The Incident - A recap

The End of the streak.

Well despite Tom's insipiring attempt to give a noble and hilarious description of what kept me from running the other day, what actually occurred was far less inspiring.

I was up early to run the first day of the back to back weekend long runs which was supposed to be fourteen miles long. When I got out of bed, my lower back sort of cracked, but I didn't take much notice of it as I usually don't get up that early and was still half asleep. I don't normally do morning runs, but I was planning on helping a lady from church move later and this was the only time to get in. Anyway, after hauling my stuff downstairs, I bent over to reach something else to put on and BLAM! I was lying on the floor, yelling bloody murder. My back had given out and I couldn't walk or even stand up. I spent the next four hours rolling around trying to get up to no avail. Teh wifey had to call the ambulance to come and get me to take me to the ER so I could get some good drugs. I've been in bed ever since.

Four days have passed, and I am getting somewhat better, I have been able to stand up and walk to the bathroom with help. There are some oh so proud moments when you can't stand up at all...I think the pain is gradually diminishing. It is most likely muscular and similar to something that happened to me three or four years ago (before the 2nd running career started). The solution last time was to exercise faithfully and stretch faithfully and that had pretty much done it until the other day.

As far as the streak goes, it was pretty tough. I'll admit I shed a few tears and even made a final attempt to stand up and do...something, but seeing as I couldn't stand up it was a pretty ridiculous sight.

I'm sure as I look back at it, at some point I will realize that I made my initial goals and then some. 366 days were achieved, and considering the state I was in at that time, that is pretty much a miracle. I think there are a lot of lessons to be learned from all of this, many I'm sure I haven't even thought about yet. However the main reminder that emerges from this, is one that I realized very early on in this streak running thing. That is, there are no guarantees. As I started running every day I realized that on any given day something could happen to prevent me from running. I also knew it could be something totally out of my control. There is no guarantee that running at least one mile will happen tomorrow. I can prepare and plan, and set my willpower level to "hardcore" but nothing can ensure it taking place. As we all know, life is like that too. Everything we count on, everything we plan to do, everything we are hoping for, can change in an instant. There are no guarantees for tomorrow. So today, if you can, why not seize the moment and go for a run? (just remember to bend your knees already!)

I praise the Lord I had the opportunity to run for 669 days. I know its a blessing to even have the physical capability to run. I'll continue to try not to take that for granted.

p.s. Thanks for all the comments, they are greatly appreciated!

p.p.s. Do they make a 40 oz Gatorade bottle? I could've used one...