This was an awful race for me. I was corralled at the back. I started to jog the first mile or so and saw that people were walking much faster than I was running. Gosh, I took the Chi Running clinic, practiced, and wasn't getting anywhere. The first 5k was alright as I was following these people in their 60's who were speed walkers, pacing at 14 minute miles. It was hard keeping up with them and had to run to catch up, but lasted with them until about 4 miles. After that, it went continuously down hill. The balls of my feet started to burn and every step felt like needles going into my feet. I have a very short stride so hundreds of people passed me. I was humiliated. It was all I could do to finish. My feet hurt so badly after the race, I begged a policeman to take mt to my car which was up the hill. He wouldn't (Philly's finest), so I called a friend who did the race in 1:21 and they came to get me to take me to the bar they were at. I was feeling really low and spent the rest of the day horizonatally in bed. I could hardly get up to go to the bathroom. How is it that these people who were taking their time walking, blew past me? I stopped running due to my burning feet. How can I learn to walk faster? I have hired running trainers, took the Chi Running clinic, was in a running group, I've done it all. Nothing. Granted, I weigh alot, but so did most of the people passing me by literally, a mile. I know, I know, I finished, but this isn't what I had planned, [particularly if I get into IMFL 08. I would certainly be a DNFer.

Dunno.

Burning Feet


I didn't see a medical tent at all at the finish and couldn't walk long enough to find one. I guess I need to re-think this running thing. I will never be able to run. My average run time is 15 minute miles. People were walking 13 and 14 minute miles. All that pounding on a soon to be 54 year old frame to not get anywhere is pointless.
Sorry for the downer, but I've been at this for 4 years and haven't gotten anywhere, but poorer.