Here I find myself exactly 24 hours before the gun goes off for the start of the long awaited PF Changs race (http://www.rnraz.com/home.html). It’s actually two years in the making for me, and it’s been a long, at times grueling, road. I know I’ve pushed my body past the place it wants to go, and well beyond what most non-runners would find reasonable. I’ve spent months in physical therapy, and endless miles running over the past two years in order to get to tomorrow. And part of me feels really good. But part of me is filled with so much trepidation over the looming possibilities that come with running with injuries. I’m confident I’ll finish, but I’m not as confident I’ll get to do it in the time I’ve worked so hard to condition my body for. It’s a good thing hope has a funny way or replacing doubt with optimism.
I’ve finished my last training run, and put my body through the last of therapy, so now it’s a waiting game. I’ll spend the next 24 hours continuing to hydrate, carb load, and most importantly to stretch. I’ve got my clothes picked out, I’ve updated my iPod that’s now charging, and I can already feel the start of the race day jitters. It’s amazing that no matter how much you prepare, those will always come. I feel like if you take my knees out of the equation I could go out and run my strongest run ever, but since that’s not an option I’m praying for a good run. A run in which the pain stays at bay longer than most, but I positively know there will be pain.
Knowing this, and all that I’ve put my knees through over the years also let’s me know that most likely this will be my last. It’s somewhat fantastic to be able to retire from something at 32, but not so much when it’s something that brings so much value and accomplishment into your life. I’m pretty sure I’m like most runners…often times you’re out there running and it plain old sucks. You wonder why it is you choose to do something that is so challenging mentally and physically…and then you finish, and the runner’s high takes over, and you know you’ll be back out there doing it again. I do intend to keep running, but I know I’ll have to limit my distances. Thoughts of a triathalon have crossed my mind…and the challenge of the swim is almost enough to have me running to the pool. I guess you’ll have to stay tuned for what I’m doing next.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me through this journey. All the well wishes and inquiries into how it’s going have helped push me along. I also want to thank Sunny for being my running partner tomorrow. As much as I enjoy the solitude of running, it’s great to have someone crossing that finish line along side you, and encouraging you to get there along the way. And for all of you who have contributed to the American Cancer Society, I am very grateful. I’m a long way from my goal, but I know every bit helps in the progress to the cure (and by all means if you still want to contribute, I can take donations into early February). And lastly, to everyone who is on the other side of that finish line tomorrow cheering me on…you have no idea how much that means to me. The joy of finishing a goal you’ve worked so long and hard on is multiplied many-fold when people you love are there to share it with you.
I’ll summarize all of my training along with my race results this coming week, so check back to see how I did. And please send me all your good will to help me across that finish line tomorrow. I have several goals in my head which vary depending on what kind of run I have, but my biggest goal is to be able to run the entire race. I’ve had some strong runs in the past two weeks that, although not pain free, have felt strong and bearable. I’m holding out that tomorrow is the best one yet!
Summary Week 15 and 16: I finished out just more than 29 miles in the last two weeks of training runs. I managed an 8.5 mile run at a pace of 8:39 which really helped my confidence. I had to stop and stretch out my left IT Band around mile 7 in order to finish out the run, but my right leg gave me little issue at all. I also finished out a 6.5 mile run earlier this week at a pace of 8:27. I had a little more pain this time, but was able to run through it.
PF Changs Goal: Other than just finishing the race, which having missed out last year was my ultimate goal, my starting goal was 1:57:54 (9 minute miles). My goal when I signed up for the race a couple months ago jumped up to 1:56:55 (8:55s). I’ve averaged 8:46s throughout all of training. The last five weeks I’ve improved to 8:37s even with the injury. So it seems silly not to better my goal. I get nervous knowing I’m running with an injury to set myself a goal I might not attain knowing how incredibly disappointed I get when I don’t reach my goals. But heck, I’m retiring, might as well go out with a bang! So I’m setting a goal of 1:53:51 (8:41s). That’s five seconds off my average, and a time I’ll be thrilled to make. If I come in later than that, I know I gave it my all. If I beat it, well then I couldn’t be happier!
Wish me light legs, happy feet, and loose IT Bands!
(If you want to check results, they should be posted darn near immediately: http://results.active.com/pages/page.jsp?eventLinkageID=15)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
I'm back...and so are my knee problems:(
So the last month has been crazy to say the least…and I’m a bit behind on my posts. Let’s see if I can do some catching up…
Throughout this training I’ve found my pace to be pretty strong, and my long runs to be coming ahead of schedule. A lot of times it seems my long runs are the easiest runs of the week. Maybe because I prepare better and focus more. In week 10 I got out for an 8.25 mile run (8:36s) and week 11 I finished a 9 mile run (8:29s). My knee pain had been popping up, but I was able to work my way through it. Then Sunny joined me for a run a couple days after my 9 miler, and things just didn’t feel right. It was one of my harder runs yet, and my knee pain was really bothersome. We had to cut the run a little short and only finished out 5 miles. So I took five days off and rested my knees. The following Wednesday I set out for what was to be my longest run of training, 10 miles. If all I had to judge the run on was cardio and endurance, it was fantastic. I felt really strong. However, if I judge on my knee pain, it was a total disaster. I forced myself to finish only because I knew I’d be too sore to attempt again…and I wanted that long run. The pain in my left knee started around 3.5 miles and shot up into my thigh (along my IT Band). The right side was a little kinder and waited until mile 6.5. The last mile was almost unbearable, but I just wanted that 10 miles, my second longest run ever. I finished it out in 1:27:08 (8:43), and considering the difficulty of the last few miles, felt pretty good about that.
