Just returned from the Charleston Marathon and though it was by far my worst overall performance in a marathon, time wise; yet it's one I'm very proud of. Why? Because I did not quit. I knew going in that I was no where near marathon shape, and really I was just hoping for a quality long run ('long' being a relative term). Then once my body pulled out it's inner Roberto Duran "No mas, no mas" around mile 21 I thought "what the heck" and just sort of walked it on in. And at mile 21 we were (literally) .2 from the finish. Yes, mile 21 and 26 were together. So you know what that means, yep! they sent us down this industrial side road for 2.5 miles, around a cone and back we came. Ay yi yi!!! But, it gave me lots of time to think and I was reminded yest again how fortunate I am to enjoy something as much as I enjoy running and still get to do it. Am I as fast as I once was? Nope. Still pretty proud of my PR's, I'll stack them up against most anyones - especially since I was in my 50's when I set them.  I guess I'll just start a new set of PR's for my >60 years. Just because I'm not as 'fast' as I once was doesn't mean I'm not smarter and a better coach for it. Don't recall Nick Saban putting on a helmet in the LSU game, but the man coached the heck outta his team!  However the best thing is that I'm still running! I'm amazed at all the people I see and hear from that continue to run though pain! They are injured! It's not rocket surgery! The old joke about going to the Dr, "Doc, it hurts when I do that." "Well, don't do that!" is an absolute truism. If you hurt enough that it changes your gait don't be a dumb ass! DO NOT RUN! If it doesn't get better shortly then re-direct your thinking and make getting back to 100% the focus of your training. Talk to a coach, a Dr, a PT, somebody, but find the root cause and get well. By 'root cause' I mean (for example) though IT Band issues create pain in your knee, the cause is virtually always rooted in your hip area. If you have chronic hamstring pain, then most likely you have weak glutes (if your glutes are weak then your hammies pick up the slack = over worked). As a certified personal trainer (in addition to run coach) we have to learn that stuff + practical application and knowledge from a looonnngggg time of running. I pretty much count the start of my running career from 1994, the year I ran my first marathon, though I was running 5K's and 10K's long before that. I have many friends who can no longer run simply because they would not rest. When they felt pain, they tried to push through it - sheesh! Pain is your body's way of saying *stop*! If you keep pushing it, much like a blow out in a car, it will stop you! One of my great friends and mentors Al DiMicco is still out there chugging; as fast as he once was? Nope, but still going! Between he and I we've seen thousands come and go, sadly too many go. I remember once guy who ran with us loved it, loved it! He ran a marathon, wow! Got to do an ultra! He did Oak Mtn 50K (actually about 53 K, but hell, you gotta get back - they weren't coming to me at 50K), then I think a 50 miler (may have been 100 miler) and... we never saw him again. Not really injury, but 'burn out'....just as deadly. So here's some free advice: If it hurts, rest it, if you're tired, rest...no not for 30 minutes, 36 - 48 hours. Take TWO days off, then go run again. Still hurts? Bite the bullet and call a Dr (seriously, internet self diagnosis? Please! What is they say about the Dr who treats himself? He has a fool for a patient - most times we'll read something and see into it what we want to see. So see a Dr familiar with runners (subject of another blog, soon to come), they are out there...as are some idiot Doctor's who still think running is bad for you. Then...ready for it? FOLLOW HIS ADVICE!!! If the pain/injury doesn't show improvement after some time, find another Dr. Sometimes just 'rest' isn't enough. If a heart attack doesn't kill you, then sooner or later you'll feel better and start to move around; doesn't mean the damage wasn't done. I've registered for marathons, triathlons and flea markets that I had to skip because of various injuries. Guess what, they'll have the same race again next year. I'd rather do it well and have fun. Remember, if you do NOT take care of your body, it will NOT take care of you. Especially (and this is key) over time! Some injuries take months to manifest themselves. You'd think runners/athletes would know that! Would you go to a Dr that smoked? I'm really proud of my first marathon and in late April I'll be really proud of my 57th 'ish', why? Because I'm still running, after 18 + years; and that's my wish for you. That 5 or 10 years from now we're still meeting at the Y, the Western, or Good People and running together. Please - there are no medals for 'pushing through it'. It's not Rocket......Science.