Well, I'm Alive...Just!

Phew....I did it.  Yesterday I decided that today would be the day that I tested the old chassis to see if she would hold up in the long haul just walking, no jogging allowed.  I also wanted to see if I "hit the wall" at all.   I started at 8:20AM and went 20 miles.  Yup, 20!  I finished at 2:08PM.  The most boring 5 hours and 48 minutes that I can ever recall.  At mile 10 I had to stop and check the bottom of my right heel, as it was hurting something awful.  Couldn't see anything, so just kept going as best I could.  I stopped at the house for a few minutes and put on a blister bandage.  It didn't seem to help.  My feet in general are "my wall."  I walked to Fullerton Road and back 3 times, then once around Rowland High School.  I never really felt any big difference that I would say would make me unable to finish (just the feet)!

But the most awesome thing happened as I was in mile 19.  I was passing by a man sitting in his truck eating lunch under a shady spot in the street by the high school (yes it was pretty warm out).  He looked at me and said, "Boy, you're a real walker, didn't I see you by Pathfinder Park near Fullerton Road?"  I told him yes, that I was walking 20 miles today in preparation for the L.A. Marathon.  He replied, "Wow, are you serious?  That's great, you're doing good!"  Boy that was wonderful to hear, and it really kind of gave me a spurt of energy, and I forgot about my feet for a minute.  I think that the same thing will happen during the Marathon with the crowds.  I'm excited!

Yup, I did it!  I figure now I know.  I know that it might take me a helluva long time to finish the marathon, but I can physically do it.  I am no longer worried that my physical self will let me down.  I always knew I had the mental fortitude to do it, but once in awhile, that just isn't enough.  With my bad feet, ankles and legs, I may not be able to jog, but who the heck really cares?  I'm running...ummm..I mean jogging/walking for a really awesome charity.  It's not just about me anymore.  It makes me feel really confident.

On the downside, when I got home and looked at my seriously painful feet, I found I did indeed have a blister on the bottom of my right heel about the side of a poker chip, and a blister on my left foot near the bottom that was huge.  I don't think I really even felt that one during the 20 miles!  I can't put any pressure at all on either of them...can't walk on my right heel.  For about a half hour after I got home I felt BAAAAD!  Then I heated the jacuzzi, and ahhhhhhhhhh!

Hope I can get them to heal quickly, probably won't be running any this week!  So now I'm researching how to prevent them in the future!

I have no doubt in my mind I could've finished another 6 miles today.  So I'm good to go...just slow LOL!  !

Holy Moly.  Ewwwwww!  Look at that swollen ankle too!