Journey from 238.5 lbs to 2:38:30

Didn't get out the last 2 days so was itching for a good run today.  Ended up waking up early, 430ish, so decided to get headed out.  I've been fighting my right leg not having any strength in it for the last couple of weeks, and have determined that it most likely wasn't caused by my usual low back, hip, si joint putting pressure on the nerve, and it was most likely caused by my neck putting pressure on the nerve from up there.  On tuesday I had noticed that my it band was getting a little sore, which I am sure is being caused by other muscles trying to compensate for my right quad not working properly.  I usually test my legs by doing one legged squats and see if the leg will support my body. When I am having back/neck/hip issues one of the legs will just go weak and not support properly going up or down stairs.  I seem to be able to run with it out anyways, most of the time it just works enough to keep going.  But on occasion if I have my leg bent too much it will give out more while running, though this is rare, but kind of dangerous while on the trails, and much harder on other muscles on the trails.  

Well this morning at mile 3, stopped in the very clean personal pit stop in willow park, I think this thing is used much less and is probably cleaner than the bathrooms at my house.  While I was contemplating my leg I decided to give the old neck a good stretch, and with a little push, finally got it to click back over into place taking the pressure off of the right side of that nerve.  Sure enough when I gotup I noticed that I could now do my one legged squats on the right side. I started off again and it is amazing how much better running feels when your legs actually work correctly.  So I picked up the pace a little and made the final decision that I was going to do 20 today.  I was took some emergency pills, strong gatorade, and water in case I did feel like going 20 when I started.  

so I just plugged along and ended up on the other side of the saratoga springs golf course when I hit the 10 mile tour around.  I wondered if I would ever run into crockett out here, and it sounds like he did 20 today as well on the same trails, just started 2 hours earlier.  

I find it much easier to pick up the pace on the way back so I was trying to stay around marathon pace.  My last 7 miles were under 7:10 with 4 of them being under 6:50.   The heart rate was creeping up those last few miles as well. It had pushed up to 165 the last mile.  

It was a great run, good to get that leg feeling strong again so now I can go hit some hills with confidence.