Running Again

I got it! I got IT! I GOT IT!!!

The confirmation email came through around 4am this morning. I have an entry in the Houston Marathon in January. I ran the half in 2010 (trained on my own with no input from anyone - I didn't ask.) I ran through pain in my foot. But I kept running. I was excited to finish and I called my family who all live out of town to let them know I had done it. My dad died that night or the next, we're not sure. I had a stress fracture in my right foot and I kept on running - through the pain of that next week. I put on a suit and flew to Sacramento, handling arrangements in a professional, businesslike manner. I ran on the treadmill at the hotel. I put on a dress and heels and looked pretty for his friends at his memorial celebration. I came home and I ran. Then I couldn't run anymore because I ended up in an immobilization boot and was stopped in my tracks. I started gaining weight and I packed it on with a vengence.
Recently I took a good long look in the mirror, laced up my shoes and started walking. My foot has healed. My heart is healing. I started eating healthier. My pace has quickened and my body is starting to show the results of my efforts.

There were times when my foot was hurting so much that I swore I'd never tackle a long distance race again. I don't think I really knew what pain was. Now I know.

I'm going to seek help to train for this race. If there's anything I learned over the last two years, it's to seek help.

I'm so excited - again - finally! And that is a wonderful feeling.