1/2-Way

A while ago I talked about attempting a marathon.  Then I promptly pulled out of the training process...mostly.  You see, I privately clung to the thought that maybe, just maybe I'd still be able to do it. 

I visited doctors, physical therapists, physician assistants, and chiropractors, and was diligent about doing what they assigned me.  Particularly I began a stretching routine and several excercises to strengthen my hips.  I suffered through many deep-tissue massages to relieve a fusion point in my IT Band, and all the while I kept running.  I ran as much as I could without aggrevating the pain.  I cut back from 7-mile distances to 1-mile.  I ran several 1-mile lengths and eventually stepped all the way up to 1 1/2 miles.  2 miles came along and then 3. 

Making progress got my hopes up, but I was pushing the limits of my pain.  That fusion point on the outside of my quad gave me pain whenever I reached a new limit, but as long as the pain did not persist beyond the day of the run I kept going. 

Yesterday as I visited my physical therapist he was satisfied with my progress.  I had run 6 miles a couple of weeks ago, and he was impressed.  He went on about how too many runners are not willing to give up more than a couple of weeks of training to take care of an injury, and then they push things too fast when they get the all clear.  I sort of looked at the ceiling and whistled as he said that last part, because I had big plans for today.

Looking at my severely revamped training calendar, (which is a dangerous minimum for marathon training with only 6 weeks left) this weekend would be the do-or-die training run.  If I could make 10 miles safely, then I'd sign up for the marathon. 

My friend was running 16 miles today in a three-step process:  Two 6-mile runs and a 4-mile run.  (He likes to torture himself by returning home every few miles for food and water.)  I figured I'd go with him and turn back early to hit 10 miles...or keep going to 12 miles if I felt good.

As it turned out, the major leg pain never gave me a bother.  No pain at all.  My left knee began hurting at mile 7, but with many assessments along the way I figured I was not doing any damage.  Mile 9 came and went, and then 10 and I was still going.  I determined that if I was doing 12, I might as well do a 1/2-marathon!  Sure the knee was in pain, but it wasn't always terrible.  I pushed myself beyond what I had expected and have now completed my first 1/2-marathon.  Let the training...uh...commence.