With Marathon Just Days Away, Nothing Can Stop Highly Trained Runner Now Except Minor Cold, Sprained Ankle, or Any of a Dozen Other Common Chance Occurrences
/
Depositphotos.com
After four months of methodical training, a local woman is feeling fit, healthy, and rested for her marathon this weekend, Dumb Runner has learned—and “nothing can stop” her, except for any number of everyday things that, under other circumstances, would be trivial.
“At this point in my preparation, I am as ready as I can be,” said Teresa Marie Ryan, 33. “The hay is in the barn.”
Ryan said she avoided injury and major illness for the entirety of her 16-week training plan, which included tempo runs, speed workouts, strength training, long runs of distances up to 22 miles, and carefully planned rest and recovery days. All in all, she said, it was a considerable investment in time and energy.
“It was hard, but in just a few days I will reap the rewards,” said Ryan. “Assuming, of course, that I don’t catch a cold or come down with the flu. Or step off a curb and land just slightly wrong, spraining my ankle. Or crash on my bike riding to or from work. Or test positive for Covid. Or eat something funky the night before the marathon and get food poisoning. You know.”
Ryan paused, coughing hard into her elbow.
“Nothing can stop me now,” she said.
