Just got back from the Doctor...

I have been dealing with this pain issue/injury for over 6 weeks, finally decided to break down and see an orthopedic doctor. Not a day too soon. I cant stand the fact that i went from running 40+ miles per week to not running at all and having to sit in a whirlpool. Not sure which is worse the physical pain or the psychological stress.
After a series of x-rays, the good news is I don't have a stress fracture. Thank God. The bad news is I have a severe strain of the adductor muscle. While I was 'trying' to press on and force the running,I have strained my hamstring and calves. Lesson learned.
The Doctor said the best advice would be to take advil every 8 hours for the next 2 weeks and lay off the running for 6-8 weeks. Easier said than done. I told him I was running a marathon in 10 days. He shook his head and said "I wouldnt advise it, but if you do...load up on the advil and dont do anything for the next 10 days."
So...shutting it down and praying..... Also, alot of stretching, hot tub, and Bio Freeze(great stuff...got some from my massage therapist.....works wonders for sore muscles).

I feel good that I went this morning, a weight has been lifted that nothing serious is wrong. Just overtraining soreness/strain.

Also, I need to write an open apology letter to everyone for the way I have been acting the last few weeks. Especially my wife. Saint Elizabeth...I call her Saint for the amount of support she gives me for my running/training. Its not easy with 3 small kids at home. I don't tell her enough how wonderful she is.
Not running/training has turned me into a complete a-hole. Feeling sorry for myself..blah..blah..blah..
I got a wake up call this week. My sister's husband cancer is back and he went into Duke Hospital for chemo(melanoma). The treatment went well, but cancer is a scary thing. I am so so lucky and blessed.
Also, I got a nice email from my best friend when I was in elementary school. He lives in Tenn. and we keep in touch by email. I told him about my injury and the upcoming marathon. He said...

"There are those that say they are going to do something and then there are those that do. You are one of the few that do. You the man!!"

That made my day...

In short...I am blessed and very lucky....Injury or no Injury....

Ok...off to the whirlpool....

Georgia Marathon cont...Lesson Learned..

I wanted to give a plug to another blog....'The Negative Split'.

http://www.thenegativesplit.blogspot.com/

Nat gives a funny and dead on description of the Georgia Marathon. Awsome job. She touched on something that I experienced and learned the hard way. Never again...

That is putting the pace group time bib on your back. If you are flaming out big time, its a neon sign that says...'LOOK AT ME!!!! I AM A FAILURE or I BIT OFF MORE THAN I COULD CHEW....!!!"

I was wondering what people were saying as they passed me around the 4:20 mark and I had this 3:40 pace group pasted on my back....

Next time....I will forgo the billboard and keep my failure private.....

#9 - Georgia...Done...Barely...

Well....I waited a couple of days and reflect on my experience on Sunday to post something. If I could sum it up in one word it would be...'hills'. Good God!

I flew into Atlanta on Saturday and knew it was a bad omen when there were nasty thunderstorms rolling in. Like that city needs more damage after the tornado that ripped up downtown.

I managed to check into my hotel and walk over to the Georgia Dome to pick up my race # and chip. As far as expos go, it was 1st class. It was on the Georgia Dome field and everything was spread out. Got my Shirt, Chip and # . After I recieved those I was mentally preparing myself for tomorrow. That nagging feeling of..'can I do this with my legs' kept creeping back into my mind. Got an early dinner(Spaghetti ...eat it before every marathon..superstitious ) and got to bed early.

Sunday morning was cold and wet which I can handle, but wasnt too thrilled about the windy conditions. Got in my corral and ready to go. They started off the race in a 45 second staggered start. Which is fine with me, I did not have to fight the whole world the 1st 2 miles.

We were off and I felt the worst feeling a marathoner could have. Mile 1 and your legs hurt. I said to myself, you have 25.2 miles to go...great...

The next 5 or 6 miles were fine, keeping pace about 8:20, not overdoing it. Until mile 6, we hit a right turn and saw the hill that we were facing. I said outloud..'You have to be#&^$ kidding me' . This monstrous incline which lasted about a mile...

After that, I knew I was in trouble. I steadily started to slow and slow. About mile 11, I just had to walk. I couldnt believe it. Mile 11!!! Right then..I had a 'come to Jesus meeting' with myself and decided...Its going to be ugly, but you are going to finish, walk way and focus on a PR in Colorado in May. I made it to the half way point(13.1 mile mark) at a respectable 1:58. But the next 13.1 miles was a painful series of hills, hamstring pain, cramping. But that motto kept me moving ...'PR in Colorado.."

I have to admit, the scenry was great, especially the Decatur area. Also, you have to give credit to the volunteers and the locals cheering you on. Great job! Highlights... Anne Scott College, Emory Univ, Inman Park, Georgia Tech, Decatur neighborhoods.

But one thing I couldn't get over were the hills, they kept coming and coming. Mile 23 thru the end was pretty much ALL uphill. I shuffled my way to the finish line in 4:34:53. About 50 minutes slower than my previous marathon 5 weeks ago. But, after the lady placed the medal around my neck. I thought, it was my 2nd worst marathon, but one that I am most proud of . I went threw with something that most people would have backed out of. I think that makes me officially crazy.

I enjoyed the moment for a few minutes and told myself the saying that got me thru the day...'PR in Colorado'......Next Stop ....Colorado!!...4 1/2 weeks!!!