A Radical Idea

Last summer, I was training to run the Chicago Marathon.  For 18 weeks I ran in the typical humidity poop-fest we southerners call summer.  And then two weeks prior to the race, I developed a stress fracture on the top of my foot.  Yep -- I said two weeks.  To say I was devastated doesn't begin to describe it.  I threw a disgraceful, multi-day pity party.  It was truly a gala affair.

After the party was over, the first thing I did was replace my old mountain bike with a shiny new road bike.  I had used my old bike in the past to fill the running void while nursing sprained ankles and other injuries. Within one week of my injury, I was riding high on Sanity.   Wow, she was mighty fine...and she still is.

MEET  SANITY

About this time, an idea began to form -- a radical one.  Could I train (or stayed trained) for my other accidentally-registered-for-because-I-thought-I-didn't-get-into-Chicago marathon without running?  It was only 3 months away.  What else could I do to stay fit?  After doing a little homework and upon wonderful advice from Marcia, I decided to pool run.  It was said to be the closest activity to running you could do.

With a vengeance, I set out to salvage my Disney Marathon registration.  I rode my bike 3-4 times a week building up to my weekend long ride of 60 miles.  My early morning weekday rides were quite chilly and very dark.  No worries though.  My bike was lit like the 4th of July.  Sanity was radical too.

I jumped in the deep end of the YMCA pool and "ran" once a week working from 30 minutes up to 2 hours 45 minutes non-stop.   Non.Stop.  Karen sweetly mailed me a heart rate monitor I could wear in the pool so I could be sure and maintain the proper intensity.  Others at the pool would look at me like I was crazy.  {People, I'm just radical!}

Long story short, it worked.  I lined up at Disney and had one of the most amazing experiences of a lifetime.  I was thrilled to be there and to be running, pace be damned!  (You can read all about it HERE.)  As a surprising bonus, the side effect of those cycling miles and truly enjoying my Sanity prompted me to throw caution to the wind and compete in 3 Sprint Triathlons so far this summer.  Say What?  Who am I?  Obviously, someone acting radically!

This year, I hope my more conventional marathon training sees me to the start and finish line of the Chicago Marathon.  I guess you'll have to stayed tuned to see what happens.  But one thing is for certain, I can do something radical if I have to!

Tell me one of your radical ideas!

I'm linking up with Deb @ Deb Runs for the Wednesday Word.

Please visit Deb and the other participating bloggers.  It's fun!