In April at the Boston Marathon, mile 18 to be exact, I thought my marathon running days may be over since I dropped out with back pain. During the following two weeks, I found I had a herniated disc and then experienced tremendous pain and discomfort. Now, as a marathoner, pain just goes with the territory. However, that pain (sciatica) is an entirely different animal--you would prefer to have someone shoot you dead as opposed to live another minute. Now, as for kicking you while you are down, a few doctors told me that my running was over, however, they looked as if the only running they did in their life was to the fridge.
In May, the 23rd to be exact, I had micro-discectomy surgery which I was told by my (miracle) doctor would give me immediate relief. It did and just one week later I was walking with the Reston Runners. My doctor, who performed the surgery, never once said my running days were over and always told me that I would be back to normal. That was an understatement!!! I highly recommend Commonwealth Orthopedics in Franklin Farm.
While I was extremely down mentally, in extreme pain, crying the blues and thinking that I may never be able to run again, I received an e-mail from a running friend, Todd Katz. He explained his own surgery years ago when he played hockey and told me flat out "you will run again and I will work with you to see that it happens." So immediately after surgery while in the recovery area, Todd was there and gave me a present, a "water jogging belt." Well needless to say he had me at the Reston Association pool three to four times a week at lunch and not for leisurely water jogging, but brutal intervals. I cannot tell you how beneficial and necessary that was to my recovery. I really owe a big thank you and appreciation to Todd!
Throughout my recovery, I was able to see the other side of Reston Runners, the walkers and I will tell you, if you even think that is an easy workout, you are wrong. The walkers move at quite a pace and at the end you know and feel that it was a workout.
On, June 30, 2003, Richard Rostant met me at the Reston YMCA for my running return. The doctor released me that afternoon to go back to running, so Richard and I ran one (1) full mile in a little over 10 minutes. That was an awesome mile! Since that day, I continued to increase my mileage but my speed and endurance was a little to be desired. To clarify my point, on one Thursday night run from South Lakes High School, I found myself the last person and as a matter of fact, as I was running, Agustin Garay passed me while pushing his children through the woods in a jogger. I thought, what in the world happened to me? Well, needless to say, with focus and dedication, my speed increased and endurance improved. And that brings me to this years Chicago Marathon 03!
Since leaving Reston for Denver, Colorado in August, I have been running the altitude and mostly alone. I signed up for Chicago in June but realized that I may not be ready and cancelled my accommodations. My longest run was only 15 miles. Then two weeks prior to the marathon I was in Chicago for business and was at a local pub to watch the Monday Night Football game between the Bears and Packers. I had about two beers in me and as I was watching the game, they kept playing Chicago Marathon commercials. I finally said, this is ridiculous, I am signed up and could probably run it in 4 ½ hours and it will be a boost for me mentally. So as soon as I returned to Denver, I sent an e-mail to Richard and Donna Rostant and asked if anyone in Reston Runners was not going to Chicago, I would take their room. I received an immediate reply that I was to stay with them in their room and they would not take no for an answer. So that is what I did and I am very thankful to Richard and Donna for their kindness.
We had a wonderful time before the race and I hung out with Richard, Donna, Beth Thomas, Ann Marie and Tim Smith, Agustin Garay and family and others. I overspent as always at the expo and though I purchased the Chicago Marathon jacket, I decided to keep it in the bag until the race was over. I wore the Boston jacket a few months before the race and Theresa Milenski said I would be cursed. Well, that I was! Now if she would only tell me I was going to win Powerball. The night before, we had a spectacular carbo load dinner at a local Italian restaurant by the Sears Tower. The previous two years I ran this race the weather was cool but this year the entire weekend was warm and no jacket required.
The day of the marathon was beautiful and as expected a touch bit warm. As expected there were 40,000 plus running this thing so needless to say it was crowded. When I got to the starting line, I was excited and very appreciative that I made it to this point. I had no expectations going into the race and figured I would be lucky to do a 4:30:00 since I did not really train for a marathon, so I felt no pressure. The race started and, as with most massive marathons, the adrenalin, excitement and emotions hit and we were off!
Chicago is a great marathon because a good portion is shaded from the sun by city buildings and trees and the course is mostly flat. The marathon is also very organized! Of course, the crowds are fantastic and as a marathoner, I appreciate the crowds.
I'm not sure if it was the adrenalin, running in altitude in Denver or just the overwhelming appreciation that I was again running a marathon that pushed me through this marathon. I wore a four hour marathon pace wristband and as each mile ticked off; I was beating the time more and more. Don't ask me to explain but I felt great and never during the marathon did I feel pain or worn out. Actually, I felt faster as I passed each mile marker. Each time I looked at the pace band and my watch, I was amazed and just shook my head.
The prior year, during the last mile, I was emotional because I knew that for the first time in my life I qualified for Boston. In April, in Boston, I only made it to mile 18 and that was my low point in all of my marathons. The last mile of this year's Chicago Marathon was even more emotional than last year because just a few short months prior I really thought it was over. The body and mind are remarkable and the support and faith of fellow runners--well no words can explain.
As I went up the final hill (new bridge hill since they changed the course), passed mile 26 and turned left, I saw the finish line. The crowd was lined up as far as you could see and the roar was breathtaking. I pushed and pushed harder to the finish line and crossed it in 3:46:43. Oh what a feeling. Sure it was 18 minutes slower than the previous year but to me, I felt like a world class runner, far exceeding my expectations and realizing that my dream of running each state was a reality once again!!!!! We all met up at the reunion area and each of us had a smile on our face for a super fun day and a heck of an accomplishment! I'm proud of all the Reston Runners who ran Chicago and I'm thankful to everyone that gave me support during my injury!
Today, I am running 55-60 miles per week in Denver. I just ran a 4 mile turkey trot in 29:12 and will run the Charlotte, NC marathon in January! My goal is 5 marathons in the first half of 2004 and all different states!
No matter what, nothing is impossible!