REPOST - Since my original one did not post for some reason!!!
Good afternoon everyone,
As I look ahead to my last 3 weeks of training, I lay here on the couch in my living room with my left knee elevated and iced, I feel that my hopes of running the Flying Pig (my first full marathon) are ending. I am still holding on to a VERY THIN thread of hope, but the knife edge is pressing against it. First, let me review last weeks runs.
Run #61 - "Quality" 6 miles. Tuesday morning I got up and went to the YMCA to run. My training called for a quality 7-8 miles, but since I had the foot problems on Sunday, I decided to limit the run to 6. I ran 7 Yasso 800's (1/2 mile splits separated by a quarter mile job) and the average was below my target time by a couple of seconds. This may not sound to impressive, but the 6th split was at my marathon pace (30 seconds over my target time). After the run I felt great. I had no pain in my ankle or feet.
Run #62 - "Easy" 5 miles. Wednesday morning was to be an easy 3-4 mile run. This means 30-90 seconds slower than my target MP. I got to the YMCA and started my run, I got into a rhythm and as I was finishing my 4th mile, a friend that runs at he YMCA came up n the track so I ran another mile with her, talking about life and generally catching up. I finished my run and walked another 1/2 mile as a cool down feeling great with no pain and not feeling winded. When I checked my pace later that morning I discovered that I had run at a pace 10 seconds faster than my target MP. I was really excited then!!!
Run #63 - "Tempo" 7 miles. Thursday morning I get to the YMCA and started out on my tempo run. This is a run is to be at a pace 30 seconds under your MP. My training plan called for a 6-7 mile run so I decided to try to push for the 7 miles. I started out at a good pace and maintained that for the first 5 miles. At mile 6 I slowed down to give myself a quick break and reset my Mp3 player. That mile ended up being 1 minute slower than my MP and 45 seconds over my target for the run. I kicked it in for the last mile and finished it faster than my first mile. Then I walked another mile for a cool down while talking to a lady who was walking on the track. For the third day I felt great, no pain, not very winded, and my average pace time was 5 seconds under my target. If I dropped the mile that I slowed down, it was 55 seconds under my target.
So, with 3 of my best runs under my belt and feeling great I went to the Podiatrist to have my feet looked at for the pain I had on Sunday's run. I found out that the problem was most likely caused by not replacing my running shoes soon enough. The Dr. gave me some OTC inserts with added height in the out soles. I put them in my running shoes and wore them to work on Friday to see how they felt. It made a world of difference and I was now ready to tackle y longest training run on Saturday - 20 miles. My plan was to run from Xenia to my home town of Springfield on the bike trail. It would be 20 miles point to point. I was also pumped about the possibilities of having netted 40 miles in 1 week!!!
Saturday morning, we headed out towards Springfield and Laurel asked if I would drive. When we got to Xenia, Laurel dropped me off downtown near the trail and with my camel back, water belt and several power gels, I set off towards Springfield. Running through town was a little rough. I had to stop several times for crossing traffic and when I stepped off one curb I felt a tinge in the back of my left knee. It hurt enough to impair my gait a little. I stopped at about 1 mile at the McDonald's on the north end of Xenia to use the restroom and walk off the pain. When I started out again it was better. At just over 2 miles into the run I felt a "pop" in the back of my left knee that stopped me dead in my tracks. I could not bear any weight on my left leg and was in a lot of pain. I tried stretching it out and resting, but nothing helped. Fortunately I was 50 yards from the "Old Town Reserve" park and a crossroad. I call ed Laurel and told her that I could not run and needed to get picked up. She came to get me and we were off to Urgent Care.
At urgent care the initial assessment was that all of the tendons were fine, but that I had ruptured my bursa and would not be running anytime soon. The doctor was a real "arse" (I don't swear so you get my drift). He sent me on my way in a knee immobilizer, which he and the nurse put on WRONG, and said to take ibuprofen, follow RICE (Rest Ice, Compression, Elevation) and follow up with my primary care doctor on Monday.
On Monday, I called my doctor and they sent me for an x-ray. This morning they called and said the x-ray was negative except for some minor arthritis and referred me to an orthopedic doctor. That brings us to where I started.
I fear that my hopes for the pig are gone. I am going to start looking for a "contingency" plan marathon in the fall so that I can get a marathon in this year. Please send a prayer or 2 this way. I could use a miracle.
Will keep you posted....
In Him,
Philippians 4:13
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