Haven’t been on here in a while. For awhile, writing was the last thing I wanted to do because I kind of had to admit… well, not defeat, but weakness. And it was REALLY bothering me. I was really trying to not let it, but it really was.
What I didn’t say here is that I was very close to making the decision to change my bib for my first event, the DC Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon on March 17 from the half marathon to a full marathon. It was going to be a game day (well… day before, when I picked up my number) decision, but I felt like I was really close to being “there.” I was strong and healthy and while I didn’t expect to make a terrific show, I felt like I could finish. No, it wasn’t going to be the smartest decision I have ever made because I had NOT trained for a marathon length. But, over the two weeks prior, I had bumped up my long runs to a distance I felt would enable me to finish.
Well… then my body decided differently. On, February 25, I decided to run 20 miles, the longest I’ve ever run. The weekend before I had completed 15 with very little issue. I thought that if I could do the 20, and nothing went wrong the last two weeks, then why not?
Well, my run itself went really well. Don’t get me wrong, the last three miles sucked, but I think that is totally in my head, because the last three of all of my long runs suck. But, I really was pretty proud! My time was good, my body was good, and I felt great.
Until I got home. Then my body just caved. NOTHING went right. Everyone I spoke with said that is completely normal ~ sometimes your body hits a wall and goes nuts on you. Mine did and it recovered. WOW, what an experience THAT was! HA! But, what didn’t recover was my right shin. Such pain, I really didn’t think I was going to be able to walk! Came out of nowhere and wouldn’t go away. For days, I was nearly brought to tears more than once just by walking a bit too much or rubbing my shin. After 5 days, I tried to run – just two miles – and cried the whole way. ME! I cried! It was crazy.
So, totally stopped running. I was CRUSHED. In my mind, I realized the marathon was out, and I pretty much realized the half was probably gone, too. I was, at that point, praying that it wasn’t a stress fracture because I was going to be out for a long time and I have so many other races coming up!
Thankfully, was able to get into my orthopedic doctor who took an x-ray and could only kinda sorta see through the immense amount of inflamed muscle I had. He was 90% sure it wasn’t broken (phew), so I got an anti-inflammatory, exercises, and sent to PT. And told… no running. That was on the 12th. Went back for another xray last Friday and no break and the inflammation is finally down. This Saturday, I went for my first run! 3.5 miles, about 45 seconds off my pace, but… I did it! Went again Sunday, 5 miles, and went again today, 4 miles, with a better pace – not great, but getting there. It’s a little tender, need to stretch and ice tonight, but it feels good!
It was pretty upsetting to go from thinking I was going to do a marathon to wondering if I had a break. I’ve been kinda trying to keep up with everything else, and now have only about 3 weeks until my first triathlon! UGH! I feel a bit more invigorated now that I can run again – like I’m whole. It’s hard when that is my best sport to lose it!
But… I did do some research today. I may be adding an event. There may be another marathon added. This one BEFORE my 35th birthday!! WOOO HOO!
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