There are only EIGHT (8) more days until the start gun goes off at the #KDFMarathon & miniMarathon!
This journey, for me, has been quite the ride this year! For many reasons…
1. Being chosen as a #KDFMarathon Ambassador
Honestly, this has been such a fun journey where I not only gained new friends, but a whole new family! I can’t express enough what a difference being a part of this fantastic group of individuals has done for me. When bad stuff happens, they got your back. When you need help, they back you up. When you can’t run, they walk with you. When you are down, they text or message you with funny and uplifting words and images. I didn’t know how important these people were going to be when this picture was taken, but, let me tell you this…my life is forever richer because of every single one of them!
2. A Different Hip Injury on a Different Hip
It was January 1st when it struck. My “good” hip…the one without the labrum tear…started to act up. To the point that I was limping. Running was out of the question. My doctor couldn’t see me before my trip to California to run the Disneyland Star Wars Rebel Challenge (10K & Half Marathon), so I hobbled through those races held together by KT Tape, ACE Bandages, and the knowledge that if I stopped running…I probably wouldn’t start again. Soon after, I was able to see my doctor, where I was told I had a hip flexor strain, and sent to physical therapy. It was a long road…but I was finally back to running (slowly and with a little pain)…until the pain became less…and the miles were able to increase. So, my bad hip (the right one with the labrum tear) feels good…and my left hip (paralyzed hip flexor)…now is functioning and moving pain-free. And I finally was able to start running at the #KDFMarathon training runs, and not just walking in the face-numbing cold. I, did, however, make a point to show up to every single one of the training runs…even though I couldn’t run.
3. Seeing others do what they thought was impossible…
I see it every day…via social media…friends, friends of friends, family…whoever it is and whatever journey or goal they have set…watching people I know (and sometimes don’t know) push through what they once thought was impossible has been an uplifting and motivating experience. My friend, Natalie, is running her first marathon at KDF. When she did her 20 mile run, her post made me smile…and reminds me that any goal can be achieved if you set your mind to it…and never give up. Same goes for my fellow Ambassador, and friend, Melissa. She’s been dealing with knee a knee injury since January as well…but she has shown up and done her damn best to get out there and at least get her miles in…even if she walked them all and froze her face off. Natalie…if you’re reading this…enjoy your first marathon next weekend! Melissa…you’re so ready and you are going to kill it out there!
Whatever your story…wherever you started…whatever your goal…chase it down. It’s yours for the taking.
And with all of that mess out of the way, I am here to remind you that today, APRIL 20, 2017 is the LAST DAY to register for the #KDFMarathon & miniMarathon! AND…in case you have been procrastinating or on the fence…I have one last DISCOUNT CODE that will save you $15 off your registration! As a reminder, today is also the last day to make any changes to your current registration, be it moving up to the full or dropping to the half or transferring your bib.
The discount code is: KDFSUNSHINE. As always, please select me, Karen Brady, as your race ambassador. This offer ends TONIGHT at MIDNIGHT!
For any of my friends who are doing this race, I am also working at the Race Expo on Thursday from 3-8 pm. So come on down and see me!!
And for the rest of you…I hope to see you on race day…before, during, or after. High fives and hugs all around!
The Celiathlete 