So, here's the update from Brian, who's had two appointments with physical therapists this week:
dude,
my marathon just got a little more "marathonier". i have a few minor tears in my patella tendon where it meets my knee. i also have a "weak left side"-i am still a democrat and i am still gonna run damn it! i have a bunch of strenghthing exercises, am starting eliptical tomm and ran in a harness today that made me 40 pounds lighter. my physical therapist says this is the best time for this to happen and that i will be ready to go on v-day!
So, there's the update, but that doesn't tell the more important part of the story. In the last week, Brian has been one of the people whose attitude and perseverance have reminded me why we do this, and why it matters.
He's had two appointments, and talked to me after each. Yes, he was fortunate to have hopeful prognoses. But he also had the right take on it all - he was going to do what the docs prescribed, and wait and see. Several times, he said, "Hey, what else am I gonna do, give up?" He decided not to worry, not to assume the worst, not to give up, not to be bitter. He made a choice - he's decided that he's put in the hard work, which both helped to minimize the injury, and improves his chances of being able to recover and run the marathon. He's decided that he's going to continue putting in hard work, doing whatever he is able to do to get to the start line on February 14.
He's had two appointments, and talked to me after each. Yes, he was fortunate to have hopeful prognoses. But he also had the right take on it all - he was going to do what the docs prescribed, and wait and see. Several times, he said, "Hey, what else am I gonna do, give up?" He decided not to worry, not to assume the worst, not to give up, not to be bitter. He made a choice - he's decided that he's put in the hard work, which both helped to minimize the injury, and improves his chances of being able to recover and run the marathon. He's decided that he's going to continue putting in hard work, doing whatever he is able to do to get to the start line on February 14.
On race day, Brian will be able to go, or he won't. But beyond that practical view is the simple strength of belief and faith, that whether he can run or not is just another battle he faces. No matter how you feel today, that's the reality we all face, not just for running, but for everything we do. And that attitude, difficult as it is to embrace and maintain in the face of the things many of you have and continue to face, is a key thing to learn about running, and one of the things I think we can take from it into the rest of our lives.
I haven't done a good job with that in a while, but you guys have been unwittingly reminding me along the way. I think everyone has been sick or injured at some point this season. This week in particular, Brian, Lorrie, and Nancy really reminded me, and have made a difference - thanks for that.
Wednesday, I was talking to someone that had just been diagnosed with a pretty aggressive case of prostate cancer. We talked, and I found myself telling him about Brian's situation, and his attitude. I didn't want to compare the situations and trivialize cancer, but the fact remains that the choices of how to confront those situations is the same - what else are you gonna do? Give up, despair, get bitter, throw away the strength of body and character that you've worked on? Do you let go of all of that so easily? And, if you're not going to give up, then what? Do you keep fighting?
So, bottom line, keep at it. You have three weeks left. Keep making the hard choices to get out there and run, or to be patient and wait out an injury, or to stay in touch with why you're doing this. You have all put in the work, now you just have to keep your head together and keep everything in perspective. Stay positive, and I believe we're all going to get there.
