Hamstrung

Hamstrung

Exactly one week prior to my last race in Easton, Massachusetts I decided that I would run some sprints with my son and his friend.  But before I tell you this story, I will tell you the story of the self-absorbed old man who believes that he "needs" to be thinner and faster to fulfill his egomaniacal goals.  I have previously mentioned that I have set this goal of 50 in 50 in 50, and I feel it important to set mini goals in order to force myself to train.  Then, of course, it makes perfect sense that I would feel the need to improve at each event.  What would be the gain in traveling all over this country to jog or walk and/or not improve.  Some of my friends have suggested that I should slow down and enjoy the race, enjoy the scenery, enjoy the venue, enjoy the people.  For me, a large part of the joy of this ambition, aspiration, pretension is entrenched in my performance.  Of course my perception of my performance is variable and measured by a few factors, one of which is finish time.  Variable only because a finish time of x is only a positive performance until I achieve x as a finish time.  After that, x minus something is the new measure of a positive performance.  It is a sliding scale, if you will.  Tied snuggly to my joy is an ever-decreasing finish time, therefore it is important to me that I continue to train and become stronger and faster and.... better. So, I run every day.  Now, before you begin to think that running every day is a negative that will hamper my performance because the body needs rest (I do not necessarily disagree with you), but I do not run hard and far every day.  Some days I only run one mile, and sometimes not even more than a light jog.  Those are my "rest" days.  This is important to me because it forces me to have no excuses.  To date, I have run 206 days this year.  It has forced me to remain diligent in my training, but has not necessarily helped me to increase my speed or decrease my finish time, which, if you were following along would increase my joy in the process. 

So, I decided to do some speed-work.  My son is starting middle school tackle football.  He was interested in a little summer training before football camp and the beginning of his season.  So, he asked me to help he and his friend train.  I thought this would be a great opportunity to get in a little training with them.  I had a whole hour planned of sprint and interval training, focusing on speed and "quick feet", bursts of speed.  I warmed-up by jogging over to the field with them and light warm-p exercises.  I set up the cones and laid out the plan.  I had a stop-watch (made by apple in the form of iPhone) and said, "ready?  GO!" and busted out a quick 20 yard dash.  I beat them both.  (this is important to me -- I like to win.)  Then we rested 10 seconds and back 20 yards.  I won again.  Rest 10 seconds, then turn and "GO!" another 20 yards.  Rest 10 seconds, and yet another 20 yard dash.  Still winning.  :)  Then rest 20 seconds and a 40 yard dash.  "Ready? GO!"  The good news is, I crossed the finish line before them both.  The bad news is a snake bit me in my hamstring, or a sniper sniped me or someone ran up and snapped the back of my leg with a big rubber band.  Whatever it was, it was super painful.  I did not run the rest of the sprints.  I was able to walk, but not without wincing.  As I mentioned, this was exactly one week from my next race. 

I tried to jog home and make sure I got in my mile, but I was forced to walk most of the way home.  That day's mile was a bit over 17 minutes.  Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.  Walking for the next couple of days was tough, but each day's "run" was quite uncomfortable.  Day 2's mile 14 minutes.   Day 3's mile 13 minutes, Day 4's mile 12 minutes.  A friend saw me "running" and she said she nearly called the ambulance or at the very least stopped to ask me if I needed a ride.  I think the word she used was "pitiful".  At this point I did not think there was any possible way that I could possibly force myself to continue another 12.1 miles after each day's "pitiful" mile.  Day 5's mile 11 minutes.  I am thinking of cancelling.  Day 6's mile 9:53.  But with a modified gait, maybe I could run another couple of miles.  Day 7's mile was a jog, but I felt decent.  Which brings me to Easton, Massachusetts. 

I decided to go.  Even if I had to walk, I felt like I could still finish and the accomplishment would be persevering through the injury without injuring myself further.  This would also help me to continue the journey at at least one a month. 

The Narragansett Summer Running Festival, which includes a half marathon was held on the campus of Stone Hill College in Easton, Mass.  It was a cute little campus. 

I rented a car in Boston and drove to the neighboring town and stayed at the Roadway Inn.  It was a posh little 2-star hotel.  Truth is, it was fine.  All I needed was a clean bed for a few hours... and that is all it had, but at least it was clean.

Race morning was the only check-in and packet pick-up, so I drove over and followed the signs to the racer's parking.  It was on a college campus, so the parking was by parking pass everywhere except the racer's parking area.  Then we all walked over to the packet pick-up, got our bibs and shirts, walked back to the car to deposit our shirts, then walked back again to find the start which was behind the building.  The picture above is from a previous year's race, but that was pretty much the start.  In the parking lot, behind the building with an inflatable.  "Ready?  GO, GO, GO!"  There were a few pacing markers and some pacers with signs, but of course no one followed them.  I situated myself back in the pack a fair amount.  I put myself just in front of the 10:00 per mile pacing marker.  I had no intention of running fast.

From a cardio perspective, I felt great.  I was holding conversations with people as they passed me.  I did not pass very many people.  I did not stop at the first two water stations which seemed to be every mile or so.  I did not need to.  I was running so slow, from a cardio perspective.  I was not tired.  I just could not make my leg move without pain.  It was a "pitiful" gait. (thanks Michelle). 
Mile 1 -- 9:19
Mile 2 -- 9:17
Mile 3 -- 9:11
4 -- 9:05
5 -- 9:10
6 -- 9:21 Started to hurt a bit
7 -- 9:26
8 -- 9:36
9 -- 9:26
10 -- 9:53
11 -- 9:51 struggling a bit now (the leg)
12 -- 10:24
13 -- 10:29













In all, it was a 9:34 average pace.  Finishing 2:04:46  Not terrible, considering.  I was not so disappointed as I had resigned myself to running slowly and not hurting myself.  Mission accomplished.


Overall it was a nice race.  Good race support and volunteers.  Lots of police support.  Scenery was pretty.  There was some gravel, some trail, some grass, but mostly road. 

Narragansett is apparently a beer, and being on a college campus, there was a whole beer thing for the after party.   I did not participate.  I had to get back and shower and leave for the airport.  It was a quick trip.  The only real snafu.  I brought my drivers license for check-in (they did not want it) and some how lost it.  I was able to get on the plane just fine, but I was slightly worried for a few minutes.  Good thing I have a GOES global entry card.

Next race Akron, OH.  Goodyear Half Marathon.  August 11.