Hello, friends. It's been a little while since my last post. I've had an interesting few weeks here in Texas. When I last wrote, I was slowly making my way through week 7 while experiencing some discomfort in my groin area during and after my runs. I took to resting a few extra days between runs to see if the discomfort would ease. I was able to successfully complete W7R2, but was still experiencing pain during and after the run. So, I rested several days before attempting the final run of week 7. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon when I started the run, but I'm sorry to say that I was only able to run about 1/2 of the 25 minute time because the pain in my groin grew from minor discomfort to searing pain. I thought it would be best to admit defeat and rest my groin longer. Further, I decided I wouldn't attempt to run for at least another 7 days. Better to be safe than sorry, I thought.
During the next week, I experienced some pretty significant intestinal problems and ended up in the Emergency Room one afternoon. The doctor prescribed a heavy dose of antibiotics. Because I didn't feel well, I wasn't eating much and my energy level was almost nonexistent. About a year ago, I was hospitalized for more than 3 weeks with a major bacterial infection. I feared this latest episode was the beginning of a repeat of last year. I was pretty bummed out, weak as ever, and in no condition to run 1 minute, let alone the 25 minutes of W7R3. So my 1 week hiatus grew to nearly 2 weeks.
During my 2 week "vacation" from running, I worried about losing the momentum that I'd built up during the first 6+ weeks of the C25K program. I was also concerned that I would not be able to reach my personal goal at the end of October. Several months ago, I'd made a commitment to myself to run in a charity 5k that benefits an organization my best friend leads. His dear children are afflicted with a rare genetic disease and a few years ago he lost his only son to the disease. Each year, I support my friend by donating to his charity and by attending his annual 5k run. Every year before, I simply walked the course (or part of it) because I was in no shape to run it. This year, I committed to running the entire 5k. It was that goal that led me to begin the C25K program. When I started the program, I checked the calendar and determined that I could finish the 9 week program just prior to the 5K run. However, the extra days of rest my groin required and the time off the past 2 weeks really derailed my plans. I began to accept the fact that I would likely not be able to run the entire 5K. After all, when I last ran, I could barely cover 2 miles and 25 minutes. My goal of running the 5K at the end of October seemed out of reach.
My friend's 5K run was this past Saturday morning. I encouraged my wife and 3 sons to attend the run with me. My oldest son, a 16 year old athletic football player, told me he'd run the 5K in my place since I was in no condition to do so. I told my family that I was going to attempt to run at least part of the 5K, but I doubted I could make it to the 1/2 point and planned to walk whatever portion that I could not run. It was a very cool morning and I left the house in sweat pants and a hooded sweatshirt (not exactly the gear I'd been used to running in), along with my running shoes. I stretched prior to the start of the race and felt a twinge in my groin while doing so. I declined to be timed or to wear an official race number since I figured I would not complete the race. But, I still had the Nike Plus sensor, so I knew I could track my progress without the race timer.
When the horn sounded, I started off with a light jog and my oldest son running beside me. My middle son soon passed me in a dead sprint. My youngest son and my wife were walking behind me. I didn't like running in sweat pants and a hoodie, but I made my way to the 1/2 mile marker and a cold cup of water. I was experiencing some tightness in my groin, but it was not unbearable and soon abated. The course was not very flat and I found the "hills and valleys" to be challenging, to say the least. My middle son passed me going the other way before I made it to the turnaround point at the 1/2 way mark, though. I was clearly not making good time, but I was running and not stopping. And, it felt good to do so. I slowly made my way to the 1/2 way point and another cup of water. My oldest son would walk a while and then run up next to me occasionally with words of encouragement. At some point, I realized I had been running longer than my longest time of 25 minutes. I concentrated on my form and began to believe that I may just finish the entire 5K run. Soon, I was rounding the corner for the last mile of the course. There was one last hill, though, and it was brutal going up it at the end of the run. With about a quarter mile to go, my son looked at my phone and told me that if I picked up the pace a bit, I could finish the 5K in less than 40 minutes. He seemed to think that was pretty special. Me, I was just happy that I may actually finish the darn thing without dying.
I crossed the finish line with very little left in my tank. I'd covered more than 5K (3.2 miles, actually) in 39.49 minutes. I was overcome with emotion. Two weeks prior, I could barely run 25 minutes and I'd just finished a 5K after 2 weeks of illness and all. I can't explain how I accomplished that feat. No doubt angels were watching over me and my son's encouragement was a source of inspiration. My wife was none too happy with me, but she told me she wasn't surprised that I did it since I was a stubborn donkey (my words, not hers)!
Last night, I finished W7R3 and am preparing to get back on track. I will finish the C25K program as intended. This was just a very unexpected, but happy detour in my journey to being a proper runner.
Praise God.
Written by
TexasDad
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Congratulations, that is an amazing effort and you have every right to feel incredibly proud of your achievement! Really well done for pushing through and finishing the charity run and good luck for the rest of your program
Well done you. Hope this has not set you back any with your groin pain but it shows how determined we can be when we put our mind to something. You are an inspiration to us all. Take care
Thank you for your kind words. I don't think this has negatively impacted my groin injury. It's not 100% healed, but these things take time. Thanks again!
