I started seriously running about 12 years ago. I was never a huge fan of working out or being in a gym before that time. Had it not been for a patch of ice, I likely wouldn't be typing today about a goal like qualifying for the Boston Marathon. In December of 2000, I was walking with my mom through a snowstorm and slipped on a patch of ice and broke my tibia and fibula - spiral fractures of the two main bones in my right leg.
Up until that point I was a reasonably fit, average young adult. I would sporadically go to the college gym but usually just for the social scene. However an ice patch changed all of that. I was in a full leg cast for over 2 months and spent another 2 months in a walking cast. I was in college at the time and did not entirely understand what it meant to "eat healthy." I figured midnight was an excellent time for buffalo wings. That it wasn't a Sunday afternoon without 3 orders of Wendy's chicken nuggets.
Needless to say, I broke 2 bones and gained about 30 pounds for each broken bone. No wonder it took so long to get back on my feet - I was supporting a lot more weight. I immediately joined a gym. I figured in no time I'd look like this.
Unfortunately, I suffer from a debilitating lack of coordination. So I ended up looking like this at the gym.
Actually that guy looks more coordinated than me. Anyway, I gave up on weight-lifting pretty quickly. But the treadmill -- hey I can run in a straight line. So I started. At first the best I could do was maybe half a mile at 5mph. But I kept with it. When the weather got nicer that summer I started running outside. By the time I graduated from college a year later I was up to a couple miles before having to stop. Today I did my usual 5 miles of hills and when I finished I felt like I hadn't even put forth much effort. One ice patch changed the course of my life. Without that broken leg, I would never have known the potential inside of me to accomplish something like a marathon. My goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
Day 7: 5 miles, 45 minutes, 9:00 pace, hills.
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