I don't need a bike to crash...

[HillSlugger]

I can do it running!



I started running back in October for triathlon training. I've shown good, steady improvement with an occasional flash of (relative) greatness and wanted to see how I compared to others. So, I signed up, and today I ran my first race.

I've been consistently running in the low 9's per mile with one under 9 run so today I hoped to finish under 9 minutes per miles for this 5k. I actually ran at 8:33, crushing my previous best of 8:58. I rocked! Unfortunately, I also rolled: on a loose, gravely, down hill I twisted my ankle and took a fall. I don't know how much time I lost to that but it had to be considerably because it took a while to get back some composure and I felt like I was hardly moving for a while. I've got scrapes starting on my left shoulder and down to my knee and on my right knee and palm (the worst bruising is on my right palm). My left ankle is tender and swollen.

It was a great run, but I'm resigned to several days of rest before I can resume my training.

Time:
26:32

Pace:
8:33 per mile

Rank:
63/334
12/48 in the 45-49 age group

Without the fall I bet I could have broken into the top 50...

[SouthernBelle]

Sorry about the fall, but I'm really impressed with your improvement over your personal best!

[Melalvai]

I managed to evade the Fates by jumping clear of my bike--but they got me back later in the day when I slipped in the creek and whacked my head on a rock.

My injuries were not nearly so bad as yours. I just had a headache for a while.

Lesson: Go down with your bike!

[Kalidurga]

Without the fall I bet I could have broken into the top 50...

Wow, Nicole, that must have been some fall! I hope you're ok

And don't sweat your result. The fact that you're confident you could have broken the top 50 means a lot. There's always the chance of something throwing you off track (sometimes literally), but knowing you could do it is really what matters. Congratulations!

[Zen]

You're bringing sexy back, aren't you ?

[7rider]

I don't know, Tam.
First Janice. Now Nicole.
I better go check the medicine cabinet and make sure I'm well stocked in gauze!!!

Feel better, Nicole.
Hope to see you tomorrow...and if not then, definitely on the monument ride so we can check out the Jamis!

[HillSlugger]

Swollen and bruised, the picture doesn't do it justice

It doesn't feel too bad to walk on but I think a check by my ankle & foot doc is in order. I want to get back to training ASAP but I don't want to jeopardize my season.

I will do the monument tour on Saturday!

[Zen]

I will do the Northern Maryland/Southern PA Tour on Saturday.

That is one angry looking ankle . It hurts just to look at it .

[HillSlugger]

That is one angry looking ankle . It hurts just to look at it .

The ankle is feeling better, but the bruising is getting worse. I see my doc tomorrow morning.

[Velobambina]

Hope your ankle is fine. Ankle injuries are the pits and seem to take a long time to heal. If you're walking on it w/out too much misery, I'd say that's a good sign. Let us know how it goes at the doc.

Don't feel bad--I broke my shoulder after falling during a training run in '96. I was going up a hill, slipped on a manhole cover, and wiped out. Landed right on my left clavicle. It hurt but I thought I just banged it good and just got a nasty cut. Kept going. Went 10 miles. Luckily, I have a pretty high threshold of pain!

[jeannierides]

Ouch!! But great time!

[HillSlugger]

The doctor says I have a moderate sprain. Continue the Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (RICE Therapy).

• No running the rest of this week or next week; ok to try the following week.
• Swimming ok next week.
• Biking ok next week; ok for Saturday's DC monument tour ride if everything feels ok on Friday.

I'm thinking that twisting out of the clipless pedals might not be a good thing for a while so I'm gonna put toe clip pedals on for now.

[7rider]

Hey there.
Good to hear you should be good to go for Saturday.
Rest that ankle up. Good plan with the platform pedals.