I was also breaking in new shoes. I ran on Wednesday at the track in my Merrells. Usually I just take my Bikilas. I noticed that when I was running I was lifting my big toe like I do with ballet flats which are tight in order to keep them on. I was on the fence about needing new shoes. The tread on my Merrells were worn, but for a road race, I'd be okay. And they had about 150+ miles on them, so I knew I was getting close to time, especially for a barefoot shoe. I was really trying to hold out until February/March when all the new shoes come out, but noticing the change and wondering how much of a correlation that has to this annoying new shin splint I have... And then reading online that they suggest going a 1/2 size up from your normal size, meant I probably needed new shoes. I also wondered how much of the shin splints/ leg pain was due to the pounding of worn down barefoot shoes, since when I first got the Merrells I was pain free. So I went to RoadRunner Sports and tried the next 1/2 size up. The guy said even that fit was tight, but since I walked in wearing my Bikilas I should be okay. Noticed the fit was more comfortable on the run. Just need to work on getting myself out of the habit of doing that stupid toe lifting thing. These shin splints hurt!
My calves must have been really tight. My plantar fascitis is really hurting today after my run yesterday. And I got an Achilles charlie horse today too, which is just painful and annoying. Took a nap with the splint on and had to get over the pain of keeping my foot flexed. But when I woke up from the nap, my calf and Achilles and sorta the plantar fascitis felt a little better.
Today was the PF Changs Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon. My dad and brother, Cory, were running it. I really wanted to run with them. But now I'm glad I'm saving my first 1/2 for a Disney race. I hear so many stories about how encouraging people are at the Disney races. Today it just seemed like everyone was there for themselves. There were people stopping with less than a 1/4 mile left and I wanted so much to scream out to them "COME ON!! YOU GOT THIS!! The finish is RIGHT THERE!" And people around them were oblivious to others. And then at the end my dad said that they just kinda shoved the medal in your hands. So not how I picture the finish line of my first race.
We took the light rail (for the first time) and the station where we got off was just past mile 1. I got tracking updates for my dad, but not for Cory, so we had no idea where he was. But we knew my dad hadn't started yet. We didn't know what Cory was wearing either. So we missed him at mile 1. We did see my dad and Ryleigh held up her bright sign for him. We then headed toward the finish. We got there as the first few people were finishing. One female world record holder apparently was leading for a while, but made a wrong turn and followed a car. So she ended up finishing at 1:28. We got pretty decent spots against the fence about a 1/4 mile or less before the finish line. We could see everyone coming in the chute. But we missed Cory since our spots weren't that good at the time. My other brother and Ryleigh saw Cory, but the rest of us missed him - again. He finished in 1:50:07!! Quite impressive since it's only his 2nd 1/2 and he hasn't trained that much for this race. Oh and he was running in shoes with HOLES in them. Quite literally HOLES. He put duct take on them to provide a surface to run on. He knew his Bikilas were thin before Christmas (he runs in Vibram Five Fingers). My brother got him a different style (Bikila LS) and it just doesn't fit him right. He's getting blisters in new places, etc. So he decided to go back to his old Bikilas for the race since he had those broken in. But before the race his midfoot of one had a hole in it. And the toes of another had holes in it. I'll have to post pictures, because it's quite the site. After the race, he had a hole in the other midfoot too. I can't believe that doesn't bother him.
I was able to see my sorority sister making her way to the finish too. She spotted me first and I was so excited to see her. So proud of her. But seeing my dad was the best. He was so easy to spot from WAY far away in his psychadellic yellow top and yellow hat. And he was unique because he was the only yellow shirt guy I found wearing a yellow camelbak to match so the chest strap gave it away to us that it was him. He looked pretty good at the end. Especially for a 55 year old completing his first half marathon!! So proud of him!! He's definitely in better shape than me. He finished in 2:36. Way better than the projected 3 hours that we first set our goal to.
He's been a great training partner and the one to push me on days I didn't want to run. Knowing that he was getting up and running made me feel like I had to go too. There were times when I wanted to give up and walk, but I can't let my DAD out run me! He's the reason I ran the entire Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in October. I'd never run 3 miles straight before. But there was no way I was going to let him keep going while I stopped to walk. He's trained on longer runs that I have time to do between long runs. He was up to doing 5 miles straight no walking. I wish I had time to try for that, one day.
Today made me super excited for my own race. I wanted to be the one out there running. It made me learn a few things:
1. That I need to wear something distinctive if I want my parents to find me while I race.
2. I need to make them sign up for updates.
3. I need to remember to have Chris sign up for updates so he knows how far behind him I am.
4. Cheer people around me on.
5. Aches and pains aside, ENJOY the moment!! Heather and my dad were so HAPPY racing to the finish. So many others looked like they wanted to die the moment they crossed the finish line.
I've also decided once I get that medal, it's not coming off. All day. It's my excuse for limping slowly through the park. And as my brother pointed out, it's a valid excuse for getting stuck on a ride. I saw the medal at the PF Changs Expo. I mean it is THE REASON I went to the expo to begin with. And it is gorgeous!!! Bigger than I expected. Bigger than my dads... :-D And TinkerBell SPINS!! And now I'm completely STOKED for the race. Last long run down. Got hopefully 2 (but 1 if the Plantar Fascitis doesn't go away quick) shorter runs this week, a 8 miler on Sunday and then maybe 1 3 miler befrore the big race. I have to at least do a 5 miler non-stop since my brother, 'Topher" did it yesterday and now he's bragging. He just picked up running a month ago, he has a ways to go before he can hold bragging rights over me!
I do like seeing how my decision to run Tinker Bell has inspired my family. My dad was running, but not really serious until I was started. Would he have done the RnR if I hadn't signed up for Tink first? Chris picked up running and has now found a healthy hobby. He could do well if he actually trained. And now Topher picking up running. Hope it lasts.
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