River Gorge Run
2 weekends ago was the big test for me: am I ready to race again? I have already pulled out of 2 big races this season to let my foot heal and with a few more on the horizon (and a green light from the doc), it was time to test things out. I drove up to Chattanooga Friday night to attend an AIGA event (graphic design), then crashed at a friend's place so I could run in the River Gorge Trail Run Saturday morning. My plan was to just run the shorter distance (a 6.5 and 10.2 mile course was available), take it somewhat easy, and see how I felt.
I set off around the back of the first third of racers. After a short FSR section, we turned onto some singletrack and headed into trees. Soon enough we started a steep descent, a bit slick after all the rain the night before. Then we got our climbing on. and then some. I had been holding my own up till this point, but then began to yoyo back and forth with a few runners as my breathing got the best of me (at least the foot was feeling fine!). I guess after not doing much cardio for the past 7 weeks, something was going to go downhill a bit. Plus, this was the warmest weather we'd had to date and the humidity was high. Of course I could have slowed down and not tried to race... but something inside just doesn't want to sit back.
At the almost halfway point I was hurting. I saw Jim there which gave me a bit of a push, but in general I felt a bit lightheaded and sick. We hit another FSR here with some steep grades - a good place to slow, lengthen my stride, and stretch my muscles a bit. This section I had never seen before; most of the rest I had run previously. Finally a nice descent put some pep in my step and thoughts of the finish kept me going. I knew we were getting near the end and I could hear some voices coming up behind me, which was enough to push me to the top of the hill and the finish line. Exhausted, but I did it with basically no pain. (now to work on the rest of my body!)
I ended up finishing in 41/102 overall, and 11/43 in the women's division (time: 1:17:10). Not too bad for all the walking I did. I really think under normal circumstances I could have easily saved 10min, which would have put me in the top 5. A goal for next year!
Here are 2 pics Robert took out there...
I set off around the back of the first third of racers. After a short FSR section, we turned onto some singletrack and headed into trees. Soon enough we started a steep descent, a bit slick after all the rain the night before. Then we got our climbing on. and then some. I had been holding my own up till this point, but then began to yoyo back and forth with a few runners as my breathing got the best of me (at least the foot was feeling fine!). I guess after not doing much cardio for the past 7 weeks, something was going to go downhill a bit. Plus, this was the warmest weather we'd had to date and the humidity was high. Of course I could have slowed down and not tried to race... but something inside just doesn't want to sit back.
At the almost halfway point I was hurting. I saw Jim there which gave me a bit of a push, but in general I felt a bit lightheaded and sick. We hit another FSR here with some steep grades - a good place to slow, lengthen my stride, and stretch my muscles a bit. This section I had never seen before; most of the rest I had run previously. Finally a nice descent put some pep in my step and thoughts of the finish kept me going. I knew we were getting near the end and I could hear some voices coming up behind me, which was enough to push me to the top of the hill and the finish line. Exhausted, but I did it with basically no pain. (now to work on the rest of my body!)
I ended up finishing in 41/102 overall, and 11/43 in the women's division (time: 1:17:10). Not too bad for all the walking I did. I really think under normal circumstances I could have easily saved 10min, which would have put me in the top 5. A goal for next year!
Here are 2 pics Robert took out there...
posted by cathi at 10:55 PM
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