Bump in the Road

Last Friday night I had a setback that could potentially affect my running the marathon on October 19. I was getting everything together for my Saturday morning 22 mile run when I started having terrible stomach pain. It came on suddenly, but within 1 hour I could hardly stand up. I started getting chills and was running a fever. Bob was helping me walk from one room to another when I actually passed out from the pain. It was only for a few seconds, but I have never passed out before. On Saturday we went to the hospital emergency room and after tests and a CT Scan I was diagnosed with Diverticulitis. I’m not supposed to run for 10 days and unfortunately that leaves about a week to complete my training for the marathon. I have another CT Scan scheduled for Monday. Although there is a slight chance I may have to back out of the race, I’m very hopeful that with all the medication I’m taking I’ll be well enough to run my marathon!

I really don’t understand why this is happening and at first it was hard not to feel a little depressed about it, especially so close to race day. I called Betsy to see how she was doing and shared with her that I may not run this marathon in her honor. She is going through her fourth chemotherapy treatment today (so soon after her last difficult treatment), and yet she still managed to be an encouragement to me. She helped me to remember and embrace all the positive lessons and experiences I’ve encountered throughout my training. I have learned incredible discipline (it takes a lot getting up in the early mornings and running when I don't want to!), and I have met so many exemplary, selfless people who are willing to put their bodies through intense challenges just to bring honor and remembrance to the names and lives of the people they cherish. It has made me more aware of the pain my honorees have gone through and has instilled a sense of duty to do whatever I can to prevent others from having to experience their kind of pain. Whatever the outcome, I am finally at peace about it.

Thanks again for all your support and prayers…