This year, fall wasted no time. The 2018 autumn equinox landed on Saturday, Sept. 22. The three days before we had high temperatures of 88, 88 and 90. On this day, we had a high of 70 (the jury is still out on whether we actually hit 70) with the preceding days struggling to equal that mark.The football weekend felt like you would expect a football weekend to be like. It was just weird at how much the weather transitioned in a 12 hour period. A monsoon of rain, wind, thunder and lightning hit us at rush hour on Friday and similar to the aliens in the War of the Worlds film, fall forced itself upon us by Saturday afternoon.
No one is complaining, its just interesting how summer was shoved out the door and told not to come back for eight months...in a nice way, of course (just ignore the image of the footprint on it's backside). It has been lovely to run in the recently arrived mild weather. I for one enjoy running in the cooler weather and the rain. It reminds of those bygone days of high school and collegiate cross country.
Having just completed her first race since joining the running crowd, L has been all-systems-go regarding getting faster, adding miles and exploring event possibilities. Being an outdoorsy person, animal lover and avid bird watcher, she was excited to throw our hats into the ring regarding the Red Tail Run 5K and Walk for Wildlife at the Ohio Wildlife Center in nearby Powell.
This race in the Shawnee Hills area of NW Columbus supports the nearly 5,000 animals from 145
different species admitted to Ohio Wildlife Center’s free hospital each year. The goal is to treat these animals and get them back to the wild. All race proceeds, "are directed back to Ohio Wildlife Centers non-profit mission of
fostering awareness and appreciation of
Ohio’s native wildlife through rehabilitation, education and wildlife health
studies."As you can see, this race - and those it would benefit - are right up her alley. And it would be a change of pace for us. Instead of L following me and joining in on my suggested quests, we would reverse rolls. This did land on a weekend I was scheduled to work, but with it having a 9am start and my Sunday work day not beginning till 12:45. We could squeeze it in, especially since it would be just 12 miles (20 minutes) from our house.
Another added fun benefit would come after the race. According to race details, "Once finished, racers can witness the release of a recovered
wildlife hospital patient back to the wild and visit with resident hawks,
owls, coyotes, foxes and other education
ambassadors at our Powell center." It would be nice spending a fall morning running a quick 5k.The Tuesday before, I noticed some soreness around my right heel but it dissipated as the day went on. Then Wednesday morning the same pain returned but was more pronounced. Annoyed, I look into it and discovered Plantar Fasciitis had developed. This was obvious when the "morning hobble" set in, or your foot trying to heal itself in a contracted position overnight. Taking that first step out of bed causes sudden strain on the bottom of your foot, resulting in pain in your heel or arch and I felt it to the full extent.
I ran about six miles the prior afternoon without issue, but the pain recurs after long spells of sitting. Of course, it fades during a run or once you are consistently moving again - but it is quite frustrating.
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| Not amputating yet |
The condition is caused by drastic or sudden increases in mileage, poor foot structure, and/or inappropriate running shoes which can overload the plantar fascia (the connective tissue that runs from your heel to the base of your toes), resulting in heel pain. Since the first three on that list I can safely rule out, I'm guessing it has to do with my shoes. I bought them at the end of May, just before the New Moon Half & Quarter Marathon, Crescent Moon 5K, and they are starting to show some wear. Doing the math, I have put about 500 miles on them (give or take 5 miles or so) - which is a standard for when to put shoes to rest.
This does not mean you have to stop running, you just have to treat it with things like stretching, icing, arch support, foot taping, wearing a night splint and taking anti-inflammatories. If treated right, it shouldn't persist. At the moment its just annoying, like the calf strain I developed about this time last year. I purchased an arch support brace and have been wearing it since and it has helped immensely. And icing the area after each run has put a stop to the awful morning hobble.
I never had these issues back in the day, but then gain I wasn't in my 40's then either. Come on body, try to keep up with the mind!
