The DNS: There's a First Time for Everything

Yesterday was the day I was supposed to run marathon #5, Grandma's Marathon. I signed up for Grandma's right around the time I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Loaded up with steroids at the time, I was feeling good and figured I could go ahead with my plans to run this spring race in the north woods of Minnesota. Heck, I wasn't going to let this disease get the best of me! I was going to show RA just who was in charge.

Right on! RA had other plans for me. While I continued to run through the spring, my endurance continued to decline. I was DNFing all my runs--I was struggling to even run a mile-- and frustrated with myself, I made the decision to discontinue my training and not run Grandma's.

It was not an easy decision but it felt like the right thing to do. Immediately after canceling my plans to run the race, I felt as if a weight was lifted off my shoulders. Instead of training for a marathon, I shifted my focus to the May race I also had signed up for, the Door County Half Marathon. I began doing run/walk intervals with success and satisfaction. Running became enjoyable again. I've never been good at listening to my body, but I was having no regrets about my plans to DNS for the first time ever.

One of my friends asked me if I was sad about not lining up for the race. I would have to say that no, I wasn't sad, but I did have some regrets. Some might call me stubborn, but I've always prided myself on not being a quitter. No matter how many people tell me that I did the smart thing, it never feels good to give up a goal. I knew that I wouldn't be able to run the race I wanted to run with the current state of my health. Now that I've had time to adjust to my slower pace and those run/walk intervals, I'm looking to the future. I do believe I have one last marathon in me.

The only FOMO I felt about not being in Duluth this weekend is missing out on the camaraderie with my VRBs. Kim, Rachel, and Gina were there and I would have loved being with them. Back in the spring, Gina and I made plans to pace each other to the finish, me to my BQ and her to a 4 hour marathon. I pulled out of the race and Gina struggled with injuries. Neither of us achieved our lofty goals. But Gina finished with a 23 minute PR and her emotional finish line video just brought tears to my eyes. Redemption is mighty sweet and I would have loved to have been there to share that moment with her. Rachel also PR'd--another big one, I might add, and her enthusiasm was palpable in her social media posts! Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?

I won't lie. This was a little tough to look at.

I reflected on all of this as I ran this weekend. On Saturday morning, I slogged through a hot, steamy 4 miler. Heading out the door, my goal was to run this one without walk intervals. Mission accomplished. I maintained a sub-9 pace too, but I did have 2 potty stops. PRO TIP: Don't eat salad with sundried tomatoes and garbanzo beans the day before a run. After this run, I felt yucky the rest of the day. The heat was definitely on this week and I was grateful for my run/walk intervals, which I utilized on my other 3 runs.

Not only affecting my pace, I felt the humidity in my joints as well. I'm probably the rare runner who hasn't had knee issues and this is truly the first time that I've had knee pain and stiffness. Demonstrating the duck walk to my patients has become quite difficult for me! I wouldn't be clearing me for participation in school sports. Yoga on Monday was hard, but as the class went on, I loosened up. Wednesday's class was much easier. More than ever, I see what a difference yoga is making in my mobility.

Steph and I met with Becky on Thursday. We worked on glute strengthening by doing deadlifts and back extensions on the GHD, as well as swinging on the rings (my personal favorite). I just love the creativity in these workouts. After we left, Becky taught a class and had them flip the tractor tire for a mile (taking turns, of course!).

It was a great week of workouts. I just want to put it out there: I'm feeling really good right now. I know I should knock on wood or do the sign of the cross or something--but the truth of the matter is, I'm content and happy where I'm at. I'm learning to appreciate the good days and push through the bad days. Thankfully, the bad days are becoming fewer. I get to run! I'm a little nervous about RnR Chicago because most likely that's going to be a hot one, but I've got my run/walk intervals to keep me moving forward. I'm in a good place now, and that's the best place to be. No FOMO! The DNS didn't hurt...much...

Tell me about the time you had to DNS! Or DNF....haven't done that either. I guess there's a first time for everything, right?

I'm linking up with Holly, Tricia, and Tara for the Weekly Wrap Guest Host Series! Be sure to link up with Tara and show her some love while she mans the controls!