I leave in three hours.
The past few days I have been way outside my "happy place".
Recap: pain still present. Hit up doc on Monday. Doc advises X-ray. Visions of stress fractures dance through my head. This morning: doc says x-rays look good, but obviously doesn't rule out stress fracture. He would have me get MRI, but since I leave in a few hours it isn't possible. Doc's exact words:
"My doctor advice to you is NOT to run 26 miles on Monday. But since I know how you are, I know you are going to try anyways. Please be smart this time and be ready to pull out during the race."
The last thing we want is another stress fracture turned full fracture.
So, here's where I'm at. The pain is still there, and I haven't tried running or biking. I did a brief swim today and it feels okay. Weird tingly feeling in lower back. I hope things are healing. My guess is that it is a bad piriformis problem. My gut is that it is something with the tendon that connects the piriformis to the sacrum.
I have 6 days. 6 days to try to get this puppy race ready. I am going to at least start. I am going to give myself that present. But---for once in my life--I am going to expect to have to DNF. I cannot risk permanent injury, especially since I have to travel international with my work immediately after. I can always do Boston next year....
Yes, I am super bummed. Perhaps some tears have been shed. This is not how I imagined my 26.2 on my 26.2 would go. But there is nothing I can do right now. My bib # is 15269. You guys can see for yourself how far I make it through the race.
For those of you who may be watching the course, if you see a girl in blue shorts with a yellow "RunnersHi" singlet on, a light blue cap, and yellow pearl izumis, holler. If you see me on the sidelines crying, hand me a drink.
i grew up just north of boston and went to many, many marathons. if you are feeling OK, the crowd can get you through. i have seen it first hand and hope you will too. safe travels and best of luck.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry you are still in pain. I really hope it's gone by Monday. See you at the Hawaii House?
ReplyDeletegood luck girl, wishing you all the best. Sorry you're not going into Boston the way you envisioned it.
ReplyDeleteWell Frayed, you know the old saying.....
ReplyDelete"What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger."
So, if you make it out of this alive, well then.... You can figure out the rest.
Best Wishes,
-Oscar-
I'm totally bummed for you, but super glad you are doing the smart thing. You have SO many years ahead of you and so many Boston's to come your way. Take it easy... have a few drinks for me out there ;)
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I hope you finish.
ReplyDeleteDon't be afraid to quit if you're not feeling 100%. Remember there is a difference between pushing yourself and just making your injury worse. I had my first DNF last weekend at McNaughton. It was the hardest decision I've made in a while. Almost 6 years of running with no DNS/DNF so I didn't take the decision lightly. I made it to 117 miles out of 150 but pulled out because I was worried about my knee. I figured it was better to quit and not risk injury so I could run all summer long instead of killing myself for one race.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so sorry to hear the developments. I know it is easy to think of the worst (aka stress fracture), but from what you describe (e.g. tingling, etc) it is not. The Xray is reassuring (even though some stress fractures can't be seen so early on an Xray). Orthopedic doctors are always thinking of the worst (I work with them, so there you go). In any case, I hope these 6 days are going to bring some relief and more positive thoughts. You are correct, there will be many more Bostons, but lets hope for the best with this one! Ana-Maria
ReplyDeleteI will be crossing my fingers (and Mario will cross his paws) that everything goes great for you in Boston!
ReplyDeletei'll be thinking of you and hoping for the best. good luck!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your injury. Wishing you the best of luck and sound judgement on Monday. Enjoy the race from the road or from a bar, either way soak up the atmosphere and make it even better next year and many years to come.
ReplyDeleteAwe girl I'm wishing you the best of luck in Boston! I hope your back doesn't give you trouble and I hope you manage to cross the finish line, even if it isn't your best time. I'll be watching from home and cheering for you!
ReplyDeleteYou never know what will happen on Monday. Just get out there and see what unfolds. We will be pulling for you.
ReplyDeleteHey, you have six days to feel better. You are definitely playing things smart. Enjoy the experience and atmosphere of Boston!
ReplyDeletei'm going to send you a lot of healing vibes over the next 6 days and will be thinking of you on Monday. i've got a stress fracture myself and bullheadly ran my last race (a 25k which was supposed to be a 50k) while i was injured, so i can relate. at the same time, any time i get grumpy i think about your huge comeback from your stress fracture.
