Half Marathon Diary: Week Three - Ellipticals — at home and at the YMCA — "Ellipticals are my new best friends"

Ellipticals — at home and at the YMCA  —  are my new best friends.  Please read on.

It’s been an up and down week.  My “ups” included tackling the Cracker Barrel hills (up and over the hill the curvy way, otherwise known as old route 14, and then up and over the hill via the four lane).  Daughter MB and I made three of these loops.  I was happily surprised that it wasn’t as hard as I thought, even though I ignored a consistent pain in my thigh.

Another “up” was setting a new PR at the Erickson 5K race, despite the thigh pain.  Would you believe that my time of 43:31 won my age group?!  Small age group that day!

A third “up” for me was a friend noticing that I had lost a few pounds.  Lastly, I’m finally starting to fit into some of the 2X race shirts that I have been getting at some of the 5Ks.

Now for the “downs.” 

Last Monday, the half marathon training course began at McDonough Park.  It was extremely hot and humid but five water stops along the course provided everyone the chance to stay hydrated.  We were to do eight miles — eight hilly miles.

Even the first loop around the path at the park was a struggle for me.  We crossed Rosemar Road into Jackson Park, where we took the path over the hill.  We continued to Grand Central where walking should have been a breeze because it was flat but each step added to my thigh pain.

At the Briscoe Run Church water stop, I was almost last.  The gentleman there offered to take me back to McDonough but I went on.  Soon, I was the very last person, with the closest people to me now completely out of sight. 

That’s one advantage of being completely alone —you can break down in private. I felt hopeless.  I had been doing so well, but there I was, dead last, slow, and hurting.  With two back surgeries in my past, I feared that my leg/hip pain was related to more disc troubles.  Dark sunglasses hide tears well.

At the third water stop, Donna Kramer graciously drove me back to McDonough.  I had walked 5.2 miles but the pain was too great to continue.  I was afraid of doing even more damage to whatever was wrong. 

My family and friends supported my decision to quit.  Still, I have struggled with feelings of failure.  Happily, Dr. Heather McCarter believes that my injury is a sprain.  Electric muscle stimulation, ice, and certain stretches seem to be helping.

Another happy discovery is that ellipticals are allowing me to exercise without the pain that walking now gives me.  I’m slowly walking a little further but most of my exercise is on the elliptical.

As for the McDonough loop — well, it may have beaten me Monday evening but after my injury heals, I’ll tackle it again. . . and this time, I WILL CONQUER IT.