Clearing Out the Cobwebs…
Today was the 99.1 WPLR Shamrock and Roll 5K race. Since I had not run AT ALL in the last 5 months, today was a great day to clear out the cobwebs, losen up my body, and get ready for the 2008 running season. Or so I thought. Things got bad before the race even started. Last night, I had a hankering for some ice cream. I went out about 9 last night and, while walking to my car, slipped on some ice and hit my right knee. Hurt like hell.
When I woke up this morning, my right knee was swolen (not a lot, just a little). The weather certainly did not cooperate. This being New England in Early March, it was freezing. The forecast said it would reach 40 degrees, but not when the race started at 9AM.
I arrived at Toad’s Place with about 30 minutes to spare. I got my number, timing chip, safety pins and T shirt, and set about pinning my number to my shirt whilst finishing up my bagel and Red Bull. Yes, Tom. I know Red Bull is probably THE worst thing you can consume outside of Tequila before a race ;). I figured this was just a fun run to kick off the running season, and it was only a 5K anyhow. If anything went wrong, I could just muscle through it on willpower.
I had run this course last year. Even though the course was in a circle, I swear it was uphill the whole way. I was really huffing and puffing most of the way trying to get up the hills. The frigid air certainly didn’t help much, causing me to wheeze as I breathed heavy, and produce a larger than normal amount of phlegm.
But in the end, I finished in 32:30. Last year? 29:07. 
Getting old sucks. But I haven’t had ANY exercise in 5 months and I’m overweight, so I’m not going to give my self too much flack. That’s a 10:29 mile. My usual is about a 10 minute mile, but that’s with training.
My knee still hurts, I have a blister on my left foot, but after that race, I was exhilirated as I drank my free Guinness after the race.
It’s 2008 and running season has begun. Rock and Roll.
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Actually, a shot of tequila is a great vasodilator without all the heavy calories. It allows the blood to pump more freely through larger veins as well as thins the blood just so, almost makes it more viscous. This coming from a former soldier who half of his career was spent running.
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Wow! Wish I knew that yesterday! But I thought alcohol was a diarhetic (sp?), which would thicken the blood, no? Or is it something besides the alcohol that causes the blood to thin?
I’ve got a half marathon on June 1, maybe I’ll run it drunk?
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:48 pm
When I competed in ameteur bodybuilding back in 1999-2000, a small glass of prune juice was the diuretic of choice along with a glass of wine to vasodilate (for that oh-so-sexy veiny appearance.) Pick the poison, it serves as a great vasodilator. Just don’t get polluted before the race. If alcohol was a diuretic, I’d have crapped the color out of my skin by now. I think you’ll be safe with anything like rum, vodka, tequila, or a glass of wine, but NO MIXERS! all that adds up to is excess calories that cause bloating and cramps (and a feeling of less-than fresh).
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Not to mention the temperature elevating properties for the core temp which distributes to the rest of the body. Not a good substitute for stretching, but helps with the warm-up.
March 5th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Heh heh. You should have been a bartender!
Managing a half marathon in 3 months will be tough. No PB’s here. Just looking to finish.
March 6th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
At this rate, aren’t we all just looking to finish?
March 14th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
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March 17th, 2008 at 7:01 am
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