The marathon on Sunday

[bluespirit]

So, it's our marathon in Stratford on Sunday.
Unfortunately I've been having some problems with my hips (the left especially) that came to a head when we were running in Central Park during our NYC holiday last month. (Yay - we got to run in Central Park!! Boo - my left hip gave out!)

Obviously, with everything happening with Rask, I didn't actually manage to get to see our Doctor until a while later. She sent me for an x-ray & the good news is there's no joint problem/damage - no osteoarthritis, etc. The bad news is that the muscles & tendons on the surface of my hips & pelvis are pretty badly inflammed due to the repetitive nature of the running motion.

I explained to her about the race & how I feel so responsible as lots of people have sponsored me in aid of Cancer Research & how I don't want to let anyone down.
She said that the best thing to do would be to rest but that if I do run I won't cause any permanent damge - just have the pain. She said the decision was mine.

I've been prescribed some anti-inflams & have being doing gentle stretching & strengthening exercises to try & improve the situation. Obviously, I haven't been doing much running - just a few slow, short sessions.

The Stratford course is a two-lap one - one is for the half-marathoners & then you repeat that lap if you're doing the full marathon. I think the best thing for me to do is begin the race & see how I get on. If it's too much then I can just complete the 13.1 miles of the half marathon course but if by some miracle (or emergency body replacement!) my hips hold out & I do feel up to it, then I can continue on to the second lap & hopefully do the full M.

Obviously, this injury has really cut into my training schedule & I'm certainly not as race ready & fit as I'd like to be but I really do feel responsible for all the generous sponsorship & I don't want to let anyone down.

I'm also incredibly disappointed & frustrated; I've been training for this for months - all those cold Sunday mornings running for hours on end - & I was really excited about taking part, as I loved it last year.

Mr B will be running the full marathon course. We had originally planned to run together but I'll have to take things very slowly & don't want to muck it up for him, so I've told him to run his own race. I don't want to spoil the experience for him, as this is his first marathon & he should get a decent time.

So, it's a matter of me doing my best & hoping I can manage to at least do the half. I really am sorry folks.

“Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever.” ~ Lance Armstrong

Comments

[liresius.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear you're in pain and are worried about disappointing your sponsors. On the other hand, I think your permanent health is more important than this one event. Remember pain is only the manifestation of problems and even though the pain might be temporary, the underlying problem may still persist, so I don't want to see you push yourself too hard, hon! Well, your doctor probably knows and since she has said, no permanent damage, I hope you will be okay, but permanent damage IS forever. Remember you can run away and survive to better "fight" another day *ggg* Hmmm, there's a pun in there somewhere ...

*hugs*

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

I don't normally do it this way, but I second everything liresius has said, P.

Think about it carefully before you decide whether to run or not. And also you need to remember that if you're in pain you'll end up compensating for it and that can put pressure on other parts of your body and you could end up with other damage.

As liresius rightly says: 'permanent damage IS forever'.

Thinking of you.

*Hugs*

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Yes, I know you're right, N & I certainly don't want to seem cavalier about this. I know how lucky I am to be able to run & I have to take care of myself. I promise I'll be sensible.
You're so thoughtful - you & Liresius.
*hugs*

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

I know you're right, L & I do promise not to do anything silly (well, too silly, 'cus this is me!)
*hugs*
If I feel it getting too bad I will just stop - there are plenty of stewards & first aid people around the course, so I'll be okay.
I just feel so badly - 'cus people have been so good about sponsoring me & it makes me feel like a fraud & that I'm letting them down. At least our sponsorship page is a joint one & Mr B will definitely be running the full marathon.

[liresius.livejournal.com]

I am holding you to that promise! *hugs*

it makes me feel like a fraud & that I'm letting them down.

No, just get that right out of your head now, miss! *ggg* The best laid plans ... etc etc. Everyone knows that things don't always go to plan.

I just donated (Yes, I was very tardy) to prove the point that people would gladly give regardless of whether you run or not (although I obviously have no idea about all the charity rules etc), so I hope that helps you feel better in the event you have to stop, given that I've donated understanding your situation and that I will scold you severely if you don't pull out, if and when your body says to. *big smiles*

Your health is more important. Listen to your body sweetie (and I agree with everything xanthelj said too. /lecture over.

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thank you for sponsoring us!!! That is so kind of you, especially in my current state!
*hugs*
That does help so much, I can see that people are happy to donate to a good cause, even if I perhaps don't manage to complete the whole task.
I am going to listen to my body - last night it was mainly saying 'ow!' & so I'm taking it easy until Sunday & I'll make a decision then. You're right - it's pointless to risk my health.
*more hugs 'cus you're so great*

[caffyolay.livejournal.com]

All the best, P. Hope you get as far as you would like to but I'm sure you know that your health is what's important. {{{Hugs}}}

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thanks, C.
I just want to try, you know? So I feel like I haven't let anybody down.
I will take care though.

[xanthelj.livejournal.com]

You're not letting anyone down - you absolutely mustn't think that after all the hard work you've put in. I know you're disappointed but please don't push on if you're in real pain as it'll take you longer to recover. I just hope you don't feel much pain and can run the race you want to run.

