Sometimes, things do not quite work out. And, that is OK.

The Chicago Marathon has always been sort of out there for me this year. But, with the knee scope in May, that cut my training time down by quite a bit. Still, I was determined.

However, there is a difference between being determined and being stupid.

The recovery for the knee was going quite well. My mileage was increasing, though not by huge amounts. The speed was getting up there a little bit.

Then on July 9, I ran the Lost Creek Reserve 5K. Half way into the race, my hamstring started getting tight. I slowed down.

I rested for a few days, it felt a little better, but was still aching quite a bit during the next weekend’s 5K.

On the 22nd, we had the Run to the Moon 10K – I ran a little bit, I walked a lot bit and the hamstring was still feeling very tight. By this time, I had a hamstring sleeve I was wearing every once in a while.

The next weekend, we had the Dayton Celtic Festival 10K. This time, it really started feeling tight, causing me to walk about four miles.

By now, I knew that doing Chicago would probably be a mistake. The knee is feeling a lot better, but the hamstring injury most likely pointed towards a result of the knee scope. Yes, the knee might be feeling better, but some of the things attached were not feeling that great.

So, regretfully, I deferred to the 2024 Chicago Marathon. I do not get a refund, but the cost of a more serious injury during training or even during the marathon could be greater.

This gives me a chance to let the knee and the rest of the leg recover at a more natural pace, rather than at a frantic pace.

I have quite a few friends who will be running the marathon or be at the marathon. Unfortunately, I will have to see who will be running it next year. Maybe some of the same. Maybe some other friends.

Meanwhile, I do have my vision to deal with. One July 14, I found out officially that I am legally blind. I still feel like I have an OK field of vision, but it is narrowing quite a bit. I hope I have enough next year to enjoy it.

At the same time, I have found out that Chicago does have a blind runner’s division. That might be a good opportunity. Also might be a good opportunity for a friend of mine who has lead blind runners, Ruth, and I to get together and see if we can figure that thing out.

See you next year, Chicago. I will be there.