Wow. Frustrating. I started the St. George marathon, and wanted to break 3 hrs. I estimated a first half of 1:32:50, and then a 2nd half in 1:27:09. I thought it was conservative. It was warm at the start line, especially compared to the other 11 times i have run the race. I felt pretty good, so i was ready to go. The gun went off and for the first half i was running a bit aggressive, as compared to my estimate of 1:32:50. First mile in 6:50, and same for the 2nd mile. I went through 5 miles in 33:05. I went through 7 miles in 46 mins. Ryan Newman was running in my vicinity for the entire first half.
Unfortunately, my feet were very sore going down the first 7 miles. And not just my achilles, but my entire foot, both of them, were aching on every step from the downhill portion, from the ball of my foot all the way up through the achilles. I did feel this soreness running the TOU two weeks prior, but that race isn't as steep downhill as SGM. The next 5 miles are gradual uphill, and I felt so-so there. But, then, during mile 13, which is downhill, but not that bad, the pounding of each step was just too much. I ran the 13th mile in 6:50, so i was feeling fine, just couldn't take the pounding. My 13.1 mile time was 1:30:22. I then thought of mile 15 and 16, which have a steep drop to them in both miles, and I knew my day was done. I literally would not be able to go down those two miles at all.
I was very disappointed, as I really felt like I was ready to go. I knew my feet were not 100%, but, just like TOU, i thought I could get through it. This marathon was just too downhill. I was in pain during the first half, which doesn't have the downhills like the 2nd half does. Oh well.
I am done running for an extended period. I am very tired of dealing with this every day. Limping around at work and at home is very frustrating. I have done massages, chiropractors, anti-inflammatories, ice, podiatrists....and on and on and on. I cannot run through these injuries anymore. I don't know how long i will take off, but I just have too. I ran injury free for 13 years, and enjoyed the training and the racing. But the last 18 months have just been terrible. I hope to be back on the roads at some point. | 