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Dumbo Double Dare Training - Week Four

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“Pain is nothing compared to what it feels like to quit.” ~ Author unknown

As a long-time runner, I’ve been fortunate. I can count on one hand the running-related injuries that I’ve dealt with over the years. The trailer hitch that took me out of running for a year when I smashed my knee ‘head on’ into it at full speed (note to self – don’t run in the dark). The speed bump from the inaugural Tower of Terror 10 Miler that took out both knees, one hand, and a camera (see note above regarding running in the dark…). The tumble in Atlanta a year later that not only reinjured the knees but also ruined a really great pair of hot pink high heels. But no matter what the damage, I never feared getting back into running. That is, until this year and the injury I experienced during the last few miles of the Dopey Challenge. Suddenly, not only did I need to heal myself physically but there was a metal block that I’ve never experienced before. I was scared to death to run.

Perhaps it was because I initially refused to believe I was seriously hurt and continued to push through to complete both the 22.4 miles of the Tinker Bell weekend as well as the Glass Slipper Challenge (and Family Fun Run 5k) during the Princess Half marathon weekend. While I kept my “Perfect Princess” intact and am now three-for-three at Tinker Bell, the mental and physical toll of those weekends was brutal. As I slowly physically healed with the help of a sports medicine doctor and a physical therapist, I started dreading doing much more than getting out for the occasional walk. I was DNS-ing half marathons right and left in March and April. The link of running and pain was now nicely imprinted in my brain.

Finally, I realized that I could continue to sit and watch my thighs grow ever closer together or I could start to work my way back into the sport and the distance that I love. I tried a 5k and ran pain free. I ran the Seattle Seahawks 12k on a very hilly course and again rain pain free. And yet, I DNS’d two half marathons in early May. What if the injury reoccurred and I was back to square one? Rock n Roll Portland Half Marathon was coming up and I knew if I didn’t start this one, I might as well kiss the half marathon season goodbye.

And so this morning as the rain poured down, I didn’t roll back over in bed but instead joined thousands of other runners and walkers at the starting line in downtown Portland. I haven’t been that nervous for a half marathon run in years and thinking about running 13.1 miles in the rain wasn’t helping (the concurrent 10k race was looking mighty tempting). And then, the starting horn sounded, the rain suddenly stopped, and we were off.

I passed through the 5k and 10k marks with no issues. Mile 8 was the start of uncharted territory; I could feel a familiar tightness in the back of the knee which caused a moment of panic but nothing more. Same with mile 9. And mile 10. And so on until I had the finish line in my sight. As I crossed under the Finish Line banner and happily accepted my medal, I waved goodbye to the mental block that had been challenging me the past few months and celebrated my return to 13.1 miles. I can now put my focus back on training for the upcoming Dumbo Double Dare.

If you are following along with the Dumbo Double Dare training, welcome to week four! We’re in a fall-back week where our miles are shorter to give the body a breather. Enjoy the light week!

  • Monday – Barre3
  • Tuesday – 30 to 45 minutes running
  • Wednesday - weight training
  • Thursday - 30 to 45 minutes running
  • Friday - Barre3
  • Saturday – 3 mile run
  • Sunday – Rest

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