Last night, Fuzzy and I did the Bastille Day run for the 3rd year in a row. This year, we decided to do the 8K (4.9 miles), as it would have been on par with our current triathlon training. However, with my massive knee pain in my right knee, I've been off my running and biking, and even walking has been painful. I was nervous, but ok with the fact that I was going to have to walk some/most of it. The race was in the evening, at 7:15, which I love, as I have more energy in the evening than I do in the morning. Fuzzy and I biked the 5 miles down to the start line, and made it just in time to do some packet pickup and bathroom pit stopping. As we took off, I knew it was going to be a long road ahead for me, so I told Fuzzy to run on without me. I put on my headphones, and due to a number of factors, I had my ipod on shuffle to guide my way. I NEVER listen to things on shuffle (especially not an album--my weird semi-photographic song memory freaks out when songs aren't in the proper order), but it turns out that it was a great motivator for this run. I listened to music that I normally wouldn't have listened to for a run, and let the BPM of the songs guide my running stride. At about a mile in, I did an estimated ending time based on what I thought I could do, and so I could watch my clock during the run. I set a goal of finishing before an hour and 15 minutes. My knee did ok--something switches after about a mile, and the pain eases up a bit, so that is good. I think I ran about 3 miles of it, and walked the other 1.9. I finished in 1:07. Not too shabby! Then another 5 mile bike home makes for a brick day, with 10 miles on the bike and 5 running. I'm icing my knee today and taking it easy.
Fuzzy has started a review podcast about Chicago races, so my feelings about the logistics of the run will be posted online soon.
Speaking of...
RAM Racing quoted Fuzzy and I in their blog post about the Big Foot Tri, and posted a link our podcast about it! They call me Fuzzy's "friend." I AM his friend! How neat--I am like the FURTHEST thing from any sort of quotable athlete, but yet they quote me and say I have a true competitor's spirit. YEAH!
Here is their video of the Big Foot Tri. This will give you a great idea of what it was like that day. Watching the video gave me chills! I definitely want to do that one again.
