RunMelbourne

Its difficult to imagine, but the part of my body most stressed in
today's half-marathon was not my feet, nor my legs. In fact, it was
my toes.

It was a reasonably nice morning, about 10-11°, and light rain that
made for good conditions for a race. The course, from Fed Sq to
Southbank, the Botanical Gardens, the MCG and back (by two) was tight
and difficult to maneuver at points. I reached the half-way split in
57min and finished in 1hr54min (according to the clock, I'm still
waiting for the electronic protocol). My own consistence, rather than
speed, impressed me, particularly as this is my first half-marathon.

By the latter half of the race, it was pouring rain and my shoes
absorbed much of it. The moisture caused my shoes to chaff against my
toes, hence why they were particularly sore. By the time I took my
shoes off at home, I counted six of my ten toes were bleeding.

If I hadn't been hit by a car nearly six months ago to the day, I
wouldn't be running today. I still can't ride at the level I once
could, but I certainly can run at a level I had never previously been
able to achieve. It amazes me how a misfortunate event can have such
positive consequences. Sometimes tragedy is an opportunity in disguise.