You'll get there soon enough. I actually found running in an organized event easier than my typical run around the neighborhood. I think running along with others was a great motivator for me to continue to the end. You might consider signing up for a local event in your neck of the woods. Might help you conquer that last 1/2K. Good luck!
Praise God indeed - good on you! Fabulous story - well done and keep up the good work. Your family should be very proud of you not to mention your friend whose charity has spurred you on - what a moving story.
Praise the Lord TexasDad! You did it-you made the 5k!!!!
I wondered why we hadn't heard from you. Sounds to me as though you had some infection and inflammation in the spermatic cord. See how it goes, as you may need another course of AB's to finish it off.
Well, you were way ahead of me when we last heard from you. I graduated on Friday-really only sunk in on Monday when I changed to Stepping Stones. I should have run this morning-but got a stinking cold and bad cough-so time out for me (take my own advice).
I am so very proud of you and the way you attempted the circuit for that family TexaDad. Is there any way I can late sponsor you-a link?? Your family must be so proud too.
Hi Colette. I've finished one round of two different antibiotics. CT scan was clear, other tests in a few weeks. Problem seems to be in the intestines. But, I feel better already. Hopefully, this is nothing serious. I've got too much to do to be sick.
Congratulations on your graduation. I know you must feel a great sense of relief and accomplishment. Sorry to hear that you're under the weather. Get well soon.
I'm not sure about late sponsorship, but you could follow this link to see if it's still possible. I'd be honored if you did so, though. Here's the link I followed to register for the race mpssociety.org/event-regist...
Yes TexasDad I can donate-but multiple choices. Can you do me a small favour please? Go into the link and direct me as to which one to select? it maybe your friends child, for research-several types to choose from-as I don't want to press the wrong link.
Best I can tell, you have multiple donation options. At the top of the page that you land on if you follow the link above, there's a sentence that says, Donate now or Scroll Down to Register for this Event. If you click "Donate Now", it takes you to a different page where you can make a general donation to the MPS Society. I see there where you can designate your gift for a specific purpose. I've never designated my gifts, so I'm not sure what selection is best. My friends are Steve and Amy Holland. You can see their picture on the first page you land on when you use the initial link I sent earlier. This is the 11th year the Holland family has put together an event to help raise funds for the National MPS Society. While MPS is a very rare genetic disease, and it rarely affects more than one child in a family, the Hollands have unfortunately been hit hard by the odds and have had all three of their children afflicted. Steve and Amy lost their oldest child, Spencer, in January of 2008 while receiving an experimental treatment. Maddie and Laynie continue to receive treatments, constantly fighting for their health. MPS is such a big part of the Holland family life; Steve and Amy have both committed their lives to helping others in the same fight by volunteering and leading this organization, and mentoring other families devastated by the disease. The Holland children have MPS1. If you are so inclined, you could make a general donation or donate to MPS 1 Research. Either way, I'm sure Steve and Amy would appreciate your support, as do I.
What a fantastic blog, well done for even attempting it after your previous 2 weeks, never mind getting out there and smashing the 5k!
We are all very proud of you TexasDad, (can you see us all waving pom poms and cheering you on?) but please look after yourself and listen to your body as you recover from whatever sidelined you in the first place.
And maybe being a stubborn donkey isn't a bad thing... its what seems to get most of us through the C25K experience and beyond
Wow Texasdad!!! All I can say is WOW!!!! Your friend, your family and all of us are so incredibly proud of you!!! True, praise God! I remember you writing one time about one of your favorite Bible verses...which also happens to be one of mine. In my earlier runs, I would recite it in my mind over and over. Christ gave you the strength to keep your word and to prove to yourself you could do it. I am happy to read you are going to finish the program even though you KNOW you can do the running already. I hope once you graduate, you will continue to check in here. Now on to the stubborn donkey bit... I think most of us here have that streak in us to complete the program. I guess the good Lord blessed us with it! Gayle
Amen, Gayle. Thanks so much. I do intend to finish the program. My first post-5k run wasn't as easy as I'd hoped. So, the next two weeks should be challenging to complete. But, now that I know I have it within me to run a full 40 minutes, I think I'm up to the challenge.
An amazing achievement, Texasdad! Well done for having the determination and gumption to attempt the 5k in the first place and to complete it really takes the biscuit! You should be really proud of yourself as I'm sure your family are too! Good luck for an injury free future!
Absolutely fantastic Texasdad and so inspiring! I had wondered where you had been (see how we miss each other here; isn't it great?!) and sorry to hear about your health problems. I hope you are on the mend and it won't be long until you graduate, you are nearly there! Best wishes Sue.
Thanks, Sue. I'm feeling better every day. But, still have some diagnostic tests to confirm nothing more serious is going on. I hope to get back on track with week 8 starting tonight.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Couch to 5k - Week 8 Run 1 FAIL :(
Success or epic fail?
W7R3
W7R3
W7R3 ✔️
