Salt Lake City Half Marathon

So i am 16 weeks into my training program,(6 weeks left), and so far had done it without injury, until this week... Somewhere between my 17 miler last Saturday, and Tuesday i did something to my back. By Wednesday, i could barely walk without wanting to scream. Now being as dedicated as i have been, i got on the treadmill Wednesday night, and it brought me to tears. I knew then something was really wrong. So Thursday at work, i rescheduled my afternoon, and got right into a chiropractor. This is someone i have known for years and his wife is a runner, so i knew he would do his best. Long story short, i have inflamed my back muscles so bad that they have now cut off my sciatic nerve. More commonly called sciatica or "runner's butt". This is pretty much hands down, one of the most painful things i have ever felt. So he worked his magic two days in a row, trying to get the pain and inflammation under control so that i could run the Salt Lake City half marathon this last Saturday.

Well, i did do the race, and i was very happy i did, but it did not come without 13.1 miles of pain! Ha! When you turn into a runner, something must overcome your brain, telling you that no matter the pain, you need to do it. Why? And it is Sunday today, and i am paying for the pain of my back. That race really would have been great if my back was healthy. It is hard because i have put so much time and effort into training, that it really is hard to take an injury and allow myself to take some days off! But i know i need to, my ultimate goal is the 26.2, so i need to get my back healthy so that is not agonizing! Ha! So here are a couple more pictures from the race.

This is my cousin Jesse, who did the half as well. It is great to have other family involved, so they understand my craziness! Great Job Jesse!!

Yup, it was crazy windy!! Nice at times when it pushed at your back, not so nice when you had to run into it!


This is my good friend Mindy. This was her first half marathon. The farthest she had ran was eleven so this was a great accomplishment for her!!

Mindy raised over 2,000 dollars for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She did this race with Team in Training, she is an Oncology nurse at Primary Children's, so that made it even more special for her.

My friend John, was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia last month and is currently up at Huntsman Cancer Institute undergoing aggressive chemotherapy. His friend designed this shirt, and thought it would be fun for us to wear them and take a picture to send to him. So i dedicated this race to him. As much pain as i was going through, i am sure his is a lot worse, so i am glad i was able to get out there, and get through the pain. He is a great person and i know he will get through this!