Race Report: Smiths Falls Spring Fling Running Thing 2012

Coming off my DQ/DNF at Winterman 2012 HM, I went back to pounding my body into submission.  My meniscus tear was healed, the body was cooperating.  I increased my speed work, worked on pacing, added intervals and hills, and kept plugging away at P90X2.

Within an instant, everything changed.

February 27, 2012: During a morning dog feeding, I slipped in Ørje’s drool.  The dog food went flying, I went down hard, and ended up with visible swelling in my bad knee.  A visit with the PT, who bounced me to my Doctor, produced the news: candidate for arthroscopic debridement.  I went through a Pandora’s Box of emotions, but agreed: I will run within my limits, and limit the amount of squatting, wall sits, and knee stressor moves.  Reassess in six months.

April 2012:  My weekly mileage has dropped from 75K-100K, down to a dismal average of 20K-30K.  I am having to work on mastering the run/walk, a technique I never employed.  For a continual runner, this change is much harder than expected.  During the weeks leading up to the Smiths Falls Spring Fling Running Thing, the Half Marathon looked more and more daunting.

Suddenly, fate intervened!  My friend Mira, who lives in Thornhill, emailed me about a road trip to Ottawa.  Would I be around to connect on Sunday?  Yes!  I told her about the Spring Fling, asked if she would be game.  Living up to her personal mission statement, “Embrace and Conquer”, Mira was in for the 10K.  With my unending thanks to Corey Turnbull, the Race Director, my entry was adjusted so we could run together.

While I would have liked to run a 5:15 to 5:30mpk this morning, I had no speed.  My 10K PB is 51:03, and is completely “out of reach” right now.  Mira kindly worked through my pacing ups and downs, and allowed me to chat.  I love taking in the beauty of the Cataraqui Trail, but was shocked at the rain damage.  The normally hard packed rocks had come unlodged, and some lovely mud pools graced the surface.  Thankfully, Mira is well balanced for a non-trail runner, whereas me…  clumsy klutz at her finest!

In the end, I came out muddy, but unscathed with a 58:06 finish. In the past, I would have beat myself up for not surpassing my training or previous race paces.  Today, I cared less about the clock, lost myself in the moment, and even met my first “Thing” along the way.  Nothing like a wee girly scream while running a course!

10K Results
Time: 58:06.05
Overall Place: 31/61
Gender Place: 16/38
Women 30-39 Place: 6/12

To Mira: Thank you for keeping me sensible and down-to-earth.  I truly wish we lived closer, and could see each other more often.  Your ability to give me a fresh perspective, and remind me of what is important, could not have come at a better time.  I very much look forward to being your IM sherpa, and watching you cross the Mont-Tremblant finish line!!