Wednesday, August 31, 2016

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!



32 comments:

  1. Probably my most radical idea was this introvert deciding to go into business for herself. I can't say it was an overwhelming success, but there was no bankruptcy either. :)

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    1. That takes a lot of guts, Judy. I'm one that prefers to stay behind the scenes of a business. I certainly could not sell one thing!

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  2. You chose an unusual route and found success! And that is a sweet road bike with a great name. My bike is "Bluebell," which is way less radical.

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    1. Finding "my sanity" at that point in time was very necessary -- ha ha. That name just stuck. Bluebell is a great name! I assume she is blue?

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  3. Your training inspired me to do the same for Big Sur. Radical? Sure! But it was a means to a very amazing end! <3

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    1. Did you feel as certifiably crazy as I did?? LOL. You had an amazing outcome to your radical training! I would love to run Big Sur.

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  4. I am so glad you did make it to the start line of the Disney Marathon. I just wish I would have been able to meet you. Do you have any plans to do any other Disney races?

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    1. I wish I had met you in January too! Yes, I'll definitely do another Disney. It's still in the back of my mind to do the marathon again. The last time I checked, it was still open. It may not be now though.

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  5. Your radical story is so inspiring! I think I became acquainted with you (and Tricia) right as you were in the midst of the pool thing, and it was great to follow you along that journey to Disney.

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    1. Gosh, there were times I didn't think it would work because I kept feeling pain in my foot (turned out to be the neuroma and not the fracture) but I just kept going anyway. It's been great getting to know you.

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  6. I love that you names your bike Sanity! And that is so impressive that you trained for the marathon while injured like that.

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    1. The name seemed to fit. I found my Sanity. LOL. I don't recommended training for a marathon injured -- but it can be done. My goal was to simply finish.

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  7. What a great story! I also got a stress fracture while training for my second Chicago Marathon. I didn't get to run it and didn't make a triumphant return to the marathon distance for several years. I definitely have the Disney marathon in my sights (maybe 2018) and am so glad you had a wonderful experience. Hard not to have an amazing time at Disney though :) I'm going to have to do some more thinking about this "radical" idea though ...

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    1. I've now have had a stress fracture in my foot and ankle. Crazy. Disney races are wonderful. I definitely would do another marathon there.

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  8. You are so inspiring.

    Running a half marathon seemed so radical at the time. But now I realize that anyone who wants to commit to training for one can run one.

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    1. Not inspiring, Darlene. Radical. LOL. Anything can happen if you set your mind to it. It may take time to achieve, but that's OK too.

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  9. I love this story! Yes, you can do radical things to chase your goals! And now you are a triathlete!

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    1. Last year I would have laughed out loud at the triathlon idea. Funny how life takes unexpected turns.

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  10. My most radical decision was to try out for Master Chef a couple of years ago. While (obviously) I didn't get on the show, it was one of the most exciting moments of my life.

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    1. Wow! How awesome. That had to have been a very cool experience! Can you try again?

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  11. I'd say pool running is very radical, you did it and it paid off well for you! Do I smell a radical half ironman in your future??? :)

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    1. Ha. I'd laugh, but then I would also say never never. Life has a way making some weird unexpected turns. My swimming would need some serious work.

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  12. Oh I loved this story!!! I can't say enough good things about pool training( yup been there plenty of times!)
    I think the most radical idea I've had is doing figure/fitness competitions mere months after childbirth just to give me a goal to get back in shape after a baby...( and winning!)

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    1. Yes, that sounds pretty radical. And just look how it turned out. Spectacularly!

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  13. You made the most of an unfortunately situation last summer in a radical way. Good for you! I'm not so sure I could pool run for that long.

    Thanks for linking up!

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    1. I'm not sure I could pool run that long either! You just do what you have to.

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  14. Yes you can! What a radical summer for you!!!! Have a great weekend!

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    1. Those little seeds that get implanted in my brain sometimes grow huge and take on a life of their own. Not a bad thing, I guess.

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  15. It will almost seem like another first, I think. Disney was such a radical experience, which I paid for -- for a few weeks anyway. I hope this race will be a stronger experience and quick recovery.

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  16. At the time, it seemed radical. Run a half marathon even though I had only run 5ks. Not tell anyone in case I failed.

    On the personal level - get divorced, get a another masters degree and start a new career, learn to play tennis, get re-married and raise 2 stepsons.

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