Sunday, July 3, 2016

Stampede 10k Race Recap

Another 10k? Why not? I'm embracing these shorter races where I can find my need for speed! Since this race takes place in the town where I live, I've run this one multiple times. I signed up a couple of weeks ago and made plans with my friend Sara to meet up.


And then disaster struck.
Well, sort of. Last weekend while kayaking at sunset, I asked my son to take a picture of me posing on a rock. The sun was at just the right angle and I knew this was going to be a good shot. I got out of my kayak, onto the rock, and stood in king dancer pose. It took Matthew a little longer than I expected to take the picture and I slipped off the rock and fell into the water, landing on my sore foot. Hard. Like seeing stars hard.

He didn't get the shot.

Completely soaked, I climbed out of the water and back onto the rock. My foot hurt really badly and I was kind of shaken up. There was no way I was getting into any sort of a balance pose. So I did a really lame high lunge and called it a day. We watched the sunset and headed back to the dock.

The money shot. Wasn't it worth it?
On the way back, I noticed some blood in the kayak and realized that I had ripped my other foot as well. When we got back to shore, I could not bear weight on the foot with plantar fasciitis. My cut foot was not happy with me. I cleaned it up, bandaged it, and went to bed.

I was in a lot of pain the rest of the week and did not run at all. As the week went on I was able to bear weight on my foot, but I went back to the pool for some pool running. Of course, my friends at the pool, the pool noodlers, were happy to see me and curious why I was back. While I didn't mind being there, it was hard to not feel bad about missing some perfect running conditions. I knew I had this race coming up and it's really hard for me to even consider a DNS. That more than anything kept me off my feet.

Can't quite believe I'm back to this again.
On Thursday, I saw Becky and had her evaluate my foot. She confirmed what I already thought, that I just badly bruised the bottom of my foot. I had it taped with KT tape, and she told me to keep doing that. I was trying to avoid taking ibuprofen, because for me ibuprofen=diarrhea, and I didn't want THAT happening during the race.

Saturday, I rode my bike 30 miles. I was worried about muscle fatigue after such a long ride, so I foam rolled like crazy that night. I woke up Sunday morning feeling amazingly good. Yes, my foot still hurt, but so much less that I was able to walk on it. I felt eternally grateful that I would be able to line up to run.

We also started this month's squat challenge!
The conditions were perfect at the start of the race: 67 degrees, no wind, and mostly cloudy. I texted Sara but did not hear from her and figured we'd meet up at the finish. The 5k and 10k runners line up together and there were a ton of kids lined up towards the front. I tried to get in front of them. When the gun went off, I was glad I did that. I stayed to the side of the street so the speedsters could pass me. Of course, I went out super fast. Because I have yet to learn how to pace myself. I should take a lesson from Galen Rupp on that.

For the first 2 miles, I was running fast! I consciously tried to slow down, but my first mile was 7:57 and mile 2 was 8:06. Once we split off from the 5k runners, I was able to slow myself down. Interestingly, I ran behind a guy whose shirt read "got freedom?" for the entire race. I saw a couple of my neighbors who were volunteering at intersections to help direct us. I also saw Matthew's rugby coach, who was putting a sprinkler in his front yard to cool the runners. I stopped and chatted with him briefly. I mean, I kind of had to...

There were a surprisingly lot of people out in the front yards to cheer us on. I waved and smiled at all of them, because it feels good to smile and how nice that they came out! Lots of sprinklers were out. There were plenty of water/Gatorade stops as well.

Mile 6 was a net downhill, and I made up a lot of time there with an 8:19 split. I pushed it as hard as I could for the last 100 yards to the finish but there were people passing me up. Still, I was thrilled to see my finish time, which was shockingly the EXACT SAME TIME as my most recent 10k on Memorial Day.

Good enough for 3rd in my AG and 19th overall!
What are the chances?

I found Sara at the finish line and congratulated her on her amazing 6th overall female finish. She came in 2d in her speedy AG, but this race was a huge PR for her! It was great to see her. We haven't done any races together this year, and I really miss that. We are going to plan on a fall half together before she runs Chicago.


