Part Duex…
So today’s run and weather matched my sentiment, cold and dreary…I am starting to feel very sad about the end of my half marathon career. But as I told someone today, as one door closes another one opens. I never really set out on this journey to do 5 half marathons. So in today’s cold, windy run, I started thinking how did this all begin…
2002- ” I still daydream about running a marathon and hope that one day they will find a cure for Dystonia. What matters most? I want to win this fight. I want to destroy this monster that has attacked my body. And if I don’t so be it.” My Stanford Essay – not knowing what the future will hold…
2002 – 2005 – Dystonia worsens…
2006 – Deep Brain Stimulation and first 10K
2007-2008 – Multiple 5Ks and 10Ks
2009 – I decided I was going to run my version of a marathon (because I would never do a full!) – 2 half marathons with a break in between – Thanks to Liz for Nashville and thanks to Heather for Chicago
2010 – 2 Battery changes and lots of life changes and about 4 stress fractures
2011 – Midnight 5K race, fractured metatarsal, failing battery, another surgery and the Chicago Marathon (as I write this, did that really happen)
2012 – 2 10Ks and many runs in Crissy Field – goal to do a half marathon in November- Battery started failing again, walking with a cane
1/1/2013 – today : Battery replacement, wire change, 2 completed half marathons with a PR on October 20th.
Today’s run – hard, taxing, sad, getting ready for the last, the one that will be the most memorable, running over the GG bridge – one of the prettiest sights in the world, friends, medal, hugs…
When I set out on this journey, I would have never believed the ups and downs of DBS. I have done more than most have…Running 3 half marathons in one year – seriously a miracle…So this week will be bittersweet…It may be foggy and it may be cold but next Sunday it will be sunny in my heart and soul – I have to say I am truly lucky to have had the luck to spread the word that people who are disabled or crippled can be athletes too…This is me..Carrie – an athlete true to form and as I start my taper week, with knee pains and toe pains (and am aggressively icing)…I am getting very sad and can’t help but cry everyday but on the other hand, I am truly happy that I took that leap of faith to listen to Dr.T and Suzie and fight my Dystonia with DBS. This year has been a roller coaster for me, but the lesson I truly learned in all of this, is that I want to take care of me and be able to run for the next 50 years!
To everyone that has been inspired. Thank you, you have inspired me as well!
