5k to 10k Journey has Begun
About a month ago, I started meeting with a new running group to get ready to run the Eureka Schools Foundation (ESF) FundRun. This is a race to support the Eureka Union School District, and it's a really fun event. It's a low key, unintimidating community race that offers everything from pancakes for non-runners, a dash for kids, a 5k and a 10k. Overall, it seems like an approachable venue and an achievable goal.
I've run one 10k before, a few years ago. It was the Shasta Regional Medical Center Turkey Trot in Redding, CA. I trained for about 4 weeks and ran the distance on sheer determination. Afterward, my body let me know that it was not happy with the decision. I had terrible knee pain the last 3 miles of that race, with stabbing pains in the outside of my knee. My husband, who has a decade more experience running than I, assured me that I was not causing any permanent injury and was very supportive during that race, especially since my stubborn nature encouraged me to "run through the pain." Afterward, I did a little research and found that I had a classic under-training strain known as "Iliotibial Band Syndrome."
It's been three years since that race, and I haven't run much since. In February, my husband's 10k relay partner had to back out of the SuperBowl Sunday Run, and I offered to stand in for him. It was my first run since that very uncomfortable Turkey Trot, and I was a little nervous. I was also under-trained (again...it's a theme, for me). My husband, Chas, ran the first 5k at his usual efficient sub-eight minute pace and met me at the relay point. I had my trusty iPod Shuffle loaded with inspiring tunes, my IT-Band supported with my favorite RockTape, and off I went. Jumping into his 8-minute wave of competitors meant I got to work on being patient with myself...runner after runner just cruised right by. I finished my half of the 10k at a ten minute pace without walking and was very tired at the end, but a little inspired.
So, fast forward a few months and I'm solidly in the middle of training 4 days a week with a great group of women. My goal is simply to finish this 10k, without walking, at a pace that allows me to feel good at the end.
I've run one 10k before, a few years ago. It was the Shasta Regional Medical Center Turkey Trot in Redding, CA. I trained for about 4 weeks and ran the distance on sheer determination. Afterward, my body let me know that it was not happy with the decision. I had terrible knee pain the last 3 miles of that race, with stabbing pains in the outside of my knee. My husband, who has a decade more experience running than I, assured me that I was not causing any permanent injury and was very supportive during that race, especially since my stubborn nature encouraged me to "run through the pain." Afterward, I did a little research and found that I had a classic under-training strain known as "Iliotibial Band Syndrome."
It's been three years since that race, and I haven't run much since. In February, my husband's 10k relay partner had to back out of the SuperBowl Sunday Run, and I offered to stand in for him. It was my first run since that very uncomfortable Turkey Trot, and I was a little nervous. I was also under-trained (again...it's a theme, for me). My husband, Chas, ran the first 5k at his usual efficient sub-eight minute pace and met me at the relay point. I had my trusty iPod Shuffle loaded with inspiring tunes, my IT-Band supported with my favorite RockTape, and off I went. Jumping into his 8-minute wave of competitors meant I got to work on being patient with myself...runner after runner just cruised right by. I finished my half of the 10k at a ten minute pace without walking and was very tired at the end, but a little inspired.
So, fast forward a few months and I'm solidly in the middle of training 4 days a week with a great group of women. My goal is simply to finish this 10k, without walking, at a pace that allows me to feel good at the end.
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