Life is all about backup

Four months ago when I walked into the Running Room and was greeted by warm faces that I hadn’t seen in awhile, I walked in there with a plan. We all stood around talking about our hopes for the marathon, where we thought we could finish, where we wanted to finish, etc. And normally when I go into these clinics, I have high hopes (go big or go home, right ;)) but this time, when it came my turn to share, I flat out said, I wasn’t looking for a time, I just wanted to finish. And I was okay with that, it was my first marathon, I’d just come off a disaster of a half marathon training where I was taken out of the game just two weeks shy of the race, and that was not my intention for this race.

But, as the weeks and months progressed and the kilometres built up and my legs got stronger and stronger, my goals changed. I started to aim for a time. I figured I could finish within 4 hours and 15 minutes. And then, as more weeks passed and more kilometres logged, my goals again changed. Soon, I was thinking I could finish in a not-too-shabby (for me at least) 4 hour time.

Ahh, but life has a way of throwing curve balls at you when you least expect them. Although, maybe I should have expected it. I did, after all, break the cardinal rule for not jinxing yourself: I told someone my goal. Actually, to be truthful, I told a whole room full of people, and come to think of it, I’m pretty sure I probably told you guys too. And look at me now, nursing a jinxed knee.

However, I could also be nursing a damaged ego and a disappointed heart, but there wouldn’t be much fun in that now would there? And besides, I can really only handle nursing one achy thing at a time; not much of a multi-tasker I am. So instead of sulking, I’ve embraced Mario’s token phrase: Life is all about backup.

And it just so happens my backup really isn’t so bad; it’s my original goal to begin with. I will finish this race. I will not let this knee get in my way. And by golly, I’m gonna finish it with a damn smile on my face. And I’m more than okay with that!

YESTERDAY’S RUN:

  • 6:15 p.m. BG before: 13.3
  • Temp basal: -50 per cent
  • Distance: 2:58
  • Average pace: 6:49 min/km
  • Average heart rate: 159 bpm
  • Time: 17:33
  • 7 p.m. BG after: 10.1

So I was supposed to run 10 km yesterday, but my running girls and I decided on 5 km instead. My knee, for the most part, was feeling fine beforehand, but I was paranoid that it would flare up again, so I was determined to go at her slow. And when I started running, my legs kind of felt like they needed to get some cobwebs out as they hadn’t hit the pavement since Sunday, so I thought, okay, this is alright. But at about 1.3 km I felt like something was off, it wasn’t a pain, it was more a light pressure in the exact area where the ache was on Sunday, and for about 30 seconds I tried to put it aside, but it didn’t take long for me to decide a 5 km taper run wasn’t worth a 42.2 km marathon race. I told my girls I had to cut it short, I was turning back.

And again, my mind could have gone dark in that very moment, but thanks to my dear, dear, dear Lori, who ran back with me and didn’t give me any sort of sad, I feel sorry for you, puppy dog eyes, but rather flat out stated, ‘You’re going to be great!’ there was no way I could plummet into negativity. It was exactly what I needed, and it allowed me to instead focus on the beautiful fall evening all around me. The sky was this deep brilliant navy blue with burning pinks and oranges far off and not a cloud to be seen. Love this time of year!

So my plan for the next 8 days is pretty much rest. I highly doubt I will be adding any more kilometres to my training, which means I’ll be skipping Saturday’s 16 km at race pace, but seeing as how I’m just racing to finish, I’m thinking I’ll be alright. I’ve been icing, and compressing, and elevating, and advilling, and thinking really great thoughts. I’m going to finish this race. I’m going to finish it with a smile. I’m going to finish it with great amounts of excitement and pride. And I’m going to love every damn minute of it. That is what I am going to do 😀

Ice ? Elevation ? Compression ? Cat burglary ?

4 thoughts on “Life is all about backup”

  1. Katie – congratulations on keeping the thoughts positive and not letting it get you down. You are going to rock this marathon and you will finish it upright and smiling. I am so proud of you and all the work you have put into your training. You are doing exactly the right thing right now with taking care of you with R.E.S.T. and positive thoughts. It has been a pleasure to share your journey with you. I am looking forward to reading about the successful completion of your marathon.

  2. So, I gotta say what we dirty old hippies were won’t to say in those dirty old hippy days of yore, “Hey, man, you really got your shit together.”
    And you wear confidence well, ya know?
    I mean, it looks good on you 🙂
    I “envision” you running YOUR marathon, taking command and running YOUR race at YOUR speed with YOUR calm strength all gathered up and measured out for YOUR kind of finish at the finish line.
    No guff 🙂

  3. Wait a go Katie!!! You know you can do the mileage, so it’s great that you are just taking care of that knee and resting up. You can do it and you WILL do it. Like you said – time is not of the matter, finishing is. And finish you WILL. I just wish you were runnig where we could all be there for you throughout your race. However, you KNOW we will all be posted at each kilometer, each water station and at then end, IN SPIRIT. You will have to imagine us there with you EVERY step forward. Love ya! It’s coming soon and you ARE ready!

  4. Well we’ve gotten you there. 🙂 You are more than ready to run a marathon. You will finish. You will have that beautiful smile on your face. I only wish I could be there to see it.
    Mario, make sure you take loads and loads of pictures of our Katie. At least I can share it through the eyes of your camera. And give her one hug from me at the finish line!!

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