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*

[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}}}

[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!*

[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*

[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

[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.

[lijahlover.livejournal.com]

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

[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*

♥

[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*

[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.