Being injured sucks. And it’s easy to wallow in self-pity and turn into a total Grumpy McGrumperson. My approach is to throw a little pity party, feel sad and frustrated – and then move on. Focus on what I can do – crosstraining – and what I need to do – lots of hip stretching – to stay healthy and sane. I also wanted to keep myself in the loop and experience a new part of the running community. So I volunteered.
I had my first race of the year scheduled for Saturday (and my first ever road 5K), but my physiotherapist suggested that I needed to take 2 weeks off running (and when she talks I listen) so I knew I wouldn’t be able to run. I decided I still wanted to be part of the event and emailed about volunteering. It turns out that race directors LOVE volunteers and I got an immediate reply and was told to report to the race at 7 AM on Saturday morning. I still picked up my race packet on Friday (if I am going to pay $25 for a mug you bet I’m going to go and pick that sucker up). I had registered for the entire 3 race series and also qualified for a $25 gift certificate for the running store that was hosting the races. How awesome is that?
Race day was beautiful -> 58F at 6.30 AM (this is not normal for February in Utah!) but just a little windy. I arrived and collected my volunteer shirt – it’s totally cool and is a Brooks tech shirt pretty similar to the one I picked up at Twin Cities last year. Plus volunteers also get a $10 gift certificate. Swag!
Volunteering sure pays off!
My job was to look after the post-race food and drinks. They had gotten a ton of free donut holes and hot chocolate from Dunkin donuts, plus some Nature Valley bars, oranges and a ton of bagels. We watched the runners head off and kept ourselves warm and away from the wind while they headed out for their 3.1 miles. The first man came in just a little under 18 mins and then we waited for the rest of the 200 or so other runners to cross the line. I’ve only race one 5K before and it was awful -> going out too fast and holding on (I think that’s how most people do it too?). And looking at the faces of the people as they finished – I was pretty glad that I didn’t have to run that morning. 5Ks are hard! We were all done by 9.40 AM and I headed to the gym for my own workout – 1 hour of strength and core work and then 1 hour on the bike (low resistance, high reps). Watching people give their all is definitely a great motivator to go and bring it at the gym! Although my glutes had a hissy fit and punished my with DOMS the next day.
I also managed to limit myself to one donut hole – mainly because I don’t really like donuts. I know this is a little controversial but I’m totally “meh” about them. Maybe I just haven’t met the right one yet?
You might notice my latest pair of shoes in my collage. I just started wearing my latest pair of Brooks PureCadence and wanted to get another pair (I like to have two pairs in rotation). I hit up the running store and got my gait analyzed. I am a neutral runner and asked to try on everything in the store. Well, I narrowed it down neutral shoes that work for someone with narrow feet (this can actually be a problem – especially if you need to buy ski boots!). I think I tried on at least 10 pairs ranging from 4-12 mm drops and minimal to maximal cushioning. Personally, I like to get a yearly check on my gait and see what’s new. I really liked the newest PureFlows but I felt that they were a little too similar to the PureCadence. Then it was between the Adidas Boost, Mizuno Wave Rider and Saucony Triumph ISO. After running on their treadmill I settled on the Sauconys – only a 8 mm drop (most traditional running shoes are 10-12 mm and my Brooks are 4 mm) but with lots of cushioning (but still felt surprisingly light). I’m thinking of using them as my long run shoe. Obviously, with my current calf strain they are sitting by my front door ready for their first trip outside. So look for a review sometime in March? April? May?
As for the calf strain…….It was still a little sore through Saturday morning. And to be honest I’m not sure if this was residual pain from the dry needling *SHUDDER* or my actual injury. Standing around by the donuts on Saturday morning seemed to aggravate it but it was fine after my gym session in the afternoon. Sunday I had my recovery swim followed by some soaking in the hot tub and was feeling good. I can still feel a tightness in my calf but it’s not painful. Plus, I’ve been attacking the huge knot in my calf with my torture stick. Ah the joys of being a runner!
irishrunnerchick 
Volunteering at races is kind of fun. I’ve had dry needling too, it hurts, a lot! I don’t know if it works, but physiotherapists seem to love doing it so there must be something behind it. Or they just like sticking long needles into tight muscles.
