I'm officially not running the marathon. I have to eat the race fee because the deadline to defer passed, but I was able to cancel my hotel reservation without penalty. As race day crept closer I knew this was a possibility, but I kept hoping that there would be a last minute turn around in my condition. Unfortunately, there wasn't. I told my wife, who has felt for a long time that I should not run, called my son, and will tell my daughter after she's done with work. Obviously I'm disappointed, but this is a first world problem that pales in comparison to what a true life problem is. Still, it's thrown me for a bit of a loop.
I'm not willing to concede that I've participated in my last race and once my mental dust settles I'll start looking toward races in the spring, possibly a half marathon with my wife and another full one for me.