Deferred

"By completing these forms, you will be removed from competition for the 2014 races and offered a guaranteed space for the 2015 races. Please note that this action is final and you will not be able to reinstate your entry for the 2014 event."


Ok.  


I concede.   My right foot/ankle is the boss of me.  No amount of heart or willpower can overcome what's happening below my knee. But being out does not equate to being down.  

So I'm not running in this January's Houston Marathon.  Life goes on.

Stay tuned.  And thanks for your support.  

A Little Jogging and A Lot of Walking

3:50 pm
61 degrees
3.03 miles
40:40
13:25 pace

I moved because to sit seems to allow the stiffness to congeal.  Tomorrow will be another rest day. The decision is already decided.

Another Finish, Another Shirt

30K  3:55:16  12.37 pace   6:30 am  36 degrees at start  Sugar Land Finish Line Sports sponsored the run.

I waivered.  I bitched and I moaned.  It turned out that I had an alarm set, so I rolled out of bed and rolled my car on out to Sugar Land to be in a parking spot at 5:30. 

Here's what this training and running is coming down to:  Can I do it?  Can I be sick, recovering from injury, seasonally/situationally depressed, fatigued as hell and still do it?

You bet I can.

Because my positive weighs about 1000X more than those negatives I listed above.

Prior to the race, it was pretty cold - make you shiver cold.  I knew restrooms at City Plaza would be unlocked, so I'd have time for my obsessive prerace bladder emptying and I headed for the brightly lit hallway under my old condo.  It turned out to be a comfortable place to wait.  It was filled with friendly runners and we hung out for about 30 minutes, chatting about training and just running in general.  It was a nice way to pass the time. 

I moved to the start line in time to hear the National Anthem and we were off.  After the first half mile, I strained my eyes to check my Garmin.  I was at an 11 minute pace.  Ha!  The start gets me every time.  I backed off.  My plan today was to run a mile and then walk a minute. 

I didn't stick with the plan.  I was just too tired and I was afraid If I started walking too much, I would give in to the fatigue.  My hip flexors were protesting by mile 8.  I was very aware of my deconditioning.  I walked a minute each 15 minutes. 

At about mile 12, a woman to my left asked me about her music.  Huh?  I couldn't hear her music.  It was a No Headphones race.  She had her phone on her left arm and was being very considerate, asking me if her tunes were bothering me.  They weren't but we fell into pace next to each other and started talking.  We finished the race out together, running through the entire thing, walking only to grab a cup of water at the two remaining hydration stations.  Melissa was a sweetie, really positive and funny. 

I feel like she pulled me in for the finish and I'm really grateful. 

That last mile, we were both feeling it.  We kept looking for those final turns and they seemed to be a long way down the road. 

Finally.  We got there.  Her family was waiting for her and her little girl joined her to cross the finish line. 

I looked for the photographer and threw up my arms in an uncharacteristic (for me) victory pose as I crossed.  I appreciate this medal and tech shirt a little more than I usually do. 

I have a baked potato in the oven and filet waits for my dinner.  I'm going to enjoy them tonight.  Happy Sunday, Everyone.  And thanks for the support.  I'm very appreciative of you.

©Michelle Scofield, December 13, 2013  All Rights Reserved

Baby Steps

30:31 

2.56 miles

4:00 pm

50 degrees

11:55 pace

Forced Rest...Now What?

November 29 Wichita, KS 27 degrees 3.02 miles 37:10 12:18 pace

I had heel pain and knew I needed to back off. Back off I have.


Today: Hermann Park 41 degrees 1.78 miles 31:11 Walking for recuperation


I started to have a little, hacky cough on Thanksgiving day. Maybe I caught something on the plane? It would be the fastest moving virus ever heard of.

Anyway...

I ended up sick as a dog. A really, really sick dog.

I wasn't feeling too bad the Friday after Thanksgiving. Still just a little "ahem" kind of cough. No fever. I was able to keep things calm with cough drops and OTC meds. I even went to a movie with my family. Saturday we went to the art museum and I started fading. Fast.

By the time I boarded my plane on Sunday night, I was medicated to the gills (which, by the way felt like they were drowning). I struggled not to cough in my fellow passengers' airspace but I was so flushed and feverish I wasn't even thinking straight at that point. I emailed work and warned them that I would likely not be in the next day.

Since then, when I'm not working, I'm sleeping.

Until yesterday morning when I woke up and realized that my stomach didn't like my prescription medications. Joy. More sleep.

Today feels like I've turned a bit of a corner. I absolutely, positively couldn't sit in this chair, or on this couch, or lay upon this bed one more hour. I bundled up and took a walk in the park.

I've missed it.

I'm entered in a 30K race next Sunday. I'll pick up my race bib. I have no idea if I'll show up for the race. It seems like a lot to bite off at this point.

Everything seems like a lot to bite off at this point but movement felt pretty wonderful. Especially that fresh air. In and out. What a relief.

My only goal for the week is to not be in my head too much regarding worrying about the marathon in January. There isn't a whole lot I can do about it at this point...other than to push myself too hard, relapse, and end up an even sicker dog.

This all makes perfect sense. In black and white. I'll just keep writing, reading, saying it. Even in my sleep, if that's what it takes.




©Michelle Scofield, December 8, 2013 All Rights Reserved