Two weeks prior to the Turkey Trot, I tweaked my right calf. Had it not been for the upcoming Turkey Trot, I would have taken some time off. Instead I continued to play havoc on that same calf and messing it up even more during runs around Wash Park and up and down Green Mt in Boulder. Two weeks were summed up with low mileage and little intensity.
I woke up Thursday morning to some very cold temps. 6 degrees is what read at the house just 1/3 of a mile away from the start/finish line. I had yet to pick up my race packet so an hour plus before the start, I went for a really easy 3 mile warm up run, picked up my bib and headed back to the house for one last bathroom break.
15 minutes before the race I headed back to the start. Still bitterly cold, the calm morning and sun rays made the conditions much easier to stomach.
Mile 1.0: 5min 48secs
Mile 2.0: 6min 03secs
Mile 3.0: 6min 25secs (Garmin had 1.05miles)
Mile 0.1: 0min 35secs (5:21 pace)
5K of 18mins 53 secs (officially 18:51 at maybe a bit longer course?)
As with any 5K, this race started out hectic with numerous kids no taller then my waist blazing off only to come to a complete stop 50 yards later. Weaving around early wasn't a big deal and found a stride and effort I thought I could hold. As I neared Mile 1, I could feel the calf tighten up.
By mile 1, all those who were going to pass me had already done so. I was able to pick off a few young folks thru the finish. However none of that mattered as my calf continued to tighten up and on occasion lock up on me. Mile 2 was completely impacted by the calf. I held back a bit just in hopes to not derail and walk it in.
About a minute after mile 2, the calf full on hurt. Pushing off hurt. Striding thru a slight incline hurt. Anything I did hurt and my time suffered. Mile 3 of this route is easily the slowest mile on course with a few very sharp turns as you approach the finish line but this thankfully gave my calf relief with less effort exerted. The last stretch is flat and straight and I some how got thru it without getting caught by the small group of local high school cross county kids.
(High School bullies chasing me down)
Races like this are usually a blur for me as they start and end so quickly. However, Thanksgiving's journey was painfully memorable. As soon as I crossed the finish line, my calf was just throbbing, my walk was a pathetic limp. All the stretching and icing afterwards did nothing and the pain got worse as the day went on.
By Friday morning the calf muscle had swollen up a bit and hurt just as much. It was finally time to admit to myself that I had a pulled muscle down there. No stranger to pulled or strained muscles, I thankfully know what to do next. Rest and recover SLOWLY over the next few weeks. At least I placed in my age group. Not a big deal but my father in law volunteers at the Banner Health McKee Med Center. Monies raised from this event go towards the Adult Day Care at the center. So giving him my award as a gift is only fitting.
Bummer on the calf, nice job on getting it done. Good luck on getting it healed up man.
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