Mike Clarke's Running Blog

First day running in 10 days.  Severe shin splints have kept me off the road.  My wife and I have been going from doctor to doctor of 10 days now to figure out what is wrong with her neck.  As it turns out she has 2 herniated discs at c5-c7 in her neck.  We've gone from orthopedic surgeon to orthopedic surgeon and now to a neurosurgeon.  Our computer has been out of commission for 2 weeks and haven't been able to do any research on the computer.  Now that we've gathered all the information we're going to go ahead with cortisone epidural shots to try and reduce the swelling of the discs in her neck, if that doesn't work then it looks like vertabrea fusion surgery.  It is far worse to watch someone that you love in pain then to go through the pain yourself.  As a chronic kidney stone sufferer I know about pain, but it is heartbreaking to watch someone you love who is suffering. Today ran 12 miles after resting my legs for 2 weeks, have been icing my legs all day and praying that I don't wake up a cripple.  My first full marathon is in 6 weeks and am praying that I will be able to make it.  I actually forgot about our problems on the road today for a few minutes,  I can't believe I went 10 days without running!  Keep my wife Heather in your prayers if you would that the Lord's will would be done.

Four mile run today after 12miles on Sunday, legs feel good, keep icing.  Running 9 miles tommorow, 32degrees and windy.  Don't mind the cold but hate the wind.  God keeps to continue to show Himself faithful.  Very thankful that my wife's neck is showing slow signs of improvement.  Keep praying for healing and for a better health plan.  I'm not in favor of the current health care reform plan but would certainly like the preexisting condition stipulation removed, competition increased, and our cost brought down.  Here's praying that our wonderful politicians can figures something out that will actually improve our lives without making us bankrupt.  Enough of my soap box, praying everyone has a wonderfuly day!

9 miles today in the cold and wind.  My son Noah road on his bike with me for the first 2 miles.  He's been out of practice since the cold weather came.  He was riding with me on most of my runs from the end of summer into fall.  He's getting so big and he's such a sweet boy.  I was talking about my fundraiser that I'm doing for my first marathon.  He told me once again about the garage sale that he wants to do for all the poor people and children in the world.  He' only 6 but he's so very serious about his desire to help the less fortunate.  We truly are blessed to have a son with such a good heart.  The run wasn't easy my shins still giving me problems but I made it.

5 miles today in the cold once again.  My son came with me again today, he did much better than yesterday.  I'm so very proud of him.  18 miles this Sunday morning at 6am with my buddy Kevin, this will be the farthest I've ever run.  I pray that my legs keep holding up.  I am so very thankful that my wife's neck has been doing a little better.  God has been so good to us even in the midst of suffering.  Went grocery shopping today and my wife Heather miraculously saved us tons of money with all of the coupons and deals that she had researched.  We probably paid half what we would have noramally.  I'm so thankful for her and pray that God continues to heal her neck.

No running today, it's snowing in Atlanta hooray!  My kids are going to be so excited to get out and play.  Couldn't walk when I rolled out of bed this morning, feeling much better now, can't wait to tackle 18 miles on Sunday.