Phoenix Marathon

Ever heard of it? No? Oh, maybe because this is the first year. It is brand new. A marathon/half marathon on a Saturday instead of Sunday in Arizona!! Yes, I know there are others that are smaller, but this is right here in my desert and ends in my neck of the woods. Yes right here in Mesa!! Not a runner? Don't get it? That's okay, this post might be more for me.
I am done rambling. Here is the story. I ran a race last February as in 2011, Ethan's Run in Las Sendas for Children with heart defects. If it doesn't ring a bell, Ethan died of HLHS which is the same heart condition that my little nephew Jake died of. Ethan was born a few days after Jake passed away and lived 6 months. I ran this race and must say it was hard for me. Thomas was 7 months old and 5 kids was very overwhelming but it always feels good to go run on a Saturday morning. Needles to say, I pulled my hamstring and damaged my right knee. I was off it for a long time and in November ran the 5k 85201 turkey trot. Not a really big deal but for me it was a big deal and most importantly I was not afraid anymore. From there I decided to see how my knee was doing and if I could maybe run again. This time, not recovering from a baby my body responded well and training was great. I decided to talk my friend into registering for this half marathon with me. We have been doing everything right. Running only 3 days a week then doing the elliptical and strength training the other days. We have gotten faster and right on track to be under 2 hours. We were set. Until Monday that is... We started out on our usual morning run but within a few steps I knew something was wrong. I was having a catch in the back of my other knee. Surely this is a fluke and will be gone by tomorrow. Tomorrow came and I did the elliptical again. No problem. This morning out for our run and sure enough, it was not happening. I lost all hope and was in a bad place. I have worked so hard for this race and REALLY wanted to do it. I know it sounds crazy to many people, but there it goes. I went to a DR. tonight and didn't have an MRI which is what i need but he thinks that I tore my meniscus and basically am screwed. There are so many things I can do and was encouraged to do. He even said that if I could run through the pain to run the half marathon, then he said "IF". Yes, there is no if in it. I think I am tough, but not that tough.
I keep thinking that these are the moments that test your character. Who am I going to be or how am I going to react. Unfortunately right now it is not good. I am in a low place. I know I will get out of it too. For the next few days though it is just going to be hard. All day I keep trying to find things to be grateful for or tried to see the good in things and I am so grateful for so many things. I laugh at myself because I have thought, "This is not the lesson that I want to learn. I wanted to learn the hard work paying off lesson." Isn't that how it works?? I am going to get an MRI and really see what is going on. Yes, the DR. might be wrong, but regardless I will not be running on Saturday even though every part of me wants to find someone to give me a cortisone shot and just do it. Others have said, just walk it. No, we were on track to beat our times and I couldn't not do that now. My friend will run it and I will claim her time. (No Pressure). I do have to thank another friend who told me my hair looked beautiful tonight. Really I am not fishing for compliments or anything, but I needed a compliment and from someone who didn't know I needed it if that makes any sense. People, I think I just needed to say, this is HARD, but I know I will be fine. The song Jamie Williams sang on Saturday at our women's conference "Here is Hope" keeps running through my head and I am grateful for that.
I almost forgot the best part of the day. Today is Leap Year so we started a new tradition(I should be able to pull it off). Last night we took the kids to FRY'S and gave them each 5$ to buy whatever they wanted for dinner. Tonight for dinner we had Ramen cups (Michael of course), Pink strawberry popsicles and nachos( Grace) Shrimp(me and SAvanna) cabbage salad (JOn) and Takis, and garden salsa sun chips. We put it all out there and ate it. Grace loved that she could have a popsicle for dinner. All day today she kept asking when she could have dinner. It was a fun thing for everyone and simple. I needed that. I think the kids all enjoyed it too.