...You Run Anyway!
Marathon #5: The St. Jude Memphis Marathon, December 2nd, 2017 Chip Time- 5:19:23
Finish Line Video Here (Yes, you can see the relief, exhaustion, and emotion on my face as I cross the finish line for marathon #5)
18 weeks of marathon training= DONE!
When running broke my heart, I ran anyway.
When I stood at my front door wondering why I am even bothering to train for this marathon, I ran anyway.
When the thought of a short training run around my neighborhood made me anxious and nervous, I ran anyway.
When I woke up to foot pain that made it difficult to even walk out the door, I ran anyway.
When group long runs become solo, quiet runs due to pace decrease and inconsistent mile times, I ran anyway.
When my right heel was burning and I just wanted to quit, I ran anyway.
When my feet and calves were aching and wouldn't stop aching, I ran anyway.
When my compression socks made the pain go away, but also made my feet numb, I ran anyway.
When I was told I needed to lose weight so "maybe my small feet wouldn't hurt as badly," I ran anyway.
When the thought of running with plantar fasciitis made me angry, sad, frustrated, or all of the three, I ran anyway.
When I would cry tears of sadness and frustration because I wondered when would a run ever be fun or pain free again, I ran anyway.<3 nbsp="" span="">
I literally just deleted every thing that I had written for this blog. To be quite honest, I have been putting off writing this blog because for one, the month of December is always a busy month with a full work schedule and holiday schedule, and secondly, when I did have free time, I didn't even know where to start on it, what to title it, or what to focus on, so I dreaded typing it.
For the ones that have been reading my running blogs for the past few years know that I will type the good, the bad, and the ugly about all of my race trainings, and I honestly felt that this blog entry would have too much bad and ugly to the point that people wouldn't bother reading it. No one likes complainers or a sob story. I'm sure most of you are tired of me saying "plantar fasciitis sucks", but it does suck, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
Today I finally had the motivation to start it, thanks to a dear friend (and past running buddy, she lives in Nashville now) gave me a Christmas present at church. I'm sure she thought nothing of the picture frame that she gave me, but it had the phrase "Run, Smile, Repeat." When I looked at the picture frame, it reminded me that there were so many "smile" moments in this running journey of mine since 2012, hence why I continue to "repeat" and continue my running journey, even through difficult trainings like for the St Jude Memphis Marathon, Marathon #5.
Total Fundraising Efforts: $2,520 to St Jude Children's Research Hospital. THANK YOU!
Running is, and always will be, my favorite sport. Running is tough. Running is challenging. I love how running always teaches me something new, and training for marathon #5 was no different. I learned that I was even physically stronger than I imagined, and I also gained mental strength during this time that I never thought I had. Was there a time where my foot pain, my frustration, my anxiousness, my loneliness, and my sadness won the day? Absolutely, but each time taught me how to become even tougher the next day and not listen to the thoughts that told me to quit.
As I mentioned above, running is tough. If it wasn't tough, everyone would do it, but they don't. Running has given me WAY more reasons to smile since I started running in 2012. Yes, running broke my heart the last few months, but I will not quit. I started physical therapy at Nesin on top of what I am already doing at home and I have new prescription orthotic inserts for work where I stand and walk all day. I will continue my yoga practice along with my regular pilates classes to give me strength. I also will enjoy my spin classes to keep my cardio in check. I will not stop. I will not quit. I am determined to kick plantar fasciitis's BUTT and to enjoy running again in 2018! I have goals for running in 2018. One of my biggest goals that I want to accomplish is a new 5k PR (my current PR is a 25:45) and I want to be ready by April to run in the Oak Barrel Half Marathon, PAIN FREE . That seems impossible now, but hey, if your goals don't scare you a little, it's not really a goal is it?
ST Jude Memphis Marathon Review
The race itself was FANTASTIC! I highly recommend the full marathon
or the half marathon. The volunteers are amazing, the course was interesting
and always changing, the aid stations were GREAT, and the best part was running
through St Jude Children's Research Hospital.
YOU CAN BE A RUNNER!
The main things it takes is a great pair of running shoes and a good training plan: don't do too much too quickly! As always, PLEASE message me if you have any questions. Here are a few links to help. As I mentioned in previous blogs, I HIGHLY recommend getting fitted for shoes at a local running store; everyone's running and walking gate are different and what shoes you own can really effect your running performance!
Until next time...go for a run, it might change your life!
-Holly :)
