Running with the Devil

I used to be a runner.  I used to run everyday before work and also sometimes  after work.  I was one of those " obsessed " runners always chasing the runner high.  I did many road races in my day, everything from 5k to completing 6 full marathons.  Running was my escape from the world.  In 2000 I was hurt at work and tore all my ligaments off my ankle.  All running came to a screeching halt.  Surgery and physical therapy for over a year followed.  I was told I would never be able to run again.  The stress of running on my ankle would be tremendous so I stopped running.  I quit.

Not being able to  run was very painful for me and my family.  I ate to feel better and put on almost 100lbs in 2 years time.  I wish I had been introduced to cycling back then.  I tried to run, many times, but failed miserably.   At 200lbs I was not very light on my feet and felt I couldn't do it.   I gave up and ate some more.  I am so glad that person does not exist anymore.

Fast forward to 2007.  My husband wanted to do the Castlewood 8HR adventure race.  I had began mountain biking  about 2 months prior.  I started running again and it was real painful at first, but as the weeks passed, I forgot about the pain.  I really wanted to do this race.  Jim and I took 2nd coed in our first race! From that moment, I told myself that I would learn to deal with being uncomfortable and never let it stop me again.  And it hasn't.   Here's proof

 However, being able to ride a bike for many hours and put in insane mileage does NOT mean sh*t when you are running.  When I first started 3 weeks ago, I found this fact out quickly.  I realized there is no coasting to catch my breath either.   I found a pace I could handle in the early morning heat  and stayed with it for 2 miles.  Sounds lame, I know.  But, you have to start somewhere.  I am currently up to 3 mile runs with plans to go further.  Much further.  I promised my boy that I would do this with him in Oct.  How amazing will it be to stand at the start/ finish with him?  I would never have guessed I would be given this opportunity.   I  hope I can keep up.

With all of this running I am doing, I think some cross races are definitely in order. I  hope some of the running fitness also helps on the bike.  I have a 12hr race and a 24 hr race in Sept..  Stay tuned to see how that plays out....