Above all, I was wondering why the hell I was awake at 9:30am on a weekend morning. Despite getting to bed early, I was feeling (and looking) rough:
A not all too uncommon occurrence: I was late. Luckily, when I reached Bethesda Terrace, I was greeted by a MASSIVE group. Spot Stephanie, our mentor.
The coaches were just finishing their pep talk so I stealthily slid into the group (or as stealthy as a wild child 6 footer can manage). We were going to run the roughly 1.7 mile lower loop of the park. For beginners and half marathoners, the coach suggest one loop. For advanced and intermediate runners, he suggested two. I eat that loop for breakfast. No problem, I thought, I'm gonna hit the ground running (pun intended) and take off with the advanced group. For longer distances, I've been training with the Galloway technique: running with short walking intervals. I've worked up to 10 minute intervals in the past and can do the flat Reservoir loop without a walking interval in a good 16 minutes. So alright, I thought, I can make this first loop and do a leisurely second loop.Worst. Idea. Ever.
These people are runners. Despite it being a "conversational pace", I was quickly wheezing at anyone who wanted to chit-chat. And hello, Hills! I got a good 15 minutes of running in before I started to find myself drifting further and further back in the pack. I opted to do a walking interval and my mentor Stephanie caught up with me and walked it with me. I explained that I had thrown myself in too hard and she assured me that it's okay and I've got nothing to prove. This is a fact that I have a hard time with. I don't want to look like the dopey gym class failure. I finished strong with a run. So here was my predicament: The advanced group was far ahead of me. The beginner group was far behind me. Hang out and look like I shortcutted? What to do? I decided to knock in another half loop on my own.
So I was alone. Meanwhile, an Ultra-Marathon was being held in the park (a marathon and a half...nutsos). Since we were running on part of the course, we got a little cheering from some of the race volunteers. I particularly enjoyed the group of Italian tourists chanting "Run! Run! Run!" as I chugged up a hill.
I was getting kind of down on myself when I heard, "Hey, are you Team in Training?" A nice girl trotted up beside me and she looked like she was struggling (a comrade in arms!). She is a mentor but her knee was giving her some trouble. Together, we ran-walked-ran the rest of the half loop as she explained to me the tragic circumstances that brought her to Team in Training. A coworker went in to get a check up for a bad cough. An X-Ray revealed he didn't have a cough but Leukemia. A few days later, she randomly received a TNT flier and took it as a sign. Sadly, after she completed her first marathon, her grandmother got diagnosed with Leukemia, as well, and now she's back. I was glad she caught up with me.
Since I was between the two groups, I was officially the last person to finish the training loops. Flashbacks to the middle school half-mile run... I wanted to explain to everyone that "No! Really! I did like 2.5 miles! I'm not a beginner, I swear! Circumstances just made me finish last!". I really have to get over that self-conscious gym class failure thing. Anyway, the season has begun!
My calf was bothering me a little bit on Sunday but I figured it was just tight. Yesterday's run with Jenn revealed it is an injury. Because I procrastinated in getting new sneakers, I've been having some pain from the lack of foot and arch support. There was some searing pain and I really had to slow down. It seems I've strained the top of my Achilles tendon. Hopefully it won't be a problem but damn it hurts. At least I finally got the incentive to buy new sneakers (and cold weather gear!):
Second TNT group training run today! And hopefully Mr. Chaloff will make an appearance.
So Miss Celeste. First lesson - never compare yourself to any other runners out there. You are doing this for you and no one else, if you think differently it will not work out favorably. The beginner group is just where you belong; you have never run a half marathon (only with a camera in a car - and that doesn't count). So what if you are faster or stronger or whatever than them - it should make you feel good - for that time. You get out of this journey what you put in to it! Galloway is great - stick with it.You will continue to pass all the people because you will feel strong and they will be tired. You want to feel like you can go on with your lfe after an early morning Saturday run. Do not let this control you - though it's really hard not to. Marathon/Half Marathon has to fit into your life, but all runs must be run unless you feel ill like with a respiratory illness. That being said, never beat yourself up if you miss a run, life happens! Oh, one more thing while on the lecturing mode. Only let a doctor diagnose an injury. trainers and mentors and teammates are very well-intentioned but they do not have a medical license. Expect some aches and pains especially in the beginning and when your mileage starts to increase. You will learn your body and know when something is an injury that should stop you or when you just need to slow it down a bit.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the lecture - especially since you didn't ask.
Remember one important thing: You are a superstar!!! You are doing something absolutely amazing for yourself and for the Luekemia and Lymphoma Society..
I am so proud of you I can't even explain! My only sadness is that I will not be at the finish line with you - I am so glad that I am at the starting line and I am able to take the journey with you. There is nothing like it.
Keep blogging, this is the highlight of my day!
Be true to yourself!!!!! Enjoy all that you do!
Jamie