Countdown to the Boston Marathon

It’s the final countdown to Boston, and even as a seasoned marathoner I find myself nervous. There are an abundance of firsts in this race—it will not only be my first time running the Boston Marathon, but my first time in Boston. My first time flying to the East Coast for a race, the first time I have to be at the shuttle 4 hours before the gun goes off. Above all else, it’s the first time I will be racing in what is less than ideal physical status.

For the last 8 weeks or so my left hamstring has been whispering to me that all is not well in Hammieland. At first it was a knot at the origin point—right where your upper thigh meets your rear end.  Then, despite acupuncture and weekly massage, mild pain began to spread down the back of the leg. I noticed it after long runs, I noticed it when I stretched, and when I sat a certain way. I kept at the weekly massage and regular acupuncture, but as my training intensified to its peak the discomfort began to limit me to the point I was hobbling a bit and cutting miles off my long runs and shorter runs altogether to allow for healing time.

I feel like I have been flirting with injury, and have barely warded off a hamstring tear. When my mileage peaked my pain did, and I chose to taper a week early to give my hamstring a greater chance to gather strength for Boston’s notorious course.

I have added chiropractic care and Muscle Activation Technique to my regimen in the final 2 weeks pre-race. Too little too late? Who knows. I have noticed that what is working well is making sure I get those 8 hours of sleep a night,  though this is at the expense of other very important things I need to tend to. I’ve consciously chosen to give my body’s vitality top priority and am practicing trust. Every day this week I have to remind myself that my business, traveling, and moving at the end of the month will all sort itself out and that everything is okay in the end. I vacillate moment to moment from worry for my body’s safety to trusting that it, too, will do its best, as am I; and I remind myself that I won’t let it get to the point of needing a medical assistance during the race.

I want to share this with everyone so that you can know that athletes (I still have some hang-up about labeling myself that!) are human, too. No matter how many years you’ve been athletic, there is always a challenge that can crop up and catch you off guard. I find something humbling in opening myself up to be seen when challenged in the very area I’m seen as being an expert.  I’m sharing this because there is a part of me that is scared to! I’ve never had a physical limitation linger and worsen and I take pride in that. I’ve never been injured and it is something I proudly claim. This is the closest I have come, and I honestly have questioned at what point discomfort becomes injury and whether or not I have crossed that line.

In all of this, what do I know? I know I am blessed. I am immensely blessed to have had a team of acupuncturists, massage therapists, naturopathic doctors, chiropractors, and MAT practitioners to utilize as a resource for Radical Self Care. Without a doubt their healing hands have kept me running and cycling.

I know that I will finish the Boston Marathon, even if I have to walk it. I will not push myself to the point of outright injury. I have had nothing but devout loyalty from my body and I will do my best to return the favor. I have witnessed how my body gives and gives and gives, and when I give it an inch of space to heal, it jumps on that opportunity so it can give to me again.

I know all our body’s are incredible resources and will reach for health and vitality if listened to, understood, and given the opportunity. I know that in the end, it will all be okay, I will be okay, and that this is just a very interesting twist in my Boston Marathon Adventure.

I will be racing Monday, April 19th, starting at 10:30 EST. You are more than welcome to follow me by going to bostonmarathon.org and looking up Bib # 14754.

Given the last 8 weeks of training, crossing the finish line at Boston may be my biggest victory to date.

Photo Credit: Pingswept

AIMEE GALLO is a marathon runner, indoor cycling coach, holistic nutrition counselor and personal trainer. When not out pursuing her athletic goals, Aimee is busy with her company, Vibrance Nutrition and Fitness, helping her clients meet their fitness and nutrition goals by utilizing a mind, body, and spirit approach… {more »}