Sunday, September 7, 2008

Chips-n-Salsa

At mile 5, Husband reminded me that we do this for fun, we didn't need to finish.

Even though I was running with a limp, I needed to time to think about it.

How do you know when enough is enough?

It's not the pain of the moment, it's not the finish time, it's the fear of unknown. It comes down to an assessment of risk vs reward.

Is it worth it?

What is running this race worth to me? Is it worth risking further damage to my knee?

Is it worth it?

How long will it put me back on the sideline? a few days? a week?

Is it worth it?

What if it means two weeks? or a month? or longer?

Is it worth it?

Maybe I should just suck it up. Maybe it's not that bad.
But the question wouldn't stop echoing in my head.

Is it worth it?

Is it worth it?

Is it worth it?

I turned my garmin off at mile 6.3 and sent him on ahead.
I walked another 3.7 miles. And then I stopped.

37 comments:

  1. Lisa - you definitely did the right thing. It is not worth injuring your knee more seriously! That kind of pain is the kind that is not good.

    I know you will have a positive attitude...you always do. But, I just want to say I am sorry this had to happen with all the work you've put in. Take away the knee pain, and I know you would have PR'd. (but it's not all about PR-ing and I know you know that ;-))

    Take care and enjoy your Sunday afternoon. It was good seeing you at the start :)

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  2. You are right - it's not worth it. Sometimes injuries happen and take us out for a while, and it's always best to be safe than sorry. It's unfortunate that this just happened to you right before a race.

    Take care of the knee and I hope you'll be back out there soon.

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  3. I think you made a good choice. It's not worth it to risk not running at all for a while. Sorry it happened though. Hope your knee is on the mend soon!

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  4. Oh Lisa. I am sorry. But, I am glad you made that decision. It sounds like that was the right one to make.

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  5. Lisa my friend you totally made the right decision!! Just being at the starting line and going for 10 miles is quite an achievement!! Please take care of your knee whatever you need to do to heal yourself so you can run again. But, it is never worth having an injury to finish a race!!! You did the right thing!!!

    Michelle

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  6. I'm sorry to hear that you were hurting that badly, but you did the right thing. Sometimes, finishing a race is not the most important thing.

    I had to DNF a half marathon once because of knee pain. It was a terrible decision at the time, but it was smart to quit when I did. I only appreciated that in retrospection, though.

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  7. Wow-I hope your knee is OK. YOu did the right thing for sure. Remember it is only a run..there will be many more..get better soon.

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  8. Sorry it didn't go as you would have liked. Only you know your body, I would think you made the best decision. You're not one to stop unless it's necessary. Hope it heals soon.

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  9. Good for you for making that decision. I'm sure this is just a bump in the road for you.

    Take good care and try not to let this get to you. You are right it's supposed to be fun -- heal up that knee so the next race will be.

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  10. Oh how upsetting ((hugs))
    DNF = Did Nothing Foolish (I can spout that annoying cliche b/c I'm far away so you can't hit me, and coz it's TRUE). But still, a hard decision :(

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  11. Oh bummer - but absolutely the right decision!! Rest up and I hope it gets better really quick!

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  12. I am sorry to hear you had to make that decision, but you definitely made the right one. No sense further hurting your knee just to finish a race. Take care of that knee

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  13. You made it pretty far. If you were questioning yourself at 5 miles, you obviously would have suffered if you had continued. Hope it heals fast! Just give yourself a little more time.

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  14. I *heart* you. You are so wise Lisa :-) A lot of people would have kept going but you made the right decision. It stinks but knowing you . . . you'll will definitely put a positive spin on it :-) And DH is right, if it's not fun there's no sense ;-)

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  15. Yea, it was totally worth it, and you stopped at the right time :-)

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  16. sometimes it takes more guts to stop than to stubbornly persevere. Kudos to you for doing the right thing.

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  17. you listened to your body and that is always the right thing to do, hard at times, but the right thing.

    Em

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  18. I'm glad you used your head!! Take care of those knees!

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  19. Good For YOU!

    I always tell people that our strength doesn't show in how far or fast we can go. It shows when we know we have to call it day.

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  20. I am so sorry your race didn't turn out as planned, but I agree with everyone, you definitely did the right thing. You have to look at the big picture when stuff like this happens.

    Wishing you a speedy recovery and a hell of a good time at your next half!

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  21. Oh Lisa, what a tough run but you really made the proper decision, that alone shows your spirit & the toughness of a wise woman.

    Please look after yourself and get those knees back in shape after some well deserved R&R.

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  22. Sorry to hear your knee acted up on you..

    Yup, better to do battle another day, than take a month or two off from a injury..

    LOts of ICE.

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  23. How frustrating to have to make that decision and feel that much pain! Hope your knee heals quickly and fully now!

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  24. Stupid pain. You did the right thing. I didn't listen to my body yesterday, and I'm paying for it today. I hope that you feel better soon.

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  25. Nothing is worth long term injury.

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  26. For a competior like you, the hardest thing to do is stop (even harder than continuing). You made the tough decision and did the right thing. Great job.

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  27. This decision may have saved several other races on your calendar. Turn the page, heal up. Get back at it.

    And I hope I didn't put that 'worth it' phrase in your head.

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  28. Oh Lisa ... :o( .. BOO HISS to the knee!! You've worked so hard... but you most certainly did the right thing, if you had gone on it may not have been the knee which worsened but something else as you compensated... (so says the voice of experience believe me!).. YOU SO DID THE RIGHT THING... I just feel for you given your training. BUT be positive, sort out the problem, we expect you back!!

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  29. It IS worth it. When you have a race signed up for, a training plan, and you're healthy...it's almost out of your hands. On my key workout days, I don't let the question enter my head. So good for you for continuing to put one foot in front of the other!

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  30. good move lisa....

    live to fight another day

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  31. well done.. thats great policy. Push yourself a bit, but always be cautious.

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  32. Lisa--- So smart of you to do what you did! Long term it will pay off.

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  33. Coming from someone who has been told to not "run" for a while and let my shins heal from a possible stress fracture, I say it's not worth it. It's a horrible feeling, I know and just tonight - I started to feel that this walking thing isn't so bad after all. Even as much as I want to run.

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  34. yikes. Gotta take care of those knees, baby! You did the right thing. There will be lots and lots of half-marys in your future! Maybe if I get fast enough, I can run some with you!

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  35. There is acceptable pain that usually does not lead to further injury and then there is the pain that is no good. It certainly sounds like this was the kind that was no good. I am so sorry to hear, but I think you made the right choice. I hope you are feeling better both mentally and physically. Take care!

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  36. Good for you for doing the hard thing (or maybe it was a no brainer at that point!) and stopping. Hang in there - you know as well as anyone that running has its ups and downs. A great run will be waiting for you when your body has healed.

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  37. You did the right thing!!! Not the EASY thing but the right one!! I am proud of you!!!

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