Cavepeople 10K on the 10th: A Recovery WOGG

The Grand Race Plan: Eileen and I had a great 10K run planned at Toka Sticks Golf Course ~ a brand new venue for both of us. Even Pat ~ my long lost running buddy ~ was enticed and considered heading out the run with us. It was supposed to be the crack of dawn ~ a bright and early 6am run to beat the heat. Been on the books for over a couple weeks ~ it was gonna be SWEEEEEET.

But when life gets in the way, sometimes you just have to regroup. Eileen and I canceled the Toka Sticks run as a result of things beyond our control ~ specifically that my last 2 weeks consisted only of the following:

1. minor surgery

2. the stomach flu

3. absolutely no running whatsoever (unless I get credit for the 3.5678 miles that I ran back and forth to the bathroom during event noted in #2 above. Ewwww, I know.)

So we scrapped Toka Sticks for another day when we figured we could actually have a *fun* run out there, instead of a Pokey-Bodily-Torture-Run. My legs were still aching every time I climbed the stairs in my house, and my body just hasn't recovered yet. Friends don't let friends witness that kind of bodily abuse ;)

The Revised Plan: A few miles on my own on Saturday morning, just to make myself feel better mentally. No worries, I'd tell the trusty Cavepeople Race Director that I just wasn't able to participate. Afterall, can't worry about something that you can't control.....I'd just see what kind of mileage I was able to knock down without killing myself.

What Actually Happened:

• 5:00 am - Alarm Clock - Oh crap, I am supposed to run this morning. SNOOZE.


• 5:09 am - Okay Pokey, snooze time is over. Time to get the feet on the floor and out the door. But crap, I just don't feel like running. I'm tired, my right calf still aches...I can't possibly go out and run today. I'll get back at it next week. SNOOZE.


• 5:18 am - No REALLY......I need to run. Even if it's a mile or two. I NEED a run. Reached under the bed, pulled out the club, and beat away all the hesitation. Feet on the floor.


• 5:55 am - Out the door.

The plan was simple: run when I could, walk when I wanted ~ cover some distance without hurting myself. Easy as pie. Just enjoy being out and moving for the first time in 2 weeks. I headed for my typical 4.5 mile loop around my house.

Everything still worked, although not well. Legs were tired, breathing was labored, body was a bit out of control (arms flailing like a wounded woodland animal).....but I was moving. I walked a lot, no problem there.

2 miles in to my wogg (oooh, there's that word again!) I approached the turn for the loop back to my house. That's when I made the rash decision to keep going straight.....transforming my loop to 6.5 miles. I was going to do the 10K after all!

So I ran....and walked.....and ran.....and walked......all the while using my club to beat away the thoughts that nagged in my brain about having to turn in such a lousy time for this virtual race. I didn't matter. Mileage mattered ~ movement mattered ~ that was all.

It was truly, without a doubt, the slooooooooowest run EVER! I think somewhere between mile 3 and 4, I got passed by these guys, who were more than cordial.

Then I met this new running friend around mile 5 when my body was really starting to yell at me. He gave me a little pep talk, a high five, and went on his way. I wonder if he had a virtual race today too???

About half a mile later, my legs were aching.....I could start to feel the beginnings of some cramps coming on. This is where brains had to prevail over determination. I turned off Garmie at 5.5 miles, smiled at my accomplishment ~ and walked the mile home with the other new friends I met out on the pavement today.


Total mileage was 6.5 miles.

Is it weird that I finished this race feeling the better about myself than I ever have? Is it weird that my time is so beyond horrible, that I won't even post it? Is it weird that movement just for the sake of movement ~ out in great weather on a beautiful morning ~ is more important than race pace or finish time?

TOTALLY.

But I never claimed to be normal :P

So it is with great honor that I have completed the Cavepeople 10K on the 10th of May, and award myself with the most prestigious award that the running community can bestow:

DEAD ASS LAST

I had an acceptance speech all prepared, but I think you get my point. For those expecting a race time out of me, you'll have to remain disappointed (although as a teaser I'll just say that my best single mile pace was 13:20....and that was for Mile 1!!!! tee hee....)

Aside from my fancy dancy award, the next most fulfilling thing about this race: completing something that I really - by all intents and purposes - shouldn't have been able to do today. COMPLETION. It's what drives me. Finishing last isn't the downer I had always assumed it would be. So Mrs. Race Director - put me down as Dead Ass Last - with a big smile :)

But you want to know the real added bonus from today?? I absolutely positive that I finished LIFETIMES ahead of all those couch potatoes who didn't even start :)

Hope you ALL had just a just as wonderful 10K today!!!!