Like many runners, I had sought the golden Boston Qualifier (BQ) as an able-bodied runner, missing it by a little over 7 minutes in 1997 and never getting any closer. It seems running has given me one of its prized jewels as a gift. I suppose the the running gods thought their little SAG wagon joke was just a little over the top and felt this was just compensation.
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A word on my prosthesis: despite the problems I had it was a still a successful learning experience, a trial by fire, the type I will not soon forget. You bet I will have some sleeve repair material and a spare at the ready at future races. What was incredible to me was my residual looked amazing after the marathon, no cuts or swelling or red friction spots, nothing other than what looked like a little heat rash well above my knee.
There will be some fine tuning required, but I am hopeful that things will only improve. Many things may have gone wrong on race day, but the most important decision I made was the correct one. Thanks to Stephen Schulte and the professionals at ProCare for providing some extreme technology quite literally overnight that allowed me to run this marathon. I doff my socket to you!
Also thanks to Scott Rigsby, Jason Gunter, and Kelly Luckett; amputees who helped direct me to the path as I stumbled around in the forest. You guys are giants of inspiration, courage, and fortitude. What a lucky man I am to have come to know you.
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We raised over $2000 for the IFOPA. My goal was $5000, one I thought was a bit ambitious but certainly not impossible. So it is on to Boston, and I will run once again for IFOPA, for Ashley Kurpiel, and for everyone affected by the disease.
Ashley will be hosting a 5k race in the Atlanta area this spring to raise money for IFOPA, so please come run, walk, or volunteer if can. Say hi to Ashley and we will see YOU there.
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There were many, many people who helped me achieve this dream. Please know I cherish the support in emails, tweets, posts, donations, and moral support. My gratitude is neverending.
I wrote how alone I was for much of the second half of the marathon, but my friend Tom DeSee said: "you were NEVER alone bro!" He was right a thousand times over. You were there.
Here is a chapter closed and another one opened. As my friend Pi has guided me from the beginning, I hope you will turn the miracle into routine, and let the amazing be seen every day.
Yours in running, forever,
- Richard
I wrote how alone I was for much of the second half of the marathon, but my friend Tom DeSee said: "you were NEVER alone bro!" He was right a thousand times over. You were there.
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Here is a chapter closed and another one opened. As my friend Pi has guided me from the beginning, I hope you will turn the miracle into routine, and let the amazing be seen every day.
Yours in running, forever,
- Richard
You just wrote about the one thing I was curious about...how was your "residual" after the race. I recall that being such a key indicator in your earlier training and shorter races. Glad it seemed to behave very well. Seems like "Jato and the Pump" are going to allow you to focus a bit more on the running in the coming months!
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, John. My old prosthesis severely limited my training, plus I was not happy having to constantly heal from the various issue, just not good for the body.
ReplyDeleteApparently my type of amputation, the Ertl procedure, while offering a very stable limb, seems to be more sensitive to getting the perfect fit. Once that happens people tell me it's like nothing short of having their anatomical limb back. I would love to get to that point and I'm close now.
congrats again man. awesome that your residual looked good after the marathon and that you're able to take this and make the most of it
ReplyDeleteThank Karyn...best of luck with your training for Boston. Maybe we'll see you there in 2012?
ReplyDelete- Richard
I'm very very late to the party, and I'm sorry for this, but I want to say well done and congratulations to you, Richard. You are breaking new ground and setting a standard that others like me can only dream of achieving. I enjoy reading about your efforts and look forward enthusiastically to the next challenge. You have the strength and depth of character that many will never experience or understand, and long may this drive you forwards!
ReplyDeleteIan, as I've come to know you and some others, I am certain you can achieve what you put your mind to. I often wondered what I would do if "tested" in the past and no one can truly know, I suppose, until faced with the challenge.
ReplyDeleteBut I do know you have the character to take anything head-on and, I believe, you have come a long way into knowing this for yourself. Though we have never met, I am proud to know you as a friend.
- Richard