From hospital bed to hitting the pavement

C EDAR RAPIDS, Jul 05, 2009 (The Gazette - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- LNT | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Rain on the Fourth of July usually makes for a gloomy holiday.

Saturday's precipitation, however, couldn't dampen my spirits when I participated in the 5K at the 24th annual Alliant Energy Fifth Season road races.

I had plenty to be happy about, including friend Jim Zachar joining me, my daughter Keely taking part in the kids' fun run -- and just the fact I was physically able to be there.

The road to that finish line was longer than just the 3.11-mile odyssey Saturday morning.

In mid-April, I had severe back pain that made it nearly impossible for me to walk from one room to the next.

I eventually had emergency surgery to remove an abscess that was on the verge of bursting in the lumbar region of my spine. The abscess was believed to be caused by a staph infection that had reached my bloodstream. Two weeks in the hospital and six more weeks of treatment followed.

So I was glad just to be mobile and active again. But those thoughts vanished as I stood at the starting line with rain beading on my glasses.

"What the heck are you doing? You should still be in bed before 8 a.m." The gun (I think) sounded and we were off with a leisurely walk until we were passed by a crawling 9-month-old. We picked up the pace slightly, and jogging began at the half-mile mark.

"Good, we're not last," Zachar said, looking back.

The social aspect of the event for non-competitive participants is a lot of fun. I overheard conversations on the course that ranged from what people had planned for the evening to eating habits.

Still, spectators lined the course shouting encouragement to all of us.

I had fun with it, since I wasn't planning on breaking any course records.

Joan Galloro yelled, "Hey, K.J," as she stood along the course. I grabbed something to drink at the first water station, saying hi and posing for a quick picture before returning to the course.

A highlight on the course was a group of kids carrying a sign and cheering near Park Court and Second Avenue SE.

They seemed excited, then confused, when I jogged by, giving high-fives to each.

That gave me a burst of energy that lasted six strides, maybe seven, but my loss of breath distracted me and I lost count.

I found a rhythm, alternating between jogging and walking each block, finally passing an impressive elderly woman who seemed to be running in what appeared to be house slippers.

Things went smoothly until I reached the 800-meter mark. I started a jog at 10th Street but Ninth never appeared, forcing me to stretch it out two blocks.

Then the worst occurred as I started to feel bad. I slowed and said "You're OK" repeatedly.

My body and stomach respond ed otherwise.

"Dude, you ain't OK. Looook oouutt!"

I lightly "spit-up" before the Second Avenue downhill without breaking stride.

I reached the finish without further incident, crossing in about 43 minutes and headed directly to my wife and daughters. I knew I wouldn't have been doing this without them and the rest of my family.

I later realized shorter equals more fun during the kids' race.

Keely ran the entire way, and I couldn't have been more proud. She constantly looked back for me as I fell behind and was taunted by other 5-and-under runners.

I finally caught up to her with a half-block left so we could finish hand-in-hand. She collected her medal and ribbon, and it wasn't near as chilly and wet as I soaked in the fact that not being there with her had been a strong possibility just weeks ago.

Don't expect to see me today. I'll be in bed all day, recovering while watching reruns of "The Office" for Michael Scott's tips on "carbo-loading" before a race.

-- Contact the writer: (319) 3688679 or kj.pilcher@gazcomm.com

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