ReplyDeletetake care of yourself and keep your head up and try to enjoy the whole Boston experience best you can.
bummer...i'm sure this is a big disappointment for you....i think the doc is right though...better to play it safe rather than risk further injury.....
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ReplyDeleteI am praying for you! Good luck at Boston and enjoy every second of it because you made it to Boston! You earned the right to be there!
ReplyDeleteFrayed, I'm pulling for you, hoping for swift healing!
ReplyDeletei'll be watching for you!!! i'm not sure where my volunteer station is but i hope to see you and give you a big CHEER!!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I'm sending you lots of positive vibes!
ReplyDeleteTime for some healing affirmations a la Louise Hay. (Heal Your Body). If I find my book, I'll hit you up with a few.
ReplyDeleteFor now, affirm that you have made it this far, and that your body is strong enough. Flying can't be fun for this, so don't trip out tomorrow when you're still feeling wonky.
Hang in there FL, and DDYA!!!
My sister, the Wineyard owner is going to be there and I will make sure she has a bottle on the corner...but you won't need it!
You are an amazing inspiration!! Go kick some ass.
Good luck, travel safe, and get well soon!
ReplyDeleteSafe travels, FL.
ReplyDeleteSending some quick healing vibes your way - rest up 'til Monday, & take it easy when you get there.
Good luck!
Hopefully the PT exercises will do their magic and you will feel strong enough to run and finish. Whatever happens, you got there in the first place so that's an accomplishment...and take care of that body in order to do it again (many, many times). Best of luck to you!!!
ReplyDeletehang in there girl... i hope it gets better in time!!! at least try to enjoy and soak up as much of it as you can... it is your first boston!
ReplyDeleteWishing you the best of luck. Remember to be smart and not damage yourself permanently. Boston will always be there and it won't mean anything less should you have to wait until the next time around.
ReplyDeleteTake care, FL.
You know all the confidence I have in you. Look at all the confidence all of your readers have in you!
ReplyDeleteRest, rest, rest.
And then run, run, RUN.
Run until your body says no more, but I bet that won't be until mile 26.21
Everyone here knows your strength, and we are all inspired by it. Trust in it. Trust that it will either bring you across that finish line or it will bring you the best DNF that anyone could possibly want.
Your time is meaningless to all of us because we know what you did to get there. Be it 3 hours flat or 6 and half, you'll always be our first place finisher. At least, you'll be mine.
You'll be in all of my thoughts, as I lie awake in the wee hours of the HI morning, waiting for every text message update.
I can't wait for that phone call when you say, "I can't believe I did it."
And, I say, "I told you so."
All your bloggie peeps will be willing you forward.
ReplyDeleteJust be safe!!
Live to run another day, that's the important thing.
E
That really sucks. Here's hoping you have a miraculous recovery over the next few days. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteyou will be amazing regardless of finish time or DNF; but rest and relax and enjoy what you have already earned, the right to stand at and cross the starting line of the Boston Marathon.
ReplyDeletekeep your chin up. just make sure you have an amazing time, no matter how your body holds up. there is next year too, and i know you'd rather be able to continue running for years than end it for forever now. hope you feel better in the next few days!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck, FL. I hope all goes well. I will be rooting for you from the sidelines.
ReplyDeleteI really hope that you are healed up by Monday, but if you're not, you're right to not risk a longer term injury. Be careful.
ReplyDeleteI'm sending lots of love and good running vibes your way. No matter what happens, your RBF's think you're awesome, so take it easy, enjoy as much of Boston as you can, and tell us all about it when it's over.
ReplyDeleteOh F.L., be safe, Good Luck and I'll be stalking you on Monday!
ReplyDeleteTake care.
hang in there baby. i am also trying not to face the stress fracture demon, but my marathon is more than a few days away.
ReplyDeletewishing you safe travels, cold drinks, and the best of luck! luv ya sista.
Six days of rest is a long time and I am confident that you'll be ready on Monday. I have a feeling that the only way I will see you on Monday is if you wait around at the finish line for an hour (I should finish in about 4:15).
ReplyDeleteGet some rest, travel safe and kick butt on Monday!
All the best!
Good luck, FL! Hoping for a miraculous recovery over the next few days.
ReplyDeletebest of luck!
ReplyDeleteGood luck & best wishes, FL! You've helped me SO much with all your wise advice & wisdom during my recovery and I am so grateful to you for that! My thoughts and prayers are with you & I hope you are all healed up and raring to go on Monday. You continue to inspire me & DDYA :)
ReplyDeletegood luck and i truly hope you make it. Boston is on my list to do by 2012 (though I have yet to qualify). Don't be afraid to quit to avoid permanent injury. Remember you can qualify any time.
