Sweetheart 5k/Tapering/Ailments

Saturday was gorgeous but was VERY windy, making it quite cold. The Valentine's Races were a 10k, 5k and a 5k Walk.  There were 500-600 people that participated.  First a couple of pre-race pics. 

A little nervous but ready to go.  This was Kent's first race since his surgery in mid December. 

This large group came out even with all this wind.  Racers gather up to start the race.  Just look at how everyone was bundled up. 

And the runners are off...all 10k and 5k runners started first.

Then the racewalkers were lined up...and off they went.  There were about 160 of these. 

Kent has on the blue shirt and is on the other side of the guy you see here in the red shirt and leggings.

It was at this time that I headed back to the car.  When I got to the redlight, I came up on a friend.  We race against one another all the time.  She called me to the side and told me that she had breast cancer and that it had mestasized into her lymph nodes!  I was saddened to hear this news.  I've told some of my praying friends and we will be praying for her. 

I crossed a parking lot to go to the car to put up my gloves.  When I began to remove my right glove my camera strap slipped off my wrist with the glove and hit the pavement.  It stopped working!!!  I cannot get it go come on or operate.  I am so upset with this stupid move.  I missed getting Kent's picture when he came across the line.  He received the Senior GrandMasters RaceWalker Award.  I'm so proud of him.  Congrats, Honey!!  What a great way to return to racing!! 

Update from last week:  Had good runs all week.  Tuesday was to be my long run for the week and when I got halfway out, the rain started and I got soaking wet.  On top of that, a large 2' snake cross my path on the trail going out and shortly afterward a small rattler was in the middle of the adjoining trail.  No one was around when I saw the two footer, but there were very many around the rattler.  It had been run over by a child on his bike.  It was still alive and striking at anything in it's path and shaking that rattler of his!!  Guess they were on the move this day.  I worried about coming across others on the return part of the run, especially since I was mostly on the trail alone then and soaking wet.  I had to cut my run a little short that day but felt good the whole time. 

At the end of this week, my left shoulder began hurting.  It just kills me especially at night when I'm trying to sleep.  It keeps me awake and I can hardly move or use it.  Yesterday, I put ice on it and took a Naproxen Sodium and it felt better by bedtime.  Today, my shoulder seems to be better but now the pain has gone down into my bicep.  I just can't figure this out.  I hope it doesn't hurt during the race next week.  I will be so disappointed.  Sounds like ice and drugs are on the agenda this week.

The taper is on and I feel like I can't run 10 miles!  I know it's the reduced mileage that makes me feel this way and also know that it is all good.  I'll trust the training and be ready for next Sunday.  I'm excited and nervous.  My goal this time is to finish strong!  I don't plan to push to run it entirely, although I do want to do this.  But I aim to feel better and hopefully finish in a better time.  I've listed a lot of sayings that I want to keep in mind to help pull me through some boring periods or difficult times.  Here they are:

Focus & Finish
Finish Strong
You've Already Done This
It Can Be Done!
One Mile At A Time
Never, Never, Never Give Up
Tough People Last
Just Run
Run Your Own Race
You Can Stop When You're Done
Keep It Steady
Today Is Not The Day To Quit
All Walls Have Doors
Keep Your Form
Run, Forest, Run
Shoulders Back, Smile
Stay Focused
This Is Exactly Where I Want To Be
Trust Your Training

And, one of my favorites:
The Work Is Done, Have Fun

I'm assigned to Corral #14 and my number is #14228.  Now my next project is to purchase a camera before next weekend for the race and learn how to use the thing!  But all is good!!  We've received such bad news the last 3 days:  our Sunday School Teacher, Gene Fairchild, passed away on the 15th totally unexpected, a very dear and past Sunday School Teacher, Roland Gatlin, passed away last night, and the news that my friend has been diagnosed with breast/lymph node cancer.  It's been a tough week emotionally but we are healthy and fine and I'm glad God has blessed us this week.  Looking forward to what He has in store for our lives.  And, for now, most days include a run so we go out and

Run 4 It