One year ago today, the man of steel was bedridden with back pain. About a week later, the doctor diagnosed a ruptured disk and recommended back surgery.
The next few weeks put a strain on or marriage and revealed some flaws in his character and mine. After the surgery was over, the hospital stay put more strain on our marriage.
By July the man of steel started physical therapy, he started regaining man cards one after another. Eventually, he was given the okay to start a walking and running regime. Little by little, through the summer and fall, the physical therapist increased his running time.
He followed her instructions. To. The. Letter.
He spent late winter afternoons after work running on a treadmill in the physical therapy exercise room. Come spring, he started running outside.
Run 2 miles. Walk 1 minute. Repeat 3 times.
Every other day.
Run 3 miles. Walk 1 minute. Repeat 2 times.
Every other day.
Run 4 miles. Walk 1 minute. Repeat 2 times.
Every other day.
Tomorrow, he’s running in the Des Moines Dam to Dam half-marathon.
He’ll run 4 miles. Walk 1 minute. Repeat 3 times.
It’ll be a great day.
His back is stronger than ever.
Our marriage is stronger than ever.
And we’re thankful, the man of steel and me.
I’ll be there too… but will not finish nearly as fast as him. I’ll be doing good to run 1/2 mile then walk 1/2 mile. I do have to correct you – technically it’s not a half-marathon – it’s a 20k which is 12.4 miles, a half marathon is 13.1 miles. Not that it takes away AT ALL what he has accomplished the past year!