I’ll start at the 5k, where I left off on my last post. Well, I finished! I’ve included a post-run photo here (I’ll explain this in a bit) and a picture of my view as I finished the race.
My time was 49:41, my goal was a 45 minute 5K, so I was disappointed, but quickly reminded myself that this gives me a time to beat.
And now… the 5K
I arrived early enough, and parked in the public parking garage. I should’ve been concerned with the stairs and the walk, but it was early and I shrugged it off. After all, I’ve been working out! Right? Great. It was a chilly morning in the beautiful city of Birmingham, Alabama as I walked towards the event’s starting line. I was wearing my race day t-shirt, it came with the 5K’s entry fee, my leggings, and a jacket. I thought about the sweater the entire walk towards the event: where am I gonna put this, should I drop it on the side of the road, at what point will I warm up, etc. Once I arrived, it was cool to take everything in. There were families, music, an inflatable Ronald McDonald, and an actual one. There was face painting, people from all walks of life, pageant winners with sashes, and families holding signs declaring who they were doing the run for, or in honor of. I spotted the mayor of Birmingham, looking like a total rock star. There was a younger gentleman, wearing a bib like mine (the thing that identifies the runner, with the numbers on it) drinking what appeared to be a beer. It’s 7:15AM, no judgement, but I had to ask: “Hey, good morning” the older lady says with an awkward smile (yes, that’s me). The twenty-something year-old young guy stops mid-sip and smiles, and says “hey”. I asked, “so, is that apple juice? because it looks like beer” He widens his smile and says, “oh, it’s beer. I do this before I run” I just laughed, “well, then cheers, I was just curious” I said. He proudly held his glass up, and took another big gulp of his “protein drink”. I come to find out later from my daughter, there’s apparently an entire trend of this on social media. A bunch of people who drink beer before, during and after their runs. That’s nice. I’m glad I monitor every single calorie and nutrient I put in my body. Ahhh to be twenty-something again.
I observed, and enjoyed the vibe of friends and family gathering together. I always love when humanity puts its best foot forward. The stretching began about 10 minutes before the start of the 5K, and then we all lined up. We all sang the national anthem and got ready for Ronald McDonald to sound the air horn. Once it went off, everyone headed out. I was so grateful to be there.
I pulled off to the right, knowing that I am slow, and I wanted to stay out of the way of the faster runners. People were lined up on the street cheering-on all of the runners, I had a stupid smile on my face, until… not the hip, but my right knee tightened up, popped, and then just hurt. I was maybe a quarter mile in, when my knee just went on the fritz. I pushed as much as I could, but then switched to intervals of running and walking. Once I made it to the 1 mile mark, I did a lot more walking than running. I wasn’t last, which was nice, and at my walking pace I was still passing people. However, about 2 miles in, I just wanted to enjoy my music and take in the experience, but above all, finish. I was hurting. Upon crossing the finish line, I’m handed a bottle of water and hear, the Cha Cha Slide being played and spy a bunch of people dancing along. Of course, I joined the group already dancing and my knee was not having it. I got to the “2 hops” portion of the song and my knee said, “NO MAS”.
I thought it best to start my walk to my car. Oh, the walk to my car. The parking garage was further away than I remembered and the stairs and steps made me rethink all of life’s choices. The shooting pain of my knee distracted me, and I ended up walking past my car a few times, because of course I forgot where I parked. Thus, the picture of myself finally sitting in the car. Oh, good times. I’m really bad at the selfie thing, so my apologies.
Once I got home, I took some Advil, got in my cold plunge and felt overwhelmed and grateful to God.
Monday morning came around and I went back to my classes at the gym. Now convinced of the obvious, I need to lose some weight to ease the pressure off of my joints. BUT, how in the world am I going to do that?!?! This season of life has proven that weight loss is truly a lofty goal.
This past Saturday, after a 2.5 mile walk with my dog, pressure washing some stuff, and cleaning the house, I prayerfully came to the conclusion that I need to give my knee some rest. It’s just hurting really badly. So, that’s what I’m doing, this entire week, and honestly, I’m hating it. I miss working out, which is insane that I’m even saying that. Like, who am I?! But, I just feel less sluggish, and I sleep better when I work out, and I’m more clear-headed. Ugh, what I rebelled against is actually good for me? Who knew?
Here’s to resting, recuperating, and praying that we get past the injury phase of this journey. Because I’ve already paid for my next 5k, and I have a half to get training for.
And… Cheers to the random beer drinking runners out there.
