Peachtree City Classic 2009 15k Run

I am certainly no runner, but I did choose to punish myself this last Saturday at the Peachtree City Classic 15k run. It did not go that well for me. It was a cold morning and I rode a bike from the shop over to our Bicycles Unlimited tent, so I would not have to find parking for my hotrod car. I started off the run feeling fast, but felt something like a tiny pebble was under my left heel. It did not seem like a big enough deal to stop to remove it since that would only make me loose time. This was a race after all. I just decided to run a little funny, favoring my right leg. At mile 1 my time was 6:35. "Not bad" I thought, since I did not start anywhere near the front of the pack. My right leg was befinning to hurt though since I was overusing it. I slowed down a little to compensate. At mile 2 my time was 13:55 and that is when I started walking. My entire right quad felt like it had just exploded. I was in a lot of pain. I massaged it a little and walked. It was too painful to even jog for a long time. I lost a ton of time. I watched as many people I know passed me. Even Mark Anderson passed me! After a while I progressively hobbled, jogged and then was able to run again. I passed all but two of the people I know personnaly that had passed me. When it was over and it was time to ride back to begin my work day I could not even complete a pedal stroke. It was too painful to lift my right leg that high. After standing and riding a little I was able to loosen the leg up enough to make the 2.5-mile journey back to the bike shop. Here is the good part of the story. When I got undressed to shower at the shop I saw that the little pebble under my left heel was actually a push pin shoved through my shoe that had been poking the bottom of my heel over and over again for 15k (9.3 miles). I had a large blood stain on my sock with a new hole in it (Did not have any old holes by the way). I do not know which one of you pushed the pin through my shoe, but I will never forgive you. That day I was saying that I would never run again, but now I look forward to showing my real abilities on foot. It will have to wait until my heel heals though. I am still limping from the push-pin. It did not effect me when I rode 61 miles on Monday though. Moral of the story: Running is hard on the body. Do yourselves a favor by riding a bike at least 98% of the time.

One Ride Location

Right now there are simultaneously multiple rides going on for those with skinny tires in and around Fayette County GA. Riders must choose one location over another. Typically from one bike shop or another. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone could choose a neutral location and have just one ride location? Thoughts anyone?