|
|
|
|
copteacher
Adjunct
|
|
|
Joined: 08 Jun 2002
Posts: 20588
Location: Teaching in the Halls of Justice
|
| Back to top
|
|
 Posted: 03/22/06 - 17:31 Post subject: Hanging up the running shoes for good
after 22 plus years, 18000+ miles, 6 varsity letters, 6 marathons, 10 half marathons and over 200 races I was advised today by my orthopedic surgeon that I have to stop running.
The damage to my leg was too great to ever sustain the effort and grind of running so I must now pursue other aerobic activities. I will likely never have a normal gait again 
The weird thing about this whole thing is that I was not injuried, it was just wear and tear over the years. I had such great wear and tear that I had bone hitting bone (no cartilidge at all). What simply happened one day is that it just finally wore through. That quick I was done.
I am quite stunned right now. In 22 years running has been the greatest source of strength and personal achievment for me. I have raised thousands for charity, met thousands of great people, had some great fun and now that quick have to give it all up. It has also allowed me to work in a high stress job, deal with the ups and downs of Abby's life and allowed me some time to reflect on life.
The simple choice of running or not being able to walk was easy to make. My final lap really was the Philly marathon in November of last year, which now makes that race more sweet.
Running has meant so much to me, I will miss greatly that part of my life. Enjoy your run today friends. I never regret a day of running in my life.
|
|
|
|
|
j1miller
Puppy Love!
|
|
|
Joined: 07 Jul 2002
Posts: 15447
Location: Lost on trail.
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 03/22/06 - 17:32 Post subject:
I have no words.... I'm so sorry.
|
|
|
|
|
gretriever
Hipster Doofus
|
|
|
Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 19385
Location: A moving target in a firing range.
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 03/22/06 - 17:37 Post subject: Re: Hanging up the running shoes for good
| copteacher wrote: | | Running has meant so much to me, I will miss greatly that part of my life. Enjoy your run today friends. I never regret a day of running in my life. |
I hope each one of us will be able to say that for ourselves.
I'm sorry that it's come to this. But you have nothing to regret. You walk away (pun not intended) a winner. In life as well as running. 
|
|
|
|
|
.jrjo
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 900
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 03/22/06 - 17:42 Post subject:
Oh man Joe, that's no good. You lay it out so plainly, it must be true. Is there any other remedies? I've heard of injections in between knee cartlidge that can help. Artificial knee? How bad is it? Have you done the routine of supplements?..Fluidjoint does the trick for my bad hip right now.
I hope you can get your runner's-high from a bicycle like Greg does. And keep involved if you can, race volunteer or even direct a race..I get the feeling you'd be tremendous at it.
Hang in there man. I know it's corny to say I know how it feels, but I do since I shelved my trainers at one point too and thought I was done. I'm hoping against hopes you find a way back on the road. And even if it's on a 2-wheeled bike or a 10-wheeled inline, you gotta stay out there buddy!
|
|
|
|
|
genie
Master of Prissface
|
|
|
Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 16194
Location: Finding serenity one day at a time
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 03/22/06 - 17:43 Post subject:
That really sucks, Joe......but I agree with Gdawg. You were able to do what many were not in the time that you could run. Be proud of that....and cherish the memories.
What can you do to stay in shape/relieve stress?
|
|
|
|
|
pokychick
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 02 Oct 2002
Posts: 5640
Location: City of Dis
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 03/22/06 - 17:45 Post subject:
|
|
|
|
|
karlene
Canadian Bacon
|
|
|
Joined: 17 Oct 2005
Posts: 5563
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 03/22/06 - 17:48 Post subject:
|
|
|
|
|
airehead
Oompa Loofah
|
|
|
Joined: 12 Nov 2002
Posts: 18788
Location: Between here and eternity...
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 03/22/06 - 17:55 Post subject:
Joe, I feel for you. I am so sorry.
|
|
|
|
|
Gogirlgo
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 25 Jul 2002
Posts: 4777
Location: No deal, stalker.
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 03/22/06 - 18:19 Post subject:
Sorry, Joe. I was at that point too but was able to come back, and I hope you can too or at least find another way to relieve the stress. Bike?
|
|
|
|
|
copteacher
Adjunct
|
|
|
Joined: 08 Jun 2002
Posts: 20588
Location: Teaching in the Halls of Justice
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 03/22/06 - 18:45 Post subject:
likely going to be bike and rowing. I have access to some one man shells to row on the river and have a rowing machine at home as well.
|
|
|
|
|
cherylpf
crazy cat lady
|
|
|
Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 17305
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 03/22/06 - 18:46 Post subject:
I'm sorry you have to give up running. Are they talking about knee replacement for you? It sounds like most activity would be painful at that point.
|
|
|
|
|
rolling rock
The Pinball
|
|
|
Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16218
Location: unknown zone
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 03/22/06 - 18:58 Post subject:
i'm really sorry. that's all i got.
no, no it isn't. i think i know how much it's meant to you, how much a part of your life it's been, what a release and escape and source of ultimate renewal it has been, you've done what a huge percentage of the population will never do and will consequently never know the pure joy that running has brought you. i mean, i guess we can look at it like a gift you were priviledged to have.
i'm really sorry joe but i know you'll find another way.
|
|
|
|
|
andydp
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 23 Sep 2003
Posts: 8122
Location: Upstate NY near Albany
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 03/22/06 - 19:05 Post subject:
I'm sorry to see the end of your running. You have accomplished WAY MORE than many of us here and certainly way more than most of the US population. You can enjoy those achievements for the rest of your life.
I'm certain you'll bring the same intensity of purpose to biking, swimming or whatever you find that you brought to running.
GOOD LUCK !!!!
|
|
|
|
|
bburgoyne26
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 16 Sep 2003
Posts: 2959
Location: Ft. Worth, Texas
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 03/22/06 - 19:12 Post subject:
bummer man......a good running buddy of mine just had a hip replacement!......dayum!.....anyway, we bike together too......it's fun.....the bike tours/races/rallies (whatever you call them) are fun too.....lots of good snacks at the aid station, t shirts, fun activities.........
|
|
|
|
|
Floridaboiler
POTFH
|
|
|
Joined: 18 May 2002
Posts: 11322
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 03/22/06 - 19:15 Post subject:
Sorry to hear that Joe and everyone else has already asked questions or offered suggestions so all I can say is good luck and find something else that works for you as a stress relief.
|
|
|
|
