Thank you to everyone who prayed for me! On Saturday I was able to complete much more than I thought I would. The route began at Hospitality Point and included two out and back courses. The first one I completed easily as it was just 2.7 miles out and 2.7 miles back. Then I went out another 4.9 miles to the 4th Aid Station at which point my leg was bothering me enough that I reluctantly turned back- still hoping to run the rest of the way back. Unfortunately I only made it about another mile before my leg just hurt too much to take another running step. Still, I was determined to complete the journey back even if I had to walk. Though several people noticed my limp and obvious pain and asked if I wanted the "SAG WAGON" to come pick me up, I declined and kept walking with intermittent stops to stretch. The pain would ebb and flow so whenever I could I would speed walk and even tried about 3 more times to run again, but each time didn't make it more than 4 steps before I had to stop again.
It was SO frustrating because I really felt like running emotionally and energy wise, but my leg just wasn't having it. So, I really tried to do the smart thing and not force it. I just kept reminding myself that this wasn't the marathon and therefore wasn't vital. Many coaches and mentors had reassured me before the start that since I already had so much training under my belt I would be just fine to do the marathon as long I was able to heal and to focus on that rather than completing the day's route.
All in all I was able to run about 11 miles and walk back another 4 so that's not too bad considering I wasn't sure
what I would be able to complete that day.
The really awesome news is that after the run I was able to get a 15 minute massage from a masseuse who really new his way around athletic injuries and managed to find the exact knot that was pinching my nerve. By the time he was done there was so little tension in my left leg that it felt like a noodle! The pain is almost completely gone! I am SOOO excited!
However, it
is still there as a tiny discomfort which means it still needs to heal. So now, what I have to focus on is following the head coaches advice of nonimpact aerobics- which for me means swimming, since I don't have access to any gym equiptment. Also, I'm looking into seeing a chiropractor this week (for the muscle work, not necessarily an adjustment) although I just discovered that that portion of my health insurance coverage was discontinued almost a year ago (never needed it before so didn't have a clue it was no longer covered). Sooooo now I have to try a few things to see what I can do to get the care I need. We'll see.
The good news is that I'll be able to get another 15 minute massage after next week's 8 mile Saturday Session. So I can safely assume I'll be in no more pain than I am now when I fly out of state the following evening.
Oh. For those of you who may not know, I'm flying to the east coast with family on the 21st and returning on the 28th, so don't expect any updates during that time.
As long as we're peering into the future, I should tell you that I will be starting in corral number 18 of the marathon because I guessed a finish time of 5h 30min based on something my coach said after our 16 mile run. My realistic hope is to finish in under 6hrs. If I can do that, I'll be thrilled. So, since the race starts at 6:30am, look for me to reach the finish line around 12-12:30pm ....
hopefully. Truly, just finishing the run without being picked up will be good enough for me. It would just be extra nice to finish in under 6hrs. Of course, that's all dependant on a proper and complete recovery.
My friend Lisa (whom I've mentioned before) has seriously injured her t-band muscle and has been doing crosstraining for a while. I know she was unable to complete the 18 mile run and that she only managed the first 6.4 miles of this last Saturday Session but she then went home to complete her exercise with crosstraining. She's tough and I know that she'll do the best she can, so I was saddened to hear her mention that she may have to walk a good portion of the marathon. I know she's trained as hard as anyone else on the team and deserves to have the satisfaction of completing what she set out to do, so I really hope that God will help to heal her in time to run the complete marathon as I know she wants to do. If you could add her in your prayers for me, I would appreciate it.
Well, that's all for now. Now I need to see if our pool is finally open for use (they've been waiting for permit clearance from the city - new construction and all- and it's supposed to be available starting today.). Not sure what I'll do if it's not....
