My Drug of Choice

Over this past Thanksgiving, I was "tricked" into running Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN.

Grandma's marathon is sacred in our family. It was a family tradition to either run the race or cheer. I was an official cheerleader as a kid. I loved going up there (stopping at Toby's Bakery along the way), feeling the excitement of the runners, staying in a hotel, swimming in the pool and most of all, cheering for the runners. One year I was interviewed by a local newspaper about my cheering. I was annoyed that the reporter was taking my time and I couldn't watch the race.

Now it is time for the next generation to run the race - there will be three of us. Once I decide I am going to do something of this caliber, there is no going back. I'm committed and will put forth every effort. So I did and all my efforts led me to a stress fracture in my ankle and heel. I increased my mileage too quickly and am paying dearly for it now. 8 WEEKS OF NO RUNNING.

You see, the feeling I get when I run is a drug - the "runners high". It makes me feel powerful and in control. I love that feeling and need it everyday. Since I can't run, I am having serious withdrawals. It almost makes me feel depressed - like I am not working hard enough or accomplishing my goals.

So to try to keep my aerobic ability, I am banished to the pool (so I don't have any impact on my foot).

See, I have this great fear of water and have NO clue how to swim (despite all the swim lessons I took).

This past week I swam a mile (it was only the back stroke) and "pool ran" for over an hour. I don't write this to brag, but I can't believe I am swimming. I never thought I would ever EVER swim because I was so scared of the water (the only time I would ever put on a swim suit is to take my kids to the pool and sit on the side). I think if we want that "high" bad enough, we will do anything to get it - even if it means overcoming fears of water. My goal is to swim/pool run enough I will still be able to train for the marathon.

I've even considered doing a triathlon once I've been given the clearance to run.