In less than 3 wks Im attempting to run a half marathon.   This will be my first race since my dnf if June as a result of the ‘Knee Wrecking Fall’ (do not scroll all the way to the end of that post if you have a weak stomach).

Before my first @BadToTheBone ultra I fell down a mountain and broke my stupid hand.  This caused me to have a fear of falling when running down hill that it took me a while to get over.

Now I am there again – running reluctantly.  This knee thing sucks.

The flesh is literally not completely healed and it happened at the beginning of June.  The problem is there is still debris trying to get out, and so, I still have a little yucky spot that isn’t all the way healed.

ANYWAY – I haven’t been training really.  I have a 12 hour schedule for this month as well – and also a 5k where I’ll be pushing a stroller w/ a ‘Captain’.  I will do the 5k but lets face it, I’m in no position to take on another ultra – I don’t  even know if I’ll finish the half – and that is not something I ever thought I’d hear myself say.  Regular Me can do a couple halfs per wk on a weekly basis – but yeah, I don’t know if I’ll be up for this, so I’m going into it just for fun.  My PR is 2 hrs and Im hoping to around 3ish.

I haven’t been posting much or writing much because there are still so many things unresolved I have been waiting for answers before I check in.

If you remember when I was sick during my marathon in March, and thought it was salmonella – then it didn’t go away so we tested for everything from parasites, vitamin deficiency, anemia, infections, Lyme, rhabdomyolosis…..it all came back negative/normal….

But I am still sick.  Im as sick at I was mid-way through that marathon.

Im having a bunch of tests done next week to include upper endoscopy, biopsies etc – we’re looking for quite a few things and as long as theyre doing this most invasive stuff…they  have me doing a gluten challenge after 11 yrs of being gluten free.

THIS SUCKS

At least I know this – I know that no matter what the tests say – I know that gluten makes me feel terrible – so, I’ll be going gluten free again when this is all over.

I will continue to eat clean, lean and gluten free forever.  And I’m open to keep making adjustments here and there in search of what is best for me (and my family).  There is so much to think about and learn about.

Im sharing this just in case one other person has any of the same issues or ever comes across it – so I can hopefully be of some help.  I’ll keep ya’ll posted.  Procedures are Tues am.

I decided that regardless of having not yet accomplished all of the things I’d hoped to get done in my running career, I did a lot in a short time.   If they tell me I cant run anymore, I’m going to be ok.  I don’t know if I’ll listen, Im kind of an idiot like that – but maybe I will.  And its going to be ok either way.

11 half marathons, 6 full marathons, 3 50ks, 2 50 Miler and a handful of smaller races in under 5 yrs can be my story if that’s whats meant to be.   And Im over 700 miles already this yr – likely to finish w at least 1k for the yr, which will put me at 1k or more each yr for 5  yrs in a row 🙂

One of my tattoos is a pair of running shoes – if that signifies only 5 yrs of my life, that’s cool w me.  The other one simply says: Philippians 3:12 ~ Meaning:   Though I may not have yet arrive [to be who I can be or should be or was meant to be] – I press forward – never giving up.

One Step at a Time.

Be well everyone.