Saturday, November 10, 2018

On November 4th, I had an interview. It is going to be in a documentary on the subject of “perseverance.” A fellow runner sent me a link to a Craigslist ad asking for participants. “You should answer this ad.” I hesitated. It seemed “braggy.” As I read the details, it explained how they would be detailing the chemical reactions happening in the brain as a “feel good.” EVERY runner knows about the runner’s high. How could I let this guy do a documentary about feel good chemicals on the brain without talking about running?! Sheesh! 😁I filled out an application explaining my “perseverance.” I got picked & we had a phone interview as well. Today I went with make up, no pony tail & a box of medals to “show” I’ve persevered. He asked me to take them out. As I started, I was shocked how many were in there! People have asked how many marathons & 1/2 marathons I’ve done. Honestly, I don’t know. I like the regiment of training. The race is just part of the training. He wanted a photo at the end of the interview. A fellow Run Toledo Ambassador came with me & snapped this photo. Today he will be doing other interviews. In December he will interview the doctors to explain the neuroscience happening in the brain. I can’t wait to see how it all edits together!

Knowing this interview was in the works, I wrote the following article for our Toledo Roadrunners newsletter. It arrived at my house the day BEFORE this interview. I was able to copy it and leave it with the gentleman doing the documentary.

Be Fierce and Persevere -By Sarah Speer

For years I have been at this running “thing.” At the beginning, a friend called me a “closet runner.” I was too embarrassed to let anyone see my awkward attempts of breathing, footfalls, arm swings, burgundy face and run-walk intervals. Wanting “more” finally led me to group runs and organized group training. My anxiety of running with others has been reoccurring- but completely unfounded. I still expect constant critique and am pleasantly surprised to find regular camaraderie and encouragement. During these group runs, my teammates and myself have discussed races, gear, running form and have shared TMI. In our group page and on social media we continue to encourage each other and share advice. Recently, I’ve discovered race day nutrition that has worked for me, personally. Before finding this, I had struggled at every race I had participated in. Because of not being able to find something that agreed with my gut, my “wheels” would fall off early in a race. I knew it would happen; yet, I participated, anyways. I have “preached” my new, nutritional find, hoping it will help others. It has. This prompted a friend to bring up the subject of perseverance. According to an online definition, perseverance is defined as: “not giving up. It is persistence and tenacity, the effort required to do something and keep doing it till the end, even if it's hard. Perseverance originally comes from the Latin perseverantia and means to abide by something strictly. This makes sense, because if you're doing something in spite of all the difficulty, you're being strict on yourself.” Is this why I expected others to constantly critique me and be “strict” with me; because, I was being strict with myself? I suppose I see this, now. According to the definition, however, this was an act of perseverance. The next question is: “Why?” Why do we continue to persevere at a sport that most of us do not get paid to participate in? Why do we train in the heat, cold, rain, at threshold paces and even during injury? -I have to say, personally, I find the struggle fulfilling. Knowing that advancement is inevitable, (however quickly or slowly it comes to each person) makes the physical discomfort, negative and emotional suffering tolerable. Knowing that uncomfortable things are tolerable- and can be overcome, eventually- is very empowering. It is all an act of self-discipline, self-improvement (physically, mentally and emotionally), patience and eventual reward. We chase a reward despite the delay or temporary discomfort. Our reward is personal. The reward may be a time goal. Your goal may be a distance. The goal may even be quieting an inner voice that says “can’t.” -We continue to train “strictly” and we persevere. Whether you persevere in your running, solo, or with a group, I hope this mentality and tenacity spills over into other aspects of your life. I am sure you already see the effects, there, already. When it is difficult, may you be brave when your heart is agitated. I hope you will be fierce when needed and calm if fearful. When the struggle is difficult, I know you can persevere.

SINCE initially writing that article, I ran the Detroit marathon. I had a pretty strong race (for me) considering I ripped my calf muscle the week prior to my race! I was icing, heating, compressing and resting to speed up the healing. Race day came and I was not worried like I usual. I was trained. I was rested and I had no pace I needed to hit. I HOPED to do a 4:15-4:20 marathon. I did 4:28. My calf started seizing up at mile 17 1/2. I felt "bubbles" from my lower calf to my mid calf. I slowed and controlled my pace, my calories, my effort level and my hydration- until I ran out of water. I took water from each aid station. My calf and leg completely seized up at mile 24 1/2. I had run 24 1/2 FREAKING MILES WITHOUT STOPPING!!! I was so proud of myself! It was not a conceited proud. It was a genuine awe of breaking through a previous barrier! That said, I missed a PR by seconds. It didn't matter. I finished knowing I had a race with relative control. (My next puzzle piece is solving electrolyte imbalances causing severe cramping.)


After Detroit, I took a few days off. I was SORE! My hips and quads were stiff; but, by day three I wanted to try and trot a few miles. NOPE! My toes and bottom of my right foot were in excruciating pain. I took another two days off, the whole time "taping" my foot just to get through the day. I had, previously, signed up for the Rocktober 10K, the week after Detroit. I thought all muscle soreness would be gone by then. I bandaged and used KT tape to wrap my foot simply to participate. I did not PR. My knee still had a niggle and the bottom of my right foot was extremely sore. I finally talked to my doctor about it. He suspected a stress fracture, prescribed a boot and told me NO RUNNING. I have since had an MRI. I am waiting to hear the results. I felt foolish. It had already been three weeks post Detroit. If I fractured my foot, it's healing. Is it worth getting a boot and an MRI? I ended up returning the $155 (out of pocket cost) boot. I bought a stress fracture "shoe" off of Amazon for less than $20. It is also from a medical supply place; but, it is MUCH easier to walk in. It is less intrusive to my gait.

So- I, again, persevere through another new experience. I am uncomfortable with pain; so, waiting hasn't been difficult. The discomfort is in my bone making it tiring to stand. It has been different than any injury or discomfort I have had before-> and I have had NUMEROUS discomforts, beforehand. Fractured foot or not (I'll find out soon), I'm taking it easy and dreaming of trail running, again.