Today, I continue my series of updates with the second goal I set a year ago:
Run sub-3:00 during the 2013 Austin Marathon.
When I set this goal a year ago, I figured it to be a bit conservative based on my previous racing experiences. However, I just needed to get my feet out the door. I started off on the right foot, bringing my mileage up to about 50 miles/week by the end of the summer. I signed up for the Austin Distance Challenge, a series of races leading up to the big kahuna itself, and even purchased a copy of "Advanced Marathoning" by Pfitzinger and designed an extensive six month training plan. Then, fate struck, and I tweaked my back during an easy eight mile run around the neighborhood. As I hobbled back to my apartment, I thought it was just a minor tweak, but as the weeks went by and I still was not able to run, I came to grips with the reality that the 2013 Austin Marathon was not going to happen.
I finally got out the door for a run about two or three weeks ago, and during the run, I realized that my back was out of sorts even after all this time. So, I decided to see a sports chiropractor to see what was going on. I had my first appointment this morning, and it appears that I have a lumbar sprain/strain as well as lumbar joint dysfunction. It will take a little time for me to get back to normal, but I honestly should have called someone months ago. Stubbornness got the best of me, and I thought that time was the only medicine I needed. During the last few weeks, I have also looked into various marathon options for next fall and/or spring. I would like to visit somewhere I have not been before rather than run a marathon in my backyard. This way, I would be able to see some new sights, and I would have substantial financial investment in the race between plane tickets, hotel reservations, and registration fees. Hopefully such an investment will inspire me just a tad bit more. Right now, I am leaning towards the Portland Marathon in October, but I am hesitant to make any commitments before my back heals up. With any luck, that will be sooner rather than later.
Goal Status: Sidelined but Inspired
Run sub-3:00 during the 2013 Austin Marathon.
When I set this goal a year ago, I figured it to be a bit conservative based on my previous racing experiences. However, I just needed to get my feet out the door. I started off on the right foot, bringing my mileage up to about 50 miles/week by the end of the summer. I signed up for the Austin Distance Challenge, a series of races leading up to the big kahuna itself, and even purchased a copy of "Advanced Marathoning" by Pfitzinger and designed an extensive six month training plan. Then, fate struck, and I tweaked my back during an easy eight mile run around the neighborhood. As I hobbled back to my apartment, I thought it was just a minor tweak, but as the weeks went by and I still was not able to run, I came to grips with the reality that the 2013 Austin Marathon was not going to happen.
I finally got out the door for a run about two or three weeks ago, and during the run, I realized that my back was out of sorts even after all this time. So, I decided to see a sports chiropractor to see what was going on. I had my first appointment this morning, and it appears that I have a lumbar sprain/strain as well as lumbar joint dysfunction. It will take a little time for me to get back to normal, but I honestly should have called someone months ago. Stubbornness got the best of me, and I thought that time was the only medicine I needed. During the last few weeks, I have also looked into various marathon options for next fall and/or spring. I would like to visit somewhere I have not been before rather than run a marathon in my backyard. This way, I would be able to see some new sights, and I would have substantial financial investment in the race between plane tickets, hotel reservations, and registration fees. Hopefully such an investment will inspire me just a tad bit more. Right now, I am leaning towards the Portland Marathon in October, but I am hesitant to make any commitments before my back heals up. With any luck, that will be sooner rather than later.
Goal Status: Sidelined but Inspired
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