Quitting while I'm ahead. Sort of.

Went for a 4 mile run today, which ended up being a 2 mile mostly walk. I'm glad that I got out there and tried running for the first time since my disastrous 12.5 mile run last Sunday (see last week's blog). And I'm proud of myself for ending it early when my knee started to hurt.
But, I am still having a hard time accepting that I will not complete my planned half marathon October 16. My DH and completed it last fall by walking and I was looking forward to running most of it this year. But, with only 3 weeks to go and me unable to go more than 2 miles without pain, I don't see how 13.1 will be possible.
So, I am reluctantly, sadly giving up my HM goal. I fear that if I push myself too hard I will cause long-term or permanent injury. And I will set up an appointment to see a sports medicine doctor as soon as possible, as many of you have wisely suggested.
Although I am quitting the HM training, I am not giving up on running. DH suggested that we walk the HM, but I can't bring myself to do that. Beyond the fact that even walking 13 miles could result in further knee injury, I feel like I have turned a corner. I am not interested in just walking anymore. I want to run! And if all I can run for now is a 5K, then that is what I will do as soon as my knee is fully healed.
Instead, I will focus on building strength and flexibility and losing more weight, which I'm sure will improve my ability to resume HM training in a few months. My mind is ready for the HM, but my body is not. As Coach Nancy says - respect the distance! But it will happen - I will nail that HM sometime in the not too distant future.
Thank you all for the continued support. I could never have come this far without the encouragement, experience, and wisdom of my SP friends. And I won't make it through the next 5K, the next 10K, or the next HM without you.