It’s something I’ve been looking forward to for the last six months, running in April! Even better, April is my birthday month and I have an exciting Half Marathon planned at the beach. My goal was to set a new Half Marathon PR on this flat and fast course, unfortunately that goal has shifted to making it to the start line and crossing the finish line.
If you’ve been following along in 2024, than you know that my only goal this year is to “Run more miles this month than last”. I started the year strong with 100 miles in January and continued that trend with 103 miles in February and 106 miles in March. Today is Sunday, April 21st and I’m sitting on 40.71 miles and fear I will be well short of my 107mile goal.
I’ve got Low Mileage melancholy!
Running daily has been a staple of my life for the last 100+ days. Until recently I hadn’t gone more than two days in a row without running. I’ve been training for this upcoming Sunset Beach Half Marathon on April 27th and up until recently it’s been going great.
So what happened?
On April 8th, 2024 I found myself in the Emergency Room. Thankfully I walked out on my own accord. Unfortunately the Cardiologist restricted my running until further evaluations. It was heartbreaking news, literally.
So, how did I end up in the ER in Maryland?
Here’s the condensed version.
On February 12th I went to my Doc about my wheezing during running. She diagnosed me with “Exercise induced asthma”, but during the exam she heard that I had an irregular heartbeat. She conducted a few more tests and recommended I follow up with the VA for more tests.
I consulted with my VA Doc, he did a few more tests and he ordered me to wear a heart rate monitor for two weeks. I complied and mailed that back to the lab on April 1st. All the while I continued to run, lift and live my life as usual.
On April 8th, just after I landed in Baltimore, MD, my DOC called me and instructed me to visit the nearest Emergency Room as soon as possible to be evaluated. Luckily I was close to a big VA Hospital and went in to be seen. I had no symptoms and felt perfectly fine, however when an MD says to go to the ER, you go.
The ER did their evaluations, blood work and more and discharged me. I walked out on my own two feet! However the Cardiologist on site restricted my running until I received further evaluation in North Carolina.
Yes, I’ve got the blues. This low mileage life isn’t for me.
However it hasn’t all been bad this month! Life is still good and despite not running, life continues and good times are to be had.
My brother came down for a visit and I had an incredible five days with him. I haven’t seen him in two years and it was great to spend time with him. We did a lot of catching up, visited Civil War battlefields and made a trip to the beach.
Prior to this running restriction, I did get in a 5-mile run with the club! It was the last run I got in before it all came crashing down with these heart conditions.
Since the running restriction was enacted, I’ve gotten in a decent amount of walking and rucking. Not as much as I want, not enough to break 100+ miles, but I’m still getting in some miles and trying to stay active.
I’ve also reestablished relations with ALICE! I learned in the Army one of the many gifts God has granted me with is the ability to carry heavy things across long distances. In this case it was a 45lb pack and it felt natural. No back pain, knee pain or anything else. It felt natural to carry weight on my back again.
The waiting game for results and clearances continue to challenge my patience and mental fortitude. I’m so used to waking up, strapping on the running shoes and hitting the trail for some miles. It’s difficult to simply stop doing something that’s been a part of your daily routine and life, especially when it’s something that is healthy for you.
Of course there was another Run Club Takeover during my running restrictions! The only respite from not being able to run at this event is that Robert is also dealing with a health issue that has regulated him to walking. So at the Run Club event, Robert, Ryan and I got in a walk of just about 4 miles instead of running. It was good to get in another conversation with my friend.
Nobody is immune from setbacks, hurdles and struggles in life. We’ve all heard the saying “Life Happens” and we know exactly what that means. In most instances it connotes something negative, something that has happened, outside of our control that has interrupted our plans and expectations. However, no matter the situation, we always have choices and options. We can control our reactions and subsequent actions when things get knocked out of our expected trajectory.
Mental toughness and emotional resiliency is essential when running. All runners must build up these attributes and use them when needed. This applies to all runners, those pushing for their first 5K, when a 1-mile run seems endless and near impossible. I encourage all runners to never forget how far 1-mile is and the fortitude it takes to get through that first mile.
I really believe that running builds mental toughness and emotional resiliency in the individual. These attributes are necessary when “Life Happens” and we face situations and circumstances outside of running that challenge us. I have two close friends right now facing health issues that have sidelined them from running and now I’m joining them in this hiatus.
“GOOD”
Remaining optimistic and finding opportunity in disappointment is best narrated and explained by Jocko Willink. Check out this short 2-minute video on “GOOD”.
Can’t run? GOOD.
Focus your attention on your diet and lift weights. Get stronger for when you return it’s even better.
Can’t race? GOOD.
Show up anyway and support your friends. Celebrate their victories like they’re your own and build your community. Be the best “Hype man” on the course with words of encouragement. Find another race in the future and start setting goals.
Can’t run and set an example for others to follow? GOOD.
Focus on character and displaying strength through adversity. Provide hope and motivation for others who are going through a physical struggle now, or later. At some point everyone will go through something that derails their running.
So what’s next?
I am expecting clearance from Cardiology this week and I’ll immediately ramp up my mileage. If I am cleared to run this week I still plan on completing the Sunset Beach Half Marathon taking place on April 27th. If I am not “cleared”, than it’s back to focusing on diet, losing weight and getting strong through anaerobic weightlifting.
I’ve also started Yoga at the local YMCA. It’s really a new concept for me and something I’m not quite comfortable with yet but I’m going to give it a go. Swimming season is almost here and once the pools are open, I’ll be swimming every morning.
I’ve also established a long-term goal. QUALIFY FOR BOSTON!
If that just made you laugh, you’re in the same company as my wife.
I told my wife that I wanted to run the 131st Running of the Boston Marathon (2027) and I planned on Qualifying for Boston at the Mesa Marathon (Phoenix) in February, 2026.
Her response between the laughs were “Yeah, that’s not going to happen. You have to be fast for that”
While she may not believe that’s possible now, I plan on shattering that belief and making this goal a reality. I’ll address this goal in another post with details and plans.
So what’s the future hold? We’ll see what Cardiology says about running, but I’m not one to sit around long and feel sorry for myself. I’m not one to sit still. As I told my wife and friends,
“I’m not going to die on my fucking couch. If I die, it will be doing something I love.”
In the meantime, I’ll be enjoying some baseball games when I can and supporting my friends and run club is whatever capacity that I can.