Last weekend during my half marathon I rolled my ankle during the first mile and continued to pound on it for 12.1 more miles. It was sore for the rest of the day, but I didn't think anything of it. For the next week my left leg and foot ached no matter what I was doing. I have had sore legs from running long distances before so I didn't think anything of it, but eased off from running for the week just in case and stuck to yoga and swimming instead.
When it was still sore a full week later, I decided to "test" it out and run just a mile while visiting my mom and dad this weekend. Just a 1/4 mile into the run I knew I had made a mistake. It was throbbing! I sat on their couch with my leg wrapped in ice and tears running down my face. I was frustrated and scared. My marathon is less than 2 weeks away, and I couldn't even run a quarter of a mile! I woke up early the next morning and made an appointment at the docs.
My worst fear was that I had a stress fracture. I had heard all the horror stories of stress fractures and how you can't do any type of running for 8 weeks until it heals or your fracture risks breaking completely, and then you're stuck in a cast. Not only was I scarred of missing out of my goal of finishing a marathon, but I was even more afraid of losing my momentum and sliding back to a sedentary lifestyle.
Well, the doctor put my mind at ease, and after a full evaluation and x-rays he deduced that I have a sprained ankle.
So what does this mean in regards to my marathon? He advised against me running my marathon in less than 2 weeks. While he thinks that I could physically do it, it's a huge risk with my ankle being in a weakened state.
I don't view this marathon as the "end-all-be-all" for my health. I view it as another milestone on my journey, so risking a more serious injury for one race doesn't make sense. The doctor and I discussed my options and we both agree that taking a 2 week hiatus from running to let my ankle heal and then start training again made sense for my goals.
I talked to Team in Training and I'm able to roll all my funds raised into the next season and continue training with them. This was the best news ever! During this season I have been doing all my training without my team since I worked Saturdays and only had one run to train with them (which didn't turn out so well - read about it here). So this time around (since I don't work every Saturday anymore... woo hoo!!) I will have the opportunity to train with my team and know everyone! I will be running the Nike Woman's Marathon in San Fransisco in October with my team.
God certainly knows what's best, and I'm trusting that this injury is what I need to re-evaluate and affirm my goals. The support from my family and friends during all this has blown me away. Thank you to everyone who has helped me along my journey! Together we have raised $2900 for cancer research! Think of the lives we have saved and made better! Thank you for your generosity and giving of your time and talents along the way. I truly appreciate it.
My 2 favorite Bible versus were shown to me in BIG ways this past week:
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
~Jeremiah 29:11
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
~James 1: 2-3
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