Last winter I had high hopes of keeping my marathon-level fitness going well into the spring, and then I would totally rock the Calgary Marathon yet again. Somehow my training derailed when my foot injury got worse and worse. I backed off the training, then outright rested, and went to physio, and had orthotics made, and tried not to fuss, but it just didn’t recover as much as I needed it to. I didn’t want to time to take off work for multiple and expensive diagnostic tests and treatments, so after the winter trail running series ended, I scaled back the running to nothing.
One year after my fastest marathon, an injury had me reduced to walking the 5k.
I walked the 5k distance at the Calgary Marathon races on June 1st instead of running the marathon (42.2k). I wore last year’s marathon shirt, but I did not run a step of the 5k, and even for that I took Advil so the foot wouldn’t complain later. I was disappointed to be walking, but grateful to be that ambulatory at the same time.
Before the 5k start (at noon), I rode my bike beside some of the other race courses that day. I cheered on friends and random strangers in the 10k, 21.1k, 42.2k and 50k distances. I pitched in at a water table and chatted with other volunteers and cheerers. I took a couple photos of friends taking photos, and in general, enjoyed the spirit of the day.
It was the last road race I would participate in for a while. I hung up the running shoes, orthotics and all, for the summer. Yes, even the trail shoes. I volunteered at and cheered on our club teams at the Banff Jasper Relay and the K100. I still rode my bike to work. I started swimming more.
There is hope that I’m returning to running now. I think the rest over the summer did me good, and I have a new respect for cross training. I have been able to consistently run easy, gentle jogs once or twice a week, around 4-5 km. My favourite winter trail series has begun again, and at Okotoks two weeks ago I trotted through the 8k distance (my 95th CRR XC race in a row), with minimal walking and no follow-up pain later!
I don’t feel I’m all the way back to hardcore, crazy “runner” status, but I have sent my heart back out there, and I’m hoping my legs will follow.
All Downhill From Here 