Welcome:

The Bucks County Speedsters is a group of runners

that meets
twice a week to work on our speed,

strength, stamina, and
overall performance. Our goal

is to improve runners of all
levels. We encourage

anyone interested in running to come
out to one of

our workouts and see for yourself that in our


community everyone is welcomed and with our

guidance and
your hard work, together we will aspire

to make you
faster. We hope that you will lace up

your running
sneakers and meet up with us someday

soon.



"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams"


-Henry David Thoreau

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Bubbles or Bonkers...


“By trying we can easily endure adversity…” –Mark Twain

By trying we can also endure pain…. At the beginning of this year I went on a rant about this year being the year I was going to go hard.  I was going to push myself beyond anything I had ever experienced.  This was going to be my year! 
Three weeks later, I would step in a hole during a trail run and tear two tendons in my ankle.  Looking back at that moment its funny to think that everyone there knew I was done, but me.  It wasn’t like it didn’t hurt, because it hurt like hell.   I just thought I tweaked something. You would think since I’m in a position to guide runners I would lead by example.   Not me!  I just keep on keeping on.
The reason I have anyone reading this reliving my bullheadedness and annoying ankle injury, is because today was the day I had in mind for putting all my hard work to the test.  I ran or should I say participated in the Philadelphia Rock N’ Roll Half Marathon a race that I have run many times and is up there as one of my favorites.  My goal on January 1st was to run today’s race in a time of one hour and twenty minutes, a personal best (PB) by three minutes.  I finished today in a 1:37, but getting there was the toughest thing I have ever had to do.
As the ankle was on the mend (finally!) something else went wrong.  I was over the hump and almost through the woods with this ankle injury when I came down with a bad case of Plantar Fasciitis in my other foot.   This couldn’t have happened at a worse time.  The problem with Plantar is that most recommendations say to run through it.  You would think I would be a pro at this, but with the Plantar hurting on the left foot, I naturally started leaning on the right side, which is causing a lot of discomfort in the ankle.
When I got into my corral this morning (I was the first one!) I didn’t know what to expect, I was questioning me even being there.  I kept thinking, man this isn’t going to be easy.  How am I going to run 13.1 miles in pain?  I did man up (foolishly) and began to run (limp) my way to another finish.  I had this unfamiliar voice in my head almost the entire race telling me that it wasn’t going to happen, that I needed to pull out.  The sad thing is, my eyes started looking around for a pull of location. 
When I reached mile eleven, I was greeted by the most randomness thing.  This bubble came floating by me; I looked to the sidelines for a bubble maker or some kid with bubbles and a wand in hand, but none could be found.  I couldn’t explain where this bubble came from and even thought maybe I was hallucinating.  But, I shook it off and at that very moment I settled in to a race pace.  Now, I must have shook off that negative voice in my head too, because I was able to negative split the last two miles and finished strong.
Maybe Mark Twain was right, but I also think I was foolish to run today.  My ankle is healed up, but it’s still months away from being where it needs to be as far as strengthening.  I had no business being out there when my bad foot is better than the other.  I am thrilled I was able to work through the pain and the negative thoughts, but I’m disappointed that I let my pride get the better of me today.  I truly need to be setting good examples for the rest of you.  I know for a fact that if any of my athletes were in as much pain as I was feeling today, that I would tell them not to run.  As for that bubble, I got nothing.  Maybe it was a sign of some sort or maybe I’m going crazy.

Till we run into each other again…

1 comment:

  1. First thing, trail running is dangerous to your health. And secondly, we all do it (runners are pig headed), running when resting is required. It is my experience by pushing through pain delays being completely healed. I have run through pf but only for 3-5 miles; NOT 13.1M!

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