I've been here before...

First of all, thank you to all of you who've stopped by my blog or sent me emails recently to check on me! I'm still around, despite having neglected my blog! Thank you as well for all the amazing comments on the slideshow I posted in my previous post... I cried more than a few times reading them all :)

It's an all too familiar place. Life has had a way of challenging me on many levels, over and over again. I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for the discovery and growing I've done, so for that I'm thankful.  


As I approach the 10th anniversary of my brain surgery, (and 6 years since I quit smoking), I had really high hopes that this year would be epic. I'd face the marathon again, tackle my first 70.3, and I'd live happily ever after. What? This is my story, I can end it however I want to, no?


Well, everything was great. My long runs were getting long again, the ice and snow were finally starting to melt, my eyelashes were freezing together less often. I got home from an 18 mile run a few weeks ago, happy. It felt like a good run, confidence was increasing. An ice bath, just because. 2 days rest, then out for an 8k, immediately I felt that something was wrong. Calves felt awkward, tight, things hurt... and by the time I got home, I could barely walk. 


The next morning, things were worse. The pain, a grim reminder of my stress fractures, but this time,my right leg. Hobble into the sports clinic the following day, she felt confident that it was muscular, and not a stress fracture, and that I could hopefully try a run in a few days, as long as there's no pain walking.


Today, 3 weeks later, there's still pain... walking. It's a lot better than it was, but of course, I've had to rethink my plans. Having missed too many long runs, I've come to grips with the marathon winning, again. Thankfully, I've learned to set myself up well for disappointment in life. It's a crappy way to think and live... but if the disappointment happens, at least I was prepared for it and it wasn't a surprise, if it doesn't, consider it a bonus.


I'll do the half in Ottawa rather than the full, and fingers are crossed that the 70.3 will be my last big hurrah, here.  Then, I'll working on the 'happily ever after' with a one way ticket for two, to Atlanta!


Have I succeeded in not turning this into a pity-party post? :P  One last note, to all the racers headed to Boston, enjoy your moment, and reward!!