Run-Walked the Disneyland Half-Marathon on September 5, 2010. Started off good, and probably a bit too fast. Pretty nice marathon, except for all the industrial streets around Anaheim. Best part by far was running around the bases at Angel's Stadium and seeing yourself on the JumboTron TV. (I, of course, missed this sublime moment because of the acute pain shooting down my legs). My wife, the "real" Marathoner in the family, finished the race and circled back to collect what was left of her husband. She caught up to me around mile 10, when I was really starting to hurt. Around mile 12, I was doubting I could finish. Another back-of-the-pack'er trotted by me. She stops and looks back and trots back to me. Asks if I'm ok, and fishes into her fanny pack to give me a packet of icy massage gel. I thank her, and my wife rips it open and starts rubbing my calves and quads. Wow.. what a relief!! Thank you and good karma to the good samaritan runner who came back to aid the fallen. Maybe it was just the break from running (limping).. anyways, I felt rejuvenated to run another few feet until hobbled again. I hobbled across the finish line, but tried to look better for my first-ever FINISH PHOTO.
My first PR: 3:14.12
The days and weeks after the marathon were rough.. but that is for another post.
In brief, I was saddled with a weird left thigh (quad) hematoma that was very painful and took about 4-weeks to recover. I've had it before (even worse), so it might have been due to a chronic blood-thinner medicine I take, and perhaps unrelated to my 13.1 miles. But, I needed to make a brutally honest assessment of myself, .. my health, my running, and my priorities. I came to the conclusion that at my current size, the long running feels great afterwards, but kind of wrecks my body for longer than I'd like.
I still maintain my goal to run the LA Marathon with my wife (or at least start the Marathon with her). But I will probably push back to 2012, as I really do not have the game for 2011 (less than 200 days away!). My wife, on the other hand, seems to be the type to remain uninjured and able to do several marathons a year. I'm not that kind of runner (yet?). I'm taking a long look at Triathlons, especially the Sprint and Olympic distances for now (not to mention Relays). Triathlons just seem to be less impact on my Clydesdale body than long distance running alone.
Next up for me.. Long Beach Half-Marathon October 17, 2010
It's good to hear from you, Doc!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you were in so much pain at Disney but I'm glad that running angel gave you some relief for your muscles.
I wish I was born with impeccable biomechanics, too, but I think those of us who aren't 'born to run' appreciate running that much more when we can do it.
Thanks GG.. true, it's amazing how my wife just runs and runs. Never seems to get injured or sore, except when she falls (even then, she recovers fast). I must be getting old. Ready for Athens? So cool.
ReplyDelete