Last October I ran the Nike Women's Marathon, while running I stepped funny and injured my ankle. While recovering my knee started to hurt. I don't know if I hurt my knee while I was recovering or if I hurt my knee at the same time as my ankle, but my ankle hurt so much that I didn't notice it (and, my ankle hurt ridiculously bad, after I crossed the finish line I thought I was going to throw up from the pain). At this point it doesn't much matter, my ankle got better and my knee got worse. I then ran the Malibu 1/2 Marathon about a month after Nike and my knee didn't hurt while I was running, yay! After, well that was another story. My knee pain got progressively worse.
About two weeks later I saw the doctor and he said he thought I might have a small tear in the meniscus or a strained ligament. He gave me exercises to do everyday, and I did them, I followed them to the letter. At that time I scheduled a followup appointment for a month later. At my initial appointment the doctor said I could ease back in to running after two weeks, and I did so after three weeks, very slowly, 2 miles, then rest 2 days, then 2 miles, then rest. After a couple of 2 mile runs I went out for a longer run. I got 3.5 miles into it and bang, it felt like someone stabbed me in the knee. The pain was awful. I was 3 miles away from home and I couldn't even walk. I called my roommate and she came and picked me up (Thank you Sheree!). I was teary and in pain and suddenly worried that I did some kind of serious damage to my knee.
A couple of days later was my follow up doctor's appointment. My mom went with me, because she was very worried and she was afraid it would be more back and forth without actually finding out what was wrong. So, I got to the doctor's office and my mom sort of pressured him in to ordering an MRI for me, hey, that's what mom's are for, right? The MRI was approved that day and the next morning I had it. Clearly my mom scared the doctor a little bit because I got the results that same day, grade 1 sprain of my right MCL. I love my mom for being so pushy and getting things taken care of.
The doctor said physical therapy and absolutely NO LA Marathon. I thought I would ignore him and do it anyway. But, after many long conversations with a variety of people, including the doctor and physical therapist, I made the decision to stop being so damn stubborn and listen to what the doctor said.
So, I will not be running LA Marathon this March. This was the single hardest decision I've had to make in a while. I don't know if I can express how disappointed I am about this situation. I was really excited to run this race again and improve my time. But, I know at this point, not only will I not improve, but I'll make my injury worse. And, as I've been reminded many many times, the LA Marathon will still be there next year, and the year after, and after, etc.
Is one marathon worth what could possible be a long term or permanent injury? Definitely not. There are many many other races and things I would like to do which require the function of my right knee. And, this isn't the kind of injury where I can rest it for a week and ice it, this is a much larger more serious problem than that, and I have to take my return to running slowly and one day at a time.
My biggest concern with not doing LA was that I would lose the funds that I had raised through Team in Training. After talking to our great campaign manager, Lauren, I figured out the best solution for me. My funds will be carried over to a different event later in the year and I will continue to help, in my small way, find a cure for blood cancer.
I have decided on what the next race is that I will be doing through Team in Training - the Mayor's Marathon and Half Marathon in Anchorage, Alaska! I'm very excited and hope that everyone who made a donation so far knows that I made this decision after long thought and debate, and know that your generous donations are still going to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and to help me cross a finish line.
So, while one dream was dashed anther has been formed. I'm very excited to still be a participant with Team in Training and to be raising funds for such an amazing cause and to have the opportunity to participate in what is bound to be an incredible race in ALASKA! To find out more about why I run marathons or to make a donation check out my Team in Training website: http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/anchor11/ewallersco And, know that every single dollar donated helps.
Sometimes the most difficult decision to make is the right one, even if it is disappointing. But, with that decision and disappointment, if you keep your eyes, ears and hear open, can come the birth of a new dream. New dreams are born everyday, what's yours?
Ideas for donation amounts:
Instead of a latte one morning this week or a beer at happy hour why not donate $5?
Instead of one fancy drink at a bar how about donate $10?
Instead of a lunch out of the office, how about bring your lunch to work with you and donate that extra $15?
Instead of valet parking your car, how about park a little further away and donate that $20?
Instead of a dinner out how about dine in and use the difference to make a donation of $25?
Larger donations are always appreciated as well. Whether it's $1 or $100, $5 or $50, every single dollar helps.
All donations will make a difference and are very much appreciated. Please consider making a donation today! Thank you all for your support and understanding.
