Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Run Suspension

It is with great sadness and profound personal disappointment that I have to announce that MyRunAcrossAmerica has to be suspended. 

My shin/ankle injury is one that is going to take some real time to recover from.  I awoke this morning with continued swelling (albeit a bit less than yesterday's ugliness) and slow dull throbbing pain.  I put on an ankle brace and attempted to walk (painful but doable) and then attempted to jog slowly.  It was apparent within 500 feet that running on my leg was not going to be possible.  The docs that I have come into contact with have all mentioned weeks of staying off of it. 

Here is today's view...obviously, this is not what a normal human ankle should look like.



I kept hoping that somehow, I could defy gravity and keep the run going.  My thinking is probably like a lot of people..."rules only apply to others on this kind of stuff".  4-6 weeks of downtime?  Me?  Nope...1-2 days and I can beat this. 

On one hand, I feel like Evel Kneivel must have felt when the parachute deployed half way across his jump across the Snake River...embarassed, in denial and a bit like someone who belched out loud at a funeral.  I don't feel good as I write this.

On another hand, I feel positive.  I ran 50 miles a day 8 days out of the first 10 days on the road.  I was able to call attention to two great charities that called people's awareness to a level where they felt like donating.  Your donations totalled $9,000-ish.   I nearly made it across three states running.  I met some amazing and cool people like John/Melissa Teeples, the farmer on the Green Tractor, Susan Granger, Ian and John.  I am a better person for the last 16 days.  Really.

I have a ton of people to thank.  First John Garcia...your communications help has been spot on.  Carolyn Hardy...your amazing commitment of time, energy and thought to make MY dream come true makes you a friend for life.  Dr. Dave Albenberg, your friendship, medical advice and mental nudging was invaluable.  because of your efforts Dr. D, I lasted a week more than I probably had the right to.   Mark Nowling and John Glover at Charleston Bicycle Company...thanks for the support and use of CBC as a launch pad.  Germaine Ward, thanks for the food at send off!   Others to thank include Kristin Jiles, Bobbi Jo Price, Zucu Bermann and Judy Truong. 

I also want to thank Tom Spengler and Emery Jones of Granicus.  It is a rare occasion to get the support from an employer that I received from you both.  I appreciate it and will repay the favor.

I also want to thank and acknowledge Freedom is Not Free and Soles4Souls.  These are two charities that I can and will support in the future.   I especially want to call attention to our military people.  Our veterans deserve all of our awareness, attention and thanks.  There are people RIGHT NOW sitting in foxholes/behind sand bags away from family and friends, in miserable conditions...just to give us the safety and Freedom to do what we want to do on a daily basis.  I can attempt to run across the United States because of some the fathers, mothers, sons and daughters who are out there putting it on the line every day.  Don't forget what is going on overseas and that someone is likely paying the ultimate sacrifice for each of us today.   

My biggest thanks go to my wife, father in law and mother in law.

My wife has put up with 16 months of training, every gripe I had about aching this or hurting that and the nastiest laundry ever.  She worked harder than I did to make this trip possible with no expectations or thoughts other than to be a great partner and friend to me.   I love my wife and appreciate her for all she has done.  I cannot say thank you enough.

My in-laws are also amazing and I appreciate them.  Imagine asking your in-laws to sit in a a chase vehicle or RV following you across the country at 6 miles per hour, working tirelessly every day to get stuff ready for the next day and then getting up and doing it all again.  I am in your debt Bill and Dee.   You are two really special people. 

Finally, thank you all for the support and well wishes along the way.  Most of you, I do not know personally.  However, you supported me the whole way.  I totally appreciate you and the energy you gave me on this effort.

You may have noticed I have used the word suspension in the blog post title.   This is carefully chosen.  I do plan on finishing this run in between my next work assignments.  It may be 18 months or 36 months or so from now, but I plan on coming to Demopolis, AL, smarter for what I have done so far and finishing this adventure. 

I will be taking this blog and my Facebook page down in 7 days.  I figure that should do it. 

Me?  For now?  I am going to meander west in the RV and think about that last 16 days...

Thanks.

18 comments:

  1. You, my friend, are an amazing athlete and person. You will finish this journey one day. No doubt. Way to stay strong and fight!

    ReplyDelete
  2. To even ATTEMPT to do what you have attempted is a great accomplishment. As you said - even though you weren't able to complete your run as you would have liked, you did manage to call awareness to two very worthwhile organizations. You take care and be well.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What you have done is incredible, Ed. Something many admire and dream of but would never dare to even try- you are an inspiration and have acheived so much more than the distance ran so far. Wish you all the best in your recovery!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ed,

    Those one million steps you took for 2 great charities, in those 16 days, is more than some people do in a lifetime.

