Persistence of Adversity is Testing My Resolve

I'm 18 days away from my 2nd marathon and I'm not anywhere close to my training plan. This is due to injuries that took my body hostage since the second week in July. I noticed the trouble brewing on a post 5k run as I started out for a 6 mile run in the neighborhood.I was introduced to running pains I have never experienced in 6 years of running. It went all the way from my tail bone to my ankles. At first I tried to ignore it, then nurse it and stop running altogether. Still as the days were mounting, so was my nervousness about my comeback marathon in October. It took a lot of commitment to jump back in after my lay off with plantar fasciitis. I began preparing for Chicago back in the winter, often treading on my dreadmill staring at my basement walls.

When spring came I finally felt free to run the roads I missed for too long. It felt great, as I rediscovered the joy of long distance running. When I hit my marker at the Columbus half in May I felt well on my way to one of the world's greatest marathons. When you submit your non refundable payment to enter, there's no way to go but all out in your focus and training. And I did... until July. My monthly calendar was streaming in red marking nearly every day with miles for the day, the week and the month. Then came July and the entries became thinner, with weeks completely blank as the race clock ticked on and on.

I tried rest, ibuprofen, ice packs, wraps, ointments, massages and my first experiences with chiropractic treatments. I bought other shoes, tried different running styles and sought advice and encouragement in high doses.

With training as my backdrop, I even delivered a series of messages in church on the parallel between the Christian life and running. I even announced my plans to run and sought sponsors to raise support for Chicago's oldest rescue mission "Olive Branch." Immediately support started coming in but the pain was only increasing with time. I struggled to run with diminishing returns and finally I faced a perceived reality. I could not do this, as much I wanted to try, so I called it off. No trip to Chicago and I was deeply disappointed. But then on Labor Day I went to the high school track and ran, surprising myself with 15 miles worth. Elation was short lived as I attempted a return a couple days later when I could not muster even a half mile because my body went into total rebellion.

When i returned home I was so let down that I walked into my office and pulled down every trace of running (medals, bibs, pics, trophies, gear) and I shoved it in the closet out of sight. There was only one running picture left on the wall. I refused to take it down because it was different from the others. It was a picture of my son Andy and me after we did a 5k race together just before he went into the Army. He is now serving as a Corporal in the infantry over in Afghanistan. That lone picture was kept up for sentimental reasons but it has become a reminder not to give up or quit even when you think you're spent.

This past Saturday, I decided to return to the track after a week's absence and a finally fading leg pain. To my surprise, I found my 2 and half mile run tolerable and decided to call it a day at the track. On Sunday night I returned to the dim lit track which was all mine. I was not sure how I would do but was determined to give it my best. The first few miles were a struggle and I paused to stretch, adjust and continue. Then things came together and the laps started piling up as the air continued to cool. By 11:30 pm I had made 60 loops for 15 miles and added an extra half from an earlier attempt to equal my best distance of the year! When Monday arrived, I felt fine. Today is Tuesday and after tonight's 8 mile run, I have run the equivalent of a marathon since Saturday.

I am finally feeling a renewed sense of confidence as I have battled through with patience. I am not as fast but I have developed an enduring capacity that may lead to a pleasant surprise in Chicago next month.