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| Some of the running group out for my birthday (note my non-running clothes ;) |
Thursday (7/15) was a group run and also my birthday so I had been planning on running and going out for drinks with the group after. Instead of the running, I met up for the drinks. That lifted my morale so much, but I was a bit let down that I was drinking after a day of 'nothing' and they were drinking after running 5 miles.
That Saturday (the second long run I had to skip) was when my group did 12 miles. Not going to lie, I enjoyed a day of sleeping in until 10AM. My enjoyment didn't last long though when I called a group member to see how the run went. I wanted to be out there with them all running the 12. Instead, I started to panic that everyone was building mileage and I was losing my fitness by the hour. I tried to view my rest as being proactive, but it I couldn't.
During Week 6 I had to make the decision of how many miles I would run with the group on Thursday. After much hesitation, I decided to run a measly 3 miles, (when I normally was doing 5, and often contemplating 7). Everyone was so supportive when I got to the store. I talked to the 10:30 pacer, Caroline, and she said I needed to run a slow, slow 3 miles, and on Saturday instead of doing 14 miles, I should do 10. I couldn't even think about Saturday at that point - I only wanted to get through my first day back.
Right as I was about to start my 3 miles, my first run in 2 weeks, Monica (the organizer of the group) asked me "How are you feeling?" I almost lost it at that point, I was overwhelmed by her compassion - heck everyone's support through the 2 weeks, but I also couldn't take the anticipation to just start running. Thankfully, the group started running right after that and I didn't have time to let emotions get to me. So my first run back was tough. It was hot that day, but I think I had a few variables working against me: heat, nerves, and sitting out for 2 weeks. My groin hurt in the beginning and then the pain began to fade, my endurance (or lack thereof) was hurting the most. When I made it back to the store, I felt a mixture of emotions: excited to be back, yet sour that I wasn't at the level I wanted to be back at. The impatience was setting in.
After that I had to focus on Saturday's long run. 14 miles was on the schedule. I was advised to just do 10. How feasible is it to really run 14 miles after being off for 2 weeks? Turns out if you have a strong drive in you combined with a wonderfully supportive group you can! Saturday morning was filled with hard rain and thunderstorms. Of course I didn't sleep at all. I woke up at 4:30, iced my groin and left to meet at mile marker 5. The rain was pouring down, it was quite dark, and I saw people in the gazebo - "No matter what the weather, I'm doing this" I thought to myself. Sure enough the "official" run was cancelled because of the lightening, but most of my group was there and accounted for and we said we were still going to run. All the runners there said they would go too, but at a slower pace. I couldn't help but think this was perfect for a first run back - a relaxed one. Yet I was still nervous, I couldn't stand the anticipation of standing in the gazebo, so I told my pace group "Let's get out there, the rain isn't going to let up any time soon."
We started and my groin was hurting but I ignored it. There were puddles knee deep on this run and I was drenched after 1 mile. We got to mile 5, which means if I turned back that would be the 10 miles I was advised to go. My group stopped and everyone looked at me, through a hesitant voice I said, "I can keep going" though I wasn't so sure, but I had to try. After that, I felt great. My stomach started to turn around mile 6, but at least it wasn't my groin injury. Then when we turned back around at mile 7, I was on cloud nine. I had made it over the halfway point. I was joking around and gabbing as usual. There is no way after being gone for 2 weeks was I going to be quiet now ;). Around mile 12 a group member stopped to walk. I remember hurting at that point and I said, "I can stay with you." and she said "No, I'll catch up with you." So I made a quick decision to keep running. I had to make it quick because I almost stopped. When I did this, something happened. I was flying high mentally. Sure my body hurt, but mentally I have never felt this good during a run. The longest I had ever run in my life was 13.1 miles, and now I was completing 14 after being off for 2 weeks - I was elated. I must have been quiet for longer than 5 min. (a first) thinking about this accomplishment and one of my group members said, "If you can do this after 2 weeks off, none of us have any excuses." I smiled and finally gave myself some credit.
We got back and I hugged everyone in my group because I couldn't have done it without them. Though after I stopped my groin pain was almost immediate. I panicked. Natalie - our Pacer, asked me how I was (she's a physical therapist) and I told her I was in pain. She stretched my groin for me twice, and I kid you not. I've been amazing ever since.
Those 2 weeks were so mentally trying, but lots of prayer and the support of everyone got me through it, and I am now confident I will run this race. Last night I ran 4 miles and suffered a textbook case of dehydration, so that was a painful blip, but at least that is something I can consciously control. Training is something I'm so grateful for right now, and I appreciate it that much more after losing 2 weeks of it. Those 2 weeks taught me how badly I want this, and how I can overcome any adversity as long as you try, try again.
Lots of love!
