Another Bump in the Road

On the last weekend in August 2022, the local running group sponsored an annual half-marathon that was popular among local runners.  It is one of my favorite half-marathon courses.  One I knew well and had run well in the past.  I knew I was a lot slower now, but I had set a goal to finish in two hours.  I knew exactly what pace I needed to average, and I slowly ticked away each mile just under that pace.  At 10 miles I was on pace for 2 hours.  I maintained that pace through 11 and 12 miles.  1.1 miles to go.  I needed to keep it going through some rolling hills into the finish.  No problem.  I’ve done this before, just hang on and push through.

Well, I did it!  Just under 2 hours.  I was pleased.  That afternoon, however, I could barely get off the couch.  My right leg, from my hip down to my knee was throbbing.  That night I woke up in agony, my hip was aching.  I waited a couple of days before running again.  I took two steps and had to stop.  Something was not right.  I strained something in my hip or quad that was making running and brisk walking painful.  Oh no, have I done permanent damage?  Is my body reminding me of my age?

Perhaps I just needed a break.  I had been entertaining the idea of a Fall marathon.  But maybe this was the wakeup call that I needed to come to my senses.  So, no panic, let’s just rest.