    No doubt that you will come back and kill it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow, there is nothing about that ankle that is screaming "go run on me right now!". Rather, it appears it is saying something like "please put me up and rest me before I quit on you for good - I promise that if you listen to me and rest me up for a while I will heal perfectly and you can do the wild and crazy run again right from where you left off". And rest assured, all of your fans know your heart is 100x's bigger than that shankle of yours. Signed.. one of your fans who is thankful that there are people like you out there doing good and bringing out the good in others.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I feel for you dude - you are still the man - 50 miles/day in 8 days is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ed, acknowledging reality is certainly not a defeat, just a delay. And even in starting, you've accomplished something that most will never do. I'm looking forward to following your progress when you resume your trek.

    Take care & stay in touch.

    Pat Frame

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ed, to run what amounts to 16 marathons in 8 days is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Your mental fortitude is beyond incredible and I have no doubt you'll finish this endeavor. It may have been cut short prematurely, but congratulations are still in order! Job well done sir.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ed, you are amazing... and totally dedicated.
    This is just a delay... I wish you well and know we you will be up and running again soon... your wife and in laws were great.
    AGAIN... you did a great job for a great cause.
    Safe travels home. Pat McGee

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ed, what an inspiration you are and continue to be to so many men, women and children. Thanks for all you have done for me, Melanie and so many of my clients and colleagues I have shared your incredible story with. We send a big congratulations and a great BIG hug from ALL the Poster Girls and me. We hope you feel great about your accomplishment and feel as proud of yourself as we are of you. You are an AMAZING athlete and individual!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Everything we try does not always work out as intended, but we have the satisfaction of knowing that we did try as hard as we possibly could. That's much better than growing hold and thinking, "I wonder if I could have...." I look forward to reading about your next adventure one day. Undoubtedly you have a lot of fans like me whom you've never met.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ed, were John Wooden alive today and to meet you now, I am certain he would say, "Congratulations on achieving true success." The pinnacle of success is "competitive greatness," and you have reached that pinnacle. While you clearly exemplify every building block in Wooden's Pyramid of Success, I marvel at the way your approach to life defines the cornerstones of success, which are industriousness (hard work) and enthusiasm. If one of your goals was to inspire others to competitive greatness, then you should be pleased. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing you did the best to be your best. I look forward to seeing you soon so you can tell me what that feels like.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you all for the nice words and kindness. As my ankle enters it's fifth day of revolt, reading these comments, the dozens of emails and FB postings has really picked up my spirits.

    If you read this comment know I have nothing but gratitude.

    Best regards.

    ReplyDelete
  14. “Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character.”
    A. Alan Armstrong, author

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ed,

    You are a hero. I came across your story upon chance... upon luck really. You have inspired me to be a better person, a healthier person... a charitable person. You have done more for people in 16 days that most have done in all their lives. I know I am just a stranger to you, but you have touched my life and have changed the way I perceive the possible and what is not possible forever.

    You may have not finished what you set out to do... but you accomplished more than you realize or meant too. You have inspired others and set change in motion… positive change.

    This is only a chapter in your life and as disappointed as you are... don't close this book with a heavy heart. Keep the pages turning until the next chapter. I can't wait to find out how this story ends myself.

    With much appreciation,
    Jen Dunham

    ReplyDelete
  16. What an angry ankle - just because you were running 50 miles a day? In all seriousness, your story has been an inspiration for me and so many others. Your dedication to raising money for these worthy charities was amazing. I know you'll be back with another adventure soon enough or maybe just to continue where you left off.

    Heal well.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ed,
    Thank you for keeping of us posted on your journey. Having to hear about your journey from the beginning already inspired me to believe that anything is possible. Whether you finish the race this year or next, you have already done enough with your efforts and passion. Team Ed all the way!
    Judy T , SF

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ed, I have been out of the loop with two close deaths and a much-needed vacation, so I am coming upon this late in the game. I am so sorry that it didn't work out the way that you hoped (glory, parade, flags, jets overhead), but I am glad that it is just chapter one of the book. You do remain an icon of something in our hearts and minds! Hope that shankle is behaving now. Bet your wife unjoyed the down time with you! Look forward to seeing you again, as you set those high goals for all of us! Showers of blessings, Karen

    ReplyDelete