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June 18, 2008
Packing the Car
It's been a very very very very very very very long 11 days, but I am going to Duluth.
I got into the doctor last Thursday and I received amazingly good news and some so-so news, but nothing earth-shattering or career ending :) The good news is that this back injury is not related to my lumbar spinal problems, and that it responds really well to my home remedy (see previous post!).
The doctor diagnosed me with three specific ailments: acute lower back muscle strains/spams; SI Joint Dysfunction; and an out of alignment pelvis. The combination of these three things will result in a perpetual pain, but the pain is more annoying than alarming. I basically asked the doctor one question: if I race this marathon, is there any chance that it could result in permanent damage? He responded with a confident, immediate and firm "NO." That pretty much confirmed my decision that I am racing this monster.
Do I feel great? Heck no. But who feels good during a taper anyway? This back hurdle has been an unwelcome obstacle, but I refuse to write negative thoughts on the easel between my ears. I have done the work, the miles are banked. It's time to withdraw every ounce of strength that I have and approach the start upbeat, ready, and focused.
I guess I see this marathon in two ways. 1) As an opportunity to really try to negative split (I've already mastered the art of positive splitting!!!). I plan to roll it out so slowly the first 9 miles that all I really have to do is buckle down and race like hell for 16.2; I can figure out the full 26.2 this summer as I build toward Chicago. 2) I see this as a dress rehearsal for Chicago in the fall. This will be a learning experience . . . I'm learning a lot even as I write this!
I just need to focus, focus, focus. I cannot let the internal hum of my mind transform from a soft, rhythmic melody to a hard, out of sync jam. I'm disappointed that after months of 65-80 miles/week, I am 4-5 pounds heavier than I was last Fall. Maybe it's muscle, but it's not all muscle ;) I know that . . . as runners, we know our bodies pretty well. But, then, I need to replay the Palos half in my head. Those pounds certainly didn't slow me down . . . in fact, they sped me up 12 seconds/mile. So I need to quit letting every little annoying thought bring me down right now. That's what the taper can do and taking an 8 day running vacation hasn't exactly left me unshakably confident.
This taper has been like a freakin' mad demon that needs to be exorcised on Saturday!!!!
So I am packing up the car tomorrow and I am driving to Minnesota.
Posted by bridget at June 18, 2008 9:45 AM
Comments
Good luck Bridget!! I think you are going to surprise yourself...and I can't wait to hear all about it!! Have fun!
Posted by: Beth at June 18, 2008 10:33 AM
Yeah, Bridget! I am so excited for you!! I was worried it was bad news when we didn't hear a peep from you for days after your appointment.
Don't doubt yourself! You've worked so hard and come such a long way and you deserve to run a great time. I can't wait to track you and to hear all about the highlights and about all the incredibly valuable lessons you learned.
You've got a lot of fans in your corner cheering for you through our computers. Hopefully you'll hear us just when you need us.
Now get out there and have some fun!
Posted by: Salty at June 18, 2008 10:38 AM
Have a great race!
Posted by: Alejandro at June 18, 2008 11:22 AM
Have a great race!
Posted by: Alejandro at June 18, 2008 11:26 AM
whew, I am so glad to see this post! I'll be thinking about you this weekend. Have a great race.
Posted by: joe positive at June 19, 2008 12:11 AM
YOU GO GIRL!!! I am glad you are ok and ready to race. And you are right - the taper never feels good. You have a couple more days to recover. You are going to do awesome - definitely go for the negative split - I can't wait to hear about it!!!!! I will be tracking you on race day and cheering you on.
Run like you mean it, girl - you've trained, you deserve this!!
Posted by: mindi at June 19, 2008 7:56 AM
Way to go!!!
Posted by: at June 21, 2008 11:10 AM