I Beat the Bridge!



A pre-race photo

Can you spot the banana?

Sunday, I went on my first official run since the infamous hamstring pull just over 7 weeks ago.  I was a bit nervous beforehand, yet was pleasantly surprised because (although my leg was tight and sore) I did not experience much pain.  Halleluiah!  It was a nice way to get the momentum rolling as I transition into a more rigorous running schedule.

We participated in Beat the Bridge, a charitable fun run to support type 1 diabetes research.  The 8K(which is just under 5 miles) course was relatively flat and even included a few gradual downhill sections.  This was my kind of race! 

The objective of the run is to cross over Seattle’s University Bridge before it is raised (which is only 20 minutes into the race and approximately 2 miles from the start)—causing runners to be stranded on one side of it.   I am happy to report that everyone in our group had surpassed this point with ample time before the bridge was drawn.  My only goal had been to “beat the bridge.”  Mission accomplished.

My stats for Beat the Bridge: pace per mile= 8:29, place in my division= 73 out of 581, and place out of all female runners= 349 out of 2,745.  I certainly wasn’t #1, but I’m not complaining!

Issac passed me at mile three, and I knew I wouldn’t see him until the end of the race.  In fact, he was so far ahead of me that he had enough time to film this video of my dramatic crossing of the finish line:

 

(Just look for the only runner who has her arms up in the air.  Not sure why I always feel the need to treat each finish like a victory.  I guess I’m a firm believer in acting like a champion, even if you’re in 349^th place).

 

I’ve decided that I now have a new goal: Beat the Issac.  It’s highly unlikely that it will ever happen, but I have high aspirations. 

And now that I have determined that I am physically capable of running in a safe and responsible manner, I will continue hitting the pavement and cranking out the miles as I prepare for more enthralling fun runs in the near future…

Setback #1

This blog represents my newfound commitment to living a full life, and I reckon that a lot of its posts will focus on my pursuit to reach new levels of physical fitness. Yet, there’s one small problem: I recently ended up with a Grade 3 pulled hamstring. No fun!

This life development has meant that I’ve spent the last few weeks going to/from multiple ongoing appointments (a primary care physician, a chiropractor, and a physical therapist), as well as maintaining a strict regimen of icing, heating, stretching, monitoring pain levels, and completing hamstring exercises. I had no idea that being injured was a full-time commitment!

Being out of commission also has allowed me to over-estimate the great feats that I’d be accomplishing if I weren’t injured. I tell myself, “If I weren’t hurt, I’d be training for an Ironman, breaking some world records, or taking on body building…” This is entirely not true. In reality, I’d probably be spending the same amount of time finding reasons not to go running or to the gym… But at least now I have a convenient excuse!

I am trying to be patient with the healing process. I think I’m just about to the point at which I can resume strenuous physical activity, and I’m busy planning all of the great things I will do. I certainly will not undertake an Ironman, break any world records, or take up body building, but I’m ready for some serious movement. Put me in, Coach-- I’m ready to play!