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Name:
Family Fitness & Stroke Awareness
Date: April 4, 2009
Distance: 15K (9.3 miles)
Location: Bedford, Indiana
Course: Gradually downhill on the way out, gradually uphill on the way back (Click here to view course.)
Time: 1:38:29
Pace: 10:35
Place: 46 of 63
Division: 16 of 29
Results Link: Click here.
Weather: 45°, sunny, wind calm
Notes: In the weeks preceding this race, I had been nursing a tender hip and preparing for a June 2009 marathon, so I had set aside all my time goals. Instead, I had been focusing on covering distance and staying injury-free. Though I don't like walk breaks, I found them to be helpful in reaching this goal. At the beginning of the 15K, I was not nervous. This was unusual for me, because I'm usually very apprehensive before a race, either about a time goal I've set or the sheer distance ahead of me. However, without any goal other than finishing and having fun, I found myself totally without fear or apprehension. My plan was to run when I felt like it, and walk when I felt like it. When the race began, I purposely ran slower than that with which I felt comfortable. I didn't want to hurt my hip right at the beginning. This was easier to do that I thought it would be, but it was still hard to watch people pass me. However, I put my competitive nature aside, knowing that staying healthy was most important. I kept up that pace for half the race, pleased that my hip wasn't giving me any trouble at all. However, I started feeling a little "catch" in my knee that was uncomfortable. That development prompted the beginning of the walk breaks. At Mile Marker 6, it was starting to feel like I was harming my knee by continuing. With 3.3 miles to go, I didn't know what to do. I wanted to finish the race, but not at the expense of harming my knee and being unable to be in my best condition for the marathon. I didn't know what to do—stop, walk, wait, what? At that exact moment, I looked up, and I saw a church marquee that said, "GOD ANSWERS KNEE-MAIL." Wow. In that moment, I said aloud, "God, give me a plan." I immediately felt like I was OK to walk/run to the finish. I took several walk breaks, but I finished in 1:38:29, only 10 minutes slower than my fastest 15K time. This race gave me confidence that I could train to do well at the marathon.
Photos: 11 — See below.
Date: April 4, 2009
Distance: 15K (9.3 miles)
Location: Bedford, Indiana
Course: Gradually downhill on the way out, gradually uphill on the way back (Click here to view course.)
Time: 1:38:29
Pace: 10:35
Place: 46 of 63
Division: 16 of 29
Results Link: Click here.
Weather: 45°, sunny, wind calm
Notes: In the weeks preceding this race, I had been nursing a tender hip and preparing for a June 2009 marathon, so I had set aside all my time goals. Instead, I had been focusing on covering distance and staying injury-free. Though I don't like walk breaks, I found them to be helpful in reaching this goal. At the beginning of the 15K, I was not nervous. This was unusual for me, because I'm usually very apprehensive before a race, either about a time goal I've set or the sheer distance ahead of me. However, without any goal other than finishing and having fun, I found myself totally without fear or apprehension. My plan was to run when I felt like it, and walk when I felt like it. When the race began, I purposely ran slower than that with which I felt comfortable. I didn't want to hurt my hip right at the beginning. This was easier to do that I thought it would be, but it was still hard to watch people pass me. However, I put my competitive nature aside, knowing that staying healthy was most important. I kept up that pace for half the race, pleased that my hip wasn't giving me any trouble at all. However, I started feeling a little "catch" in my knee that was uncomfortable. That development prompted the beginning of the walk breaks. At Mile Marker 6, it was starting to feel like I was harming my knee by continuing. With 3.3 miles to go, I didn't know what to do. I wanted to finish the race, but not at the expense of harming my knee and being unable to be in my best condition for the marathon. I didn't know what to do—stop, walk, wait, what? At that exact moment, I looked up, and I saw a church marquee that said, "GOD ANSWERS KNEE-MAIL." Wow. In that moment, I said aloud, "God, give me a plan." I immediately felt like I was OK to walk/run to the finish. I took several walk breaks, but I finished in 1:38:29, only 10 minutes slower than my fastest 15K time. This race gave me confidence that I could train to do well at the marathon.
Photos: 11 — See below.