I’m posting this a little later than usual as I wanted to make sure I survived my first bike ride to work! As I mentioned on my other blog, Now Entering Adulthood, I’ve been plagued with injuries and laziness over the past three-to-four months. I’d love to blame it all on the injuries, but I just can’t.
After finally seeing a doctor and getting the okay (with some minor restrictions), I had my first 5k since April at the end of July. It was the Jerry Garcia Memorial 5k, so you know it would be fun and it was, but it showed me two things. The first is that the recovery from my ankle injury is going to take quite a bit of time and the second is that my running has really suffered over the past few months. (The left picture up there makes me look like I’m moving a lot faster than I am, really I was covering my face so Caroline wouldn’t take a picture of me!)
My only goal for the 5k was to make it under 40 minutes. Thankfully, I have long strides when I’m walking so between the roughly 20 minutes I did run (12-15 at the beginning and brief jogs during the rest) and the rest of the time I finished in 39:18 and honestly I’ll take it! As I crossed over the Charles river I thought for sure I’d be well over 40 minutes, but as I got closer I knew I could jog, slowly but jog, and so I did. I did ice my ankle when I got home, but immediately started thinking about the rest of the year.
Unfortunately, I’m going to put off the half-marathon attempt until next year 🙁 I looked at the training program I was working with and have fallen far enough behind that I can’t catch up. That does, however, give me time to focus on the 10k and my 5k times while building up to the half in the late spring/early summer. This really sucks because it’s one of my 30×30, but I’d rather go into it with the confidence I can finish it than half ass it and quit. So onward!
In other news my dad FINALLY sent a bike up to me and I love it. As I mentioned at the start, I cycled to work this morning and it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I did a test ride this past weekend over to the office and back (it’s a little under five miles). I’m already enjoying the extra mobility it provides. The only downside is that my FitBit daily totals are a little lower than usual so that’ll take some additional adjusting.
I haven’t been to CrossFit in a couple of weeks, but I will go one day next week. I pay enough for it I’ve got to start going again. It’s been a struggle to stay active when everything I did agitated my ankle, but thankfully it’s finally starting to feel better and not swell after everything.
Congrats on finishing the 5k. Recovering from injuries isn’t easy and ankles are difficult to manage. The bike will be nice for the ankle and you’re brave riding in Boston.
Thanks! And riding in Boston isn’t as bad as I thought it’d be. Most everyone steers well clear of me and I’ve only had a couple of asses do something illegal. Pedestrians aren’t as wary which is a pain, but I’m getting used to them.