A couple weeks ago, my friend Julie emailed me asking if I wanted to do the Brookhaven Bolt. She and her husband own a personal training studio and they were one of the sponsors of the race. So, of course, I signed Jason and I up. And then I hurt my back. By Friday, I felt almost fine. Not 100%, but I wasn’t in any pain. It was more that my lower back just felt stiff when I woke up but then later in the day, it would be fine.
I was really conflicted on what to do about the race. I posted it on facebook asking my friends if I should run it or not and I got mixed answers. I felt like I could run, but I was really worried about re-injuring myself. Because my back problem sort of came out of nowhere, I worried that if I ran, it would feel fine during the run, but then I’d be in pain the next morning. So after a lot of stress, I decided to walk the 5K.
I’m not an especially fast runner, but walking a 5K is totally different ballgame than running it. I was in the back of the group and small children were passing me. I wanted to shout out, “I am injured! I can run 3 miles! I do not belong in the back!” Plus, it takes way longer when you’re walking. It was a nice course. There were two big hills but other than that, it was pretty flat and went through the tree-lined neighborhoods of Brookhaven (where I wish I lived.)
It took me 45 minutes or so to do it. Obviously my worst 5K time by a good 10 minutes, but I guess it doesn’t count. Afterward, I went over to talk to Julie, where she and her husband had a table set up. They had someone that is affiliated with them giving massages, so I went over to talk to her about my back and see if she could loosen me up. This was a deep tissue/sports massage and it hurt! But in a good, she’s getting out all the tightness way. She said that my hips were uneven and that my lower back and butt is very tight, especially on the right side, which is where it hurt. I think I might actually go to this woman to get more massages. When I typically get a massage, it’s from a spa and while it’s nice and feels good, it’s kind of superficial. This massage felt like she was really helping.
The day’s excitement didn’t end with the race. At about 4pm, we headed down to Marta (the subway) to go to Party in the Park, a concert in Centennial Olympic Park. The concert featured five bands, two of which I’d never heard of. By the time we got there, around 5, AWOL Nation was about to go on.
Honestly, I wasn’t a fan. After they finished, Young the Giant played. I thought they were pretty good. I have that song, “My Body” on a lot of my running playlists. But the band that I really wanted to see was the last one, the Flaming Lips. I’ve seen them in concert before and they put on such a fun show. I was kind of bummed that they didn’t play “Fight Test” but they played some others that I liked.
We were close enough to the stage, that I actually got to touch one of the balloons, which was fun. I actually sort of started to get nostalgic. Yoshimi, my favorite album of theirs, came out right when I moved to Atlanta. I was obsessed with it and whenever I hear it, it reminds me of that time in my life. That was 2002. Ten years ago. In 11 days, I will have lived in Atlanta for TEN years. Just thinking about that makes me feel weird. How has time passed so fast? And even though I feel really different from the person I was back then, some things don’t change, like my taste in music.
Major props for walking a 5K. I’m not sure I have the patience to do so – or the T-shirt that says, “I can run. I promise!”
I’m also a spa therapy kind of gal but have been really curious about sports massage. I’ve resisted a couple Living Social deals because I don’t have any nagging problems but I really want to try it. I hope you do and tell us all about it!
That looks like a fun event! I really like Young the Giant.
Happy Atl-versay!!!
We did the bolt too! It’s less Han a mile from where we live, so I had no excuses! I’m sorry to hear about your back. Is it feeling OK today?
Less than*
Stupid auto correct
I feel much better. Hopefully it was just some random thing and it won’t come back. I wish I lived in Brookhaven!
Glad you opted to walk it, probably a good idea, given the circumstances! I would have felt the same way – takes way longer and wanting to tell people I was injured hehe! But hey, you got to spend time outside right?? all good. As for living in Atlanta for 10 years, time DOES fly, doesn’t it?! My 10 year COLLEGE reuinion is coming up and I still can’t believe it!
My Body is one of my favorite jams lately!
Walking is better than nothing right?
So many things.
1. I think walking it was a good choice, but I get what you were feeling. I walked one with my parents last year and I felt so weird not running.
2. I hope the massages help! I used to get my legs massaged when I was running a lot because I was so prone to injury in my left leg.
3. Young the Giant is playing at the festival we’re going to in July, I really like them.
4. They didn’t play Fight Test??? Huge bummer. I hope that’s not something they’re going to start doing regularly. It’s one of their bigger hits.
5. WAYNE! So jealous. I can’t wait for July.
6. Yesterday was one day since I moved to DC. I feels like it was 5 minutes ago. Crazy how time flies.
Good for you for walking it- I don’t think I could have done that. I would have wanted to do all or nothing- but walking it was definitely a good decision given your circumstance!
I like Young the Giant. I play “My Body” in my spin classes and say REALLY cheesy things like “Your body may be telling you NO, but your mind is saying I WANT MORE!”
And I looooove Flaming Lips, but have yet to see them in concert.
I get deep-tissue massage every 2 weeks. I think it’s essential for anyone that works out on a regular basis or has back/neck/whatever issues!
My first 5K wasn’t much faster than your walking 5K – and yes it felt like it took forever. I think you were smart to playing it safe, there will always be another 5K.
I think walking is great! No point in injuring yourself farther.
As for shirts that claim things, I want one that says I used to be skinny.