I think a large part of physiotherapists’ day involves inflicting pain on strangers – so I thin that they must enjoy it! And I agree I had a blast volunteering. So much fun.
Oh, I’ve never worked the food station before. I think that would be problematic for me, especially with donut holes!! Cute shirt! hopefully your calf will heal quickly and you can get to breaking in those shoes!
I remember being sore for a few days after dry needling. Hopefully it helped it to loosen it up and once the soreness goes away it will be feeling better!
It sounds like you chose a great race to volunteer at. Love that they hooked you up too. I would totally pick up my race swag if I couldn’t run (and I have done that). Glad you have a PT getting you back on track. You will be back out there before you know it!
One of my goals for this year is to volunteer at a race. I’m glad you had such a good time! I have my first 5k of the year on Saturday and it’s supposed to be about 5 degrees. Yikes!
Oh my God! – that is so cold! I hope it all went well – am looking forward to reading about it!
Nice way to be proactive Irish and stay connected to the community instead of wallowing which only does you good for a minute. I need to volunteer to help at a race some day.
Yes – it was a short pity party! And the volunteering was a lot of fun – I would totally recommend it. But now I’m kinda ready to race again………
Good for you for volunteering while being injured. I know that it can be hard to watch other runners when you can’t run! It looks like this race had the best swag (I LOVE when races give out mugs)….and a gift certificate for volunteers??
I am with you on the donut holes. Donuts in general are kind of “meh” but donut holes are the boring version of donuts, in my opinion. They don’t have sprinkles.
Oh yes – sprinkles and chocolate glaze then I’ll be on board with donut holes. It was amazing volunteer swag – I couldn’t believe it. I did drop a lot of cash on my new shoes at their store but I’m feeling pretty good about it after being involved in the race.
I’m glad you had a good time volunteering. Those volunteer perks are pretty nice too! I don’t remember getting anything the last time I volunteered at a race (except for hot chocolate – it was a coooooold day).
I’m not a fan of donuts either so I don’t think that’s strange at all.
And I love your new shoes! I hope they work well for you when you start running again 🙂
I’m not sure I would have volunteered if we had typical Utah February weather. 58F was a lot more pleasant. I’m hoping to take those new shoes out for a run this week. Fingers crossed.
It totally sucks being injured but you’re doing all the right things. Volunteering is definitely awesome. It’s great to be around the environment you love and still feel a part of the race scene.
You are so right! I enjoyed the excitement of all the pre-race build-up. And when I saw everyone looking completely exhausted after the race I wasn’t so sad about missing it!
You are handling your injury with such class and candor. Go you for getting up and volunteering instead of just wallowing. I’m sending happy recovery vibes your way. Keep on posting. You are still inspiring in spite of your current situation 🙂
You are too kind! I hope someone can read this and avoid all of my silly mistakes!
Sounds like you had a good experience as a volunteer! Ha, I don’t like donuts either, they are so overrated and make me feel sick! I hope you can start breaking in those shoes soon! 😀
Thank you! I’m so excited (and terrified!) to start running again. It also seems like donuts might not be as popular as I thought!
Volunteering is SUCH good karma, so good on you! I just got the Saucony ISO Triumphs over the weekend too, I haven’t worn them yet, but I love what they look like. I get my gait analyzed every time I get new shoes, and it’s always different, which I don’t get. But like drastically different. One person will tell me I don’t pronate at all, the other will say I pronate to the max. So weird. I’m hoping the Sauconys work out though!
That’s so strange about the gait analysis!?! I’d start to wonder if they even know what they are doing. I was told the exact same thing by two different people one year apart. So far I’m liking the Triumphs – a lot more cushion than I’m used to but I”m looking forward to putting some miles on them!
Good stuff! I have never volunteered at a race, but I want to. I really do appreciate them! I am also ‘meh’ about donuts. They get them all the time in the office and I never have a desire to eat them. Now when someone brings breakfast tacos, that’s another story!
Yes – I believe you could be persuaded to do anything for some breakfast tacos! I’m always so thankful for volunteers – especially when they get up before the runners and spend hours in the cold helping us out. It was nice to give something back and still experience some race day excitement.
love this! Throw a pity party, then buy shoes and wait for the doc to say go for it 🙂
Ha! I think it’s the only way I can cope!