Race Recap: Maple Grove 5K

When I run a race I fully intend on recapping them on my blog the day or two following the race.  However, I rarely actually get the recap done in a timely matter.  I think it is because it is probably my least favorite type of post to write.  So why do I write them?  I really don’t know!  And possibly after this one I won’t write anymore…

I really want to recap the Maple Grove 5K because it was my first race that I ran since sustaining my traumatic brain injury on February 2, 2016.  I had walked the Hot Chocolate 5K but I hadn’t run a race and I was kind of chomping at the bit to.  Being completely honest, I wasn’t supposed to run the whole race but I just could help myself!  More to come on that.

On the morning on May 14, 2016 I woke up to a very chilly spring day, 31 degrees chilly.  So, I broke out the winter running gear…  Why do I live in Minnesota?  Winter gear in May, really!  Any how, I got myself ready and got into the car for the quick 3 minute drive to the race.  Yes, I drove to the event because at that point I was still following the physical therapists orders.

All bundled up in my winter running gear in mid-May!

As I made my way to the start line I had a little talk with myself.  It went something like this, “Missy, no matter what, you need to stick to the plan.  You are going to run for 20 minutes and then walk the rest of the race.  Keep your heart rate at 175 or lower!  The time will come soon when you can run the whole thing but today follow the physical therapists orders!  You can do this!”  The “gun” went off and I started out nice and easy.

I just ran, I finally looked at my watch and I was 10 minutes in and I was feeling great.  I again told myself follow the plan.

I knew that I had to be getting close to my 20 minute limit so I checked my watch and sure enough I had 2 minutes left.  And then the internal struggle started.  “Missy, follow the PT’s orders!  Missy, you are not going to be able to run a whole 5K.  Oh hell no, I can run a whole 5K.!  A 7 year old passed you, you can’t run like you used to.  Screw it!  I am going to RUN the whole 5K.”

And so I did!  I finished in 42:42.  Not bad, not great but not bad for not running more that 1.5 miles in over three months.  Now, my heart rate on the other hand, it spiked at 197 and averaged 182.  So, my heart rate can get really high!  When I did my VO2 Max test I got it all the way up to 209.  Any way back to the race, my heart rate drop super fast when I was done so it didn’t worry me too much.

My finishers medal and the flag I carried for the whole race. I carried it for my Grandma, she is very involved in the American Legion.

Honestly, I am happy I choose to run the whole Maple Grove 5K.  I had to prove to myself that I could do it and I did just that!  I have since been running more and have worked myself up to a point of 50 minutes and my heart rate is staying nicely at 165.  I will be back to where I like to be for racing very soon!

My finishers medal and celebratory coffee!

Have you ignored doctors or physical therapists order to prove to yourself you could do something?  How did it turn out?