October 3rd, 2015- The Unknown.
It's all unknown at this point. 3 weeks ago I had a solid 22 miler, finishing up at MGP, in preparation for running an OTQ time at Hartford Marathon next weekend. Everything was going as planned, PR's, mileage, etc. However what I hadn't planned was getting runner's knee and changing my marathon training the last 3 weeks.
2 years ago I decided that I was going to go after the OTQ in 2015 (I am a planner for those that don't know). I plan everything, including how I was going to make the OTQ. In the fall of 2013 my goal was to get down to 10 minutes within the OTQ (2:53), which I successfully did when I ran a 2:50:01. In the spring of 2014 my goal was to get my half marathon time down below 80 minutes, which I did again when I ran 1:18:28. My goal in fall of 2014 was to run a 2:45 at the Hartford Marathon, which I did yet again. 2015-OTQ. I had been running great and my training cycle was going perfectly until 3 weeks ago. I had given up so much the past 2 years to focus on my training, only to now be injured. It's like a bad dream.
I've been in and out of multiple PT offices, have undergone graston, massage, ultrasound/stim, heat, ice, so many pool sessions, the bike, the alter G treadmill, cortisone injection, and lowered my mileage significantly. To say I would have done anything to get to and through Hartford healthy is an understatement. But the reality is here. Yes, I have less pain when I run and can run farther than I could 1 and 2 weeks ago, but a marathon is still 26.2 miles and that is a long way. Am I confident I will be better soon, yes. I have been through this injury several times in the past-- high school, college, and 2 years ago after I ran 2:50. But now what?
As of now my plan is to be on the start line at Hartford crossing every finger and toe and praying to make it through to the finish line. If I feel the pain at mile 20+, I know I can finish. If I have pain before this is another story. I will pull out. I have Philadelphia and CIM as my backups, which are more likely than not. This is not the story I wanted, but you don't always get what you want, that I know. So here is to the unknown, the perseverance. It will happen, I just don't know when.
"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained."
