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by Bryan_Polcyn from FOX 6 Milwaukee

Last Post 3 days, 19 hours Ago


Racer #1978 - DNF
Oct 6, 2008 | 3:49 PM
Category: News
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This must be what it feels like to be a Chicago Cub (minus the salary).  To work for an entire summer toward a single goal.  To put yourself into perfect position to achieve that goal.  Then to have it blow up in your face in a blink.

Through the first 12 miles of Milwaukee's Lakefront Marathon on Sunday, I was on pace to set a personal record, a sub-4-hour marathon.   I finished my first marathon 3 years ago in Chicago in 4:00:47.  This time, I was determined to break that magic barrier.  

So I trained harder and smarter.  I ran when it was hot.  I ran when it was cold.  I ran in the rain and wind.  I ran when I would've rather been on the couch, watching TV.  I ran when I could've simply stayed in bed.  I dedicated myself.  I sacrificed.  I bled.  For six months, I prepared my body and mind for the grueling challenge. 

And I was in the best shape of my life.

Then - disaster.  Three weeks ago, I developed a very common - and very painful - knee injury.  I tried everything to heal up in time for Sunday's race.  But the pain simply would not relent.  After 13 miles, the pain was excruciating.  By Mile 16, I could hardly bear any weight on my left knee.  The quest was over.

There are no three letters a marathon runner fears more than DNF = Did Not Finish.  Those letters will now, and forever, be associated with my name in the record books of the 2008 Lakefront Marathon.

I now know both the elation of completing a marathon, and the dejection of dropping out.  It makes me appreciate my original achievement all the more.

I'm not going to lie.  It's hard to accept.  I don't like to fail.  But, I also know that you learn more from failure than success.  I will be back at the starting line again someday.  And when I cross the finish line, it will be that much sweeter.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 10
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wfbdoglover read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 4:52 PM

When you give your personal best, you are a winner - regardless if you finish or not.

As a person with a 25 year old knee injury at 41 and only able to bike or walk because I walk bone on bone in my right knee, I would consider 16 miles quite an accomplishment.

Stand tall and proud and allow your body to heal. Try it again next year.

Great effort trying
F0x6Fan read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 8:29 PM

That's BALANCE.....spiritual balance.

You have experienced both sides...knowing what it feels like to both:

fail/succeed,

win/lose,

pain/joy.

That's a FULL experience!!....the BAD does help you appreciate the GOOD even more the next go around.

The message is get up when we fall and try again!--

"---that's what's UP!"

Peace

SB
Only1Antoine read my blog
Oct 6, 2008 | 10:34 PM

Don't feel bad man. "If at first you don't succeed, you will try again".

You gave it your all, but your legs were saying it was time to stop. You didn't want to stop, but your legs did. No matter how we walk, jog, or run, our body will let us know it can't take no more and when it's time to stop, it's time to stop.

Just imagine, It could've been a whole lot worse if you made anymore attempt to continue (then your legs would've been calling sending you into the hospital), but you had no choice but to stop and call it quits. I know you wanted to cross the finish line so bad, but you will try again another time.

You gave it everything you had. There is always next year. Congratulations though. YOU ARE STILL THE MAN REGARDLESS
F0x6Fan read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 11:54 PM

The Language of the Body.

Your physical body speaks to you. Some of the messages are quite obvious, while others are so subtle that you regard them as normal functions. Either way symptoms are symphonies that the body composes to get your attention.

Your body speaks only when necessary, and symptoms are the way it says: "i don't want this in me any longer," or "I'm not happy with the way you're treating me." Your body loves you; it communicates to help you recognize that you're in danger. Pain is a gift from your physical self.

Pain nothing more than a signal, warning you of danger, like a battery in a smoke signal. That particular area of the body is saying, "i need healing or i'm out of balance."

.......symptoms or pain are the body's way of saying,

"I AM OUT OF BALANCE"

mentally and spiritually you were ready to go-

-----but physically you pushed on until you could not IGNORE that signal or voice no longer......next time there will be complete balance------physical, mental, and spiritual which will complete the total preparation.
jen24 read my blog view my photos
Oct 7, 2008 | 4:21 AM

awwwww!!!!!! i was wondering how you did

and i agree with everyone else, you should be dam proud of yourself!

i hope that knee heals very quickly for you!!
Bryan_Polcyn read my blog view my photos
Oct 7, 2008 | 9:56 AM

Thanks for the support, everybody. I just needed a day or two to wallow in self-pity :)

The truth is, I feel great (other than the left knee, which feels like the tin man in the Wizard of Oz before he gets a can of oil).
jen24 read my blog view my photos
Oct 7, 2008 | 10:48 AM

just stay in shape and kick major booty next year! you can do it!
aaro-nf read my blog view my photos
Oct 7, 2008 | 5:36 PM

hi bryan_polcyn---
sorry to hear about your injury. maybe you should have that checked out by a doctor. you tried your best though. thanks for the post and as always great job on the posting of this blog.
anyway, bryan_polcyn, i posted 2 new news blogs that you may be interested in reading. please read the 2 news blogs that i posted sunday and yesterday. please post a comment on those blogs. i would like to hear from you on those blogs. thanks again for the post.
----aaro-nf
Brad_Hicks read my blog view my photos
Oct 8, 2008 | 10:38 PM

What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.... oh, wait... my mistake.

What doesn't kill you only makes you cringe in pain.

But pain builds character, unless of course it kills you.
desertwindrider read my blog view my photos
Oct 11, 2008 | 2:40 PM

My dad always told me what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. If you survive - I learned that on my own.

The universe said now is not your time. Later, my son.
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Bryan_Polcyn

Okay, so there is an "I" in I-Team. But don't be fooled. There's more Team than meets the eye. There is my producer, Pat McCraney; our extraordinary editor, Dave Michuda; and some of the best photojournalists in the business. As for me, I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri (Pattonville High School). I got my bachelors degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. And I've worked in both radio and television in Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin. In fact, I met a Wisconsin girl while working in Des Moines. We got married in the spring of 2000, moved to Kansas City, and four years later, she brought me home. We have two of the cutest kids on earth, plus two cats that give our Dyson a workout. I love snow skiing, soccer, Texas Hold 'Em, the St. Louis Cardinals, and ice cold beer (not necessarily in that order). I have a passion for my work. But there is no greater joy in my life than being a dad. Subscribe to my blog and you'll get an email everytime I add a new post.

Member Since: 8/24/2006


 

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