It worked out fine. Since I wasn’t really sure where I was supposed to go to catch the boat, I opted for the shuttle instead; I knew exactly where it was. The shuttle service was very organized. Did I mention it was also very cold like -- 44 degrees? Wanting to look cute, I’d worn more favorite pink skirt so my legs were freezing; thankfully I’d worn a long sleeve shirt so at least my arms were warm.
Once off the shuttle I headed straight for my corral, figuring that was just as good as anywhere to wait for the start, besides being in a crowd might keep me warm. Well, waiting is just what I did, being so concerned about parking I’d managed to get in line an hour ahead of time. No regrets though, it allowed me be relaxed and unhurried. No stress what-so-ever.
The bridge is two miles into the race, so I planned on staying with 2x2’s. As usual, with all the excitement, the run part ended up being longer than minutes. After about a mile and a half of not running with my watch, I decided with the bridge ahead I needed to get into a rhythm. As I began running 2x2’s consistently I was feeling ready for the incline. Ha, I’m guessing I made it a third of the way up the bridge before I decided walking was my friend. It’s possible I didn’t even make it that far. But I was having fun!
I love crowds and seeing the sea of people was spectacular. As far as you could see in front of you or in back it was nothing but people. I loved it and tried to get pictures as best I could. Another interesting note - it was pretty cool not being at the very end, which seems to be my normal place in a race. Note to self – always join races where there are a substantial number of walkers – it’s great for the ego of a s-l-o-w runner.
Cresting the top and beginning the decent was awesome, it also found me running a bit more than I should have -- and faster. At one point I looked at my watch to check my pace and it was
It was amazing. Psychologically, I was feeling strong – never thinking for one minute that I wouldn’t finish 6 miles! (Keep in mind I hadn’t run this distance in several months.) By mile four, which was close to the end of the bridge, I was aware my legs were getting tired. Not feeling like lead, yet, but I knew it was coming. I’d been holding out taking a GU until the water stand which was reported to be at mile four. Not seeing water anywhere near, I went ahead and took the GU … and then IT happened … literally.
Mile 4.5 – water stop. I walked thru sipping on water. As I neared the last table I was thanking everyone using my right arm in a sweeping motion. At that same instant a lady ran between me and the tables close enough that she was struck, in her face, by my hand. I was shocked and horrified I’d hit her and apologized as she kept running while offering me a dirty look. It was an accident and for the life of me, I don’t know how she thought it was ok to run that close to the tables or why she was that close to me, I still don’t understand how my hand hit her. Anyway, when I passed the last table and picked up my run, I felt a sudden pain on the outside of my left knee. WTF?!?
After only running a couple steps the pain was so intense I was forced to stop, what was happening? I tried again, after just a few steps the pain was horrible, so I began walking. I was confused, what happened? I tired again and this time before I’d made it even 5 steps the pain shot from my knee to my hip. I knew then what was going on – it was my IT band. I was confused because I didn’t understand why this was happening, it seemed to come out of nowhere. After several attempts to run and in total frustration, it dawned on me. When the woman cut between me and the water tables, it caught me off balance causing me to stumble ever so slightly. It all made sense, I was running downhill at a pace faster than I should have been, at a distance I’d not done in months so it didn’t take much to get hurt. Damn.
I continued with my feeble attempts to run, but the pain was excruciating and I each time I tried, I was forced to stop. Interestingly I was also finding that each time I tried to stop running it was getting more difficult. Not sure why that was happening. This disappointment was really setting in; I wanted to run. My heart sank as I watched what seemed like hundreds of people run past me, realizing not only couldn’t I run more than a few steps, but that I shouldn’t even try. I went thru a gamut of emotions. I wanted to cry, which is what I do when I get frustrated, but didn’t want people to see me crying and thinking I was giving up. I was NOT giving up! Worrying about finishing and whether or not I’d have to take months off for my knee to heal, I decided to stop trying to run and save whatever few steps of running I might have for the last .2 miles. That way I could at least run across the finish line.
Mile 6 - Passing the 6 mile marker I tried running again, the crowd was cheering at everyone and it’s so exhilarating – it makes it impossible to walk but within 10 steps I was forced to walk again. Fine, whatever, I WILL run the last .1. Just then I saw the finish line – it seemed to be about a block away so I took a few deep breaths and purposely began smiling and started running. Each step was increasingly painful, but I had to run. I wanted to run. I ran. I finished!
It was a great day.