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Our route would begin at Ohio Wildlife Center's service driveway, and then right onto Cook Road, and then the next 3 available left-hand turns onto Merchant Road, Concord Road, and back to Cook Road and finishing at 6131 Cook Road, in the same location as the start line.
I position myself in front and L works her way into the middle of the pack of the corral. Warming up, I notice at least one dude who looked like he would wipe the floor with me which would be a good thing. Having someone in front would be a great way to work on half marathon pacing. Sure enough, as we take off he darts in front and I follow just enough to keep myself in line.
The beautiful sunrise and cool fall breeze along the country roads made it easy to get comfortable. As the gazelle in front drifts further away, I push my stride to work on maintaining a relatively fast pace. It was a race, but great real time practice for future endeavors. The rolling hills were a fun roller coaster ride and the openness of the topography allowed me to keep the dude in front within sight.
Downing some water, I garnered my finisher's medal and hung out at the finish line - high-fiving others as they come in and waiting for L. Making my way back up to the road, I glance down and see L on the horizon, she's looking pretty smooth and I cheer her on as she, too, reaches the end. Meeting up with her, she looks perplexed. Fighting through winded breathing, "That wasn't a 5k, it was further...wasn't it?"
"Yeah, it was 3 and a quarter."
"I was gonna say," she states, "I didn't think my watch was that off far off. Still, that's 30 seconds faster than my time at the Amish Country 5k!"
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| Post race us |
The highlight was watching a Red-Tailed Hawk be released back into the wild after completing rehabilitation. The carrier it was in was opened, allowing for it to take off on it's own but instead just sat there for about five minutes. When officials attempted to coax it on, the rapture turned toward them and spread it's giant wings as if to say, "Chill out man! I'm taking my time, back off humans!" Maybe it needed to time to reflect. Moments later it spread it's wings again, but this time it lifted off the ground and soared into some trees before disappearing in the morning horizon. It was quite a sight to see.
We hopped back in the car and drove the 20 minutes or so home where I then made myself look appropriate and headed off to work. As for L, she dug into some homework before heading off to play softball with our neighbor's city rec team.
It is now officially October - the time of year for Halloween, trick-or-treat, fall foliage and college football conference games, not to mention the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon is just three weeks away. The leaves are changing and pumpkin spice everything is coming out of the woodwork...whether you like it or not, it's only right....
I need a
notice to stay and I don't think I'm gonna find it
You say you
want, but never will
Just take it
back and tell me no
It's easier
to be alone, than to be lied to
Why'd you
waste all the time
Back and
forth in my mind
Clean it
out, tell me now
Was it worth
all the time?
You're not
here, with me dear
Can we go,
through the years?
Take you
there, every night
Say that
it's only right
White noise
that plays in my head
Tried to
recall the words you said
Can you sink
into my dreams?
And then
I'll never wanna wake up
I hear you
talk, when you're not there
It comes at
me from everywhere
Can you lose
the rest of me
And take my
mind away?
Why'd you
waste all the time
Back and
forth in my mind
Clean it
out, tell me now
Was it worth
all the time?
You're not
here, with me dear
Can we go,
through the years?
Take you
there, every night
Say that
it's only right
I'm wide
awake, it feels like all the time
I need to
know if it'll be alright
I'm waiting
on another day to fall
When you're
awake to hear my call
'Cause
it's...
I'm wide
awake, it feels like all the time
(Open, my
door is open)
I need to
know if it'll be alright
(Please let
me know when)
I'm waiting
on another day to fall
(You're coming
home)
When you're
awake to hear my call
Why'd you
waste all the time
Back and
forth in my mind
Clean it
out, tell me now
Was it worth
all the time?
You're not
here, with me dear
Can we go,
through the years?
Take you
there, every night
Say that
it's only right
Pictures provided by Lauren B.
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| "Staas-toberfest" at Staas Brewing |
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| Race day sunrise from the car |
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| Second place goof off |
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| Start & Finish Line |
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| Injured, permanent resident |
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| Red-Tailed Hawk being set free |
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| Horned Owl |
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| This Turkey is either injured, or faking it until after the holidays |
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