We collected our awards which turned out to be snifter glasses! I have a running joke (pun intended) with my friend Penny about snifters and cognac and ascots, so I sent her a picture of Sara and me. We lift our snifters to you, my friend!


We also saw Alicia, who is a blog reader and lives nearby. I first met her last winter at Whole Foods when she recognized me from the blog. She also reads Sara's blog. So fun to see running friends at a local race!

Me, Alicia, and Sara! Snifters all around.
This is always such a wonderful, well-organized race. This year the shirt is awesome and I will wear this one again.


So now I sit on the deck, writing this recap, and resting my foot. Yes, my foot hurts. I'm going to stretch and foam roll in a bit, and I have no doubt that I'll be fine by tomorrow. Hopefully enough for an easy run around the 'hood.

Multipurposing
No DNS for me. The AG placement was icing on the cake. You didn't think I wasn't going to push it, did you?


Did you run a race this weekend? Share the details! Do you go out too fast?

I'm linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap, as well as Ilka and Angela for the Sunday Food and Fitness link up! Lots of good reading on both!





75 comments :

  1. No one would have any idea looking at the beautiful photo that Matthew took that you'd just gotten hurt. The lunch looks lovely in the sunset, not lame. Not what you intended, but you made some lemonade from lemons. That's a win.

    It's good you weren't severely hurt and that you were able to run, um RACE, today. Good work on your A/G placement. I like you foot-cooling agent. ;)

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    1. I know that I'm going to get some heat from running on a sore foot, but I know my body. Even during the race, I vowed to drop out if running became painful. By mile 2, I didn't even feel it. Glad I did it.

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  2. Awesome race, Wendy! Great to see you again. You, Sara, and I should meet for a run sometime soon. Have a wonderful 4th!

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    1. We have to make a plan to meet up again! You should PM me your info.

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  3. I am so glad you got to run this race AND you did really well!!! Sorry about the freaking fall that aggravated the foot. SO since I recently dealt with PF I have questions for you- and if you don't feel like talking about it I GET it. But I was wondering if there are ever days it doesn't hurt? And what is the pain threshold you will still run on it? Like on a scale of 1-10, what's the highest pain you will still run on it?

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    1. I had to really think about your questions! There are days when the pain is minimal but I always know it's there. For a while, after Big Sur, it didn't hurt at all. I really think it has something to do with my stride/left kinetic chain. I was supposed to go to PT, but then Matthew broke his leg.

      On the 0-10 scale, I will probably run when it's a 5. This past week was initially a 10, but it really was probably a 3 yesterday morning.

      I don't mind talking about it but I'm pretty sure people are sick of hearing about it. Plus, as I've said before, I don't want any more advice on what to do. Nothing I've tried has worked except rest. GASP!

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    2. I understand about not wanting advice! I get particularly annoyed if someone gives me advice (about anything, not just PF) on something I already tried and all they had to do was ACTUALLY READ THE BLOG POST to know I tried that already it.

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  4. Wow. Ow. Wow! Congrats on your race and your AG place but owie on your foot! The race I'm not doing tomorrow is hard not to start out to fast - an out and back that's downhill on the out!

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    1. I'm expecting a speedy finish time for you with that kind of course!

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  5. Glad the race went well for the both of you! Isn't it great when someone recognizes you from your blog? I haven't had that happen at local races but I have at Disney races and a few races at the beach!

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    1. I've had it happen a few times, mostly locally! You never know who's reading, do you?

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  6. What a freak accident! I am glad your foot did not bother you during the race. Congrats on that awesome finish! No races this weekend but I just started training for a half marathon so I am hoping to add in some races to the training cycle.

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  7. Ugh!!! It looks like a beautiful attempt of a picture from what you posted, but so sorry it ended unpleasantly!! After seeing the picture of your foot, I'm so impressed that you were able to run on it... I do love the way you iced it down though :-) Thanks so much for sharing at the Sunday Fitness & Food Link-Up, Have a Great Week!!

