Wildcat Ridge Romp – August 13, 2016 (Photos)
On August 13, 2016, I participated in a trail race in Rockaway, NJ: The Wildcat Ridge Romp. It didn’t go so well for me. But I took some nice pictures, as you will see below.
As I wrote about in this post, I sprained my ankle on June 26. I was diligent with going to physical therapy three days per week right from the start. I was determined to get this thing fixed in time for Wildcat. On day #38, I gave running a try for the first time since my injury. I wrote about that here. On day #42, I ran part of the Wildcat course with some pain and some doubt as to my ability to run on race day.
Day #49 came. Race day. I had high hopes and was prepared to go the distance. I had signed up for 50K, three times around the 10 mile course. I imagined: the first loop would go okay with a bearable amount of pain; the second loop would be tougher and I would use an ankle brace if needed; the third loop might be a bitch and I might have to walk a lot and maybe drag my dead foot along. The reality was: by mile two, I had some tough pain going on; by mile three, I was texting my wife to say I “probably” wouldn’t do more than one loop; by mile four, I was texting my wife to say I was “definitely” not doing more than one loop; by mile five, I gave up on texting because I was so drenched with the humidity that the touch screen on my phone wouldn’t recognize my sweaty swipes; also by mile five, I gave up on running and walked; by mile eight, I just wanted it to be over; by mile nine, I ran the remainder of the course to at least come in running. I was done.
At the end, someone said to me, “Wow. It took you 3 hours and 20 minutes to do that one loop??” I mumbled something about my ankle being angry at me. I felt like it wasn’t worth explaining. I went home feeling dejected. For months I had my heart set on completing this race as my first 50K. It didn’t happen.
I probably took a few steps in the wrong direction as far as my recovery goes. As of this writing (day #60), I have seen my orthopedic doctor again. He has ordered an MRI. He is concerned that something is torn. I’m still a bit dejected, but I also realize that I don’t have much control over this situation. The only control I have is to not run. That is really hard when running is all I want to do.
Please enjoy these photos. I’ll be over here in a corner licking my wounds. *wink*
Papaya Don’t Preach
A nod to the days when Madonna was scandalous and MTV actually was “Music” Television. (an old Vine video)
Artsy Cat
Francine lends her expert direction in the early stages of “Willhelm the Green.”
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