i may or may not have run the SF half…
I really have absolutely no words for what happened today. As excited as I was to be in San Francisco, being here the past few days has been really hard. It’s hard to be excited for so many other people to run when you’re not even sure if you yourself can run. I got over the troubles I had with not running Boston when I found out it was going to be 95 degrees and 3:10 didn’t stand a chance of happening.
The San Francisco Marathon was going to be a fun run that I’ve been looking forward to ever since I found out that I was going to be an Ambassador for the race. When it came time to sign up, I knew that the full marathon was out, but if I got back to running, the half marathon would be a possibility. As the past few months have unfolded, I realized that toeing any sort of starting line might be out of the question. Maybe I could run the 5k. Slow.
I ran three times since the epidural injections I got on Monday. I ran through Golden Gate Park on Saturday to test my back out, running four miles…the most I’ve ran in weeks. (Someone high fived me in the park…I like your style, SF.) People asked me what I was going to run. I had a lot of anxiety over it. I just wanted to run. I’m over this back pain.
So while I would never recommend this to anyone, I decided to line up, wear a tutu, and see how far I could go. The worst thing that would happen would be that I end up cutting out early and/or walking to the finish. I started with Alisyn, Eric, and Wes at 5:30am. We stuck together as a group, took it easy, and a little over two hours later…
Do as I say, not as I do,
I ran the SF half in a tutu!
I RAN A HALF MARATHON. (Don’t tell my doctor.) And my back didn’t hurt. (You can tell him that.) Okay, that’s a lie. I felt a twinge around mile 10 and thought I was done, but it went away after a couple seconds.
I expected to make it five miles and have to stop. I never thought I’d run in a tutu. I never thought I’d be so happy just to finish a race. But I did and so far…so good. I had a blast running with my fellow ambassadors, and I’m just thrilled to be running. I hope this keeps up and isn’t some sort of San Francisco fluke.
I naturally have more to say (race reports are never short…), but I hope this sticks around and this race made me smile…longest run since February! I can’t say I would recommend the “Hey! Let’s see how far I can run today!” plan to everyone, but I’m so glad I did it and can’t wait to share my experience with you!
High fives for everyone.
While I don’t at all condone what you did… YOU ARE AWESOME. Congratulations!!!
Congratulations! That’s so awesome … and what a great way to make a comeback (in a tutu)!
Wow! Great job! I’m so happy for you!
YAY!! Congratulations Susan!! I know how amazing that must have felt. Must be the magic of the west coast
It may not have been the most cautious/logical decision, but I cannot blame you at all. I think I would’ve done the exact same thing – sometimes that itch to just RUN again is way too powerful. I’m so happy you were able to complete the half without pain and I am keeping my fingers crossed that this is the start of your comeback (for real this time!!).
Wow!! Congratulations!!
You are amazing! You ran strong the whole time! So much fun running with you and the boys. I can’t believe I ran in a tutu either, but it certainly wouldn’t have been the same experience without you! Thanks for the push and good times!
Nice! Congrats!! I’m also coming back from an injury – so this is inspiring.
well well….high 5 to you!!!!
I hope you stay well and that it was not a fluke!
the light at the end of the tunnel is there…you saw it in SF!
SUSAN! I would have done the exact same thing. I’m so glad your back felt fine and you were able to run. Yay!
Congratulations! Glad you could make the run after the long trip.
Hope it is the start of a great recovery.
Simply, amazing! I’m so happy for you and can’t wait to read all about it!
Yes! This is so awesome! So do you think the epidural injections helped?!?! How do you feel after the race?
Congrats…and nice style!
Amazing! Congrats! And I love the tutu!
Yay!! You looked strong when I saw you on the bridge — so glad to hear that was the case the whole way through!
OMG, yay! Congrats! This is such wonderful news.
I’m so gald you were able to run! It was nice meeting you although so briefly. Too bad we all didn’t have more time to hang out. Can I get a testimonial from you on the glam runner site about tutus healing running injuries? ;o)
good luck with your recovery! Im battling neck pain/headache issues right now. I did a head roll at one point on the course and got so dizzy I thought I was going to fall down. I never did that again and made it to the end thank goodness. Its frustrating to have a specific pain with no diagnosis yet and no real treatment.
One doctor told me it was stress and another gave me painkillers. Now I’m seeing a chiropractor. None of this is helping so far.. but anyways, enough about me. Hope this race leads you back on the path of many more!
Not a fluke…. Pure awesome!