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    1. I thought my foot looked pretty good after the race--no swelling, just sore! Today it feels great. Had to be the beer, right?

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  8. Congrats on the AG finish. I think it is fun to run in my neighborhood, we have one race (in Feb.) that starts 5 minutes from where I live. Not only convenient but I get to see so many people I know.
    No racing here, the season drops off for the summer. You can find some trail races but that is not much of my thing, and I have to drive far to find them. So while marathon training has started, racing season is on hold until Sept.
    Hope your foot is feeling better.

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    1. There are always races all summer long here, but the long distances really drop off until the fall. There is that RnR Chicago half in 2 weeks, but that is scratched off my calendar for now. I'm secretly relieved--it's going to be a hot one!

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  9. You are a beast (and a speedy beast at that). I'm doing a 4th of July race in the morning...hoping my wonky foot (that has been MUCH less wonky) will do me proud. Congrats on your awesome finish time!!

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    1. Thanks and good luck on your race! I hope your foot behaves! Show it who's the boss!

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  10. Sorry to hear about your foot! Awesome job on your 10k and congrats on your AG place! Have a happy 4th!

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  11. Oh, so sorry to hear that your foot had you missing some good running weather. I'm glad you were able to have such a good race, and wish you continued recovery. I like those snifters!
    Congrats on the AG place!!
    As I read this, I'm getting ready to head out for a Freedom 5k in my hometown. 5k is still a big deal for me, trying to break 30 minutes today.
    Have a safe and happy 4th!!

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    1. Good luck on your race! I hope you break that 30 minute barrier. Isn't it funny how we set these arbitrary goals for ourselves?

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  12. Im glad your foot felt good enough to run! That fall sounds painful, especially on a foot that was already giving you trouble. Congrats on a great race and the AG placement!

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    1. What are the chances that I'd land on that foot?

      Have a fun 4th!

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  13. I'm so glad you are ok! Your poor foot! Congrats yet again on another AG award! You are killing it! xo

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    1. It helps to be in the old lady AG! Altho I keep getting beat by this one woman...grrrr. She's 54, so next year, she'll move up!

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  14. so sorry about your foot! congrats on the race! i didn't walk a race but i cheered some friends on last night!

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  15. A great race and pace! Congratulations! I like the award too. It's different. I'm so jealous of that weather. Zero races around here -- too hot! "Multipurposing" is definitely the perfect remedy. Thanks for linking Wendy!

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    1. I was so pleased with my finish. Maybe not running the week before a race is the way to go?

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  16. That sounds like a fun race!! 10Ks are a fun distance :) I hope your foot feels better soon!

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  17. Oh my gosh I'm so sorry about your foot! Congrats on your AG - you are so speedy! Hope your foot feel better soon.

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  18. Congrats on your race! I am so sorry to hear about your fall and your foot. But the photo that your son took looks pretty good.

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  19. Oh my the things we do to try to get a great photo! Glad your foot is feeling better and you were able to do the race. Do your kids make fun of you and your social media? My teens find it all very amusing :)

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  20. Sorry to hear about your foot. Sounds like something I would do to try to get a good pic. Glad you were able to run and congrats on the AG finish! That is a great time!

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    1. There's a whole thing about IGers trying to get good photos and getting hurt in the process! I'll have to dig up the article.

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  21. thats amazing!! good for you- keep up the good work. So sorry about your foot and i hope you feel better!

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  22. You are a rock star! Even with a bum foot you still placed 3rd. Way to go!

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  23. Wow! So you had a trauma injury on top of the PF! Wow- I didn't realize that. I thought you were struggling with the PF only when I saw the pool picture originally. Well, it's good that you were well enough to run the race, and get an age group award nonetheless! What a great ending to what seems like a frustrating week. I love that you are icing the foot with a beer!

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    1. The PF seemed to really calm down with a week of rest. It's still bothering me but no worse than before the fall.

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  24. Oh no! Your poor foot!

    I also have a Stampede 10k on July 10 and injured my foot in an unfortunate accident on a slide. (Not really unfortunate, I just shouldn't slide while drinking.)

