1.) Patience- I started the year off unable to run at all (or as my physical therapist would say I could lightly "jog" on the treadmill for .12 miles and then walk for .12 miles and repeat for a total of ohhh about 1 mile max.) I still had IT and hip flexor pain when I graduated from physical therapy at the end of January- It was in the Dominican Republic- late January/early February that I ran my first 3 mile run of the year- but still with some aching. I gradually increased my mileage over the next month-and by increase I mean I ran roughly 9 miles a week. I had gotten into the NYC half marathon and had to cancel because I still couldn't run more than 4 miles at a time- definitely a low point of the year. I continued to do yoga, spin and try running still with pain- Finally in May I learned of ART- active release therapy. I remember the day exactly because it was my 30th birthday. I got up early to go see this chiropractor who I expected would probably be "full of crap". But shockingly he was able to pinpoint my pain and stretch my muscles exactly how they needed to be. Slowly I started to recover- I ran a 5k and a 10k in the month of May- still with some pain, but much better than the past 8 months. I then increased my mileage to over 25 miles a week, with strength training, biking, swimming and yoga included and BAM my hip and knee hated me again. I was told I may need to find another sport-this was unacceptable to me. I learned to back off the mileage, listen to my body and ICE ICE ICE. After several bumps over the summer I have finally seemed to learn: Patience. Listen to your body. And ART when you need it.
9.11.11- First Sprint Triathlon- was incredibly tight the week before but had 2 sessions of ART that week and finished 4th in my age group!!!!
9.18.11 Rochester Half Marathon- PR'd my Half marathon time- finishing at 1:45
10.2.11 Wineglass Marathon- This past sunday I not only ran 26.2 miles, but I ROCKED it. 3:51- after a year of injuries and being told I should find a new sport. Never, ever give up. People ask me how I can run this far - "are you crazy??!!" they ask. Nope. I am not crazy. Half of it is mental- we all can do what we put our minds to- so never stop dreaming and believing that you can. And Never let anyone tell you that you cant!!!
The alarm went off at 5:30am and after hitting snooze a few times I got up and immediately looked outside- damp, 40 degrees but not raining. I wasn't very hungry and was starting to get nervous- but forced myself to eat my Wegmans blueberry bagel (the exact thing I had before my tri and half marathon the month before). As we were checking out I looked outside and it was an absolute downpour. As we approached the parking lot for the start line the rain stopped- great!!! However, just after lining up at the start- downpour again- and continued for 18 miles! I ran at a 8:35 pace the first 18-19 miles with a pace group- then slowly backed off the pace. These miles flew by as I listened to our pacer throw out motivating quotes and tips. Mile 20-21 I really started to feel the ache in my legs- and was reminded of a quote from my first marathon that still gives me shivers- "When your feet hurt, run with your heart". I thought of the patient I had run for, my uncle who had passed last year and felt so lucky to be able to be running this race- that got me through those last 6 miles- No music - just the silence of my shoes slapping the wet ground and the spectators shouting motivating things my way. As I turned down Market St and saw the blow up finish line I picked up the pace- somehow crossing at a pace somewhere between 7:50 and 8:20, I believe, although my garmin was difficult to read with all the beads of rain on it. Even with the rain this race was amazing- excellent organization, caring volunteers, great medical personnel at the finish line, great expo, YMCA that offered showers post race.
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