Met Marion in Spanish Fork for a little morning walk.
We did 5 miles walk jogging. It’s the first time I’ve seen one of
my ‘running’ friends in over a year. Then as I came home, I couldn’t help but
cross the path of the UVM runnings heading down University Ave coming out of the
canyon. So I got out of my car ran from my house down to the 22 mile
marker. The marathon was winding between
the 4th and 5th hour.
I did a lot of cheering to groups that looked like they were hurting
more than me (some yes, some no). My daughter was up the canyon with the
THS XC team, manning the station at Deer Creek (mile 9). So I started running that way. I ran up
and down the mile 21-24 corridor jogging with a few tail- enders who seemed
happy to have some support. By the time I was done, I'd jogged another 6 miles (on top of my morning). I am so happy to feel like I'm getting better (instead of always worse, as it's been these past 2 years). Utah Valley
Marathon was my last marathon one year ago today. It was the beginning of the end. This
time last year I literally thought I was dying. I may have to get tumors taken
out of me from time to time--but overall, I feel so much better than last year.
I am so much healthier overall. I have my blood sugar into the 60's
instead of 40's. I can make it through most days without passing out or collapsing
(which happened less and less frequently after I stopped running). I have
been exercising vigorously since March and doing what I can to both stretch and
strengthen my quads and hamstrings as the ortho doc has instructed me. I’ve continued
my 400 sit ups, 60 push ups , planking, squats routine. My hamstring will
always be 3 times fatter than it should be because of prologued tendonosis, my
hip will always hurt and I’ll always be unsure of my foot if it it’s a certain
angle. But I am outside, doing my
thing! One week down of jogging 3-5 and
then walking another 3-4. I’m glad I’ve
kept it up. The original achiness I felt last Saturday has subsided. For the first time in two years—I feel like I’m
getting stronger instead of going down hill.
That is a gift. I have been so
sick for so long, I’ve forgotten what it feels like to feel ‘stronger’ after exercising.
I don’t know if I’ll ever recover full range of motion on the left leg, not
sure if I’ll ever run another marathon, or run fast again. But I feel pretty
confident I can continue exercising by running 4-6 miles a day like normal
people.
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