed to hear about the injury. I always say, body knows best so listen to it! Sending healing vibes your way!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenMay 7, 2013 at 4:34 PM

      I need to be better at listening to my body!

      Delete
  7. UnknownMay 7, 2013 at 1:49 PM

    Hope the foot is back to 100% soon!!!!

    Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily

    ReplyDelete
  8. Two Runners Travel May 7, 2013 at 1:52 PM

    Just dealt with foot pain myself including an MRI. Thankfully no stress fracture, but I do have arthritis in the foot. It should be able to be managed with some topical medication. Good luck

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenMay 7, 2013 at 4:37 PM

      That is great news for you :) I'm sure I have some similar issues due to years of dance and now running, ugh!

      Delete
  9. Mom, inc.May 7, 2013 at 2:27 PM

    i actually did have some weird ankle pain before the marathon I trained the hardest for - it came on a few days before race day. i hadn't done anything to it so i wasn't sure why there was pain. i limped around the next few days, feeling like my race was doomed. but come race morning, the pain was gone. it vanished as mysteriously as it arrived. my friends all told me it was a phantom pain and assured me it was normal. i hope that is the case for you but it's good to get it checked out just to be sure. best of luck!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenMay 7, 2013 at 4:38 PM

      That is strange, glad it worked out. Maybe this is our body's way of making us taper?!

      Delete
  10. BarbMay 7, 2013 at 4:01 PM

    Ugh! I hope your foot improves. I severely sprained my ankle at the end of January, and still notice it from time to time. I also had to relace my shoes because I'm getting more shinsplints.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenMay 7, 2013 at 4:39 PM

      Oh no, hope your ankle and shins get back to 100% soon.

      Delete
  11. cherelliMay 7, 2013 at 9:29 PM

    Bummer on the foot - but oh man, to "cruise" to a time of 1.42 is unlikely to be in my future, your running ability (okay and of course dedication) are awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenMay 7, 2013 at 9:35 PM

      Thanks, you will be back :) Hope motherhood is treating you all well.

      Delete

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