I had been feeling alot of pain in my knees after ramping up my training so quickly and I was a bit concerned.  It had only been eight weeks since I started training and I had added on miles very quickly.  I had been following my doctors advice and was heating my knees before running and icing my knees after running, but now they hurt every time I went out.

I had made another visit to my doctor to verify that I wasn't doing any permanent damage and he did confirm that he didn't think it would be anything long lasting.  He told me that I had gone from such low mileage to such high mileage to quickly and my knees were having a hard time with the adjustment.  He also told me to take some time off.

Time off!  Sheesh!!  There were now only four weeks until the race and I was supposed to be at the pinnacle of my Boston Marathon training!  Sponsorship was over $700 per mile and I had to stop running.  The doctor said to take at least two a two week break.

Well, mentally I was still okay.  I had made the decision weeks before that I was going to do this and I was going to finish the marathon.  I figured that even if I walked most of the race, or hobbled most of the race, every mile I completed brought in a large amount of funds for the cause. I really had nothing to lose. 

I still recall a friend asking me, "You're not training?!  How are you ever going to finish the Boston Marathon without training?"  And I recall my answer quite clearly, "I am just going to."  I had convinced myself that I could do it and I wasn't going to let anything make me change my mind.  If I had to stop training for two weeks, then I'd stop training for two weeks but it wouldn't change my attitude or the outcome. 

I think that all of the support I was receiving in the way of fundraising, phone calls of support and the constant inquisitiveness of friends and family on the status of pledges and training that really helped me stay focused.  I also kept picturing, so clearly in my head, how it would feel as I crossed the finish line. What a feeling!

Boy was my head in the clouds.  I had no idea how far 26 miles was when you have to run them and looking back, I'm glad I didn't know.  I think I may have panicked.  The pain I was feeling in my knees was nothing compared to what was to come.

Stay tuned for Boston Marathon - What Was I Thinking (Part Thirteen)

What Was I Thinking (Part one): In the Beginning 
What Was I Thinking (Part two): Goodbye Reality
What Was I Thinking (Part three): The Point of No Return
What Was I Thinking (Part four): Super Dave
What Was I Thinking (Part five): My Follow Through
What Was I Thinking (Part six): The Rise of Marathon Martin
What Was I Thinking (Part Seven): Doctor, Doctor.... Give Me The News
What Was I Thinking (Part Eight): Train, Train, Train
What Was I Thinking (Part Nine): Show Me The Money 
What Was I Thinking (Boston Marathon Part Ten): Double Trouble 
What Was I Thinking (Boston Marathon Part Eleven): I Must Recap