Discouraged...

Yesterday, I traveled with the team out to Harrison, NY for an 11-mile recovery run. I had a hard time getting up--I kept thinking, "Why get up for 11 miles? What's the point?" That wasn't cockiness. but tiredness. We did start at 9am, though, so I didn't have to get up TOO early. Thanks to Nina for driving out to Westchester! It was awesome, and the company was fun :). Dave, can I hear a little more of your Forrest Gump impression? I promise I'll work on being more spontaneous!

What a beautiful day for a run! We got going, and immediately, my hip flexor (pulled last weekend) started to hurt. I'd been nursing it all week and I thought I could push through it, but then I realized that it would be smarter to stop, rest, and be in good shape for next weekend's 20 miler. At mile 3, I bailed out. My team was really supportive and said they were proud of me for making the decision to stop. Autumn, a great TFK supporter, came to pick me up and drove me back to the start area. She was lovely and tried to sell the benefits of the run/walk plan for the marathon. If I don't rebound from this injury, I very well might be run/walking!

Back at the start/finish, I was really frustrated. I've felt pretty good after every run so far this season, with the exception of yesterday and last week. To have two bad weeks in a row is pretty discouraging. I kept telling myself, though, that it's better to have to stop on the 11 miler rather than to stop during the 20. I sat and watched the fast pace groups come in (these are folks COMMUTING at 8:00 minutes and under--crazy fast!), which was pretty cool because I'm usually out on the course for hours after they finish. They were all really nice, stopping and asking me how I was and bringing me ice. TFK staff took really good care of me, too, as always. It's such a supportive group. I've experienced it firsthand several times now!

As the other groups started coming in, I moved over to the finish line so I could cheer the Fireasses in. It was a tough run for some groups--the body is still recovering from our 18 miler last weekend, and the course, though beautiful, was really confusing and some groups got lost and ran several extra miles. I said I felt the support when I had to stop running--I saw what may be the strongest example of what a great group TFK is. Avi and Bob, two of the speedracers who came in with the fastest pace groups, ran the last 1/4 mile with runners who were struggling to finish. It was really amazing to watch, and I could how grateful my teammates were for the extra little boost. Such a simple gesture, and it made SUCH a difference for so many people! Avi and Bob, you guys rock!

I'm going to be taking it easy this week. Coach Adam told me not to run with a hurt hip, and to do no-impact cardio only. He said swimming was ok, so I went to the pool for awhile when I got home yesterday to get rid of some of my frustration. I felt better, but not 100%. I think a visit with the Aldens today will help my mood a bit--I do love it when fun people randomly show up in NYC! Here's to being better by next week's 20!