Independence 5K Virtual Race Report

Monday morning was my first official run back since the ortho told me to lay off the running to let the ankle heal. Since, it was Fourth of July and since Lesley had me down for 3 miles, I decided why not make it a 5K and join a virtual race at that. 

I meant to wake up at 5:00 so I could get this run in as early as I could fathom doing it, sadly, I ignored my alarm and slept until 6:00. Not too bad under normal circumstances but I had to be back home in time for Patrick, Bella and I to head to the Fourth Of July parade. I got myself dressed and headed down to the lake.

The view was gorgeous

I decided to stick to 4:1 intervals for this run because I was terrified that I would kill my ankle if I just went for it. I started out and was pleasantly surprised when the ankle didn't bother me at all, except there was something else that was bothersome... my knees. Oh well, I didn't let it stop me although it did slow me down.

One mile in and I was feeling good.

Remember how I wrote about needing to buy some shorts and getting over my issue with wearing them. Well, I bought some shorts and I even wore them for this run. I assumed because it was so early, it would be a good way to get over my issues because there wouldn't be so much traffic on the paths. What I forgot to take into account was the fact that everyone and their brother was on the paths going to claim their spots along the parade route and where I run on the paths was very close to the parade route. So most of Peachtree City saw me in shorts, and to make matters worse it seemed that almost every golf cart that passed me had someone I know riding in it. I guess that was one way to get over my phobia of wearing shorts in public.

Almost done... hot, sweaty and a general mess.
(Just ignore the hanging arm skin...yuck)

The miles passed fairly quickly in my mind, I was people watching and enjoying seeing all the decorated golf carts. Every time I felt like walking and it wasn't a walk break, I kept reminding myself that I had to hurry it up and get home to shower and head out with the family, and it was pretty good motivator. I do have to say that the heat and humidity was a HUGE pain, I was sure that I was on my way to melting into a puddle. Gotta love Georgia in July! I finished the run, and was slightly bummed with the time but that was quickly overshadowed by the fact that I was out running again. How can you not love that?! I was so happy to be running again, I'd missed it a lot and had a bad case of running envy.

Not my best, not even close but it was the first run back after all.