The U.S. 10K Classic is a challenging 10,000-meter (6.2 mile) race starting at Cumberland Mall and traveling along U.S. Hwy 41 (Cobb Parkway), ending at White Water/American Adventures Theme Parks.  The race is held on Labor Day and the proceeds fund local childrens' charities in Georgia.  There were a little over 15,000 supporters that entered the race and the crowd was great showing true Southern hospitality. This was my first timed race and I placed 2758 (13:00 minute per mile pace).  Last year, Jimmy ran the Cobb race (in preparation for the NYC Marathon 2007) and placed 1005 running an 8:26 minute per mile pace despite having a GBM IV brain tumor and being on 18 consecutive cycles of chemo.  I think that we all have concluded that Jimmy was a meta-human.  I have attached a picture of Jimmy "SuperFang" during the September 3, 2007 Cobb race. Who would have known that this was going to be Jimmy's last race.  The aggressive growth of his GBM into the cortex and 4^th ventricle caused two grand mahl seizures that would first take away his ability to walk in October 2007 and result in his passing in December 1, 2007.  When Jimmy ran the Cobb race 2007, he was 148 pounds of muscle and the tumor gutted him to 92 lbs during the last two months of his life due to the lack of drug treatments available.  I hate tumors!  The picture at the Cobb race is the way I will always remember Jimmy: Strong, Fearless, Determined, and Passionate. 

During the Cobb race 2008, I experienced my first sports-related injury.  The race is mostly uphill and 4 miles into the race I tripped (but did not wipe out) on a raised clear plastic light reflector on the highway causing me to tweak my right hamstring.  Although my right hamstring and right ITB felt sore, I still finished the race but could not maintain my 12 minute per mile pacing.  There was a man in his 50s who was pushing a baby carriage running next to me and I had to finish the race before him (Ego...I know). 

Debbie's Box Score

Last race:  U.S. 10K Classic Atlanta- September 1, 2008

Total miles run for August 2008:  86 miles on new Asics

Injuries to date:  Mild sprain on Right hamstring and Right ITB (ilotibial band).  Followed RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) protocol for 2 weeks but continued pool work to keep up cardio.  Pain-free on September 14^th and continued training with short runs.

Cross Training prior to injury: Strength/weight training (Mon & Wed), Pilates and Yoga (Tues & Fri), Boxing (Sat), Tennis lessons/league (Sat/Sun), and Cycle (Sun).

Planned Cross Training after Right ITB injury:  My quads are a lot stronger than my hamstrings.  Even though I stretch thoroughly before and after runs, need to focus on strengthening hamstrings and improve flexibility of ITB.  Was recommended to incorporate dead lifts. 

Current challenges:  (1) Maintaining body weight of 115 lbs.  Need to reduce cardio by eliminating tennis and boxing until after the NYC Marathon.  Will pick up 4.0 singles and mixed doubles league Winter 2009- sorry Johnny H.  Need to increase daily caloric intake to 3000 by supplementing with Ensure Plus. (2)  Prior to injury, right leg slightly bends inward while running.  Need to be conscious of this slight overpronation in my gait.

Lesson learned for NYC marathon 2008:  Do not run on or near the white dashed lines on the highway where light reflectors are located.

Next race (if right ITB is pain-free):  Philadelphia Distance run (13.1 mi)- September 21, 2008