Hi Guys
I got back yesterday and have spent a lot of time sleeping and
catching up with posts. Congratulations to everyone!
It was great to meet everyone, a real highlight of the weekend. Sorry
if i was a bit quiet although i was a bit worried as i knew i should
not be racing, The injury to my right ITB was very painful and even
walking through the parks on the saturday left me in pain.
That and a couple of other dodgy descions made for an experience to
say the least.
A couple of thank yous, firstly to russ, without your hat an gloves i
would never have met anyone,and thanks to Daria and her son for
keeping me company on the way to the start corrals and well done on
finishing the half.
Now for the race report,
Got up after a fairly restful 5 hrs sleep and caught a bus around
2.45 and was at the pre race tents for 3am, only one other guy on the
bus.
Due to an oversight i was wearing unfamiliar socks, underwear and jog
trousers, i would pay for this later. I did many swoops of the tents
whilst trying to keep warm, then just as i was set to give up i
spotted Russ's hat and gloves.
I had not made up my mind what to do when the fireworks went off i
had 3 choices
1. Walk from start. 95% chance of finishining with least injury.
2. Walk run 4/2. 75% chance of finishing with moderate injury.
3. Run like hell. 5% chance of finishing 100% chance of hurting real
bad.
So i went for..... 3 of course
Not because im stupid, honest! i just could not help myself, it felt
good until mile three where the pain got so bad i had to walk, but
now i was walking in a lot of pain, still i wasnt too down hearted, i
gritted my teeth and walked on. By the time i got to MK it hurt real
bad but i was determined to run through main street, i managed it
just but it would be the last time till the finish.Also by this time
my new clothes were taking there toll and i was getting serious
chafing issues but couldnt get the nerve to rub vaseline where i
needed to. By the time i left the kingdom it was bad enough to
overcome my shyness i went to the medical tent, that was one problem
down just the legs to worry about.
When the half way point came up just over 3 hours i seriously though
about stopping, i mean really, i was in a lot of pain and thinking of
doing the same for another 3hours plus seemed crazy, quitting with a
semi decent half time seemd a good bet but in the end i decided as i
woudln't be back next year and i dont know when i would get another
chance, i didnt know if i would get a donald medal, (i wasnt coming
home empty handed, and also certain people at home were expecting me
not to finish & im stupid so i kept going)
Ater i had hit mile 14 i was feeling really bad and the run between
MK and Animal Kingdom was the pits, i felt bad i hurt so much and
when we were passing the sewage place i though it couldnt get any
worse after noticing my hands were really swollen. I remembered
entering AK i had painkillers with me DOH! took 2 and kept going
after 10 minutes the pain eased and i could walk relativley pain
free,on the walk to WWS and back i was feeling good, well better and
through MGM i ate the nestle crunch chocolate which was fantastic
they were playing a sheryl crow track i liked and got my picture with
BUZZ.
After MGM i went onto auto just plodding plodding til just round the
cornder from the finish, i new my wife and kids were there so i
summoned up everything i has left, gritted my teeth against the pain
and ran.
High fived MM got my medal and hobbled everywhere for 2 days.
I am only sorry i didnt deal with my situation with better descisions
and a a result i missed a lot of stuff gong on that im sure i would
have enjoyed has i been more relaxed.
I have done no training at all for 2 weeks so i shall start my London
Marathon program tomorrow, i have a warm up 10 k in Feb and a half in
March.
Although i dont plan to run WDW in 2005, due to cost and not wanting
to take my kids out to often i would like to stay with this group if
that is okay with everyone.
A message for louise. ITB injurys are to running style, your knee is
most likely turning inwards, to correct this you cannot stretch you
must build up the mucles in your quads and hips by doing the following
1.standing on one legs,
2.standing on on leg and dipping,
3.lean back against the wall and slide down so your legs are bent.
4. Lie on your back lift affected leg and turn foot outwards and hold
for 5.
try and do for both legs if you can, there are more and if i can
remember them ill post again.
repeat these in sets of 10 and do every day.
There are also advanced excersises once an improvement is
evidednt,IMPORTANT !! dont run whilst trying to sort it out, even i
had to obey this and also if it is yuor ITB it will take time plan on
a few months rather than weeks. Your milage may vary :-)
These exercises were the ones given to me by my physio who speialises
in sports injuries, if you have access to similar do go and visit
them.
Col
Back in the cold
