I think that’s the part I’m struggling with: I’ve never been able to do more than about 50-55% running, and the running is the part I actually enjoy - I basically deal with the walk intervals only because they allow the run intervals, if that makes sense. If it comes to not being able to run much, I’m out - not because I view walking as lesser in any way, but because it simply isn’t enjoyable for me. I’d rather spend my time doing something else that is!
I’ve never enjoyed chasing time and only ever ran because it felt good, so I don’t have a fall back, KWIM? If it doesn’t feel good anymore, why bother? Other than the fact that I spent the money on race registrations. After those are done, that may be the end.
I had other things quoted and don’t know where they went… oh well.
I’ll just throw this in and leave it: I’m being humbled in a big way. When the chronic pain and fatigue first hit, I pushed through it - both with running and with everything else demanded of me in life. I fought back. When the pain progressed, I accepted that okay, my marathon days are over: I can deal with that. But I genuinely thought 13.1 and multi-day events were still fine - it never once occurred to me that within 3 months they might be out of reach, too. THAT’s hitting me hard. I LOVE the act of running. Not the races, not the times, not any kind of performance, but the simple motion of running. To not have that very basic thing feel good anymore is… shocking. What if in another 3 months, I can’t even manage 6 miles of run-walk? 3 months after that, will 3 miles be out, too? It’s heavy.
I’m going to try just doing longer walk intervals on long runs the next few weeks and see how that fees - ft it’s enough to find enjoyment in the running I can do, great! If not… IDK. Do what I can, DNF and collect the medal, and call it an over-priced 10K, maybe. Trying to find a positive in all this… think of the money I’ll be saving on shoes going forward!