Sunday, October 19, 2008

If ever running were therapy...

.....today was the day. I so badly needed a run this morning ~ both physically and mentally ~ that not even a stressful weekend and 5 hours of sleep could keep me from my long run. It was a NECESSITY.

Without talking about it much (because it's just too draining) my oldest son had some sort of relapse of his Perthes Disease on Friday night. Just stood up from the couch and couldn't walk. I don't even have to explain how much that breaks a parent's heart to see your child in pain. Combine that with Hubs being out of town, and it speaks for itself that I was a ball of nerves this weekend. He still can't walk on his own and has extensive pain in his left hip. Tomorrow we head to his orthopedic specialist and will determine if this is just a routine flare up, or a more long term problem. Please keep all your fingers and toes crossed for the former.

So the running plan for this morning was 8 miles ~ 4 by myself and then to meet Lisa for the second half of the run. I'm sure Lisa's blog will have a glimpse of some of the goofy pictures we took this morning (some of which we sent to Eileen as she was running her first half mary in San Fran this morning!! WOOT!), but I'm just too lazy to upload them here ;)

My first 4 miles were good, slow and consistent. Then I joined up with Lisa and she kept me truckin'. We did do a lot of walking ~ half out of physical necessity, the other half just because we had a lot to talk about and our speedy pace didn't allow for both breathing and conversation. We hit about 3.5 miles together and then parted ways. I was happy to report a big fat 11:25 split on my mile home (awesome for me on a long run), finishing up at 8.4 total miles. SUCCESS.

Later in the afternoon I was pondering some of my upcoming race goals (based on some conversation Lisa and I had this morning) and I was reminded of something that I often allow myself to forget. Two years ago about this time I became a runner. I picked a goal out of thin air and decided that I wanted to run a 10K race by the time I turned 40 years old (and I was 34 at the time). My friend Micheline jumped on my ambition and helped me form a love for the sport that simultaneusly both frustrates and inspires me on a daily basis.

So today, as I celebrated my 36th birthday I relished in the reality of not only meeting, but exceeding the goals I had pulled out of my wildest imagination. I am only 36 today, and have completed not only a 10K, but three half marathons. I'm not a great runner, and the finishes weren't necessarily pretty ~ but I've accomplished more than I could have ever imagined back then. My 10K by 40 has now turned into a marathon.....and those who know me know well that it just might take me the next 4 years to train for it! ;) The lesson of all my years of wisdom: don't ever underestimate what you are capable of. And dream BIG! And then dream BIGGER!! ;)

Happy Running!!

PS: Congrats to Eileen for finishing her first HM at the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco today! I heard from Eileen via text message, so I don't have all the details...but am anxiously awaiting a race report!!

30 comments:

Southbaygirl said...

First of all Happy Birthday!!! I'm glad you were able to get a good run in-running is therapy! And I'm thrilled you are able to get out there and run to clear your head and think!!! I'm so sorry your son is in pain! I have a 17 year old and I can't imagine!!! My thoughts are with you!!

Penny

E said...

First of all, I hope your son is doing better soon and that it turns out to be a better diagnosis. You guys are in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you for the shout outs!

I can't believe you didn't tell me it was your bday!

J~Mom said...

OH YOU ARE SO BUSTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You went running with me and didn't tell me that it was your BIRTHDAY?!?!!

OH NO YOU DIDN'T!!!!!!!!!!

I hope big D is feeling better.

AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! YOU are in sooo much trouble mama!!

J~Mom said...

SO busted.

J~Mom said...

SOOO BUSTED.

teacherwoman said...

Happy birthday chica!

Sorry to hear that your son is in pain. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

Look at you and your goals. You went from wanting to do a 10K by the time you were 40 and now you are looking at a marathon! Wahoo!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

Happy belated Birthday!! So sorry to hear about your son... i hope he's doing better, and good luck at the doctor... keeping my fingers and toes crossed.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Pokey!

You will certainly do a marathon in the next 4 years! You could probably be ready by next year if you wanted to be ;-)

Fingers crossed for your son.

Marcy said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! (and did Lisa tell you already? . . .YOU ARE SO BUSTED!! :P)

I'm so sorry to hear about the son. I can only imagine how it must be for you guys (((HUGS)))

Wes said...

