Pics from Big Sur Marathon W/Cam Boot
Famous Hurricane Point...2 Mile Climb @ half way...elevation gain of about 550 ft
So beautiful, usually that is 
race day it was blowing @ 30 mph right into our face! That’s why they call it Hurricane Point!
Pre-start a bit worried I might be last! "Oh No", I'm thinking!
Thank God the buses had already left…Maybe I would of got back on! No! J/K I was there on a mission.
Down Hill
First few miles start
Low clouds fog & wind
Then sun, marching as fast as I can
Eyes set on that spot of road ahead that I'd use to pull myself ever forward
The weather may of been a factor to those that had the
Luxury to care…For me I had a cut off to make & if I could
make the 22 mile cut off in 5 hrs then I’d really push just so
I could have a time to be proud of…
I not only made the cut off but was at 22 miles at a little past 4hrs 30 some odd minutes!
Being an Ultra-marathoner helped my mind set…I was also able to tap into my experience in fueling and determination for races that leave you on the course for hours longer that what you’d experience in the standard marathon.
Crossing the normally picturesque Bixby Bridge, race day due to the micro climates of the area we were shrouded in fog
Back in the sun a little hot & needing to focus on taking salt pills & gels to combat leg cramps...But still grinding. Giving the thumbs up!
Bixby Bridge is about 13 miles, this is where the traction of my boot broke of from the toe and heal for the boot…It was a little trickier dealing with the camber of the road…Toeing off had to happen at mid foot rather than the toe because the hard plastic would just slip otherwise.
The pic on right is nearing beautiful Garapata at @ 19 miles
Garapata sooo magnificent! This will re-energize you!
Smelling the finish! Just past Point Lobos & Monestary Beach mile 25!
Very emotionally charged during this stretch! This is what pulled me through even with the weight of that ugly boot & hiking shoe…Our hearts are stronger and can find the motivation if we can just see the goal, if we can believe! Then it will happen, just like on race day, just like the first day the Doctor’s office…We have to see the finish line, we have to force ourselves to use the pain as motivation, God is bigger than our problems and we can overcome!
Sign in the background says Big Sur 26
Thinking of my family, love in my heart for their support & belief when there were many doubters. they didn't doubt
My favorite, My moment thanking Jesus! Just Him & me in that brief moment...I love you Lord! There was a tear then.
It's over Boot!
Me & the Boot! We suffered well
Me & My Bro! Oswaldo Lopez, winner of the 2011 Badwater 135 mile ultra marathon that runs through Death Valley at the peak of summer 135 degree heat to Mt. Whitney Portals...Guy has heart! He's a friend & hero, came in 4th over all & 1st masters division at 2hrs 41mins at 40 years old! So much inspiration training with him and to share this with my friend was awesome!
This was one of my favorite races because it was a race against my limits & credit to what Jesus has done in my life, I won!
This is all done 11 weeks post treatment of an Achillies Tendon Rupture! Every step in Faith! If I can with the Lord then so can anyone else, there is nothing special about me, the only thing I’m sure of that I have is Jesus!
Big Sur International Marathon 26.2 miles 5hrs 33mins
God Bless!
May 6th, 2012 at 12:15 am
This was all formatted much better in the draft…My apologies, the captions are still near the pics just unfortunately didn’t remain framed with the pics so they rub against the text. Also the pics are in slightly different positions so rather than framing the text kind of randomly separate the text. Still readable.
May 6th, 2012 at 11:06 am
Is this 12 weeks post surgery? Wow!
May 14th, 2012 at 1:21 am
Quick update on my status. I’ve been steadily increasing my walking pace on the treadmill and increasing the incline as well. That all lead me to feeling like I should be able to run a little, especially if it’s true that a healthy tendon can withstand 3.5 times your body weight while walking and 7 times your body weight while running…Of course this is after pushing my body and feeling my tendon increase in substance and strength…I feel like I now know this body part like I’ve never known any other in my life
So all that being said I ran 2 miles today on what I used to call the Dreadmill, now I love the thing! Felt really natural like a thirsty man drinking a tall glass of water…Stride was smooth and despite the deficit & comparable disparity in prior calf strength I felt adept and as if I had never missed a day running! Of course there are still limits and I wont push it too quickly…I know to run on a treadmill and to run on uneven terrain or even at too fast a pace or for a duration that’s beyond comfort would be an entirely different proposition! I’m very grateful & have grown as a person through this experience, I would not have chosen this for myself yet with Jesus there is gain through every situation in life if you yield your will to His and listen to what he’s teaching you as He brings you through. Yes, I’m still using ultrasound & taking Cissus Quadrangularis, exercising, massage, heat, ice and staying positive while prayerfully trusting Jesus for each step I take.
God Bless you all, may this injury not be in vain, but I pray God’s Will for you.
