Why I Almost Quit on Day 40.

I have been putting on a brave face, Hit&Runners.

I am injured.  And it's really not that bad, believe me.  I am so happy that I have my health and that these minor injuries that are plaguing me are just that:  minor.  But I am so, so discouraged.  Sara the Pink Turtle once said out of frustration at a disappointing work-out something like, "My heart is so much faster and goes so much further!"  I know that too well.

I want to be very honest with you:  This all comes back to the marathon I ran in October.  I had ZERO business running that race.  I was not prepared.  I failed to respect the distance, and I've read about every single thing Coach Jenny and lots of others have written about marathoning and that is rule number two, right after never try anything new on race day (and I wore a new sports bra, too, and let me just say:  OUCH).

I started my training strong, but in essence, 2010 was a bad year for me to marathon.  I had a lot going on, new city, new job, another new job, travel, moving into a new place...I don't know what I was thinking.  I still may have been able to get the last distances in adequately, but I let myself curl into a ball and cry over my broken heart when I should have been out running.  Or maybe crying was okay, but I should've given myself a break and dropped to the half, medal or not.  Even on the day of the race, I knew:  This is a bad idea.  My ego had other plans, though.

What's done is done.  I have learned a very valuable lesson, because I have been injured in one way or another ever since.  Every joint and muscle on my right side from my shoulder down to my toes has had problems in the months since.  Now, just for fun, my left knee is joining in out of compensation.

Today was Day 40.  I worked at the store last night on my feet and am committed to going in tomorrow night again.  I am tired, sad, frustrated and just plain worn out.  At 9:30 tonight, I was about to curl into that ball again and I thought, you know what...30 minutes of pilates mat isn't that bad, it won't hurt any of my aching anythings and will probably make them feel better.  So, with very dramatic tears running down my face, I moved the coffee table, turned on the DVD player and made it to Day 40.

I couldn't have done it without you.  Thanks.

Go Go Go!
Coach Andi