Cool calm and collected, with an attainable goal of 7.30 per mile for my first 10 miler.
At the 2 mile mark I realised I had been carried away with the crowd and had averaged 6.37 per mile, 'ah sure lets keep this up', but that was followed by an explosion at the 2.5 mile mark.
Ok not the end of the world, I'll just slow right down, wait for a second wind and then bring things back up. I was starting to feel good again around 6 miles, when my left foot started feeling sore.
This pain increased in intensity until just after the 8 mile mark I had to stop running and walk.
I continued on and walked the last 2 miles of the race, attempting a jog several times only to find that the pain in my foot was too severe.
So now I have a stress fracture in the third metatarsal of my left foot!
How did this happen? I'm not entirely sure what was the largest contributing factor, but know it was definitely a combination.
1: Using runners which I do not usually run in.
2: Runners being too tight?
3: Having increased training volume over too short a time?
4: Decreased training volume over the previous two weeks?
5: Dehydration over the previous week?
Anyway, I'm definitely injured.
So what now? My next goal race is just over six weeks away.
For now I'm going to have to work on rest,rest and rest.
I'm going to devise a rehabilitation program for myself, to help me re-integrate, and prevent me gaining weight!
I understand that for stress fractures, non impact exercise like cycling/spinning will delay healing time, so that's out.
This rehabilitation is going to consist mainly of upper body weights, pilates and yoga!
The perfect opportunity to work on my flexibility.
Starts this evening with a 'hot yoga' class.
Wish me luck.