healing

Sunday's race was fantastic, but by Monday morning I knew for sure that I had worsened the damage to my sore Achilles. It was more swollen, popping, and I couldn't move my foot at all- zero range of motion. I had this painful feeling like my heel was held together by a crusty old rubber band that was full of holes and sometimes dry strands of cord snapped. This did not feel good. 

Monday afternoon (it was so sunny and nice, and who knows how much more of this weather we will have) I tagged along with friends to the park, but immediately realized that even that was too much effort. By evening, I was a wreck, fearing the worst. Of course I want to understand what the problem is, even though I know better than to try to figure it out with the help of the internet. I will never run again, panic! Before I completely freak out, I decide that I'll give it a few days of total RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate). I passed Tuesday and Wednesday, sitting, all day, since that was all I could do, and caught-up on some exciting tv watching while already feeling restless. I checked the web cams to see the first snowfall on the Jura this week, disappointed that I wouldn't run in it like I had planned. I even closed my RunKeeper tab so I would't have to see other people running while I'm stuck inside, sulking. Pinot helped by keeping me company and alternating ice/heat by snuggling on my injury.

By Thursday things finally started to change for the better. I was able limp around, and even try some calf raises in the pool- yeah for leaving the house! Ok, time to order new running shoes, I will need them sooner rather than later...

Now, on Friday I managed a very light yoga session. I don't think I'll be running at full strength soon, but at least I hope to go for a walk this weekend. It doesn't seem like much, but I am amazed at the change that a few days of total rest has brought. Not to sound dramatic, but I thought, just maybe, I had really pushed it too far this time. I'm feeling pretty lucky that I am recovering this quickly, and learning the hard way to listen to my body when it threatens to go on strike if I don't give it a break.  I tend to err on being tough and powering through, but have promised myself to ease back into training. The Achilles is not one to mess with, so we are going to take it easy, cautious, and build back deliberately. Not doing too much too soon is going to by my challenge, but I don't want to spend another week (or more) on my butt. 

trail du vuache

Race report: Trail du Vuache

Distance: 26.2 km

Elevation: +700 m

Route: Start and finish: Vulbens, looping around le Vuache

Conditions: Perfectly clear and sunny. Comfortable temperature running in the trees. 163 runners.

http://courses.free.fr/trailvuache/

I was hoping that we would sleep-in this morning, but when the alarm sounded, Derek decided to get up for the first edition of the Trail du Vuache. I thought about staying home while he ran, but chose to go along for support. I packed my running clothes so that I could go for a jog while I waited.

The race started in Vulbens, just a ten minute drive down the valley, and would make a full loop of le Vuache, a small mountain stretching between the Alps and the Jura. Since same-day registration was an option, we both filled out the form and handed over our medical certifications (brought mine, just in case). As long as we were here, and it was a gorgeous morning, I figured I may as well start, and see what the trail was like. I hoped to run a few kilometers and then turn and walk back to town. If I was lucky, I might jog the whole course, but I knew it wasn't a good idea since I've just been able to walk on my achilles again in the past few days. It was still swollen, a little tired from hiking yesterday, but not painful. I told myself not to compete today, start out slowly, mid-pack, and enjoy as much of the trail as I thought I could without setting back my recovery.

We were a pack of 163 runners squinting into the sunlight waiting at the start. After the gun, Derek and I ran beside each other for a few kilometers, easing into the run. I hadn't brought headphones or even my watch. There were no kilometer markers either, so it was the perfect chance to experience the trail with no set pace or expectation. I had no nerves at the beginning and didn't even notice where the other women runners might be along the course until being cheered on as the third woman. At kilometer 11 (looking back at the course map) I moved into second during an uphill climb, and I knew I wanted to stay there. I fought the urge to compete, telling myself to keep calm, run a sustainable pace, and not get overly excited by the hopes of a podium finish. There was still a long way to go.

Photos: Jacques Cusin

The western side of the mountain was long and flat with a few downhill sections. It was a great course to hit a stride and stay with it. I kept hoping for another climb (my strength), the best chance of holding my position. A climb finally came and narrowed into a technical section, mud, roots, and a scramble with 5 kilometers to go. I exited the woods at the north point of le Vuache into the exposed fields and a grueling incline toward the finish. It wasn't steep, but this late in the race, the gradual inclination slowed me to a trudge. I hadn't come this far to give up now, and had to really dig to find the energy to finish, tagging along with a few other runners and encouraging each other to go the last little bit. I finished in a few hundred meter sprint with another runner. He had a goal to break the 2:30 mark, and for the first time in the race, I knew how long I had been running. When I crossed the finish, I had maintained the second place for women, and finished first for the Senior age category- something that never crossed my mind during the run. What a great surprise! Derek joined me at the finish line in 02:43,15 and we enjoyed the wine and snacks while stretching and waiting for the podium presentation.      

The race was extremely well organized, the course well-marked, and the volunteers were among the most excited and encouraging as can be. All this, plus perfect weather, made for a beautiful and fun event with a strong feeling of community support. I'd strongly recommend it, especially for runners ready for the trails without hitting the high mountains, and cannot wait to go again next year.

An article from TPS Infos.

Pinot approves the prize - local goodies to share with friends!

Finish & ranking: 02:29, 46   1 / 15 Senior  2 / 29 Women