Runner Insight

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I’m not sure why, but about two weeks ago a highly unexpected thought entered my head.  “Maybe I should start training for the Missoula Marathon in July.” 

What?  Not the half-marathon that I had already planned on shooting for, but the full 26.2 mile run.

I’m not quite sure what got into me.  I dunno. Maybe it was the beautiful spring day, or the fact that my sciatica seems to be on the mend, and I’m feeling like I’m getting back to my old self again?  But I just couldn’t shake the thought. 

To test my resolve, I told T I was maybe thinking about running the full marathon.  Her reaction was one of surprise and confusion.  “What has gotten into you?” she asked.  After all, I had barely started running again, and only 3 miles at that. Not one to discourage me, she just let me sort out my thoughts on the matter, supportive of my decision, either way.

If I could get my weekly mileage up by April 15^th, I could start the marathon training schedule.  It would be hard, and a lot would depend on the weather and my sciatica, but I was seriously thinking about it, and getting excited about it, too.

The next day, enthusiastic about my new plan to run the marathon, I was determined not to let a mini-blizzard stand in my way.  So as I dressed in my spandex shorts and heavier running tights, along with my long sleeve running shirt, and new warmer running jacket, I nestled my fleece hat onto my head and took the plunge into the cold, wind-chilled day.  It only took me, oh about a minute I’d say, to come to my senses!  It was freaking cold out there!  The wind was blowing the fallen snow, and I couldn’t see a thing!  I went back inside, a bit dejected, but glad I was wiser than years past.

The next day was cold again, but the sun was out and the wind had stopped for the most part.  Again, I dressed warmly.  Zipped up, I once again headed out the door, this time relieved to find my body was responding nicely to the 10 days of inactivity.  My right leg felt pretty good, and my lower back did not hurt at all.  I was only able to run about 3 ½ miles. I was feeling heavy on my right side and had to stop and walk a few times. 

Later that day, my thighs hurt from the run, but that was just normal aches and pains from not having run in a while.  But my right calf was very tight, like when I first started running again about 4 weeks ago.

Knowing the tightness was from the sciatica, I was disappointed.

Don’t get me wrong.  I was very happy about how my body was reacting to my running, but I knew there was no way I could do the mileage necessary to get me up to where I needed to be to start the longer marathon training runs by April.

I truly hadn’t been planning on running the full marathon this year, anyway. I just got struck by a whim that took a few days to wear off. So I gave myself permission to take it easy on myself.  After all I was making good progress with my back and sciatic nerve.

I have come to realize that getting myself aligned and healthy will allow me many more years of running.  I need not hurry the process and take the risk of re-injuring myself just because I want to prove something to myself:  That I could come off a debilitating back injury and run a full marathon in the same year. 

Well the heck with that noise.  I’m proud of me right now for not allowing the pain and fear of re-injuring my back keep me from running, like it does so many other people.  Even if it’s only a few miles at a time, I will keep running and continue to listen to my body. 

The most important thing for me to remember is: I run for me.  And me says, “Be gentle with yourself; I want to keep running for many more years to come!”

How ‘bout it?

-Vision Runner

P.S. Special Happy Birthday message to T’s mom!!! Hope it was a Great One!!

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Tags: 26.2 mile run, back injury, full marathon, half marathon, marathon, marathon training, marathon training run, marathon training schedule, Missoula Marathon, run, run a marathon, run the marathon, Runner, Running, running jacket, running shirt, running tights, sciatica, spandex shorts, Vision Runner

This entry was posted on Monday, March 16th, 2009 at 4:33 am and is filed under Montana, Running. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.