Went on down to Bluemont Park after work last night (1.5mi bike ride… can’t ask for a better location) to run in this little club race. This exact race last year marked my “return” to running. I still haven’t quite returned, averaging only 7.5 miles per week this year, but it is what it is.

The weather was a bit awkward and I really just wasn’t feeling it. Not sure why I even did the race; my mind wasn’t in it whatsoever, and that seemed to be a common theme amongst my other friends who were there. I also didn’t get any sort of warmup in because I was [unexpectedly] expected to help with timing of the race AND there was a cycling accident w/ a seemingly serious head injury that I hustled back to our van to look for medical supplies for. So… I was starting cold and had no interest in the race.

5ks rock. They’re over before you know it. I went out at about a 6:18 pace and that turned out to be my average for the race. Not particularly fast, but I’ll take an even pace any day. I finished the race in 19:53, which is two minutes faster than my time last year, and twenty seconds slower than my 5k last month, which I was far more prepared for (mentally and physically… hadn’t done my hardest bike ride ever two days before it).

I’m neither happy or sad with the result. Just kind of indifferent. What is exciting is that my hamstrings feel perfectly fine today (after the last 5k I needed four days off for them)! Normally, I’d be jumping for joy… I haven’t felt no pain the day after a long run in ~30 months. Unfortunately, my SI joint is likely the most painful it has ever been… I escape the injury that has been haunting me most for the past two years, but the hip thing decides to rear its head again…

Seriously considering giving up running for good or seeing a new specialist.