Happy Birthday!! I had never heard of Perthes. Major suckage when it involves a child. I used to get so traumatized by my oldest son's frequent trips to the hospital for pneumonia. Geez! Best wishes and prayers y'alls way!!

Nice run, chica! and yea, keep dreaming big. Ain't nothing holding you back but you :-)

Pat said...

I never heard of that disease. I'll be thinking about your son and sending good vibes.

Happy Birthday!

You should pick a marathon out and let us all know. Maybe we can do something special for it.

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear what your son is going through. Hopefully the doctor has some answers for you and he is feeling better soon.

Those are inspirational words. Congratulations on exceeding your goals!

Jeff said...

Well, happy belated birthday, you young-un!

What a great story of turning running into a passion.

Hope your son is doing better.

COTY said...

Happy B'Day !
A marathon for 40 would be a great way to run it in :)

Nat said...

Great photos over on Lisa's blog.

Happy Birthday! We gots a big ole relay in April speaking of over reaching our goals.

Hope your little guy feels better. Sounds nasty.

David said...

Happy birthday! I hope things even out a bit more, and that you get a sweet homecoming gift (purse maybe?) Keep strong and motivated; it's infectious and will spread to those around you. Keep away from negativity, or it will overpower the positive, especially in the spread.

Hey, maybe you'll get to see us again in Jan! :-)

Nitmos said...

Sorry to hear about your son. That sounds scary.

Happy B-Day...and why wait until 40? If you've completed 3 halfs...you should be ready to complete a full by 37!!

Laura N said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Congrats and all that good stuff on exceeding your goals. Most excellent.

You can totally do that marathon. Esp. with the running support system you have.

I'm contemplating Nashville's Marathon in April 2010, when I turn 40. This next year will tell me a lot about whether I can do it, I think.

Great job on the 8.4 miles. Woohoo!

And big hugs for your son. I know how hard it is to watch your kiddo suffer and not be able to do anything about it. Hope he's feeling better by now and the doctor appointment goes well.

Casey said...

Happy birthday! I hope that things get better with your son. I think that running IS therapy and that your split shows it may be working for you! :) I hope this year is a good one!

P.O.M. said...

When people say, "I could never .... run a marathon."
I quickly retort, "you can train your body to do almost anything!"
And look what you've done.
Awesome woman.

Unknown said...

Happy birthday.

Best wishes that your son is better soon

Stephen said...

Glad your run helped. Sorry to hear about your son. I know what it is like to see your kids in pain (I should blog about DS#2's history sometime soon.

Stephen said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog....did you find me thru Lisa???
I always like discovering fun new bloggers! Yup, Javamom strikes again. (does she get a referral bonus from you?) :)

Where are you in AZ?
Little ghost town just south of the valley called Maricopa.

You should head out to Chandler and run with us sometime :)
I would love to. Trouble is I'm a lazy runner. I don't like driving somewhere to run, I usually just run from home. But I need to start running hills once in a while and 'copa has nothing for elevation change other than a treadmill at the gym.

Your photography is just beautiful!
Thanks! I hear that often enough that I created the FlowingDesert.com site and am in the process of adding my favorite photos to it. I appreciate knowing that people like my work. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Pokey that is so weird that you have the same post in mind!! Great minds think alike! ;)

I don't blame you for not wanting to run in the morning dark - something about the quiet of the predawn morning is...a little too quiet if you ask me! I don't even open the garage door if I get on the treadmill before dawn - who knows who or what is waiting out there for me!

I hope your son is doing better - that is so scary!
And happy belated birthday! =)

Calyx Meredith said...

I'm so late saying Happy Birthday! (Now it's happy 36th plus a week!) Hope to hear soon that things are good/better with your son. Having just been to the orthopedic specialist with my middle son, I sympathize and empathize. And finally, great run!

Cheryl said...

Happy belated birthday, Pokey! And I hope your son is better.

Laura said...

Happy birthday!!

Carly said...

Happy Birthday Pokey! Hope your little guy is doing better.

Nancy said...

You've come a long way, Baby!! It's amazing what we can really do. Happy Birthday.


I hope you get some answers from the ortho. I hope it isn't too serious and he is doing better. Thinking of you.

Nanc

Emmett said...

I love to run, great exercise and convenient. You are an inspiration to me. I live in Las Vegas, love to meet you if you are ever here. Las Vegas Track Club has some great races.