“By trying we can
easily endure adversity…” –Mark Twain
By trying we can
also endure pain…. At the beginning of this year I went on a rant about this
year being the year I was going to go hard.
I was going to push myself beyond anything I had ever experienced. This was going to be my year!
Three weeks later,
I would step in a hole during a trail run and tear two tendons in my
ankle. Looking back at that moment its
funny to think that everyone there knew I was done, but me. It wasn’t like it didn’t hurt, because it
hurt like hell. I just thought I tweaked something. You would think since
I’m in a position to guide runners I would lead by example. Not me!
I just keep on keeping on.
The reason I have
anyone reading this reliving my bullheadedness and annoying ankle injury, is
because today was the day I had in mind for putting all my hard work to the
test. I ran or should I say participated
in the Philadelphia Rock N’ Roll Half Marathon a race that I have run many
times and is up there as one of my favorites.
My goal on January 1st was to run today’s race in a time of
one hour and twenty minutes, a personal best (PB) by three minutes. I finished today in a 1:37, but getting there
was the toughest thing I have ever had to do.
As the ankle was
on the mend (finally!) something else went wrong. I was over the hump and almost through the
woods with this ankle injury when I came down with a bad case of Plantar
Fasciitis in my other foot. This couldn’t have happened
at a worse time. The problem with
Plantar is that most recommendations say to run through it. You would think I would be a pro at this, but
with the Plantar hurting on the left foot, I naturally started leaning on the
right side, which is causing a lot of discomfort in the ankle.
When I got into my
corral this morning (I was the first one!) I didn’t know what to expect, I was
questioning me even being there. I kept
thinking, man this isn’t going to be easy.
How am I going to run 13.1 miles in pain? I did man up (foolishly) and began to run
(limp) my way to another finish. I had
this unfamiliar voice in my head almost the entire race telling me that it
wasn’t going to happen, that I needed to pull out. The sad thing is, my eyes started looking
around for a pull of location.
When I reached
mile eleven, I was greeted by the most randomness thing. This bubble came floating by me; I looked to
the sidelines for a bubble maker or some kid with bubbles and a wand in hand,
but none could be found. I couldn’t
explain where this bubble came from and even thought maybe I was
hallucinating. But, I shook it off and
at that very moment I settled in to a race pace. Now, I must have shook off that negative
voice in my head too, because I was able to negative split the last two miles
and finished strong.
Maybe Mark Twain
was right, but I also think I was foolish to run today. My ankle is healed up, but it’s still months
away from being where it needs to be as far as strengthening. I had no business being out there when my bad
foot is better than the other. I am
thrilled I was able to work through the pain and the negative thoughts, but I’m
disappointed that I let my pride get the better of me today. I truly need to be setting good examples for
the rest of you. I know for a fact that
if any of my athletes were in as much pain as I was feeling today, that I would
tell them not to run. As for that
bubble, I got nothing. Maybe it was a
sign of some sort or maybe I’m going crazy.
Till we run into
each other again…
First thing, trail running is dangerous to your health. And secondly, we all do it (runners are pig headed), running when resting is required. It is my experience by pushing through pain delays being completely healed. I have run through pf but only for 3-5 miles; NOT 13.1M!
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