Sunday, September 12, 2010

Rochester 1/2 Marathon 2010

My 5th half is in the books and it wasn't too bad! With my last half being one of the worst running experiences of my life, I was a bit concerned about doing this one. However, it turned out to be a pretty good experience. It was most certainly a great gauge for what I need to do in the next 8 weeks to finish prep for NYC!

I got up around 5 this morning and immediatly wasn't thrilled because it was POURING rain. I have a skylight in my kitchen and I could just hear it pouring down. Ugh! I took the dog out, got soaked, and started praying it would pass before the 7:45 start time! I hopped in the shower (I always need the wakeup shower!) and then got into my running gear. My friend Diane sent me a text about the rain and after checking the weather channel and watching the local news, I assured her the rain would pass by 8ish. Again, praying the weather people were right for once in their lives!! :)

Thankfully the rain turned to a light mist as I drove into Rochester to meet my friends Diane and Renee. It was actually pretty perfect for running, 50/60 and misting. We headed over to Frontier Field to pick up our chips and then walk to the start line. We actually used the drop bags today b/c it was so chilly at the start that we wanted to wear our jackets and layers as long as possible! All was going well, still light misting, and I was feeling pretty darn good!

The start gun sounded and we were off! Diane went ahead (she's a bit faster) and Renee and I stuck together until we were 3 miles into the run. She was having some hip problems, so I went ahead when she took a walk break. I was still feeling good as we headed to the long drawn out Highland hill and I made it up and over without issue. Sweet! At that point I decided I would allow myself a walk break at the Clinton/Westfall hill.....but low and behold, I made it up and over with no problems! Double sweet! I turned onto Westfall and made my way to Brighton town park to connect with the Erie Canal path. We passed the 7 mile mark headed toward the path and I used my GU b/c I started to feel hunger pains and didn't want to keep running on a total empty tank. I started taking water/gatorade around mile 5, so I was still replenishing the lost fluids.

I kept it moving on the canal path, still feeling pretty good. Once the GU set in, my legs felt better and I kept up my pace. All was going well until I hit 11 miles. Out of nowhere I had a massive foot cramp that curled my toes and made my lower calf/ankle spasm repeatedly. Awesome!! The first cramp nearly made me wipe out on the course! It took my leg right out from under me! I kept running and every few steps I would get another cramp and spasm....to which I started swearing! I'm sure the people around me were thrilled! Understandably, I was pissed! So close to the finish and now this after a seemingly good run! Ugh!!!

So, I kept it moving and just worked on keeping my toes firmly in position and taking long strides to keep the calf stretched. It was the best I could do and yet, the cramp kept coming back. When I exited the canal path and headed over the Ford St. bridge (picture is me on Ford St. bridge), I stopped and stretched on a bridge pillar. That seemed to help for a bit, but once I got to the other side of the bridge, rounded the corner and started down Exchange St, I was hit with another cramp. I chose to walk the hill on Plymouth because the extra use of my calf caused more severe cramping. I knew that once I got over that hill, it was all downhill or flat to the finish. I started running again, and ran the rest of the way to the finish line. I was so close, I just wanted to finish and get my leg worked on, so I pushed through and gimped it when it started cramping.

I rounded the final turn onto Morrie Silver Way and headed for the finishline which was just a few hundred yards away. The crowds were fantastic, but I didn't have my usual finishing smile today. I was struggling so much to just get there, some friends told me they could see the pain on my face. Sad...I love finishing with a smile! I crossed and my friend Nancy was a volunteer and put my medal on....and then helped me to the medical staff. I made my way over with some help, got a banana, chocolate milk, and some water and began my recovery. I ended up laying on a massage table and had this women do an amazing job releasing my foot and calf muscle on my right leg! When I got off the table, I felt like I had a new leg! She was brilliant.

All in all, it was a great day to run in Rochester! I had a fabulous time aside from the cramp, and shared it with good friends! And, it gave me confidence that I will be OK in NYC!! That's really what I was looking for in this run! 16 next weekend! Yikes!

Happy Running!

6 comments:

Raquelita said...

Awesome job on the half-marathon! I'm really sorry about the calf and foot cramps. Hopefully, they won't return!

AZ said...

Nice job on the half. Too bad your foot and leg cramped up so much. More electrolytes/salt?

I used to work for Frontier Communications and Frontier Field (it is named for them) in Rochester brought that back.

Mel Loughery said...

That's funny! I used to work for Frontier Comm way back when!

And yes, I need to reevaluate my electrolytes/salt. I had calf cramping at the last half marathon as well....maybe more calf exercises too? I'll be retooling over the next few weeks!

Allie said...

Congrats on finishing the 1/2 marathon, mel! That's pretty freakin' impressive!

AZ said...

So interesting. I worked there from about 1995-2000. I worked in Burnsville, MN but made a few trips out to Rochester.

zbsports said...

Good race report, the pictures are great and look like that the race is tough. Thanks for sharing us detailed report race report like this.