2014 Airport 10k: The little 10k That could

On Sunday April 27th I ran my second Manassas Airport 10k. It seems fitting that this was the last race I made a personal record in before my fall from grace due to Arthur’s revenge and my first coming back with a PR. Sunday’s PR was unexpected for a number of reasons.

The first and prime reason the time I ran was unexpected, was I did not feel I was in shape to beat the time I had the spring prior. Spring 2013 other than a nasty sinus infection/chest infection thanks to steroids and chemo I was in the best running shape of my life. The 2013 race I did bonk out the last 2 miles but I had held tremendously fast times the first half. Those run times were ones I had not really pushed for this spring. I knew after several rocky months I had to rebuild slowly and I accepted that I was working with a damaged hip and now a new drug protocol. Apparently I underestimated myself in this regard my body despite the damage is ready to run it is ready to race and it is ready to be pushed to the limit.

The second reason I did not expect a PR was due to a family situation that had taken a lot of my time and stressed me to the point of flare. Three days prior to the 10k I went into the doctor to confirm a costochondritis flare (inflammation in the ribcage), and I was put on a pack of Medrol steroid. Since I am newly on Remicaide I now have to watch how I react after my next infusion to make sure this was driven by the stressful situation if it wasn’t they’ll up my dosage to every 6 weeks rather than 8. Costochondritis is not a fun thing to run with it causes stabbing pains in the ribs that are similar to what you would get from a heart attack. I happened to get it quickly and bad enough that I had inflammation on the sides as well pushing on my diaphragm and kidneys. This makes for a lot of cramping just breathing let alone running. To top off the costochondritis situation due to the family situation I also missed a good deal of training due to flare and helping my family out. So this adds up to losing training, plus running through pain and that is not conducive to a PR.

Why would I run a race knowing I have no chance at a PR? The reason is because in order to prepare for a PR the next month in the half marathon distance (over twice the distance of a 10k) I needed to know what I was dealing with. I needed the information from this run to fine tune for the run in 3 weeks making the most of the final two long runs, and three speed works going into the half marathon. I also knew that if I want to run PRs and I want to run strong I have to run despite pain I have to push through. By Sunday I would have three days of steroid in my system hopefully enough to let me run a decent pace to get a rough estimate of where I was physically. Finally I must run through bad conditions in order to run through snafus at a race. You never know when your diaphragm may freeze up unexpectedly, you will cramp, your nutrition plan could act up, etc. The best way to face these uncertainties is to train dealing with them head on which is exactly what I did at the Airport 10k.

The Airport 10k is exactly what it sounds like 6.2 miles of running through an airport primarily on its runways. This means the course is flat. Flat means PR potential. Airport also means another thing no protection from the elements, you are exposed to everything sun, wind, rain etc. It’s the best and worst of both worlds but often leans towards the best for running. April is an interesting time in Northern, VA for runners. It can either be very warm, or very cold. It can be dry, snowy, sleet, rain, or high winds. It’s a good season for runners though because typically the temps are not too cold but not too warm. Runners will run through anything but typically have preferences of temperatures, weather conditions, etc. April provides a relatively good and stable time frame in this area for a good chance at PR weather.

Going into the Airport 10k I knew the temps would be cool, around 45 degrees, I also had done a progressive easy run Friday with costo that told me if careful and warmed up I could push the pace. I went in feeling rested, injury free, and with enough information to finish with a good pace. I knew my greatest issue would be at 45 degrees keeping my chest warm. Cold air plus inflamed ribs equals cramping and diaphragm ceasing which means a lot of pain and difficulty running. Having faced this before I knew it was better for me to be on the warmer side keeping my ribs warm than cold. I also knew it was important for me to warm up and stretch so I wouldn’t be stiff at the start of my run which could also contribute to cramping of not just the diaphragm but my muscles as well. Steroids make me much more likely to get charley horses and other cramps so I knew it wasn’t just my diaphragm at 3 days in I had to be leery of I had to baby the rest of me as well.

The morning of the race arrived with an early wake up on my alarm, followed by a huge gust of wind. My first thoughts were great this is going to be interesting. I grabbed a running jacket to put with my clothes and ate my breakfast of running choice. Then I prerace showered to let the heat and steam open my lungs, and slathered volteran gel on my knees and hips. After this I grabbed my race gear and headed out. Upon arrival I picked up my bib, and took a photo with the “Mom’s Run this Town” chapter from my area. Then I warmed up, stretched and headed to the start line. The start line was cold I tried to keep moving to not get too cold.

