Ok I am starting this blog over so I can go into more detail. I didn't sleep all that great last night b/c I just couldn't decide what I wanted to do. I kept praying for a sign from God. When I finally got up at 4:30am I was no closer to a decision as when I went to bed. I was bummed that there was no message on my mirror from God..JK! I thought no harm in at least driving to my friends Cathy and Alan's house as I could still change my mind. So off I went. I got there and when we pulled out of their driveway, I knew there was no turning back. Still I did not know if I was running with Cathy or Alan as there is a big difference in pace. When I signed up for the race I was originally going to run with Cathy. We ran the mini together in 2:09. When I was at the peak of my running I was much much faster than that with a pace usually just under 8. Prior to my injury I actually had plans to run it alone with the goal of being less than 2hours. It would have happened had I never gotten hurt. Anyhow, for the last 2 months I have not run at all (except one miserable 2 mile attempt a few weeks ago). I have cross trained a total of 3 times. So on Thursday when Cathy suggested Alan at least pick up my packet b/c I paid for the tee-shirt, I can honestly say I never thought I would be running in it. It did however really put the idea in my head. Why not try?? I wanted to do this badly. In fact, I could argue it was the injury and removal of running from my life that lead me down that month long spiraling depression that I think recently ended. Really once I let myself consider doing the race it snowballed from there. I became very excited with the idea and acted like a manic person yesterday trying to make last minute arrangements to make it work from a childcare standpoint. I should of known that I was going to do it once I allowed myself to really consider it.
So we get downtown with literally no time to spare due to traffic. I had decided to try and run with Cathy. I no longer had a goal of less than 2 hours but my goal was to finish and stay with her as long as possible. I had Alan's cell number in case I fell behind and wanted to find him. We started. My hip hurt but was tolerable so I thought ok I can go a few miles. Miles 2-4 are always the worst for me no matter whether I have an injury or not. So that was rough but I kept running. At this point my knee was hurting and my hip was not happy but not enough to make me stop. See I know myself well enough to know if I stop for any reason I would never be able to restart. By 6 miles I was doing ok from a hip standpoint. I really do think I became numb to the pain. Well actually I had annoying mild hip pain on both sides so it was balanced and I thought more from the hip pack. What was starting to bother me a lot was my knees (with an s). Not sure where the left knee pain came from but it was there. Still I kept going and had no plans to stop. By mile 9 I think I could tell that Cathy and I were going to be very close to beating our mini time. She didn't like the idea of speeding up any and was quite annoyed with my suggesting I go ahead. I didn't. I don't think I could have anyhow. Soon after that she got a second wind and I hit a wall. I think around 10 miles. I almost told her to go ahead but then the competitive nature in me came out and I was like no way am I not keeping up. By then it was agreed we would cross together. At mile 12 we knew if we could just keep where we were we would be ok with time. It was a very long last mile. The 0.1 part at the end was really bad as her hip started to cramp, and I had a charlie horse in my foot. We made it. 2:06.18 was our official time. Not nearly as good as I had been running pre-injury but amazing for me considering my pain and having not run in 2 months. I was thrilled with this. We beat our mini time and I ran the entire time so that was all that mattered to me. I thought it was so funny when I checked my phone at the end and there was a message from a number I did not recognize. It was the PA for my surgeon saying she didn't really think it would be best if I ran but the decision was ultimately up to me. Glad I got that message afterwards. Maybe that was my sign from God that I did not get it before. I prayed a million times during that 13.1 miles. It worked. God helped push me today!
I will NOT complain about my leg pain as I know many thought it was crazy I was running. Because someone asked, I will say when I am not moving my pain is a zero. When I have to walk or move it is close to 8. The most pain I can remember in a long while. It will get better. Saying that was not a complaint, just a fact b/c someone asked.
I am soooo happy I decided to run this race. My mother (no surprise) was not so happy I did it. She actually said very little to me about it but Cathy got to hear all about it last night. My mom said I was as bad as a heroin addict. She said it was horrible I was running, and I would be in a wheelchair by the age of 40. Cathy's mom on the other hand texted her while we were running that she loved her, hoped she had a great time, was proud of her. No not my mom. She instead compares me to a heroin addict and even when I made it with a good time considering, she did not say one word, let alone congrats. Well, guess what mom...... I am soooo proud of myself and you can compare me to a heroin addict and think I am a horrible person BUT you can't ever take away the feeling that I got when I held hands with my BFF and crossed that finish line today! Let me say it again. I AM PROUD OF MYSELF!! I think I made the right decision, and I AM glad I ran this race. I should add that Clark is very proud of me and was shocked I was able to do it considering I hadn't trained for 2 months. This is a decision I will NOT regret making!
Have a great day. I will blog about all the kids sports tomorrow as this weekend has been crazy busy!
24 days and counting until surgery!!
