The race is on!
Today, I start the end of a long journey.
In May, I began to run for the first time. I took my two herniated discs, muscle atrophy, neuromas and a variety of issues, on the road with me. The goal?
A Half Marathon on December 6, 2009 in Las Vegas.
Originally, twelve other people were going to be there with me. One by one, everyone dropped out. Except me and the husband.
One step at a time, I have moved toward this goal. In the process, I learned:
- I have another completely blown disc in my low back.
- I have significant problems with my feet probably stemming from a combination of issues.
- I am allergic to all “sports” drinks, supplements, and foods.
As time went on, more and more chips were stacked against me. Of course, that only made the goal more interesting. It had been over twenty years since I’d run even a mile. The first mile was almost impossible. But slowly one mile led to three and, as of last Thursday, three miles became ten miles.
I learned other things too:
- I’m not the fastest runner, but I’m not the slowest.
- I can survive someone screaming “YOU LOST” in my face. (Happened at the end of a grueling, confusing, got lost 10k)
- My body needs to run.
- Running is a great time to reconnect with the time crunched, overworked husband.
- I can survive running in: snow, ice storms, rain, freezing cold, and even the hottest day of the year.
- And I do have limits. (I won’t run if it’s under 25 degrees.)
Probably the biggest thing I learned was that I can do it. I have a huge and heavy bag of reasons why I couldn’t, shouldn’t, wouldn’t be able to run. I met a lot of people who said I couldn’t do it.
And, on Sunday, I’m going to lace up my Puma’s and run 13 miles down the Vegas Strip.
I can’t express how significant this accomplishment is for me. I never thought that I would be able to run. And here I am. I’m one of ‘them’ – a runner!
I’m going to be away from the blog for most of the next week. I will either be getting ready to run, running, or recovering from running. Denver Cereal will post as usual. If I’m able to get on, I’ll let you know how it all turned out.
Wish me luck!
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I’m so sad that I can’t run with you, but so excited and proud of you for doing this! As soon as my breathing issues clear up, I’m going to start training again. I’ll be ready next year!
You Go Girl!!! That is GREAT and you really have something to be proud of there. Well done you. And Good Luck in Vegas.
who says you lost and tells people they can’t do it!???????? horrible people. YOU ROCK!!!
I have followed your journey silently while you have made your way over and through obsticals that were in front of you and all around you. It has been wonderful to watch you overcome all of them one by one. I have no doubt that you will complete the race in a great time. You are very inspiring. Good Luck, I know you’ll do fabulous!
You go girl! Sorry I cannot be there. Too much stuff imploding at home but I’ll be thinking about you Sunday morning.
Love you honey.
Congratulations to you!!! That is an amazing accomplishment and you continue to inspire always!! You GO GIRL!
So how’d it go?