Today would have been my dad’s 94th birthday. He died 10 years ago. His birthday is the day after mine and even after all these years it still feels strange to celebrate my birthday without him. Every year we picked which of our days was most convenient for the family and we had a combined party.
Today is also the 2nd anniversary of my first marathon attempt. The marathon has always been on my bucket list and when I learned the 2011 Air Force Marathon fell on dad’s birthday, it seemed like the perfect one to try. I made it to Mile 21 but not before a cut off time. I and everyone behind me were forced off the course. Sigh.
Exactly one year ago today I began training for the 2013 Little Rock Marathon. By the time I’d built up to 18 miles I was experiencing constant pain in both feet. That led to February’s foot surgery and the tendonitis that remains in my “good foot.” Marathon training aborted. Double sigh.
I’m exactly where I need to be in my continued rehab, but I’m nowhere close to being able to train for a half marathon (I’ve done nine or ten of those), much less a full 26.2.
The marathon remains on my bucket list. I’m not sure when I’ll be ready to give it serious thought, but there’s one thing I know for sure. I’m staying away from September 17 in regards to event date or beginning of training plan.
I think dad would understand.
482gr8 