I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never going to keep me down.
My father had a heart attack in his mid-forties, my grandfather had a heart attack in his mid-thirties, at age 33, as I opened my eyes in the emergency room I was told I had a heart attack. My brain processed the word "heart attack" in an unfolding wave of confusion. I have not been this surprised since my uncle became a Trojan fan. How was this possible? I had been doing everything right. I had been eating healthy, running fourteen, sixteen, eighteen miles and I had even quit drinking! I followed my training book to the letter, I drank plenty of water, I stretched, I cooled down, I paced myself. I built up my running over a sixteen week period and tapered my running down for the last three weeks to store energy. I gave myself every advantage possible in an effort to complete my first marathon. Did I mention that I gave up drinking? So why did it happen? Why did I fail? Why did I pass out on mile twelve? How many more nights will I spend waking up at 3:00 a.m. to once more go over the race? I do not know the answers to these questions. All I know it that I got knocked down, I got up again, and you're never going to keep me down.
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Two Blogs now! How bout that? Very weird, surreal, scary experience...indeed..we'll all be there for Long Beach and it looks like Tasha is most likely gonna run in that one too!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry the last one was from me but I didn't change the name...
ReplyDeleteExpect the Unexpected was what my friend told me before running Santa Clarita. What happened to you was the most unexpected! So glad every thing turned out ok and that you will not be kept down.
Matt:
ReplyDeleteGreat pic, takes me back.
Let's work on some of the "whys" this weekend in Catalina. Pray for good weather, calm seas and great underwater visibility.
Likewise,
Mennis
Matt: Very touching and emotional post. First and foremost you did not fail. To fail is to never try anything new. To fail is to say " I can't do it. To fail is to throw in the towel. To fail is to make excuses. You did NOT fail in your attempt to do something that very few people even attempt to do............run 26.2 miles!!! Stuff happens for a reason and there was a reason why after all the training you did to prepare for the marathon that your body was saying "no", not this time. Like Tasha mentioned on her blog "May just isn't the month for the Riley's to run marathons." But you will both be back on the marathon track soon. Once the fire is there it will never burn out. Try and put it behind you....................don't look back....................only look forward to brighter skies ahead. We have so much to be thankful for and are so very blessed to have our health and the love and support of family. Love you lot's, Susan
ReplyDeleteI will try this again. I wrote a long post and it disappeared when i tried to post it. So glad you are doing this blog. Will be inspiring to see your progress for the LB Marathon. You did not fail. You attempted, trained, were disciplined to run this. I am proud of all the training you did. I hope that I will be able to do half as well in my training for Whitney.
ReplyDeleteYou are awesome, Matt. I totally appreciate that that whole day was a blur for you of what happened. I recall that when your Dad really did have a heart attack, he was flabbergasted. He was so fit, disciplined in exercise and in what he ate. It really threw him for a loop. I imagine even though you did not have a heart attack, that it weighs heavy on your mind, just the thought that something like that could happen.
I know you will do great in the LB. We will be there for you if you want, and if you and Tasha decide to do it just on your own, we will support that too. I am very proud of you. You are an awesome stepson and friend. I love you a bunch, Denise
This is a test. We lost our last comment in cyberspace.
ReplyDeleteHi Matt,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your determination! Your determination, strength and positive spirit is a joy to watch. And you do the former with much enthusiasm.
Do you remember the quote from Teddy Roosevelt that was in your room growing up? (Mike has it in his room now...) I LOVE what it says.."The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." You are to be respected for being a man in the arena!.
Much prayer covered this race Matt. I know God's protection was over you and HE had a reason for what happened.
The important thing is your future is a bright adventure and Long Beach is on the horizon! Jeff, Mike and I love you so much! Our love for you is unconditional and our support for you is always there.
You are a precious son to me! Love, Mom xo
The Teddy Roosevelt quote says it all! Better to end up in the hospital than live a timid life. Keep throwing punches.
ReplyDelete-Mike