8.56

 

I started my training ‘for real’ yesterday morning.

Last Monday night I went to the running store and came home with a spiffy new pair of Asics.  They are stable enough to not upset my knees too much, but have enough cushioning so I don’t lose too much of the cushioning from my orthotics.  All week long my new shoes remained in their box due to long days at the office and shear exhaustion by the time I arrived home.  Yesterday, my shoes got to come out to play.

I have been walking about 3 miles a few times a week and while it has been a good workout, I’ve not come home feeling that I’ve pushed myself too terribly far.  After some searching on the internet I found a trail that winds along a small river for 11 miles, ending not too far from my house.  There are several places to start or stop along the way, but I wanted to see what I could do so I decided to start at one end and have X* pick me up at the other.  I had my new phone app, roadrunnerGPS, all set to go, so with my laces tied, my ipod on, off I went.

I didn’t pass anyone along the trail until just about 2 miles in, and I was surprised to be seeing anyone at all.  There was the standard head nod and then everyone continued on there way.  My ipod was going and keeping me moving and before I knew it, I was walking through some nice shaded areas and listening to the water run by.  I passed two shelter areas where there were a few people taking bikes off racks and getting set for a ride, but still wasn’t seeing much of anyone.

Around mile 3.5, I realized that my mind had wandered back to January.  I was thinking about all I fought through and how my walk was a similar journey.  In both cases I knew where I started, but had no idea what was around the next corner.  Both had small hills, bigger climbs, and a very few downward slopes that gave me a few minutes to inhale and prepare for what was coming next.  But in reality, there was no good preparation to be done for something completely new. 

I was doing great and feeling pretty good, no substantive knee pain and fatigue that remained more than bearable.  Then it was mile 5.5.  My right hip was aching, it felt like the joint was just angry and it started to throw off my knee on the same side (important to note here: I have had surgery on both knees and am lacking cartilage in both as well).  I paused my tracking app, which is a great feature so breaks don’t get calculated into tracking, and tried my best to stretch my hip, or put whatever was out of place back.  I kept walking and did this a few more times.  By this time, I was exhausted and had I thought it might be slightly more acceptable, I might have laid down in the grass to the side of the trail.  But I didn’t think that would make me a good trail patron, nor was I certain I would get up again, so I kept moving.

At mile 7.19 I saw a woman walking towards me.  I popped out one of my ear buds and asked her in my least-desperate-I’m-exhausted-but-I-hope-she-doesn’t-notice voice where the next parking lot/shelter was.  I was hopeful as she started to answer, but she said it was another mile and a half, and inside, I wanted to crumble.  But just like I did the whole time I was in the hospital, I kept moving forward and tried to keep the internal complaining to a minimum.

By 8.25 miles, my hip was burning, grinding, just all around hurting, but I thought I had to be getting close.  I saw a guy with a nice dog, so I figured he must be nice as well, and through sweat dripping, well, everywhere, I asked him where the parking lot might be.  he said it was about another quarter of a mile.  I gritted my teeth and went forward.  I was in pain and flat out exhausted at this point and just wanted to cry.

Then I saw it…the parking lot.  Never have I been so happy to see concrete and a few benches.  I called X, just like I did that day in February, and with a quiet, very tired voice, told him I was ready to come home.  We figured out where I was and then there he was, my Knight in Shining Mercedes.  I got into the car, or collapsed into the car, more appropriately, and shortly we were home.

I didn’t make it the whole 11 miles.  But I did make is 8.56 and at a pace of 17.4 min/mile, I was only 1.4 min/mile off the pace I need to be at in 12 months to do the Team Challenge half in Napa next July.  I’m not there yet, but I will be.  And I know that X will be there to pick me up when I need.  And I know that even when it is a hard as can be, just like the hospital, I’ll get through it and be stronger in the end.

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent.  Okay, so maybe they aren’t so innocent, but they do wish to remain anonymous so I’ll go with it.