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
Try to have fun and enjoy the course even if you have to walk off of it. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteGoodluck in Boston and i hope you can run the marathon?.
ReplyDeleteAnd think always, a marathon do never run away ;-).
Rinus.
www.rinusrunning.punt.nl
Just remember that "every cloud has a silver lining".. you have to be optimistic that it will get better. You do not want to pay the price right now. In another word, have a safe trip to Boston and GOOD LUCK. There will always be another Boston. Just do the best you can and you can always bail out. Most importantly, take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteYou're gonna be okay. You qualified and you're going, and that's what's important. You're a big deal to me for that!
ReplyDeleteIf you have to DNF, then do it. There's not point risking a lifetime of running.
I'm so sorry! You have a very smart plan though. Keep positive and enjoy Boston!
ReplyDeleteThe marathon's about being in contention over the last 10K. That's when it's about what you have in your core. You have run all the strength, all the superficial fitness out of yourself, and it really comes down to what's left inside you. To be able to draw deep and pull something out of yourself is one of the most tremendous things about the marathon.~Rob de Castella.
ReplyDeleteFL: I hope you are feeling better today. Rest. Relax. Oh, and I love how The Distraction posted you a message. Nice that you can go back to him!!!
Ugh, sorry to hear that the pain's still sticking around, FL. Rest up, and try to remain positive about the race--after all, it's not over yet! Give it your best shot, and just know we'll all love you and be super proud of you (not to mention seriously inspired) no matter what happens. Good luck and keep your head up, girl ;)
ReplyDeleteSorry to read about your pain, but your approach to dealing with it is smart, don't count yourself out yet. Wishing you all the best at the Boston Marathon!
ReplyDeleteHope it all magically gets better before the start!
ReplyDeleteI sure hope your leg heals up enough for you to run. This is one of the three races I want to do before I die.....so I know how special it might be to you. Good luck, run smart....YOU WILL HAVE MANY OTHER CHANCES...you are young and talented.
ReplyDeleteI'm still keeping my fingers crossed for you. Enjoy your time in Boston, try not to over think things, and HAVE FUN!
ReplyDeleteI have my fingers, toes and eyes crossed for you. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteJust now reading this, I'm so sorry! At least you realize that you can't risk doing long-term damage to your body. Take care, and I'm sending you best wishes that you finish! Oh, and how sweet was that comment from The Distraction?;)
ReplyDeleteI just read this post today! It broke my heart, I feel your pain. Take care of yourself, and BEST OF LUCK!
ReplyDeleteWe're all still hoping and praying for you.
ReplyDeleteAny progress? Any Update?
Hi. I found your blog via Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point and have been reading about your training and now your pain. I am sorry! I hope you're okay by Monday and if not, please know you are awesome anyway!
ReplyDeleteHi. I found your blog via Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point and have been reading about your training and now your pain. I am sorry! I hope you're okay by Monday and if not, please know you are awesome anyway!
ReplyDeleteHope it all magically gets better before the start!
ReplyDeleteI just read this post today! It broke my heart, I feel your pain. Take care of yourself, and BEST OF LUCK!
ReplyDeletegood luck and i truly hope you make it. Boston is on my list to do by 2012 (though I have yet to qualify). Don't be afraid to quit to avoid permanent injury. Remember you can qualify any time.
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
All your bloggie peeps will be willing you forward.
ReplyDeleteJust be safe!!
Live to run another day, that's the important thing.
E
You know all the confidence I have in you. Look at all the confidence all of your readers have in you!
ReplyDeleteRest, rest, rest.
And then run, run, RUN.
Run until your body says no more, but I bet that won't be until mile 26.21
Everyone here knows your strength, and we are all inspired by it. Trust in it. Trust that it will either bring you across that finish line or it will bring you the best DNF that anyone could possibly want.
Your time is meaningless to all of us because we know what you did to get there. Be it 3 hours flat or 6 and half, you'll always be our first place finisher. At least, you'll be mine.
You'll be in all of my thoughts, as I lie awake in the wee hours of the HI morning, waiting for every text message update.
I can't wait for that phone call when you say, "I can't believe I did it."
And, I say, "I told you so."
i'll be thinking of you and hoping for the best. good luck!
ReplyDelete