It's done! After weeks of uncertainty, I was able to run in my very first 5k, heck my first run longer than a mile ever, and I am so fortunate that the first was the Freihofer's Run for Women.
For those who have not been following my journey, at week five of my Freihofer's Training Challenge I experienced pain as I have never known it. An urgent care and orthopedic visit later and I was diagnosed with Planters Fasciitis. If you are unfamiliar, it's no joke!
After this happened I really had to slow down with the training. I took a week off, then ran a day, another week off, ran another day, two weeks and then the race. My goal time for the race decreased as I struggled with pain during the breaks and I just was not quite sure I'd make it there. I finally settled on a goal of 36 minutes (though I felt in my heart that 38 was much more realistic).
During this time, so many of our listeners reached out to me with their own PF stories, encouragement and faith. I also had the ongoing support of my co-host, Kevin and co-workers at iHeart. On Saturday, the pain showed up around 2.5 miles and the last stretch was a bear, but all of those messages of positivity swirled in my head as I finally crossed the finish line...and in under 37 minutes!
I am SO glad that I was able to be a part of this amazing event. Congratulations to all the ladies who crossed that finish line on Saturday. No matter your goal, your story or your finishing time, know that you were a part of something so positive and good, and that alone is a great accomplishment!
Now it's time to heel, as my trainer said to me after the race, "ice and stretch." I will proudly hobble around for the next few days...but with a smile on my face, as I begin to dream about next year. See you then!
Tracy
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