Reaching the Finish Line

03 November 2010

Wow, what a ride! I started what I thought to be a 10km race with all the preparations in place and excitement to be entering the big IVF race. It even looked hopeful that I might walk away with a medal. I'd done several minor 5 K's before and while I never quite made it to podium, they had gone smoothly, so it was time to step it up a notch. I saved up my money and put my pricey entry fees down. I started off the run keeping up well with the main pack. However, early in the event, it was discovered that I had developed an injury and would be at significant disadvantage. The officials decided that I would not be allowed to continue in the 10km. I was devastated beyond words.

The only options I had left were to quit entirely or to switch over to the marathon course and have a very small chance at a finisher's draw prize. The easier option would have been to have stopped right there and accepted a ride off of the course. My coach urged me to keep going no matter how painful, humiliating, and expensive it was. Days went by and while the rest of the racers were long gone, the race markings and water stations all taken down, and the crowds cleared out, I had to keep going. Somehow pulling the strength from somewhere to put one foot in front of the other.

I finally limped/crawled over the finish line of this marathon yesterday. Actually the finish line was gone, but where it would have been, I was shocked to see a gathering of family and close friends, my amazing husband, all the professionals who have shared in our care, and of course all my wonderful cyber friends all greeting me with loud cheers and claps. It was overwhelming to have this level of support.

While it is not entirely over yet, it feels like I've finally got some closure on it now. Post IVF-IUI conversion, I still have to take my progesterone and dexamethasone, and go for my beta. Yes, there are still a couple of draw prizes for the finishers which will be determined in a couple more weeks, but I know this is a long shot.

After that, I'll have 3 months to get in better shape for the next 10km attempt. I'll have surgery on this injury, and my coach will be changing up the strategies a little to give me a better chance of at least staying in the race this time. I'll be taking male hormones so with any luck I'll have better muscle bulk to give me an advantage. Maybe, just maybe I'll see the podium or at least get a fair shot at it next time. For now, it's time to rest and recuperate.