Crippled

Yesterday, three miles into running a half marathon, I pulled or tore or sprained my groin.  I had some mild pain a few days leading up to the race, but I was still able to run on it.  I knew that it would hurt a bit during the race, but I figured it was something that I could just tough out.  I was okay the first mile or two but then, a little past mile three, something went terribly wrong.  I could barely walk and I had to slowly and painfully limp about six blocks to the aid station but the start/finish area.  

It was pretty terrifying.  I was in so much pain.  I couldn't move my left leg.  I tried to use my mom as a crutch, but even that was a huge struggle.  I was so ready to kick some ass in that race.  All summer long I had been running with Alyssa.  We did 12 mile long runs on the weekends and they felt great.  I was so devastated when it happened.  However, I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason and that things have a way of working out in the end.  

Running is such a huge part of who I am.  It is my stress reliever   It is what gets me awake and moving in the morning.  Now all I can do is be smart and be patient.  I'll stretch and swim and ice and heat.  As my mom and dad did anything and everything to help me out after the race and as I talked to my sister on the phone, I thought to myself just how extremely lucky I am to have them in my life.  I can't stress enough how much those three mean to me.  

Day number one on my $2 Goodwill crutches was a little rough.  My armpits and all the area around them hurts/aches. and I am already annoyed with being so limited and dependent.  I never realized how much we take for granted, like being able to get dressed in the morning with ease.  I really hope that this injury heals soon though...