Thursday September 25, 2008
Well, unfortunately it’s come to this.
I’ve been knocking it around for the past few weeks and I’ve finally decided to pull out of this year’s marathon.
This has been the most difficult decision I’ve had to make in a long time.
The neuroma has become too much for me to handle and I’m going to seek medical help.
I’ve made an appointment with an Orthopedic Surgeon to figure out the best way to tackle this thing. And whether it’s an orthotic, or surgery, I will do whatever it takes to make it better.
Realizing I won’t be able to participate in this year’s event kills me. All the hard work that everyone has put into making it possible for me to be part of this, I feel as if I’m just throwing it out the window.
But please understand it has never been in my character to leave something I’ve started, unfinished.
I’ve been running with this neuroma since 2000 and in 2003, during my training for my first NYC Marathon I began to get concerned and saw a podiatrist. I was so far into my training, that surgery, nor orthotics was an option, so I ran through it. In 2007 during my training I was in quite a bit of pain so I thought I would try a cortisone shot. I will NEVER do that again and I highly recommend any one who is considering a cortisone shot for a fix to reconsider. It’s painful and makes the injected area so tender that it was difficult to even walk on it the day after.
I have to listen to my body and stop trying to run through the pain and I refuse to train to finish with a slower time than last year.
Isn’t the whole idea behind training to get better?
So my plan is to see the surgeon on Tuesday the 30th, find out what his diagnosis is and get on track to getting better so I can run the marathon in 2009 and do the best I’ve ever done.
I may be down but I’m not out.
I will continue to blog throughout this period and hopefully, be able to help out in the up coming races but it’s time. I’m tired of running in pain.
Thank you everyone for your countless hours of work and all the heart felt support. I will miss the excitement, the anticipation, the boroughs, and the bridges but mostly the friends and faces that make me want to be a better runner and ultimately a better person.
Say “Hello” to the park for me,
Deano
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Hi Deano,
I am sorry that you have to pull out of this years NYC Marathon but like you said, "Ya Do Watcha Gotta Do".
One does have to listen to their body, as it does talk to you. It sounds like it's telling you no more running, right now. You've been dealing with this excruiating pain for 8 years and I am amazed that you've been able to endure the pain as long as you have. Your a toughie!
I thank you for all of the training that you've done so far, but it has not been done in vain. It's brought up to this point so far, and look at all of the friendships on Team McGraw that you've made this past year. You will only soar higher at next year's 2009 Marathon, and it will be PAIN FREE!
You 've tried all of the conventional treatments to help you, and the pain hasn't gone away, so now it's time to take the last step. Like I mentioned to you before, I had the surgery for my Morton's Neuroma, and it was the best thing I could have ever done. The pain was gone immediately, and my running came back stronger than before. Recovery wasn't to bad either, and I was able to still teach as I wore a walking cast for a few weeks.
I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts if you do decide to do surgery. I know you will make the right decision with your Doctors recommendation.
Please know that I care, and feel for you. If you want to ask me any further questions, please email me. I believe you have my email address.
Take care,
Christine