As the week went along, we found that there are things you can do to help: to include new shoes or special inserts. But one thing we saw is that you can cut a hole at the spot where the neuroma is to relieve the pressure. We took one pair of shoes I hardly wore [though new] and Kent did that...and you know...it worked!! So I put them on and did a trial run on Saturday morning to see if I should do the Battleship 12k the following day. Up until then, I thought it was just donated money and a new shirt.
The Race
The day before I headed straight for Running Wild to check out some Altra running shoes. The first pair felt good. Tried on the Torin Knit 3.5 and I thought I had died and gone to heaven! They felt amazing! I went outside and jogged down the block and back and was sold. These will be the next pair I own. I wore them out and the rest of the time to give them a good "try" and see if I still liked them. All I could think of was why didn't I go check these out before now. I never wear or try anything new the day of a race. With the zero foot drop, I was a tiny bit sore from wearing them that afternoon. But at least I had the shoes Kent "fixed" that I could wear at the race.
The main thing was...I was going to race and I was hardly able to get out of my recliner until two days before. Several things made that day special. One was that I was actually going to try to finish the race [with lots of walking, of course], see a lot of friends from my hometown in Mississippi and see my local friends. And, today, I was actually at the Starting Line getting ready to do the race.
Deleica, Kathy, Me and Krista
I got to thinking that my "local" friends were there, too, and started looking around for them. Well, there they were about 20' from us. So, I got to visit with them a few minutes. Then, all of a sudden, the dang cannon went of to start us; it caught me by total surprise. Without thinking, I started my watch and nowhere near the timing mat. So crazy, ha!
I was hoping for and shooting for being able to run the first mile. It was mostly downhill and thought that would help. I had to try real hard not to run hard as I normally would have as I didn't know if I could even finish the race with my foot problem. The first mile was a breeze; so I kept going...and going...and going. Before I knew it I had RUN a 5k [3.1 miles] without stopping. I took it real slow and it was easy. Toward the end of the 4th mile, my foot started wanting attention; my toes started feeling like they were going numb. So, I slowed down but kept running. By the 6th mile...yes, I said SIX miles!!!!]...it was getting worse. I told myself if I could to a 10k [6.2 miles] I would be happy, VERY happy. Well, it eased up; then I thought slow down more and maybe I could make it entirely. No way, right?? It wasn't long after reaching the 10k mark that my foot started getting painful. Surely, I can make it...surely, I can ignore this, focus on others around me and the Finish Line and listen to my music more intently...surely, this would just "go away". Unfortunately, that didn't happen. After we turned off the road into the Battleship Park, they directed us onto the grass in front of the park. Grass??? NOOOOOO!! The third step I took just about took me down!! Extreme pain! I began walking but really wanted to run; it was run a few steps and walk a few. My ankles have never been strong and I am very tenderfooted; with those things weighing against me I just didn't stand a chance in running it all with already flared up foot pain. I was SO close! Every step my foot made hit that very tender neuroma!! I actually yelled out once and a lady came up behind me asking if I needed help...even to get aid for me; but as a strong-willed runner, I told her no, but thanks and that "I was going to finish this". We high-fived and she went on. Several people were complaining big time about the grass; how it was hard for your footing, slippery and muddy. I felt like I wasn't the only one suffering. Just very hard to run it. MANY were walking. I admire those that aren't affected by things like this, I really do. I can't say how far this part was but I'd guess it was almost a half mile. A lady I came up next to just before getting on the concrete was so discouraged. She was struggling so hard trying to get through the grass. I encouraged her as much as I could and challenged her to run hard when we hit the pavement. When we got to the concrete, I stepped out on it and felt good again. I tore out running as fast as I could trying to make up as much as I could even though I had lost so much time in that section. We ran together the rest of the way. My encouraging her to run harder and harder pushed me to do the same. It felt great!
Well, the race was totally different that I had foreseen. Running was not an objective to achieve but a method to get from start to finish whenever I could do it. I had a negative split....IN REVERSE...ha! My speed got longer and longer due to the pain but I see this race as a huge success.
#1: I actually made it TO the race.
#2: Met up with friends I had hope to see from my home town.
#3: Caught up with local friends.
#4: Best and foremost: I ran it ALL except for a very little bit [maybe a .25 mile total].
I am super excited. It was worth the pain I endured. There's nothing like finishing strong...which is my motto. That and "Never Give Up". Here are some photos taken. Enjoy...
I love the long sleeve shirt...and my name on the bib.
This is the back.
Then I found out these are the runners' names. I hope you can see mine; it's the best pic I could get.
I love the medal. It had glittery parts to it.
I hope you can read this. It's beautifully written.
Deleica looking good and strong.
I'm nearing the Finish Line...not much further to go.
We were given this just before entering the Park.
Real touching when you run so close to these flags!
Finishing strong...AND am "off the ground". Wow! Always love this!
Finishing friends: Krista, Kathy, JoAnn, Nestor, Me and Deleica
I've missed this crazy guy.
Marsha and Me. Love this girl!!
We looked through the park some. It's really a nice memorial park for local military. Next time we'll go through the ship and other things.
Flags from different countries our military fought in the Korean War.
It was a great day. Thanks for hanging in there with me in this long post. I had more pictures but chose these to not bore everyone with all I had. I love running and am glad that I'm gradually getting back to it. I really hope these new shoes will do me good. Until next time, go
Run 4 It
