I'm beginning to question my judgment....A marathon? Seriously, what was I thinking? Our scheduled long run last Saturday was suppose to be 23 miles. As we started running later then planned, by mile 17 it was already 10.38 pm. In true Alaskan form, the night was drizzly, dark, and cold. We were both so wet that my iPod blew-up at mile 9. It looked like it had been dropped in a puddle. We decided that rather then suffer the consequences of babysitters home past cufew, 17 miles would have to do.
As we drove away, I was disappointed and a little scared. I felt like crap. By Sunday morning the entire left side of my body was practically immobile. By Tuesday the source localized in my knee. The same knee I have been babying for 4 months and that is when I knew I was in trouble. I spent Wednesday limping around feeling miserable. I swear I can feel my cardiovascular tissue atrophy.
Life can be totally unexpected and unpredictable. In a single misplaced step all that we focus on, spend countless hours working towards and dedicate so much energy to can be wiped away.
Is someone trying to tell me I should be doing something else with my time?
5 years ago
7 comments:
I actually had a similar issue before I did my first marathon there in Alaska last year....I was supposed to do 20 miles....but at mile 17...my legs cramped...and I tried everything I knew how to fix it...stretch...walk a little bit...etc...but nothing worked....so I listened to my body and I stopped.....and walked home.
i hate to say that all the pain you're feeling now is just a little preview of what it will be like after the 26 miles....but you can still do it! If you really want to.....
for me...what it came down to was...."How bad do I want this?" I said to myself...that I will finish no matter what...for myself...I just had to do it...
careless it may be...but it was worth it....just rest....and try splitting your long run in half...do one half in the morning..and the other at night...(I remember having to run till 1 a.m. towards the end of my training leading to the marathon, and then I had to get up at 5 a.m. to get ready for work!)
well...hopefully things get better!
Kris-
You're strong, you can do this! I know you can. If anyone is determined enough to do this it is you! I am so proud of all the hard work and dedication that you have already put into this. If you really feel like maybe you shouldn't pursue this or your body is telling you to stop no one will think any lesser of you. Blake would do anything to have a healthy knee. It's not worth it. You have already accomplished so much with all of the training you have been doing. I think you're amazing! I know whatever you choose it will be the right choice for you, no one else.
You know, for most normal people running 17 miles would be HUGE! Whatever you decided to do, you've already accomplished way more than most of the human population!
As for your Ned Gregerson comment, I can totally see him doing that. Did you know that everytime he sees me he calls me "the slut"? It's because of a halloween costume he saw me in one year, that honestly wasn't even that bad. But anyway, I don't know if he even knows my real name. What a funny guy!
I have to agree with the others. ONE, I know you can do it. If you really want it, you can do it. If you could seriously injure your knee, it just might not be worth it. You have accomplished a TON already. I am so impressed with you. Follow your heart and especially your head. You'll make the right choice.
Duuuuude! You should just come over and let me feed you chocolate chip cookies and homemade bread and jam! I wish I could make it all better. Either that or just give you some good advice, but who is going to listen to someone who will only run as far as the fridge. Hee hee. Hang in, like you said, only 23 days to go, and now it's 22....wasn't that easy. ;-)
I love you!
Oh my dahling Kristi, you are almost there, lady. I think that this is very important for you to do at this time in your life and when you've done it . . . then maybe you should do something else with those hours. But for this race right now that you have been training for you ARE strong enough and tough enough. Heck, you've got more grit than a gravel road, girl, and you are gonna ROCK those 26 miles. I heart grit and you, sista!
I seriously needed all the positive vibe. Thanks you.
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