I haven't been running much lately and when I do only about 2 miles or so due to some self-diagnosed achilles tendinitis. I decided to sign up a few weeks ago when I ran under 44 minutes for a training run that usually takes me 46 or so. Unfortunately my foot stiffened up soon after that and hampered me up to the race. I debated dropping out as only was $20 but figured it'd be a good training run at the very least.

Now on to the actual race. Started DFL and literally was walking/not moving for about 30 or seconds after the horn. People were fanned out across the entire width of the path so was very difficult to make some headway. Eventually I started finding some openings and doing some quick burts/sprints to pass. Was a bit difficult to stay under control on a downhill section. First mile or two was going well when I hit a moderate hill somewhere in mile 3. My left heel starting hurting fairly signicantly on the uphill portion. Pushed through that and got to the 3 mile mark in 25:40. Right after the marker was the next winding, uphill portion and my foot felt even worse. I decided to try and push through hoping it would loosen up. About 100 feet from the top I did something I've never had to do in a race and that is walk. It was during this walk that I decided I would walk up any portion of the course that was causing me some pain. Unfortunately that was any uphill section I came to. Over the last 2.5 miles I bet I walked a half mile of it. When I could run without pain I did and on a positive note I got a lot of practice running downhills. Since I was well within myself aerobically I was able to sprint on home when the finish line came into view.

Finally get my foot looked at professionallly????? In hindsight I really shouldn't have done the race. I would like to think I could've broken 50 minutes for his race with proper training and fitness in the run.

Stretched out a bit, found a box of homemade chocolate chip cookies (yum!) and picked up our free plant (the race was at an Arboretum).


Left foot and lack of training because of said foot.


Can't wait to come back and try this course fit and healthy next year. Nice course to run on (very muddy this year from rain the entire previous day) and challenging enough. They weren't quite prepared for the amount of people who signed up for the race as a bunch of people had to park out in a field. One by one we all starting getting stuck (really stuck!) on the way out. Had to wait your turn and help push, pull others out with the help of a front end loader that an Arboretum employee was using. My poor car needs a bath. I was smart enough to bring extra shoes/socks but ended up wreching them in the field anyway!