So here I found myself, back in familiar territory, but with one added benefit…time. I was still four and a half weeks out from race day, an amount of time I felt, and still feel, will allow me time to heal. So I called my orthopedic doctor and requested I get a prescription for physical therapy again without an appointment (in hopes of saving some time). No problem, we both know what my issue is, so no sense on seeing him.
So I started PT the following Monday, giving me just shy of four weeks until race day. Torrey (my therapist) had previously told me of a new technique called ASTYM (http://www.astym.com/professionals/process.asp) that has great results in a short amount of time, so I was confident and optimistic about my outcome. Let me tell you, however, that ASTYM is horrible. It’s most certainly one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever been through, and I have the bruises to prove it. So every other day I head to therapy knowing the pain that will soon be inflicted, but I do so with great hope that this will get me where I need to be. It’s ultimately a process of breaking down the scar tissue that has developed from an injury and allowing your body to re-build that tissue the way it’s supposed to be. They actually want you out there doing whatever activity it is you struggle with so that the tissue re-builds in a way to support the activity. So out there I go, and run. It’s still painful, but I’ve been able to run up to six miles. With 12 days until race day, I’ll continue to push through the miles with hopes of getting an 8 or 9 mile run in sometime this coming weekend or early next week. I need it for my confidence. I’m quite certain I’ll cross the finish line this year, but whether I do it smiling in a running stride or crawling while wincing has yet to be determined. I have the opportunity for 5 more ASTYM treatments before race day, and I have 5 under my belt. They say after 7 treatments 70 percent of people have improvement, so I’m hoping to be one of those.
I’m still in dire need of fundraising. I’ve made a commitment to the ACS to raise considerably more than I have, so expect some harassment from me. After all, if I can get out there and run through all this pain, and be tortured in the name of therapy, a few dollars doesn’t seem so hard to part with, right?
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. It was a grand time, but I’m happy it’s passed and I can start focusing on some new things…like being healthy…and summer:)
Week 15 and 16 goal: To continue healing, to stretch and contribute to my therapy in any way that I can. To complete 6 runs, including a longer run of 8 or 9 miles to build my confidence. To take care of myself by eating well, and sleeping enough. To raise more funds for the ACS.
Throughout this training I’ve found my pace to be pretty strong, and my long runs to be coming ahead of schedule. A lot of times it seems my long runs are the easiest runs of the week. Maybe because I prepare better and focus more. In week 10 I got out for an 8.25 mile run (8:36s) and week 11 I finished a 9 mile run (8:29s). My knee pain had been popping up, but I was able to work my way through it. Then Sunny joined me for a run a couple days after my 9 miler, and things just didn’t feel right. It was one of my harder runs yet, and my knee pain was really bothersome. We had to cut the run a little short and only finished out 5 miles. So I took five days off and rested my knees. The following Wednesday I set out for what was to be my longest run of training, 10 miles. If all I had to judge the run on was cardio and endurance, it was fantastic. I felt really strong. However, if I judge on my knee pain, it was a total disaster. I forced myself to finish only because I knew I’d be too sore to attempt again…and I wanted that long run. The pain in my left knee started around 3.5 miles and shot up into my thigh (along my IT Band). The right side was a little kinder and waited until mile 6.5. The last mile was almost unbearable, but I just wanted that 10 miles, my second longest run ever. I finished it out in 1:27:08 (8:43), and considering the difficulty of the last few miles, felt pretty good about that.
So here I found myself, back in familiar territory, but with one added benefit…time. I was still four and a half weeks out from race day, an amount of time I felt, and still feel, will allow me time to heal. So I called my orthopedic doctor and requested I get a prescription for physical therapy again without an appointment (in hopes of saving some time). No problem, we both know what my issue is, so no sense on seeing him.
So I started PT the following Monday, giving me just shy of four weeks until race day. Torrey (my therapist) had previously told me of a new technique called ASTYM (http://www.astym.com/professionals/process.asp) that has great results in a short amount of time, so I was confident and optimistic about my outcome. Let me tell you, however, that ASTYM is horrible. It’s most certainly one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever been through, and I have the bruises to prove it. So every other day I head to therapy knowing the pain that will soon be inflicted, but I do so with great hope that this will get me where I need to be. It’s ultimately a process of breaking down the scar tissue that has developed from an injury and allowing your body to re-build that tissue the way it’s supposed to be. They actually want you out there doing whatever activity it is you struggle with so that the tissue re-builds in a way to support the activity. So out there I go, and run. It’s still painful, but I’ve been able to run up to six miles. With 12 days until race day, I’ll continue to push through the miles with hopes of getting an 8 or 9 mile run in sometime this coming weekend or early next week. I need it for my confidence. I’m quite certain I’ll cross the finish line this year, but whether I do it smiling in a running stride or crawling while wincing has yet to be determined. I have the opportunity for 5 more ASTYM treatments before race day, and I have 5 under my belt. They say after 7 treatments 70 percent of people have improvement, so I’m hoping to be one of those.
I’m still in dire need of fundraising. I’ve made a commitment to the ACS to raise considerably more than I have, so expect some harassment from me. After all, if I can get out there and run through all this pain, and be tortured in the name of therapy, a few dollars doesn’t seem so hard to part with, right?
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. It was a grand time, but I’m happy it’s passed and I can start focusing on some new things…like being healthy…and summer:)
Week 15 and 16 goal: To continue healing, to stretch and contribute to my therapy in any way that I can. To complete 6 runs, including a longer run of 8 or 9 miles to build my confidence. To take care of myself by eating well, and sleeping enough. To raise more funds for the ACS.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)