Epicurious Runner

Japan Day Recap: I Can Run Again!

I ran the Japan Run yesterday, which would’ve been nothing too special, since it’s just another NYRR 4 mile race, but I was able to RUN THE RACE! I’ve been battling a lower back injury for the last 3 weeks and I haven’t been able to run at all. I was feeling great by the end of this past week, so I went for a test run on Saturday. I ran 2 miles and I was feeling pretty good. There was no pain, just a bit of tightness. I came home and stretched and foam rolled for a good 20 minutes.

I knew I wanted to take this race easy, I had 3 weeks off and I wanted to make sure I listened to my body and focused on how everything was feeling. I started running with Jocelyn, but quickly lost her. The beginning of the race was packed as usual.

I started to feel tightness around mile 2, but it sort of went away by the last mile. I was running an easy/moderate pace, but I picked up the pace for the last mile because of how good I felt.

Anyway, the race went really well and I am SO glad I can run again!!!!!

Mile 1: 9:25

Mile 2: 9:15

Mile 3: 9:35

Mile 4: 8:58

Official Time: 37:32

Obviously no PR or anything like that, but I don’t feel like I lost a lot of fitness over these past 3 weeks. I’ve been casually working out, so I’m sure it’s helped a bit. It was nice that those numbers were easy for me. I can’t wait to be back to running 8′s again in a few weeks. I love speed work!