As the race started I wanted to warm up quick I bolted out. My first mile was a <8 something I’d never seen in a race before. The second mile came around the next runway however and this is where the head wind started. The winds were high and my eyes watered despite my sunglasses so tears streaked my cheeks in addition to this my diaphragm cramped due to the cold air in my lungs. I did not let this deter me I pushed and wouldn’t stop running, one thing training through very active disease taught me was yes I can push through pain and I took that lesson to heart here. I looked down 9 and low change as I came across mile 2. I felt good as the cramp subsided and did not let this drop in time deter me. I knew I’d pushed hard the first mile, and faced heavy wind plus cramps that I’d worked through I could continue with a hard effort and make up for it. This is where I started to think I can come close to my PR from last year just keep pushing. I decided to hold a 8:45 pace the next two miles and ate at around 2.5 half a pack of caffeinated sports beans. At just before mile 3 the course for the 10k goes left, and the 5k goes right to the finish. Apparently the winds were so high that morning many cut their course finishing a 5k rather than the 10k. I took my turn into the airport side roads and started my push. Mile 4 was a downhill in head wind I cramped again but just told myself the turnaround uphill out of the wind is just ahead push for speed. I turned and at 4.5 I ran up the only slow uphill that lasted about .75 miles. I decided at mile 5 I felt good I’d push a <8:30 the last 2 miles and go for the PR because my times were signaling it was possible. Mile 5 I pushed just enough to bring in a good time bellow 8:30 but left enough gas to rev my time for the last 1.2 miles. The last 1.2 I did a progressive push the first half I pushed harder than the mile before, the second half I pushed even harder, and as the Garmin beeped for six I started the push towards the sprint, at .1 out I pushed as hard as I could to the finish. I smacked the Garmin crossing the line to see 52:18 and my jaw dropped then the tears fell.

Going into this race I did not expect to approach the 53:56 I had run the year before. The 52:18 meant I smashed my race in a way I never thought possible. After a year of struggle against my own disease I knew there was a possibility I just ran my first <8:30 10k. The official results came that night a 51:59, a 1:55 PR. In terms of distance a 10k is won by seconds or fractions of a second many times. PRs usually come also by seconds or half a minute not almost 2 whole minutes. My PR meant I’d dropped 11 seconds per mile from my last running of this course. It meant I was in close to the same fitness level I had been the year before. It was a victory not just for running but over arthritis. It was unexpected, and satisfying but extremely emotional. Sometimes the greatest victories are those we do not expect, the ones that sneak up on us and tell us you are worthy and you have won. I may not be 100% back to where I was last spring but I know I am almost there and my climb to even better times dependent on that I stay healthy is possible.

I am thankful that I did this race, and proud that I pushed. I earned this PR. Going into this run my only goal was to show Arthur who was boss. To come as close to last year as possible to prove I could still run good times and work from that. Instead I trampled Arthur into the ground and said this is my body, this is my run, and I can beat the clock. Triumph is the best breakfast a soul can have and I am happy to have had that feast after a famine I worried at one point would not end. There is work to be done but I am ready to do it. I am ready to be the best I can be and not afraid of this disease’s affects from last year anymore.


Captain Angry Bones

Coast to Coast: Part 1 Tinkerbell Half

Part 1

This set of race recaps is overdue. I’ve spent time trying to decide if I should do them together or separate but in the end decided to make them separate since they will each be long reports. Together the Tinkerbell Half and the Glass Slipper Challenge represent new beginnings and hopefully a brighter future for me.

The Tinkerbell Half Marathon was a first and a last experience for me. It was my first race longer than a 5k in nine months, and it was my last race before biologics.

I flew out to California’s Disney Land to run this race on January 17th taking my first 1st class flight. I arrived mid-afternoon and was greeted with glorious temperatures in the mid 70’s. My body relished this temperature change since at home we were having fun with the polar vortex and subzero temps the week before. This was my first solo trip where I wasn’t meeting someone or going with a group. I did meet some nice people for a couple of dinners though.

Upon arrival I checked into my hotel and went to the Tinkerbell Half Expo. I picked up my bib and my park tickets. Sadly the expo was out of the two things I wanted track jackets and a Tinkerbell Dooney Purse. The purse I was able to purchase at a later date from someone who purchased and wasn’t going to use it.

The evening I arrived and the next day I spent in the beautiful park of Disney Land. I enjoyed riding all the rides in comparison to the ones at Disney World. I loved pirates, haunted mansion, and Cars Land the best. I made sure to ride all of these at least twice. I also really enjoyed the Indiana Jones Ride, Little Mermaid, and many of the other rides I rode. I made sure to watch World of Color and bought special seating tickets with a meal that I had with new friends that came from PA. I was unfortunately too exhausted to see the fireworks over Toon Town on Sunday .

