Real David H.

Yes, there are other marathons.
I could drop out now and then wonder “what if.”

I could drop out now and rest.

I could run the marathon and then take months to heal … or be completely fine.

But first …

I’m testing out a foam roller I bought today.

I’m icing.

I’m doing new stretches.

I’m resting a least two more days, if not more, before I run again.

You see, nearly a year ago I made this commitment to the Richmond Marathon and for most of that year I’ve had the best running of my life. If I stop now, it sort of becomes “what’s the point.” I’m this close (-) to the marathon and to my goal of 1,000 miles for the year, so I’m not going to throw in the towel yet. Not this week anyway.

I know there’s a lot at stake here. Could I save myself from a long-term injury by not running? Maybe. Who really knows. I do have experience on my side — before this blog ever began I had the same exact knee problems in my right knee. Exactly the same. Two weeks before the Virginia 10-Miler, I had pain so bad that I had to stop and limp my way a mile to my car. Two weeks later, after icing, stretching and resting, I ran that race with very few issues. I took some time off afterward, but was running just fine a month later.

Maybe this time around is different; maybe I can’t get over it so quickly; maybe I’ll start the marathon and have the worst pain of my life.

But I have to try things over the next week and a half first. If I continue to have major issues, then yes, I’ll back out. And if that happens … well, let me worry about that later if that happens.

So go ahead and accuse me of putting a lot on the line for my second marathon. I might not have this opportunity again for a while, so this is just something I have to do.

Image: m_bartosch / FreeDigitalPhotos.net