Swallowing my pride ...

Time to face reality.  My femoral neck stress fracture is taking longer to heal than I had expected.  I don't want this to be a bad thing, and I want to stay positive.  But I will be going to Walt Disney World with my family next week, and I have to face reality ... there will be a lot of walking, and although I think I can handle it, my doctor and my family don't think so, and frankly, I am still limping around on a crutch, so who am I fooling?

I continually look to two runners: Kara Goucher and Meb Keflezighi, American long distance athletes, who have suffered similar hip stress fractures, and have gone on to become champions.

I am not at the same level as they are in athleticism of course.  But I realized that if I am to maintain and reach my goal of completing the Goofy Marathon and Half Challenge, I have to swallow my pride.  So today in preparation for my trip to the my happy place, Walt Disney World, I have reserved myself an electric scooter:

It was a hard decision to make.  I fully realize that others are a lot worse than I am, and have more serious medical problems than I do, and live in a so-called ECV every day.  But I had too much pride, no way a runner like myself was going to ride in a scooter at Disney!  But I realized that this is the way to go.  This is the best way for my family and I to enjoy ourselves at Disney, and I can heal in the process.

I especially thank www.disboards.com and the specifically the folks on the disABILITIES page for sharing their experiences and thoughts, and inspiring me to go this route.  I will still run, this is just a little vacation!

How quickly focus changes

A few months ago I was shopping around technology for running ... I was using the app iMapMyRun as a GPS on phone device, and I was considering getting a GPS watch (those Garmins look great) ... and maybe even asking for one for my birthday.  Would have been a fun (but not necessary) addition to my running gear.

Well, this year's birthday has come and gone, and I did not get nor even ask for a GPS watch.  Because of my injury, I had to stop running.  And instead of a $200 (or more) Garmin Forerunner GPS watch to help me track my miles, I got this:

This is an Orthofix 3315 Bone Stimulator.

Yup, bone stimulator ... prescribed by my orthopedic surgeon to help heal my stress fracture. I have to wear it 3 hours a day for the next 90-180 days.  The GPS watch has to wait.

How things change.

Ice Cream Victory

Last night I drove my family to a local ice cream place, Sundaes, got out of the car, walked in, got a chocolate ice cream cone, ate it, and walked back to the car...VICTORY!

Why "Victory"?

Because I was not able to do that one week ago.


It has been almost 7 weeks since I sustained my latest running injury, my femoral neck stress fracture, and I've been on crutches since then (save for a couple of ambitious moments when I tried to come off, but ended up hurting myself again.)  And last night I left my crutch in my car and walked over to get ice cream, unassisted.  Victory.

When I started this blog a couple of months ago, I wanted to chronicle my training towards the Walt Disney World Goofy Challenge, the Marathon and a Half Challenge.  Yes, it may have turned into an injury report, with bits of Disney Pixie Dust thrown in ...

But my goal remains the same.


Yes, I sold my entry to the popular Spring Lake Five Mile Run, and I am trying to transfer my entry to the Belmar Five Mile Run (any takers please message me).

But I am still registered for the Atlantic City Half Marathon, and also the 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon!  And God willing I will run both.

I am not in denial (or maybe I'm in denial of being in denial?), I know I have to recover smart, and train smart, and listen to my doctor and to my body.  We will be going to Walt Disney World in several weeks, and I have already researched online to find places to rent a wheelchair if I have to use one ... (God...30-something years old and I have to use a wheelchair at Walt Disney World?) ... but that's a big if.

But getting myself excited all over again at my favorite site:

Will keep you updated on the progress, but for now, Disney Trip planning!