Why I'm Giving Up Half Marathons

Since I wrote my Glass Slipper race recap a couple of weeks ago and officially announced my half marathon retirement, I've received a few comments and texts asking why I'm stopping.  I decided that since this is something that's been a part of my life for more than 15 years, I wanted to share it with y'all.

When I was in middle school, cross country was the only fall sport that didn't cut people.  Fresh into a new school with way more kids than my neighborhood elementary school, I decided to try out, wanting to make new friends and try something different.  Honestly, I really loved it.  I wasn't that good at it, but I could run the full 2 miles without stopping, and little 11 year-old me was proud of that.  #ilookthesameat11and27

About half-way into my 7th grade season, I started having unbearable knee pain.  My parents took me to my pediatrician who sent me to the best sports doctor in the area.  He took a look at my knees and because of some inflammation, told me that I had Osgood-Slautter Disease, otherwise known as "growing pains."  There wasn't anything he could do about it besides wait for my body to catch up with itself, meaning that I would continue to have this pain while running.  Unfortunately, I had to give up running after middle school as I knew my knees could never take the added distance needed for high school cross country.

Flash forward to senior year of high school when I was swimming long distances (500 free, 200 IM, and the mile) on two swim teams.  Swimming was fantastic for my knees, but I started having a new pain: in my feet.  Once again, it was back to the pediatrician, and this time to a podiatrist.  I was given a plantar fasciitis diagnosis.  I have super flat feet, meaning I'm predisposed to this type of foot pain.  In one of my very first appointments, I vividly remember the doctor asking if I had ever had any knee pain, because this would be a very first sign.  I thought back to middle school and asked if it all could be connected.  The doctor said that it definitely was, and that my Osgood Slatter diagnosis was most likely incorrect.  I went through a ton of physical therapy, learned a million stretches, and my whole body started to feel so much better.

It really stunk to learn four years later that I could have participated in cross country through high school if my original doctor had just thought to look down to my feet, and honestly, I'm still a little bitter.  When I got to college a few months later, more emphasis was put on strength and flexibility while playing college golf, so I didn't do a lot of cardio and didn't have time to in my spare time.  #yesihadpurplehair

It wasn't until my senior year of college when my parents, Mike, and I took a trip to Florida and stopped for a few days in Walt Disney World that I would once again catch the running bug.  On our way into the Magic Kingdom one morning, we had parked at the transportation hub and were waiting for the monorail.  We could not figure out why there were so many people crowded there with signs, but soon we saw the line of runners coming through the entrance.  I had never heard of runDisney before, but I already wanted to do it.  Getting to run through the theme parks?! That sounds awesome.

So, the next year, I signed up for that same race I had watched.  I ran throughout the year, and with only minor aches and pains, I did it.  Now, four years later, I've run four half marathons: 2012 Walt Disney World, 2013 Tinker Bell, 2013 Wine & Dine, and 2015 Princess.

I think that not running literally once from the ages of 13 to 22 definitely hurt my chances at being a half marathoner for life.  Even with fantastic orthotics and all the stretching in the world, my knees still have days when they ache and I get nervous on every half marathon start line that my plantar fasciitis will flare up during the race.  That's why I'm sticking to 10ks.  I don't get the residual pain after running a 10k, and it's so much less stressful.  I love that 6 mile distance, and even better, it's something Mike and I can do together.

So, that's my story.  I'd love to hear from any of you who have had similar knee or foot issues and how you still live a healthy lifestyle!