The morning of the race I got up at 5:30 to make the trek up to Arlington. Originally I planned to just get dressed and go, but my arthritic body had other plans. I slept poorly and upon rolling up and out of bed my body heavily protested so stiff I could barely move. I chose to take a 20 minute hot steam shower to combat this and it helped enormously. Luckily my early wake up gave me plenty of time for this.
After this I gathered my things, and headed out the door to drive to Arlington. I arrived around 7:30 for the 9am race. The pick up line was still virtually non existent since they'd been open very short amount of time. The temperature was just over freezing, but 10 degrees warmer than my house had been. After pick up I chose to go to the open starbucks to stay warm for the next hour.
At the Starbucks I met a family with a child that had JIA. I hate that kids get arthritis too but it was so great seeing a kid of 10 running despite JIA. His family is hoping that he will grow out of his arthritis and I am hoping the same.
At around 8:30 I wandered back outside and started my warm up. I ran loops of the courtyard for about 10 minutes and then proceeded another 5 minutes of stretching. All of which helped a very tight calf that I'd pulled in my sleep the night before. I went to the starting line and lined up after this.
The start of the race is mainly uphill and I had reservations during this time. The air was cold and I was worried not about this race but the coming one in January. I pushed through the first mile then my sternum/ribs had enough I walked 5 feet then started running again. I thought maybe I'm not ready for January. I continued with 2 more 5 foot walks. The finish is down hill and I pushed that last mile. When I turned the corner on the flat inbound to the finish I started my accension into the finish. I smacked the Garmin and stood shocked. I had to check the finish time.
My finish time posted quickly and I stood even more shocked. This race my goals were to 1. Finish Strong under 30 minutes, and my stretch was a 9:15 pace. Both of these I felt were worthy goals because it was my second cold weather run, and I knew I'd been having a lot of myositis problems with my back this week. I also knew I was in my opinion no where near the fitness level I was at when disaster struck last fall. However the clock said something different the clock told me a 9:12 pace with a finish of 28:35, and my legs were like nothing happened. I learned something key I am holding back due to my fears from my issues this last year. I may not be where I was but I am much farther ahead of where I even thought. I have to mentally get past this block. I am hoping this run is just what I needed as a proverbial smack in the face.
Although I finished this run with gas in the tank I do know the breaks in the cold were necessary I've had a number of coughing fits since the finish. I have arthritis in my rib cartilage and in my vocal areas as well. The coughing and vocal cracking is a result of cold air aggravating both of these. This means for the next few days I need to be careful with myself. Thus as much as I hate the indoor track 15 miles on the docket today will be indoors not outside like I'd prefer in temps perfect for my running. I cant be having runs cut short with the marathon so close like I had last week due to sharp weather changes causing my body to lock. So I have to do what I can to get miles in and if that means a monotonous track so be it.
Over all I am very proud of my performance yesterday. It was a huge confidence booster. I have decided there will be another 5k before I go to Disney. My goal will not be a PR but a sub 9 pace. I have also decided I will take the same tactic I used last year in the marathon: run 2.25 miles walk 1 minute while eating. This marathon there are no real time goals only to finish strong a long hard run. Time goals start in May at the Flying Pig. I am still recovering and rebuilding. I need to be careful how I do this since I'm running a damaged hip. Strength has to come before speed to ensure I can run that hip through the coming trials.
Yesterday I also was hoping to meet the Janssen rep at the run, but they never showed. I am as many people know attempting to raise over 5000 for arthritis research in the next year. I am running due to medications from Janssen and my purpose was to have a face to face meeting in hopes they'd be willing to sponsor me. That was not to happen, but something else happened equally awesome.
After my finish I walked past a booth with Health Central and was stopped due to my shirt. I was asked my story, and requested to come out next weekend to film my story for them. They are going to be sharing those videos of people with arthritis to spread awareness. I am very excited to share my story and my mission to raise funds while attempting a Boston Qualifier next year. I am hoping this helps my fundraising push and also helps my mission to inspire people to live big lives in the face of adversity.
The best thing about this little race is the people, and its why I go every year. I love them. I love hearing other people's stories. I met a family helping with volunteering their daughter had 2 forms of arthritis from childhood. I met another running for his father in law. Everyone there is at least for one day on the same mission as me to end arthritis. I was able to see a friend with a similair battle to mine who cant run but she volunteered too and it was great to catch up. In a way this race feels like family to me. It draws so many who support those living with arthritis I just love it and the stories. I cant wait to show up next year and hear new stories, maybe catch up with old ones too.
Captain Angry Bones
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