Phillies 5k: First race of the season. And a broken foot.

This is a long blog.  

I have taken way too much time off from blogging, and well, I miss it.  I didn't even blog after my second marathon.  Which by the way, I did finish in 40 minutes less then my first marathon!!  I'm a slow marathoner, so this was very possible.  

Anyway, post-marathon I experienced a lot of burnout and it snowed a lot.  I just wasn't enjoying my runs, long or short, fast or slow.  I had signed up for spring races and knew I'd start to enjoy running again, and I always like a PR.  I had signed up for the Phillies 5k (free game tix!), Caesar Rodney half (a hilly hot mess), Broad Street (10 miles and going on year 6), Delaware Marathon Relay (6 miles with friends), and a Savage Race (crazy obstacles, and MUD)!  

March and May were planned to be crazy and awesome.  I say planned lightly.  Being the oldest of four I've been cursed with the mom syndrome.  Ever since I was little, I've had anything and everything in my purse.  In college I was deemed "mom". Because of this, I am a planner x 1000.  So Mike and I (see adorbs photo further down) signed up and were registered for the Phillies 5k, receiving two of the elusive 5000 spots.  And yes, I just said "adorbs" #almost30goingon13.

We were awake and eating breakfast by 7ish.  Probably the best breakfast ever.  I don't normally buy cereal (because I'll eat it all in one sitting), but I bought Blueberry Morning.  Crunchy flakes, nut clusters, and dried blueberries.  Best. Cereal. Ever.

After eating and getting ready, we were on the road.  We were in Philly by 8 a.m.  Great!  We'd have time to park, stretch, stand in the porta-potty line, and get in the zone.  Unfortunately, as fabulous as the Phillies 5k perks are, the parking situation is un-excusable.  Parking for the Phillies 5k with 5,000 runners is worse than parking for the Broad Street Run, ahem with 40,000 runners.  Not sure how that happens.  

Around 8:50 the car was finally parked.  Allowing just enough time for the potty and running into the mass of people.  Where we conveniently found Bethany and Ped!  Turned music on, wished us each luck (I needed more than luck), and the race began.

Now, I love races, however, the Phillies 5k brings out a different crowd.  Maybe because I am a slightly more experienced runner.  Last year alone I ran a handful of 5k's, two ten milers, 4 half marathons, a full marathon, and a duathlon.  Because I've run a lot, there is certain etiquette to follow.  If you are in a group of fast people, you move to the left or right, if you are faster than the slow people, you again, move to the left or the right.  The Phillies 5k brings out a lot of new runners and walkers.  While this is amazing, and new runners or anyone exercising is great, most don't get how a race works.  

The first mile I was running on the outskirts of the 5000 people.  My first mile was complete in 7:53 (phew, I was killing it)!  I slowed slightly after getting a side-stitch to about an 8:30 pace for the first part about mile 1.2.  We continued on passing Citizens Bank on the right and kept moving.  Since I took off in the beginning I had no clue where my friends were, but this was fine.  We were all chasing our own PR's.  We ran across Broad Street and it appeared there was an out and back down Pattison.  There were slower people around so I was trying to weave around and finally settled in.  I was holding steady around an 8:35-8:40 pace.  I was definitely on track to PR!!

And then it happened.  Running.  Running.  Running.  On the ground.  Bloody hand. Skinned knee. And, twisted foot.  Legit runner above me blocking me from others, and asking if I was ok.  To whoever you are, thank you so much.  I could've ended up trampled, but you shielded me from the masses.  This is one reason I love runners, they are truly nice people.  You will never meet an angry runner.  I said I was ok, my foot wasn't dangling, and that is my definition of "ok".  

I hobbled to the left side and started to walk.  I thought maybe I could run again, I've fallen while running before and I get back up.  I continued my hobble, i'm sure I was a sight.  At this point I text my friend who had planned to walk the 5k and told her to look for me.  

I walked some more, and then my pride started to take a beating.  I was walking.  Why was I walking, I'm a runner.  I can't walk next to these runners.  And then, the medical cart drove by.  "Are you ok?" they asked.  "I think so, I think I twisted my foot", I responded.  They told me to sit on the edge of the cart next to the stretcher (I guess it could be worse).  They looked at my ankles to look for swelling.  Since I broke my sesamoids a few years ago my left ankle is normally swollen anyway, so they decided to take me to see the EMT's.  

And this happened... And, I may have slightly cried.

Yep, that is a photo while driving past all the runners I should have been running with.  Greatttt.  

I was taken to the ambulance right in front of Citizen's Bank.  They told me I probably twisted my ankle and that it was just sore.  Having messed up my foot before, I knew it was more than that.  They did give me the option of going to the hospital.  The hospital in Philly?!  Thanks, but NO.

I let Mike know that I fell and to find me after he finished the race.  Conveniently, he had just finished the race when I text him.  He grabbed me a medal too.  It may say finisher, but I finished that race! Or it finished me..

Then started the official hobble back to the car.  I think I could've run a 5k faster than it took me to get to my car.  It was an interesting walk, filled with lots of chatter, "oh that can't be good", or "yikes".  Thanks people, I know it's messed up.  

But we did take a break for some photos and found Bethany and Ped!  

(this is the "adorbs" photo I mentioned before)

After our break we continued on.  A group tailgating saw us and offered us beer.  "We saw you fall, are you ok? Have a beer", is what we were greeted with.  Well, ok!  I never turn down a free beer, especially when my foot hurts.  The entire group saw me fall and said they thought I was tripped. Then two others nearby saw us and realized I was the one who fell.  "Omg that was you, are you ok?". Apparently this fall was some crazy sight.

Then we drove back to Delaware.  I iced the foot and elevated it.  And then I took a nap.  Post-nap around 5 I decided something was wrong.  I drove to the Medical Aid Unit and thankfully was the only person there.  They took x-rays and then wheeled me in to see them.  "You won't be running for awhile, you have a fifth metatarsal fracture".  Wait, what?! "It's a clean break with some hairline fractures".  And then it set in, and I may have cried again.  All five races I had remaining for the season were done. 

I followed up with my doctor yesterday.  No exercise for 6 weeks, aside from modified yoga and weights.  Then I asked about driving.  "Well you legally can't drive with a boot on your foot, ahh it's always the right foot.  But the good news is, you don't need surgery".  I hadn't even considered surgery, or a lack of driving.  

I truly believe God has a purpose for this and that everything happens for a reason.  I don't get it right now, but I'm sure one day I will.  

Run on runner friends.  Kill your races this spring!!