If I was this anxious about running 20 miles, I imagine I am going to be down-right nervous about running 26.2! I know I’ve done it once before, but that was 3 years ago! And after feeling like I had been beaten up after running 18, I was worried about that, too. Maybe it was the very pleasant weather and sunshine that helped me this week. I felt pretty good, even though I got a little sunburned, and felt fine afterward, too. Committed to stretching and icing definitely helped. Thanks to all those who helped me realize how important they both are!
So Saturday’s run was about 4 hours. A long time to be with just myself. But I wasn’t alone; I had Push to Walk family members I was thinking about. First up was Charlie. Here’s a guy who tells it like it is. He doesn’t sugar coat anything and will be quick to tell you how much spinal cord injuries suck. Really suck. For a C7 injury, he has regained a lot of function in his arms and hands. In fact, the way he gets around in his chair makes you think he’s a para. And that’s at Push to Walk. I can only imagine what he’s like at the body shop he owns. He says he goes up and over things, through things, and only sometimes around things. I envision an obstacle course that includes steps to either navigate or get carried up/down. The wear and tear on his chair tells you this is not a sendentary person! Charlie keeps active and works long hours. Somehow he manages the almost 2 hour trip each way from the Princeton area for his weekly workout at Push to Walk. The long drive is tough, no doubt about it. But Charlie feels it is well worth it.
He enjoys spending time with his 2 kids and his girlfriend, Michelle. He is dedicated to not only getting stronger and more independent, but to figuring out how to do the same things he used to do before his motorcycle accident. Not much stops this guy, and I give him lots of credit for that.
As I’m running and at times struggling with the idea of “going the distance,” I think of Charlie and his downright stubbornness to not give in to things. Darn it, he’s gonna figure out a way! Well, darn it, so am I! And I keep on running!
Somewhere around the halfway point, I realize that I’m not thinking of anyone in particular, so I try to focus on someone, something. My mind is all over the place, thinking of things for a brief moment, then the thought is gone. I play games with myself: how much more time; how many more miles; do I have enough water; if I eat an extra gel pack now will I have one at the end when I really, really need it? Then I tell myself to focus again.
I start thinking about what takes 2 hours – the rest of my run. Of course – a workout at Push to Walk! I think about the clients and a “typical” workout. Knowing how much energy it takes them to complete a workout and how tired they usually are afterward, I have a renewed motivation. I break the remainder of my run into 15 minute blocks. First, that’s how often I drink water. Then I think about the different equipment that is used during a workout and the parts of the body that are being worked on. If our clients can do a particular exercise or set of exercises for a 15 minute time period, then I can run for that long. Then it’s onto the next piece of equipment, the next 15 minutes, and a sip of water. One foot in front of the other. I can’t say the next 2 hours “breezed” on by, but I did get thru them, and I felt pretty darn good afterward! Whew!
Am I ready for the full 26.2? I think I am! I hope so!!! I look forward to the next three weeks of “easier” running and preparing my mind to go the distance. If you have any thoughts to share on getting me thru this, I’d love to hear them!
Cynthia
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