I would like to start by saying the described series of poor decisions and unfortunate events to follow are in no way representative of the race organisers, the race marshalls, the hosting facilities, or anyone other than myself and my own foolishness, with the inevitable consequences of such.
My sister and I have been working through a Garmin Couch to 5k plan with Jeff Galloway since December last year. The end delayed somewhat by various infections and viruses. We booked the Washington Trail 5k as our culminating event, as I’ve done the 10k several times and enjoyed it. Fen and I have gone somewhat off Jeff as his belief in you to complete the event seems to decrease with time even if you weren’t due and therefore haven’t missed a workout in between. This is not exactly good for morale, but I will cover the plan separately to this. It is mentioned here only as a stage-setter (and a grumble).
I have also, after a history of bursitis in the knees and more recently athlete’s foot (despite not being an athlete – you don’t come here for clean and shiny do you?!), been working on improving my very flat arches and general foot strength by going around barefoot in the house and also recently purchasing some minimal trainers. I’ve only worn these once or twice on short drill sessions and know I haven’t quite got my gait right yet for faster than walking around: hello heel impact!
Decision 1 – Race Day Footwear:
With my prolonged time off work (more here if you’re interested), I seem to be ahead of the barefoot curve and have found wearing my normal trainers – for walking or running – has been giving me knee and calf pain. Ditto for my trail shoes with a blister on the heel from too-short socks. Going in for 5k in my new shoes seemed like a recipe for posture problems, but I have done 5k before (Chopwell parkrun) in my hiking sandals previously without any issues. My memory of the Washington 10k (last run in 2018), was of gravel tracks, fields and woodland stretches – but not all that different to Chopwell. So. Sandals it is.
Decision 2 – Further Race Day Footwear, or Not:
We arrived at St. Robert’s in Washington (as a hosting venue, this was excellent!) for race number collection, and outside was a demo station for Scott trail shoes. Fen had only brought one pair of trainers with her – she has road-runners – so borrowing a pair would allow her to a) try out some fancypants trail shoes and b) have dry trainers for the drive home. The first niggle: should I also get some trail shoes? It’s wet out and my feet might freeze…but I haven’t bought any socks with me, so I’ll probably get blisters again, and no-one will want to wear them again after I’ve had bare feet in them. No, we’ll stick with the sandals.
Mile 1:
We headed off to the starting area for the launching of the 5k runners, starting at the back because we knew we were going to be walking stretches of it and some areas can be narrow. Initially, all went to plan: we headed off down the road to the aid station and the bridge across the river without hiccup. We made it up the first incline along the road and took the stile into the first of the woodland stages. All well so far, a little muddy but passable, we’re keeping tucked into the left as the faster 10k runners come past us. Everyone obviously having a wonderful day out in the mizzle.
Read the rest of this entry »
Blue Runnings 