One of the reasons I love to run is some of my greatest
epiphanies happen on my runs. Over the last two almost 3 years my running has
been cut short. Today on my 3 mile recovery easy run I realized I would hit 61
miles today the 19th of the month putting me on track to top 100 by
the end of August.
If you are not a runner the idea of 100 miles may not really
impress you. If you’re an arthritic runner the idea of 100 miles in one month
may floor you. 100 miles is a lot of training its 25 miles a week. Most runners
run paces between 8-12 minutes a mile. I run about 9 minutes on easy runs this
means 25 miles will take me 225 minutes or 3 hours and 45 minutes. In 4 weeks I
will run 15 hours. That’s a lot of running!
This little epiphany sent me to the point of happy tears.
The last 3 years I have had heavy battles. Its been almost 4 years since I had
a 100 mile month it was before I broke my leg in 2011. The months where I ran this
mileage was sparse then too: I was not as advanced as I am now in the sport and
I still had my growing arthritic battle.
Over the last several years my condition has forced me to
focus on quality over quantity. This means pushing as hard as possible in my
workouts with what structure I had to make the most gains. Now I am capable of
carrying moderately high mileage and harder workouts my body will reap even
greater rewards than the amazing ones I got with <25 miles a week.
For the last 3 years I’ve played the game of trying not to
anger Arthur or trying to recover from his wrath. Constant rounds of prednisone
to knock my disease back losing workouts to the disease. Not able to run more
than 3-4 days a week and only 1-2 mid/high mileage days cost me mileage that
could have been structured to make gains in performance.
100 is a magical number it means your body is capable of
high mileage it’s the base to building amazing running. You can train for a
marathon running 100 miles a month, but I know my training this round will push
me to closer to 150+ in a month or so. I am truly excited to see that I’ve
never been capable of running more than 30-40 miles a week. Going into this
training that mileage scared me. This first base month with a coach has showed
me body can and will put up with that mileage now. I do still lose workouts
that my healthy counterparts don’t but they are far fewer than in the past. My
body is not just surviving these miles it is thriving in them!
Facing I will run over 100 miles this month is sheer joy. I
have remicade to thank for this. Although I get 2 rough weeks every 8 cycle, I can
handle it because it is far better than I felt before this drug. The reality is
a real remission is very unlikely for me, but this state of stability is
fantastic. I can only hope it continues for as long as possible. A year ago I
was facing injections in my hips. A year ago I was terrified I couldn’t run a
marathon. Last October I was scared I’d never run the same way again. I kept
running because I love it not because it was pleasant. Now when I run it is
much easier and for that I’m grateful. I’m thankful to be on a protocol that
keeps my body from fighting me every step I take most days. I’m thankful to have
the joy of running again. I am blessed to finally reach 100 miles after 3 years
of downward spiral. For all of these
reasons I shout with joy because it’s the small miracles like this that make
the greatest most profound impacts on our lives. Be joyful in the moment that
is given and the battle well won. My battle continues but for now I will relish
the fact that I’m able to finally enjoy many of the miles I love so much once
again.
No comments:
Post a Comment