Working toward any long-term goal (like, say, for instance, running a marathon) usually has its highs and lows. For my first marathon experience, the training was hard, but it was consistent and steady. There were no real peaks and valleys until the race itself, during which I could easily have believed that miles 22-25 were quite literally the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
This time, things have been different. I've trained harder than I did the first time because I have more aggressive goals. But other factors have contributed to making this a more painful experience. I've already written about some of this, but here's a quick review:
In mid-June, I developed a somewhat sore back, which I blamed for poor performances in a couple of races, including the Peachtree Road Race on July 4.
After that race, I decided to shut things down for a while. I did nothing for a week, then only crosstraining for another before hitting the road again.
For about a month (mid-July through mid-August), I felt ok - not great - as I added mileage.
By September, it was clear that my back had some major, major issues.
Since then, there have been many, many points at which I thought to myself, "Hey! I should blog about that!" The problem is, things were moving so quickly that by the time I got around to writing, the situation had completely changed. My series of peaks and valleys accelerated to resemble this:
So here is what the last month of my race preparation has looked like...
Saturday, September 3 Still hitting my paces in mid-week workouts, but no longer able to touch my toes, I took my new chiropractor's advice and cut my planned 20-miler down to 12, which I ran at about 8:30 per mile - pretty close to goal marathon pace. Baseline
Saturday, September 10 Finished a 20-miler by covering the last 3 in under 25 minutes. Small peak
Monday, September 12 Again on the advice of Dr. Glass, I went to see Dr. Ray Cody of Peachtree Spine Physicians, a non-surgical sports medicine practice. Dr. Cody made a diagnosis that probably shouldn't have been surprising, but was still jarring: degenerative disc disease. Valley
Saturday, September 17 Ran 16 with the Altanta Track Club's pace group leaders. According to plan, we only did a few fast miles in the middle. I led the group. In about 7:50 per mile. Peak
One Hour Later Despite feeling great at the end of my run, I could barely get out of my car unassisted when I got home. Spent much of the rest of the day on ice. Valley
Tuesday, September 20 The long-anticipated Yasso 800 workout. I hit my pace - 3:38 average time over 10 intervals, with the last one at 3:33. But every single step was excruciating. By far the most painful athletic experience of my life. Some peak, but mostly valley
Wednesday, September 21 Dr. Cody gives me a cortisone injection to quell the inflamation so I can get through the race (and maybe beyond). It's supposed to take 2-10 days to have an impact. Back to baseline.
Monday, September 26 After Saturday's 23-miler, the pain is as bad as it has ever been, including 11 years ago before surgery. The injection has clearly not worked - yet. I am starting to doubt. Deep, deep valley.
Tuesday, September 27 Something feels different, almost like someone hit my funny bone. But it's in my left leg. And I can touch my toes for the first time in more than a month. Rising from the valley...
Wednesday, September 28 I am something close to pain-free, which I can hardly believe. The drugs are working! And perhaps the Almighty. Or, at least, the Almighty working through the agency of the doctor and the drugs, which He created. But regardless, my back doesn't hurt! Of course, I notice that my left hamstring is somewhat jacked up (that's a technical term). Apparently the back had been masking that. But hey, that's nothing a little rest and ice can't fix. I can do this!
I don't know how this ride is going to end, but optimism is the order of the day. I am going to Chicago, and I hope that's where the highest peak is.
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