*Big Carsony recovery hugs!*

[xanthelj.livejournal.com]

PS Just read what Liresius said and totally agree!!! I know you want to run and not let people down but having chronic pain is just awful and wearying and takes over your life eventually. That's how I feel about these damn shoulders/neck! It's honestly not worth risking it so please listen to your body.

Nagging over! LOL!

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

You're not nagging - you're being much more sensible than I am!
*hugs*

I promise I won't start on Sunday if it feels too bad, okay?

[xanthelj.livejournal.com]

Okay. But don't start on Sunday if it's giving you any gip at all - it really isn't worth it!

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

You're right. The pain was all down my leg to my ankle last night (why?!) & so I know I have to be sensible. I'm going to take things easy & see what Sunday morning brings.
Thank you again for being so fabulous!
*hugs*

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much.
Carson hugs are always good. :-)

I know the absolutely sensible thing to do is not run at all on Sunday. But I think if I don't at least try, then I'll keep wondering if I could've managed at least the half, you know? I don't want to be a quitter & let people down.

[xanthelj.livejournal.com]

Take the quitting/letting people down thing out of the equation!!!! Seriously - just run if your hip is okay and don't if it isn't. Nothing else matters!!!

I might need to get stern with you young lady!

[liresius.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you said that about the quitting and letting people down! I wanted to say it too, but was too cowardly as I'd already done enough nagging! LOL!

[xanthelj.livejournal.com]

Hee - poor Bluespirit. But we might both need to get stern with her! LOL!

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Are you two ganging up on me? ;-)

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

You know what I'm like - I hate to give up or feel like I'm letting people down, even when sometimes I should just realise that I've done my best.
Oooh, stern!Xanthe is scary so I'll definitely pull myself together. *g*

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you're hurting. The human body is quite forgiving but only up to a certain point. :-/ Have you tried applying ice to alleviate the soreness? Massage therapy?

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. If you run I'll be cheering you on from afar. *hugs*

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your advice & support.
I will try some ice & see if that helps.

*hugs*

[the-cephalopod.livejournal.com]

*hugs* How disappointing!! I know how crushing it can be when your body starts playing up on you & how tempting it is to carry on training regardless. I have done so many times, but have always regretted continuing without giving myself sufficent time to heal. Listen to what your body is telling you - only you can judge, but being injured is certainly not a failure, it is just an annoying fact of life, especially when you're training in a gruelling sport such as marathon running.

I wish you a very speedy recovery & both you and Mr. B lots of luck & energy for Sunday.

*\o/*

cep xxx

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

You're right, I know.
I don't know if I'm fooling myself into thinking I'll be able to manage the half or not. It's just so frustrating as I ran this marathon last year without a quibble & had a ball doing it.
And then there are people like you who've been so kind & generous in sponsoring me - I don't want to let you down. :-(

Thanks for your support, C.
*hugs*

[jimandblair.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you're poorly sick. Listen to your body; if it says stop -- stop. If it says I can't do this today -- don't. *points to other comments* We understand.

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

You're so kind - thank you. I really don't want to let you all down, you know?
*big hugs*

[lijahlover.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry about the race and your pain hun *hugs*

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thanks, sweetheart.
*hugs*

[ionaonie.livejournal.com]

Oh, hon. I'm so sorry to hear you're in pain and that it's come at such an inconvienent time (not that there is a good time to be in pain, but this is particuarly crappy)

I hope you are feeling better soon and the pain goes well away.

You aren't letting anyone down, so don't be so silly. I understand how frustrating this is for you and I'm so sorry. But run as far as you feel you are able. We want you well, not hurt, so no pushing yourself too much.

Hope you feel better soon

*hugs*

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thank you.
You're right, I know. I realsie now that it's silly to push myself so much that I end up making things worse. I just hate not finishing something that I've started, you know?
*hugs*

[sonicbookmark.livejournal.com]

Just hearing you talk about running makes my knees lock up in fright!

Good luck on your race! And I know you want to do well and not disappoint anyone but please don't allow yourself to get seriously hurt. *worries*

♥

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thank you!
I think I need to see how I am on Sunday & decide then. I do hope I can at least compete. I hate not finishing things!

[nieninque121.livejournal.com]

*hugs* as many people have said above, your health is more important. No matter what/how you do on Sunday, you'll still have my full support, and I'll still be just as proud of you.

Hope you'll feel better soon. *hugs*

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, Jess.
*hugs*
That really helps. I was just so worried people would think I was being lame or flaky, you know? But I really do want to do this - I'll just have to listen to what my body says & not be stupid about it.

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

Mmm, I think you've made the best compromise decision you can. Of course you want to run after all the hard work you've put into training, but then again you don't want the "not permanent" damage to turn into "permanent", so I think you've made the wise decision to run until you know you've done enough . . . that way you please those who've sponsored and yourself. (However, having sponsored, I'd still willingly give the money to this wonderful charity even if you didnt' run, but the good thing is that with it being a joint page, Mr B can "do" the full race for you both).

I love the Lance Armstrong quote - it fits perfectly and I know you're not a quitter and never will be.

So . . . the very best of luck to you both, enjoy yourself as much as you can and I will be with you both in spirit, cheering on!!

Have a good day.

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, S!
*hugs*

I think it's the best I can do really - just be sensible & try & give as much as I can without being silly & hurting myself. I really don't want to let anyone down at all.