June Training: Reaching Goals I Thought I Never Would Again

Hollie

2 years ago

Thoughts:

I feel like almost every training month I say, “It was an emotional roller coaster,” but this really feels like the case here. Where to begin? I started with a 20:28 Corona Del Mar 5k early in the month. The course is challenging, but honestly, I didn’t feel great anyway. I was disappointed with the time, but my body wasn’t feeling great that day either. Then, the next weekend, I had redemption where I finally reached a goal I’ve been chasing for a couple of years now: breaking 20 minutes in a 5k. Five years ago, that wasn’t a big deal, and honestly, I did it most weekends. But that’s not now; it’s been a goal for the last couple of years. Then I did. Then, just a few days later, I had an amazing workout where I hit some track times I haven’t in a few years, followed by the next day of stubbing my pinky toe and breaking it.

My experience with breaking toes included a stress fracture in my second metatarsal, and it was the most painful thing I’ve ever been through. I couldn’t put weight on it (at all) for about three weeks. This was not really the case with my pinky toe. It hurt (I mean, think of stubbing your pinky toe with so much force it breaks). But then a few days later, it didn’t hurt much. It never really hurt to walk on, and when I started running, it didn’t really bother me. A podiatrist recommended only using carbon-plated shoes to keep the toe stiff, and that’s been great. I haven’t had any painful moments or any worsening with a run. The problem with running in carbon-plated shoes for every race is they aren’t my personal favorite type of shoe due to a higher risk of injury. So, I’ve also been monitoring my body more with massages and recovery.

Towards the end of the month, I ran the Miramar 5k, which was actually 3.45 miles and extremely hot. I felt like garbage, and it was a regressive run, but I still ran a 20:09 5k. Last year, my best 5k time was 20:09. Then, the following weekend, I ran my fastest mile time in a few years: 5:51. Then, I ran the Angels 5k, which was only 3 miles. I ended up running at a 6:22 pace.

Finally, swimming. It has felt like swimming is a end of blog type of thing but I am swimming…a good amount. Last month I completed the 100 mile swimming challenge. I’ve also qualified to swim nationals in Mission Viejo and I am thinking I may do it. Which sounds crazy. I’ll need to actual swim some harder things in the next month as to not embarrass myself too much. We will see.

I do feel like I’m getting back into running shape I haven’t been in a while. I don’t really even believe I’m running these times because it’s been so long since I have. As far as my toe, it’s definitely getting better. I’m still monitoring it, of course, and it’s still slightly swollen, but it’s healing.