The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in your body. This tendon connects the heel bone to the calf muscle. If you tear this tendon, it is usually surgery and definitely months of recovery.
Several weeks ago while running, my calf really hurt. I thought it was my muscle just stretching out, it was my age, or it was my body adjusting. I didn't really think too much about it and I did not stop running. The pain got worse and worse. After running I would be in a lot of pain and then would limp for days after.
If you know me you know I am a very, very hard headed person. I have a twisted way of looking at things. I do not admit when I am in pain, I do not ask for help, and I do not let you see me hurting. I decided not to post about this because, in my twisted mind, it was admitting weakness. I consulted doctors (google) and found out that this is a real condition. There are a lot of runners that have experienced this. It is known as Achilles tendinitis. It can result in tearing your Achilles tendon. The cure for this is --- not running. You have to rest and take it easy. Darin found out about it and asked me if I was going to quit...silly man!
I did run shorter distances and only ran every other day. I took some over the counter medicine and try some other things the doctors (google) suggested. The pain persisted and I did not know what to do.
I don't have an answer for my twisted ways. I signed up for this marathon so I would feel proud of something I had done. I don't want to tell anyone about my leg because they may think I'm weak or making excuses. I don't want to go to the doctor because she may tell me to stop running. I have a huge problem asking for help in any way, even prayer. It isn't because I don't trust God, I just don't want to bother Him with my little problems. I don't want to bother him with my leg when others are facing life threatening diseases. I know, I told you I'm twisted.
Last week in prayer time at school I asked for prayer for my leg. Before you get all excited thinking I'm coming around, hear HOW I asked for prayer. "I have a little stupid prayer request, it's not that big a deal, I have this stupid little dumb pain in my stupid leg when I run." My friends and co workers laughed and corrected me. They said what I already knew. There are no stupid prayers.
I continued to run, short distances every few days. The pain should have been getting worse, but instead it was actually going away. There are folks that will say, it "worked itself out", but I know that God answered the prayers of my friends and me.
I wish I could snap my fingers and change. It's not that simple. I am working on it. I may be running a half marathon on the road, but I am running a lifetime marathon in my mind.
