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

[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*