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Date: 10 Aug 2006 11:13:37
From: Ed Prochak
Subject: lessons learned (or the massacre at Mastick)
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it began inocently enough on Monday. Talking with anothre runner who
mentioned he was about to run the Classic at Mastick. That was one of
the first races I did at the start of my running career. So I agree to
sign up and run it.
The Classic, (also called the Coaches Classic because it is really a
high school cross country race) is run in the Cleveland Metro park on a
bridle trail. Nice shady course, flat and well maintained. It is run in
the evening (I don't know if it is always a Wednesday evening) in the
beginning of August.
So I'm finishing up work, and realize it is past 5PM. Not too worried,
the course is only about 15minutes away. Get bag from the car, and
change in the locker room at work. Yikes, NO socks! Check in the car,
yes there's a pair with the volleyball stuff. Toss them on the
passenger seat to change at the race.
2minutes from work and traffic is stopped for construction. Delay!
Finally get out of that spot, but now I'm running out of time. From
Home, I'd be coming from the south, pick up Mastick and follow it right
to the race. This time coming from teh North, I try to get back a
little time by taking a side street. there is one that goes streight
thru to Mastick. Dang, wrong one. I weave thrugh the streets of the
development and get on mastick and down the hill into the park.
Cars are everywhere. Boy is this a popular race!. I decide to try for
something closer to the start, though there is little hope. As I drive
by, I see the start of the race! I pull in a parking lot and down to
the end to park on the grass like a couple other cars. A race official
lets me know the race comes right thru there, but I get a little luck
and someone has pulled out at the end of the lot near the road.
Lock the car and dash to the start line, start my watch and my feet.
The adrenaline is pumping but trouble is while I'm used to being in the
back of the pack, even the stragglers are far enough ahead that I don't
know for sure where the first turn is. I jog toward the right direction
and confused, head back to the finish line to ask an official. I didn't
go quite far enough, but she says I can pick up the trail right behind
some of the crowd nearby.
So finally I'm running on the trail. Moving quick because I'm
definitely in last place, and the adrenaline is still pumping! I get
to the first mile and check my time - 8:23 Based on my perceived effort
and recent training runs I've cut off a 0.2-0.3 mile. Well, I'm not
going to be anywhere near an award, so keep running.
About this time the leaders are on their way back. some of them seeing
this grey beard so far behind yell encouragement. "good job" "Keep
going" "you're doing good" You've got to love a sport where the
better players care so much about the weaker players.
About this time a bit of the adrenaline wears off and I notice the
arches of my feeet hurt. Dang again. Never did put the socks on! I
tough my way thru the pain and actually manage to catch up to a couple
runners at the turnaround. I pass them, but the feet complain a lot at
that point, so I stop to see what I could do. I know at this point my
feet are blistered, but maybeif I tighten the shoes, it will rub less
and the pain will lessen. I'm not giving up.
Well I struggle for a bit that way. I find myself running on the
outside edges of my feet. Sometimes running tip toe helps. anything to
keep moving. somewhere in here I pass mile 2 and my watch reads 12:19
for that mile's split. I pass the two guys again and catch up to four
other folks (2guys and 2gals) who are running together. One is
obviously doing her first race. but again the pain gets me.
At this point it is run or stop. I had made myself a promise after my
very first race to never DNF. this race is testing that promise even
more than a marathon. So I make an decision. Since I've been playing
some sand volleyball this summer for the Corporate Challenge, I figure
most of my foot shoul be able to handle the trail. It's not too rocky,
and a few spots are nice mud flats or sandy areas. So I'm moving again.
Getting out of the shoes was such a relief that I'm moving pretty good.
I catch and pass the two guys for the final time. I pass the four
folks. I stpe on a pingpong sized stone which rolls under my foot and I
stumble for a few steps. but I get back into step. nearing the end of
the woods the trail turns more rocky. They must have just service this
part, cause the stones are nickel and dime sized and sharp. Not easy to
dodge and they reach beyond the edge of the trail ti the foliage so
there is no easy running.
I stop one more time. No way am I not finishing this. Blisters or not
the shoes go back on. The four folks pass me again and I struggle
forward. the shoes hurt but hurt less than that gravel on bare feet.
soon we are near the sunliget and out of the woods. At this point the
course goes on a grassy area which I know extends to the finish and the
shoes come offone final time, left by a tree for the trip home.
And the grass is wonderful. the ground underneath it is curiously
smooth and the grass is cool to my feet. I have gas in the tank, so I
turn on some speed (well what is speed for me 8^) I pass the four
folks and see a young guy ahead. I'd have to run twice as fast as him
to pass before the finishing shoot. I nearly make it as he gets in
just before I get to him.
A few comments from bystanders about the barefoot runner. I make it
clear to one that it wasn't the plan as I make my way to the
refreshment area. I get some water and a cup of fruit salad. I'm
looking for the runner that got me into this race. Didn't find him.
I'll talk to him later.
So I stretched, wandered back to pick up my shoes and get to the car. I
cleaned and bandaged my feet as best i could. I'll spare the details
but they both needed bandages though not bloody.
So I learned
I can run through real pain. (not really had anything this hard before.
cramps and side stitches can be made to go away)
I should allow adequate time to get to the start, with some cushion to
deal with traffic delays, especially on short drives. I should have
left work early.
barefoot running isn't too bad. I should try it more. My feet are
obviously strong enough. It seems a question of building up the
calloused skin.
Damage Report
both feet have blisters along the arch. the pattern seems to show it
was the edge of the insole that was the cause, not stitching in the
upper.
right foot has a big bruise on the sole just in frount of the arch. no
pain, so it seems just surface damage
ego is dazed and confused. It has been scolding the time manager all
day.
So there are races that yield a PR, races run for fun. and races that
teach you new things. This one sure taught me.
Enjoy the run!
Ed
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Date: 10 Aug 2006 18:02:42
From: Mark Hutchinson
Subject: Re: lessons learned (or the massacre at Mastick)
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Dude, you're competing with me! 1,334 words! :-)
BTW, you just described a nightmare I had last week.
--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
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Date: 11 Aug 2006 09:08:18
From: Ed Prochak
Subject: Re: lessons learned (or the massacre at Mastick)
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Mark Hutchinson wrote:
> Dude, you're competing with me! 1,334 words! :-)
Trying to describe it any shorter and I just end up with:
made a stupid mistake and ran without socks, that's why I'm limping.
> BTW, you just described a nightmare I had last week.
>
It did seem like a dream at times, I just didn't know it was yours! I
wish you would wake up though, my feet are still killing me! 8^)
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