Longest Run Yet

Well, I made my longest run today, 7 miles. Now I feel like I just might make it. I completed 1/4 of my goal and if I can do 1/4 I can do 1/2. If I can do 1/2, I can do a full. Now it's just a matter of following my training and, as my doctors are telling me (and my family and friends as well), listen to your body.

This last week I met with my Polomologist about my lungs and my breathing. We looked at x-rays and blood work and, for the most part everything is normal. As we looked at my chest x-rays I was reminded of how banged up my ribs are. My left lung and rib cage is completely normal but my right side is a jumbled mess. We could even see some of the staples still left inside of me from the repair work. My right lung has a lot of scaring, which explains the shortness of breath and lack of lung capacity. Dr. Nelson ordered a breathing test to measure my lung capacity and breathing so we'll see what happens with that.

For the most part, Dr. Nelson wasn't as admit about not doing the Marathon as Dr. Halgager is but he did recommend caution and taking things slow. He suggested making sure why this was important to me and being sure to watch myself.

Today reminded me as to why I'm doing this. I would say that I can honestly answer inquires into how I'm doing with a resounding better than 100%. I would say that last December I was close to 100% but I realized then that that wasn't where I wanted to be. Then, I was an over weight, out of shape 45+ year old man. Now, 2 years after my accident, I'm only slightly overweight, better shaped, under 50 year old man (who can run up to 7 miles without stopping). I would say I'm about 110% now. But how much better can it be?

Tough Run

I'm several weeks into my training program now and this month will be when I start to really ramp up the miles on Saturdays. Last Saturday was a 6 mile run and by the end of August I'll be ready for double digits. However, today was only 3 which proved to be very difficult. That may be more due to what I did yesterday than today. I took my first day of vacation as the opportunity to play 2 hours of basketball, run 3 miles, repair the washing machine, do some laundry (only to make sure that the repairs took) and grout the guest bathroom tile floor. All of that took place before 1pm. I had to go back into work just to rest. After 3 hours of working, I went surfing till I couldn't get up anymore. Turned out to be too much for a vacation. Today I'll have to take it easier.

While on my run I seriously considered stopping and walking. I started think that maybe I can't do this and have taken on too hard of a goal. But, I made it through and will reserve that question for a later date.