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    1. I didn't mention it in the blog post, but there may have been some wine involved in my lack of balance...

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  25. Congratulations Wendy! I would have climbed on the rock to pose too.

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  26. It was totally worth it...right? Maybe I shouldn't have tried such an ambitious pose!

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  27. Congrats on a great race!!! Glad you were about to do it and not DNS. My feet are bothering me right now too :-(((((

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  28. Oh, man! Your poor feet! They are really taking a beating, aren't they? I do love that you were able to ice with that beer bottle. Very effiicient and I approve.

    Congratulations on another awesome race! 10Ks are the best, and I only wish we had more of them around here.

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  29. Congratulations on your AG win, so cool and with a great prize! I hope your foot is okay and that you'll be back it to full strength and speed soon!

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    1. From your lips to God's ears! I'm so tired of PF. It's been about 9 months. Enough already!

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  30. Oh geez, Wendy, could you give that poor foot a break? And I don't mean literally, either! You are a beast breaking out an AG award after all that -- congrats!

    I raced yesterday. No AG awards (I know, shocking, right?), no PRs, and I was still extremely happy with my race. No, I did not go out too fast & it was negative splits, and my running partner who always falls behind me in the beginning (not Darlene) managed to smoke me again. Hrumph.

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    1. I know, I really need to give the foot a break. I'm considering going back to the doctor, which tells you how much it hurts.

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  31. Congratulations on your AG! I saw your post on IG and was very excited for you!!

    You were FLYING during your race! that's amazing!

    We did a free 10K, and I surprised myself by staying at almost the exact same pace the entire race, except for the last mile. A runner friend was ahead of me for 95% of the race, then I passed her at the last .20 of the race... I felt a little bad about that, I don't know why.... well, I do know why. I got 1st place in our age group, and after I passed her, she ended up with 3rd. and I just kept thinking that if I hadn't passed her and stayed behind her, she would have gotten first place in our AG. But oh well... sorry... I just kina went off there.

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    1. Congrats on that 1st place AG and all's fair in love, war, and racing...

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  32. Holy crap woman!!! I actually gasped when I read about you slipping off the rock!! So sorry that happened (damn Instagram!) but so glad it all turned out so well. Congrats on your fast finish (even with a stop and chat!?) and just having some race fun with friends...which is what it's all about, right? Rest up and heal/heel.

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    1. Yep, the "stop and chat". If I'd kept on moving, I would have been a little faster but still wouldn't have moved up in my AG. It was totally worth it.

      Damn foot.

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  33. No one would have guessed you were hurt in that photo- that is to bad! :( Looks like a lot of us ran over the holiday 3 day weekend! It was a hot and steamy one for me but I pulled out a PR! I hope you are having a great week- rest those feet!

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    1. I was so excited about your PR! I told you Coach M was the secret weapon. Even tho she's not my coach, she gives me a lot of support.

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  34. Oh my goodness, Wendy. So sorry to hear about the foot injury - but what a relief that it didn't hamper you from your 10K! Way to push through and nab an AG finish even when you weren't 100% and a little chat on the course. If you were 100% and didn't pause to talk, imagine what you could have done!!! In the meantime - I wish your foot the speediest of recoveries!!!!

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    1. This foot is making me crazy! But I'm glad I can still pull it off even with a bum foot!

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  35. Congrats on such an amazing 10K, Wendy! What an awesome time! So happy for you!

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  36. I'm so sorry to hear about your fall and your foot, but man what a race result! I got tickled at the "I had to stop and talk to the coach during the run!" Sure didn't effect your time! :)
    Congratulation to you Wendy, rest that foot!
    I'm jealous of my Northern friends running races, but I'm also enjoying my low mileage and some indoor classes.

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    1. I'm back to time off again. Going to the sports med tomorrow to see what's wrong with this foot.

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  37. Congrats on the speedy race and third in your AG despite your foot issue! Please don't pose for any pictures near Niagara Falls! Love the snifter as a prize! :)

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