May 22nd, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Quick update…Tendon is feeling strong, I decided that even tho my Doc didn’t want me to run until June 1st, that when walking very fast my body has been sending me these signals that it wouldn’t hurt to try a few running steps…So last Sat. night I ran a 1/4 mile on the treadmill, then walked another 10 miles…This emboldened me & Mon. I ran two miles, my tendon got a little sore so I stopped, tho I think this may have been cause I was wearing Vibram five fingers…Next night I alternated walking/running miles finished with 5 miles each for a total of 10 miles…I was so very happy to be blessed with a great gift, a brand new pair of running shoes! Brooks PureConnects! they are awesome light weight and cushioned, love them so much I ran 10 miles in them on the treadmill two nights ago! Last night I wore my Mizuno WaveCreations for another 8 miles! I’m amazed at God’s goodness & am happy to report my leg strength is rapidly progressing…This injury’s so crazy the way we’re able to progress in leaps & bounds. Very thankful!
May 23rd, 2012 at 1:43 pm
How long after your accident did you recover enough to run?
May 23rd, 2012 at 1:44 pm
How long after your accident could you run?
May 28th, 2012 at 2:27 am
State Champ it was about 13 weeks I think…you should take a look at my story, I think it will help you see the light at the end of the tunnel…I was where you are not to long ago…Seemed like everyday was an eternity, now I’m back running, it’s only on the treadmill and it’s not at full speed but it’s not a slow jog either…I’m probably running at @ 75% of full speed on the treadmill, but my legs feel good like before! My right calf is smaller than it was but is giving me pretty good power, I feel like I could ask it to do more but I won’t yet…My legs are quickly regaining their former look & strength…I’ve done a lot of track, road and trail/mountain running in the past and still have a ways to go until I reach that previous level. I say that tho to say this, It’s not like I thought it would be a few months ago, I thought I would feel like I was totally starting over but that’s not the case…Instead I feel like I’m starting a new season of track & just have to regain a bit of strength but that it’s all going according to plan…Of course there’s working for it…I did core work and whatever leg workouts I could without bearing weight, also walked as much as I could when I was able…But it’s all been a natural progression & running as much as I have I feel I know my legs pretty well, just seems like they give a signal when they’re ready for the next level of activity…Just respect the process, push it with out taking it to the limit…I always stop my leg work while I still feel good, especially when running, form gets sloppier as we tire as runners…Last run was 12 miles, felt I could of taken it to 20 but I won’t try to get that number for a few weeks…Speed wise I’ve only taken it up to 6.8 mphs but the first 1/4 mile I went 3.5 super slow…Lol I was walking faster than that, heck I was walking at 4.5-5 mphs, so even tho I feel I could go faster and longer, I’m just thinking forward progress, everything for & to protect that. But have a look at my blog, I ran between 60-100 miles a week pre-injury & like you probably have a great base, so be encouraged once I started to bear weight seemed like every goal I set was attainable and some a that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to meet! Next step is Salinas Valley Half Marathon…This one will be ran not walked in a cam boot, it’s in the beginning of August…so set some goals and work towards ‘em, it will seem natural especially being an outstanding track athlete like you are…In the mean time just know that a 38 yr old is doing it & so can you…I was a 4:40 miler in high school, like you I was born to be a runner, God is good & faithful and didn’t give you your gift for no reason, just like having this injury wasn’t for no reason, both those things can bear good fruit in your life & in the lives of those you know or who know you…Trust the process do all you can & trust God for the rest. God Bless and have Faith.
June 3rd, 2012 at 1:02 am
Update time. 16 weeks, two days ago got my first outdoor run done! It’s been lovely out here on the Monterey Peninsula, I treated myself to a tremendously sexy new pair of shoes…My best shoe purchase ever! I’m now wearing the Brooks PureConnects, ultra light weight even have carbon fiber strips on the upper, 4mm drop from heal to toe concerned me but they are so light weight & they place your foot into a natural mid foot strike that just feels so right…Very unlike the Vibrams they provide a great cushion for your feet(nothing like watching people suffer in the vibrams in races after the first 10 miles), So didn’t set out to prove anything just to get out the door & put in some easy miles…Just glided along nervously at first…My main thought tho was just to focus on technique and to run relaxed and easy with out tension…Worked with quick short steps focused on letting my heels lift behind me rather than thinking about lifting my knees or forcing turnover…Run very smoothly didn’t get into too much elevation with a net gain of 500 ft over 14 miles completed in 1 hr 59 mins for about a 8:30 min/sec pace per mile, better than I thought I’d run really didn’t try to run hard just went with what was easy never straining and warmed & loosened up as I went along…Very grateful and happy at where I am taking a couple of days off before I go out again…Leg feels good continuing my treatment and suplement schedule…Just sharing gratefully…God’s will, just living by faith.
June 3rd, 2012 at 8:46 am
Wow - I want to be like you when I grow up
You’re an inspiration and your attitude is contagious. I learned a few things from reading your posts (1) a courageous faith is necessary and (2) listen to your body & stop when you feel good.
Blessings - Scott (aka: Skutr)
June 3rd, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Thanks Scott, God is good & knowing Him has been inspirational, He’s given me the tools to overcome a lot in my life & I’ve learned to trust & have faith through good and bad…God Bless you too my brother!