Indianapolis Monumental Race Report

Sometimes things just don't go as planned...
    Yesterday was the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon and Half Marathon.  It is my favorite race of the year and I have been clamoring for a Half PR for about 18 months.  Well, I should've thrown expectations out the window when I realized that we have a very cute, but very needy little baby.  Also, I have had a big of a nagging plantar fasciitis/heel spur issue.  To be completely honest, I think it all started due to the countless hours of swaying the baby to sleep.  I do this a lot barefoot because I can not tend to forget to put slippers on when I stumble into the nursery at night.  Also, I am on my feet for work a lot.  I sit behind a desk 3 days a week and then I wait tables 3-4 days a week at one of the busiest restaurants in Indianapolis.  So, I have really worn out feet.
    I have had some decent training runs leading up to yesterday.  Sometimes, I head out with my son in the stroller and try to get as many strong miles in as I can before he loses it.  3 miles is about the max.  But, I know this going in so I try to work speed and strength drills.  I know that the time spent together is more important than anything else, so I don't ever get too upset about him cutting my runs short.  I always like to hit Fort Benjamin Harrison near our house when I take him with me because he loves to be outside and see all of the sites.  Plus, there is something really special about seeing a baby discover the world.
    On the rare occasion, I can get out on my own in the morning to get some long miles in.  I tend to hit the neighborhood up for that because there are a lot of street lights and I don't have to cross any busy roads to get some good miles logged.  Plus, I get to geek out over landscaping ideas that my neighbors have.  These miles are my meditative miles.  I listen to podcasts, make plans for my day, and get rid of the negativity that can sometimes creep into my head.  I tend to worry a lot about the 20 lbs that I have gained between Laura's pregnancy and having the baby. I know this is very normal, but, weight tends to be a very tough subject for me.  I am losing it and I have to remind myself that I am not over 300lbs again. These runs re instill the faith that I have in running, the faith that I have in myself, and the faith that I have in my family.

The elusive sunrise run.

    I wish that I could say that all of my training led to an amazing race.  I wish I could say that, but, I can't.  In the midst of my training and some achey runs I decided to give Heart Rate Training a go, because I knew my goal race needed to be the trail marathon in February.  I slowed myself down a bit to properly train.  I knew at the starting line yesterday that I wasn't going to PR.  But, I didn't know that at about mile 5 the nagging PF pain would rear it's ugly head.  It started as a burning in my heel, so I switched up my stride.  That helped for about a mile.  I messaged Laura, who couldn't run her 5K because she had to stay home with Jett because our babysitter got sick.  I asked her to send me pictures of the baby so that I could keep going.  She did, I cried, and I ran.  Then came the tightness in my calf that I had to stop and stretch out 3 times.  Every time I stretched the pain went away for a good half mile.  But, it always came back.  By mile 11, I was hobbling because it felt like my heel and the whole underside of my foot was on fire.  I finished the race with a smile on my face because I knew that bad runs happen, but, at least I finished.  I only finish a few minutes off of my PR and I really feel alright today.  Plus I get double the bling for running in both the Indianapolis Half Marathon and 5K and the Monumental.  They called it the IndyThon and there was a special extra medal for all those that participated in both races.

Double Bling.

     I do feel really bad that Laura didn't get to run.  I told her that she should run instead of me, but, she was very insistent that I finish my race.  I know she was proud of me, but I also know that she was disappointed in the fact that she didn't get to run.  These are the tough moments of being a Mom and a Runner.  I want my wife to get out there and get her miles, but I also need to be a bit selfish about my miles as well.  I told her that when I got home from work that she had the evening to run.  I know if was a consolation prize, but, I do think that it meant a lot to her that I do understand that she needs the time too.  I love my wife.  She helped me start this journey and I will always honor her for that.  Alright, time to sleep because I have to run in the morning!  Training continues!  Next up...The Santa Hustle Half Marathon on December 18th.  Peace, Plants, and Fleece Leggings!