Day 5: After the Storm

A VERY MOTIVATING PHILOSOPHY

I cannot believe I am back to this blog after a grueling 12 days of psychological torment and pain. I strained my thigh muscle (right leg) during my evening run of 4th October, 2012 primarily because I wanted to keep up with another runner who passed me as if I was just doing a Sunday walk in some park. That didn't sit too well on my ego. He was always a few paces ahead and every time I tried to catch up, he widened the gap a few more paces. I fell for his antics...I pity my weak resolve - silly me I should've realized that wasnt the time and place...but then again, where is the place? - of course that was the place!

The runner was good he left me panting like a rookie - I watched him glide by towards Mlolongo as I branched into Airport North Road (after City Cabanas). My mental state was damaged, i kept asking myself 'what am I made of?' all the way and in the process I even gathered an unusual and uneven speed. It is only after reaching Donholm roundabout that the sharp pang of pain hit me. I must've been running either on adrenaline, anger or disappointment or all the three combined coz I was so carried away that I even ignored / rejected my pain. After Donholmn, my speed was gone and I lost my focus after I was hit with the reality of spending a few more days in the cold (off the road).

The next day I couldn't even properly raise my right leg, going up the stairs or putting on a trouser became a daunting task. It took me two days of brainstorming on which way to go - whether to forget about Stanchart i.e. wait till the dust settles or just blast in through the storm. What do I have to lose? was the burning question - live to die another day i.e. shelve this marathon for later...Twelve months of waiting and training, that's what I'd lose and I couldn't stomach that thought. I researched on how to manage painful leg muscles and surely got a glimpse of what I am up against. Two weeks for training remaining and yet I couldn't figure out whether I am coming or going and yet time was running out - fast!

I got some very encouraging info from the net that gave me the spirit to fight on. It was summarized as RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). I embarked on rest, ice and hot water . The ice and compression to reduce the swollen muscle, warm water to improve the blood flow and raising the aching part higher than the rest of the body (elevation), I still haven't figured out the elevation part. I managed a few runs on the stairs after the fifth day and then it hit me that I could actually get back on schedule for the marathon.

On the 7th day, I decided to do a short run but got too excited along the way - I sped up and messed things up. I was back again to square one but the pain was not as acute as before. I embarked on ice and hot water for two days. I dared myself again to a slow run for 1 hour within the estate and to my relief the pain wasn't very pronounced afterwards.

I made up my mind on the 9th of October (18 days to go with 15 days of meaningful training) to do 10kms per day for the next seven days - but with caution. My first 10kms on 11th October was an easy run and for 50 mins and my legs took it gracefully. I did some stretching afterward and my leg gave a resounding snapping sound with some pain to go along with it. That was weakness leaving the body - or so I told myself.

 During the day I kept asking - do I just want to stay comfortable with a mere 10 or 15km with the remaining few days or do I just make a leap and get in the game? Why should I seek comfort where pain is involved - why am I still half assing?

The only way to put all these questions to rest is by hitting the road. I took on Mombasa Road - and after 15kms in 73 mins, I realized I still had the passion and a heart that has been properly oiled to go along with it and so I decide to push on without holding back. I cut down on the long leaps that could stretch the aching muscle and finally manage 21kms in 1:46. I cut the stretching sessions to a minimum and go straight to the ice for half an hour. The pain has finally died down. Maybe the muscle needed to be shaken up a little bit. I now feel ready to get back to my training and on Sunday I will hit my 27km route (City Mortuary) and see if i can still come close to my P.B.