Goodness I am sore. I feel like I ran a marathon yesterday. And then got beat up. But in a good way.
To much relief my hip feels great, despite my big day of walking and CrossFit yesterday. It’s my muscles that are screaming. They’ve been hibernating for seven weeks. I’d be grouchy too if I was woken up with a tough CrossFit WOD!
I am so filled with joy to be able to walk around the house and regain some of my freedom. I go back to work again tomorrow so today I’m resting and getting everything ready: my lunch is packed and the gym bag is ready to go so I can squeeze a low-impact swim in before work.
Since I first announced the goal, friends and family have been worried about my ability to run the Disney Marathon January 8, 2012- just four months after the fall. And for good reason. A marathon takes a toll on a body, and my body is broken. I’ve never wanted to run with broken bones or to make the awful feeling of a broken pelvis worse. It was a goal, but if the doctor said no, I wouldn’t run.
Last month I read The Long Run, the story of a New York firefighter who was in a terrible bicycle collision with a bus but prevailed. Matt Long’s injuries were far worse than mine, but I could relate to his feelings and fears and determination to get back out there. Three years after his accident he set out to run the New York City Marathon. His body didn’t respond well to his training so his doctor advised that he swim and bike in conjunction with very short runs to prepare for the 26.2 mile marathon. No long runs. The doctor was confident that Matt’s athletic training in the past had conditioned his body to handle long endurance events like the marathon. That physical conditioning combined with a strong mind would carry him through on race day.
Matt Long ran the marathon. It took him 7:21:22, but he did it.
If Matt can, I can too.
December 1st I meet with the surgeon again in hopes that he’ll give me the clearance to begin running. Until then I’ll re-learn how to walk with rehab and bike and swim and strength train. I’ll sweat and get stronger… and build up my mind for the challenge that is my first 26.2 miles post-accident.
I went over my training plan with my doctor- cross training until I can run, run as tolerated until January and then rely on the body I’ve built to carry me through the marathon. I plan to run, but walking is allowed.
I expected the doctor to look at me in horror, to begin a list of why my plan wouldn’t work. But he didn’t. The surgeon who knows my pelvis and my healing plan better than anyone said I can do it. It’s possible without a doubt. He’s not worried. At all. My mom can worry about me, trolls on GOMI can say I’m stupid, but running makes me happy like nothing else.
So on January 8, 2012, I will run. Because I’m alive. And because my doctor knows more than you.
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Every single time I read one of those GOMI threads, I regret it. Maybe that entire site should get of MY internet!
It’s your body and you know it way better than any of us readers do. If your doctor thinks you can do it, go for it. I mean, some woman ran the Chicago marathon (ran/walked) 39+ weeks pregnant and finished. As long as you listen to your body and your doctor is still okay with it, I don’t see why anyone should tell you you’re being stupid. Besides, goals help you heal faster and better – just look at Mark Herzlich and Tedy Bruschi. They were told they’d never play football again (cancer and stroke, respectively), and they did.
Hi Ashely,
I admire your positive attitude that you’ve kept throughout this incredibly challenging ordeal. But I think its important to note that Matt Long ran the marathon years after his accident. Not months. If your doctor is okay with it, then that is between you and him. I just don’t want to see you do permanent damage to yourself. Shouldn’t your goal be to return to a completely functional, healthy, happy life? It seems your goal just revolves around this marathon. Believe me, I’ve been there. And I know recovery sucks and having to be patient sucks. But I almost did permanent damage to my buddy but pushing a bit too much too fast. Just please keep listening to what your body is telling you and readjust when needed! Wishing you all the very best
I also wanted to add that considering bloggers have helped raise a very decent amount of money for you, they are probably more sensitive to your healing considering they are contributing to it. I think that entitles them to worry about you
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Woohoo! Go Ashley! You rock
I just want to point out a few things that really hit home in your post. They made me smile, they made me cheer for you, and they made me disagree with every single naysayer out there.
- It was a goal, but if the doctor said no, I wouldn’t run.
- I plan to run, but walking is allowed.
- …running makes me happy like nothing else.
- …I will run. Because I’m alive.
- And because my doctor knows more than you.
Hannah Hawley (@sirenical) recently posted..NaNoWriMo Time of Year!
Best of luck in your recovery and training. You know your body better than anyone, and you know what you are capable of. Another book you might enjoy is Iron Heart, the story of Brian Boyle. Brian was in a horrific car crash, and not only recovered, but managed to participate in the Kona Ironman triathalon. The human spirit is indeed a powerful thing.
So glad to hear the healing is coming along and the doctor has given you the green light for walking! Good luck getting back in to things.
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I give you so much credit for even considering doing this. Good luck. You are definitely an inspiration!
I think you’d really enjoy reading Iron Heart by Brian Boyle. He also has a blog: brianboyle.wordpress.com. He was in a horrible car accident and he died and was revived 8 times on the operating table. Doctors said he’d never walk again, and 39 months later he competed in the World Ironman Championship in Hawaii! I actually learned of him from a friend who is from his hometown, so they followed the story from the horrible beginning to the end. I think his story shows that anything really is possible!
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