Sunday Morning was the morning of the race, and I woke up at 2:45 to head out for race day. We had to be in the corrals by 4:30am for the 5:30 am start. I cried a lot of happy and nervous tears before the race: I cried getting ready, I cried eating, I cried when my new friend came to take my photos, and I cried when I saw my corral. Tinkerbell was a race I’d wanted to do for 3 years since it started in 2012. I signed up for Tinkerbell in June of the prior year along with the inaugural glass slipper challenge for the new Pink Coast to Coast medal. I was on an emotional high and full of nerves on the morning of the race, more than I’d ever been before any prior race. This race was going to be painful, and it was going to be beautiful.

Despite being arthritic I am moderately fast and I entered in the A corral (the first set of runners let onto the course) for the start at around 3:45 am. I talked to a few ladies looked at all the costumes around me. I cried and I got excited. At 5:30 the fireworks went off and we were let onto the course.

The first miles went through Anaheim into the parks. We passed under a bridge with drummers on our way to the streets that would lead us to the parks that were amazing! The pond where they do world of color was lit up with dancing fountains of color and beautiful music. There were people on main street to cheer us on. We ran through the castle. We passed floats, characters, and Disney performers all out to entertain us as we ran. We ran down the street of radiator springs. Everything was lit up and there were cast-members, and many spectators cheering us on as we continued. We ran down the streets through downtown Disney seeing all the stores and spectators and then out to the streets of Anaheim. Here we were greeted with bands, and cheering squads as we ran the streets of the town. We went through a beautiful neighborhood of craftsman homes where the owners came out on their lawns with signs to cheer us on. Towards the finish the last mile was lined with spectators, and one sign that was made for a group online that I’d participated in had my name on it. That sign pushed me to the end with the cheers of the families waiting for their loved ones.

I went into the race with no time goal, and ready to accept the worst half time I’d ever run. I had refused a round of steroids three weeks prior that could have palliatively treated my condition while I waited for my insurance to clear the use of the biologic infusion drug. At that same appointment I had a count of 45 inflamed joints, and 20 of 22 fibromyalgia pressure points inflamed. I went into Tink knowing it would likely be one of the most painful races I’d ever run. I went in on a mission to prove to myself I could still run because I hadn’t run a race over 5k in over 9 months. I went to say goodbye to my struggles. I went to complete this race because it was my dream and no pain or suffering would take that from me. I had no plan for this race other than to build into it if my body allowed, and to get as many miles done before the sun came up since I don’t always take well to heat. My first mile took off and I worried it was too fast in the 8:30’s. I felt decent though, and realized this probably wouldn’t last so I needed to push for as long as I could so I’d have less of the run to deal with when my body gave out. Mile 5 my hips started to give me issues, and by mile 8 I was in excruciating pain. Every step I took from 8-13.1 felt like swords grinding in my hips. I pushed my body allowing it to slow but forced it to continue. I kept telling myself “You can run again, and you will finish. This is the last race you will run before the new drug the next one will be better. You came all this way cross country for this race you dreamed of just keep pushing”. I struggled and got to mile 11.5 where I was just about to start walking, for me if I start walking I typically have problems continuing running. At 11.5 there was the sign with my name and group members cheering me on, I screamed at them “Pixie Power” and I was recognized. What I heard next powered me through the last 1.6 giving me one of my slowest final miles in a race but the ability to kick it down the finish shoot. I heard “There is our first runner”. I looked down at my Garmin and realized I wouldn’t PR but I could finish with a respectable time. The surge I had was one of pride, and it allowed me to continue running. Despite every step being painful I was one of the first from our group to finish. Despite the hell my body gave me I finished in 2:05:36, not a PR but my second best time. I crossed the line and cried after getting my medal. I cried because I had beaten my demons, and I had crushed arthritis in its tracks. I smiled and forgot my pain because the pride in my heart swallowed it for the finish.

After the race I had to address my body and take care of all the issues it gave me. I did everything I could to help the pain, and inflammation. Though I went back to the parks I took it slower. I wore my medal I was proud and joyous.

The Tinkerbell half was not about a PR it was about something much bigger it was about me overcoming my demons, and it was about me being able to be joyful in just being able to run. A few short months prior I’d been pulled from running, and this finish proved I could still run and run through pain. I dug deep to finish, and I enjoyed every excruciating step. Disney made every step magical allowing me a diversion from what was going on inside of me. It allowed me to ignore that war and they gave me a reason to push with the many cheering spectators. Disney allowed my first race to comeback be a magical experience. After the finish I knew I was ready for the next challenge the Glass Slipper in a month where I’d have new medicine pumping through my veins and hope for a less painful experience.

When I went to CA I was prepared to run my worst half marathon ever. What I got was one of the most beautiful experiences of a lifetime that no pain or disease could destroy, what I received was not just a dream but my spirit. I have the spirit of a warrior ready to fight.



Captain Angry Bones