The 15k Results!

[ttdriver]

Hi you guys! I was thinking of each of you when I was out there "fighting the good fight"!!

A little background:

I had two goals going into this 9.3 mile run (which was my longest competitive run since major foot surgery on August 6, 2008 where they sawed off two bones in my left big toe and inserted a 3/4" titanium screw (hemi arthroplasty) .. and told me "you'll probably never run again...")

Well, who am I to listen to skeptics?

Back on October 28, 2008, I tried to run my FIRST competitive race post-surgery: a 3.1 mile 5k in my neighborhood. It was AWFUL. I was in so much pain, DH had to literally carry me back to the car when it was over. At that point, I was ON THE ROPES with the idea of running ever again. Much as it pained me to the core to think of giving up what I love THE MOST (outside of my love for my DH) ... the reality was, the foot was NOT cooperating with my long-term aspirations. I was so depressed and discouraged. I mean, here I was, at 52, a runner for over 5 years and lovin' every mile of it .. finally finding my ZEN so to speak ... and now what? Give it UP?

So DH called the foot surgeon who performed my operation and said "what can we do?" He ordered physical therapy for a couple of months and I said basically "whatever we can do to get me running again, I will do...."

Fast forward: November 1st I started what turned out to be 18 sessions of intense physical therapy on my foot. KILLER pain at first ... daily exercises, icing, heat, etc. I began to ride my bike as a form of cross training. S L O W L Y ... at a snail's pace really, the foot began to respond to the therapy. It was feeling less painful as I biked 10-15 miles every other day. I could literally feel the strength coming back into the foot ... talk about encouragement. Perhaps I wouldn't have to give up running?? Please God ...

As difficult as it was to do .. I didn't run on the foot during the time of therapy. I wanted to cooperate as much as possible with the therapy .. working WITH my body to rehabilitate this foot that had served me pretty well for the preceding 4 years of running. Well, I don't have to tell you that at age 52, rehabilitation takes LONGER than it does at 22 .... however the older you get, the less PATIENT you are! So it was a BATTLE to keep me from TRYING to run on it....

Anyway ... today was the TEST for this rehabilitated foot. I had two goals for today's 9.3 miler: run the ENTIRE distance (on concrete no less...) and finish in under 2 hours.

Temperature at race time: a balmy 58 degrees; no wind; heading to a high near 80 ... on a totally unshaded course on the waterfront of Tampa Bay. Can you say beautiful ?

Well, the results ..

I finished the course RUNNING ALL THE WAY; even through water stops ... splashing water everywhere but absolutely DETERMINED not to stop running ... keeping an eye on my heart rate monitor to see if there was any possibility that I could finish sub-2 hours ...

The final verdict? 1:58:23 chip time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MIRACULOUS FINISH and I am oh so proud. I don't think anyone of the 10,000 runners feels the jubilation and pride that I do today. No one has come as far as I have (at least that's my opinion...) from non-weight bearing for 6 weeks just 5 months ago ... from excruciating pain less than 4 months ago .. to running a 5k at the end of October in 50 minutes... to running nearly 10 miles in 1:58? YAY ME! I think I'll sleep with my medal around my neck tonight.

to all who have encouraged, inspired and believed in me.

Betty

[Georgiana]

Betty, congratulations! That's an awesome achievement and very inspirational!

[julirama723]

Betty I am so unbelievably happy for you! Your dedication to running and most recently your PT is truly inspiring. Congratulations on meeting BOTH of your goals today!

How was your foot after the race? Do you have another race planned?

[liv]

Thanks for letting us know Betty. And congratulations with your accomplishment. It is great to hear that you are back doing something you like so much.
What is the next goal you have set yourself?

[OzLover]

Congratulations Betty!!

[misplaced southerner]

betty, that is true determination! congrats!

[Lisa]

Congratulations!!

Gosh, you're a rush of motivation for me!

Thank you!

[theredhead]

What a determined gal you are! I'm so happy for you!

[ttdriver]

Thanks so much you guys!!!!!!!!

Liv, my next long-term goal is I *will* run the 26.2 mile marathon one year from now here in Tampa, which will be my 3rd marathon and perhaps I'll stop at 3 .... marathons are extremely challenging and grueling .... but honestly, there's nothing like crossing the finish line of a marathon though! I liken it to child birth; you go through it once and swear to yourself NEVER AGAIN ... then amnesia sets in ... and you realize how rewarding the whole experience is so you do it again!

As for short-term, well, I have a 10k coming up in 3 weeks ... meanwhile, I'll be running my usual 4 days, 32 miles a week like always!

Thanks again everyone!

Betty

[momtomany1]

A little of your excitement rubbed right off on me through your post!

You are a lovely woman and an inspiration. Go you indeed!