This morning I ran the Portugal Day race. It’s a NYRR race in Central Park, 5 miles of hills and hills. When I signed up for the race, I was really looking forward to this one. Being that it celebrates the Portuguese culture, I figured it would be a festive race with great crowds along the way. I also thought it would give me plenty of time to build up my mileage a little more and be a good test for me. Well, I was right on two accounts. It was pretty festive and it was definitely a good test for me, but I was not prepared.
You see, I haven’t been running much since I got really sick a few weeks ago. Whatever it was that hit me really stirred up my sinus problems and I’ve been having trouble when I run or workout. Actually, even if I’m walking pretty quickly and have to go farther than a few blocks. It’s been frustrating, to say the least. Then last weekend, we were away and I just chose to sleep in instead of get out and tackle the hills around the B&B we stayed at. I finally tried a run yesterday and while my legs felt pretty good, I had a hard time breathing and the hills I attempted were not easy at all. Not a good sign.
This morning I hoped for the best but realized pretty quickly it was going to be a tough slog. The weather was cool, there were lots of clouds so the sun wasn’t going to be an issue and after I hailed a cab when I realized the express train was going local, I got to the start in plenty of time. But, once the race started the hills just seemed massive, my hips tightened up, my quads were heavy and I felt like I had a clip on my nose the whole time. I could not breathe. Every time I got to another hill, I told myself “just get to the top.” I walked almost every water stop, which only made my legs worse, of course. I thought about giving up more times than I want to admit. But I kept thinking about what was head of me and set goals. If I can just get across the 96th St Transverse and to the east side…get up the hill to the ‘flat’ section along the reservoir…make it to the top of Cat Hill and cruise down…you can’t stop in front of a cheering crowd, get up this hill… get to the bottom of the park…you’re in the finish chute, you can’t walk now!!
These are thoughts that literally went through my head. It was rough. I actually think this race was my worst. Even worse than the NYC Marathon when I broke my foot, or the Detroit Half when I fractured my femur. This was only 5 miles and sucked from the start. I’m pretty embarrassed about the whole thing and definitely didn’t represent Oiselle well today, but this experience taught me a lot, too. I need to buckle down and run, but mostly, I need to get to an ENT and figure out what’s going on with my sinuses. I’ve been dealing with this since my surgery and I don’t have to live with it anymore.
My next race on the calendar isn’t until the 5k in Michigan next month. I will be ready for that one. I never want to feel like this again.
- How do you deal with a bad race?
- Do you love or hate hills?
- Did you race this weekend? How did it go?
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Today’s workout -
- 5 mile race
4 comments:
Sorry you had a rough time out there girl! :(
What 5k are you doing next month here? Let me know!
I had my WORST race ever May 20. I broke my foot. At Mile 3 of the Marine Corp Half Marathon. The next 10.1 miles drug on forever. (Of course, had I known I'd snapped my second metetarsal in half and displaced it, I may have stopped then) I could not get out of my head. I walked away physically and mentally defeated. All I can say is to firstly, be proud that you DID finish. You didn't quit. and use it to motivate you and push you to get out there again. You finished that WITH your sinus issue, imagine what you can do next time when you don't have it:-)
My fitness trainer suggests to run every morning. Its the best for losing pounds
Sosorry. Glad you're going to make an appt.
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