17 - unsuccessful

I had a rather "unsuccessful" 17 mile run this weekend.

I was in Ohio this past weekend and had a very busy Saturday there. So, I pushed my long run from Saturday to Sunday and mapped out a 17 mile run from my parents house, where I was staying. I headed up the new Crocker Road extension from Lorain all the way to Lake Road. I headed east down Lake to Columbia, to Lorain and back home. I headed out at 9am so it was a nice quiet start to my run, being a Sunday morning. And my run down Lake Road was beautiful... well beautiful until I wiped out!

Yup, I've had my first crash and burn while running. I don't know if it was the crumbled sidewalk, or if I was too busy enjoying the views of Lake Erie, or if I just didn't pick my feet up - but I got up close and personal with the sidewalk. As far as falls go, it wasn't so bad. I scraped up a knee and elbow and I'm going to have a beauty of a bruise on my left hip. Other than that, it was just a little embarrassing - thankfully no one was around to witness... that I know of anyway. There was probably someone who just happened to glance out their front window at that exact moment and who had a mighty good laugh, I'm sure.

As I was making the final turn from Columbia onto Lorain road and looking at the final 3 or so miles back to Mom and Dad's...

my left knee which had been bugging my slightly throughout this run was starting to become more uncomfortable. I started walking - I don't want to risk messing things up now. Race day is only 1 month away, I've invested too much time to screw things up now. I walked about 1/2 mile or so and walking was no more comfortable than running so I started running again because I just wanted to get home as quickly as possible. I don't run with my cell phone, if I did I would have called for a "please pick me up".

But then, lo and behold, I come across an old neighbor who happens to be a North Olmsted Firefighter. He was on the scene of a one-car accident in front of the Speedway station near the mall. I re-introduced myself to him and then asked to borrow his cell phone. I called M&D's house but their blasted phone was not working again. I called my husband's cell phone but he didn't answer. I don't know anyone else's numbers! Every phone number is programmed into my cell phone - I never dial them anymore - I just look them up by name and hit send. Oh! I would have killed to have my phone with me! Well, I thanked Jim for letting me borrow his phone and resigned myself to having to hoof it the last 2 miles.

I finally made it home, but the pain behind my left knee had brought me to tears.

Yeah, it hurts - maybe not enough to cry -

but after running 17 miles I was feeling exhausted

both physically and mentally.

I felt defeated.

I can't afford injury this late in the game.

I have a 4pm appointment with my doctor today.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me!!