How to train a runner: Inaugural Run

Certificate Of Completion Dara Moss HAS COMPLETED THE 10K With an official time of: 1:08:12 Overall Place: 3638 of 5551 Gender Place: 1393 Division Place: 212 Overall Pace: 10:59 Silicon Valley Turkey Trot November 23, 2017 

The BEFORE photo

On a cool 56 degree F day in San Jose, I set off on my first official run since the 10K Cystic Fibrosis Walkathon of 1998. My wonderful cousin organized family representation in the Turkey Trot. While my cousins were completing the three mile walk, I opted for the six mile run since they both cost the same amount of money.

 Given my total inability to run since 2004 because of knee injury, this was certainly a challenge. I did 3-4 mile training runs once a week leading up to the Turkey Trot and a 6 mile hike with my cousin a few days before the run. My knee complied for the first couple training runs and then started asserting its painful opinion closer to the race.

My goal: To survive the run. If I had to walk? I would walk.

 I was also running with my Ultra man, who recently completed a 100 mile trail run. He "ran" [light jog] next to me the entire time, jumping over orange cones, high-fiving nearby runners- including police cadets, while I huffed and puffed my way to the finish line.

For Nick, 9 miles is a warm-up. A six mile flat loop throughout San Jose was a walk in the park. As you can see in the photographs, he looks refreshed before and after the race. I, however, am a hot mess. Literally.

The AFTER photo

DNF= Did Not Finish. I was concerned about completing the run on time. If I passed the cut-off time, I might have received a DNF. Which means that Nick would have received his FIRST DNF! He ran a 100 miler and DNF'd two weeks later in a light 6 mile jog. :) How could he explain that to his Quicksilver Running Club?
After I finished running, my knee, which had a painful twinge from mile 2 onwards, submitted a declaration to me.
" Dear Dara,
I have kept you stable for 12 years and this is what you do to me? Respectfully, I submit my demand: I refuse to move another inch. You had to sprint to the finish line? Really? I will taking at least two days off to recover. Please ice me, take ibuprofen, and leave me alone.
Thank you.
Love, your knee"

So here I lie. On my bed. My knee continues to yell at me.

Perhaps I was too ambitious and running is not for me?