I hadn't planned on running this race, since I've been struggling with the achilles problem, and haven't done much in the way of speed work the last two weeks. But, last night I figured that since I was already registered, I might as well see what I could do.
I'm a little ambivelent in how I feel about the race. I didn't really prepare for it, so I didn't have much expectations of it. However, the competitive part of me wishes I had done better. It's just kind of more of the same pace that I have been stuck in the last couple of months. But, at least I haven't lost too much fitness while nursing this injury. I guess I'll just be happy I'm 75 dollars richer, and call it good.
I ran a 2 mile shakeout run this morning. At the race I warmed up 3 miles with Andrea and Jake. After a surprise cannon boom to start us out, I got out with Andrea the first mile. I stuck close through 1.5-2 miles, and then started to fall back. Andrea encouraged me to keep up, but I fell off. I tried to keep the momentum going, but now I was in no-man's-land, so I got complacent. I tried to stay strong on the nasty hill, but at this point I was really all by myself. I finished as hard as I could, but it definitely would have been better had I stayed closer.
I cooled down 4 miles with Susannah, Stephanie, and Andrea and Jake. I had a major energy crash on the cool down, so I stopped there.
So, since my achilles seems to be hanging in there, it's back to full training next week.
Later AM: 5 miles at the health club. | 