Many of you have e-mailed or asked in person “what’s next” on my race calendar? After a very successful 2011 race season, what does 2012 hold for me?
Currently I do not have any triathlon or running race on the schedule. Instead I’m picking up competitive Paddle Boarding.
I’m sure that some of you are scratching your head wondering where the heck that came from? But first, let me explain. As a disclaimer, I am not complaining. Stuff happens, and it’s what you do about it that counts… with that said, “stuff” has hit the fan so far in 2012. For the foreseeable future (errr first half of the race season), I will only be cheering at races.
As you might remember from a few posts over the past few months, I have mentioned that I had several long time injuries that escalated from nagging to screaming. Unfortunately since the New Year these injuries have kept me from training.
First there was the IT band issue.
I finally went to see a physical therapist, who diagnosed me as being gluteus-ly challenged! She said that having zero gluteus muscles contributed to a terrible running form, which in turn caused terrible strain and stress on the IT bands. So for six weeks I really backed off the running to let the inflammation and irritation in both knees cool off and focused on functional core and glute strength training. By the end of the sixth week I was running relatively pain free up to around 10 miles.
Back to running: Check!
While all of the running issues were being worked out, I was also getting a long long looooong time injury checked out. My shoulder. I have no idea what I did to this shoulder, but for about 5 years I haven’t been able to lift my right arm over my head. I know, “WHO NEGLECTS SOMETHING LIKE THAT???”. Well, school teacher insurance wasn’t so hot and I found ways around not using my right arm above shoulder height! Problem solved :)Unfortunately my physical therapist didn’t think this was as cool of an adaptation as I did, so She sent me off to a specialist. Where you see the arrow (above) is where they stick a very unfriendly stent/needle and “distend” your shoulder joint with an entire bag of saline solution and MRI dye. Had I known the MRI was going to go down like that… I would probably still be adapting to new ways to avoid use of my arm!
In the end there was absolutely nothing wrong with the integrity of the joint. Meaning it was my muscles and my brain that were not communicating very well. With almost complete atrophy of some rotator cuff muscles along with over built and stiff other rotator cuff muscles… we had a lot of work to do! However, as of yesterday I am back in the pool!
Back to swimming: Check!
Now you’re thinking, “if all of her injuries are on the mend and almost completely recovered, is she really going to switch to paddle boarding?”
Well my friends. Since this spring has been full of rehab mixed with a little homesickness, my Coach and I decided that I would benefit from a break from his vigorous training schedule. I wasn’t focused, I wasn’t healthy, and I needed time to recover. So, once I was recovered enough to run around and be active again I signed up for the one and only thing that my coach always asked me to stay away from while in competitive training mode! You know how it goes, you were told “not” to do something, so as soon as the opportunity arises you go an do it. That something would be soccer! Yep, that’s right, I was playing in an Arlington women’s leauge. The only problem was that once people saw that “your back” in the soccer world the phone starts ringing for you to come play pick-up, sub for their team, etc. and you end up with more than one game on a given day.
You have to remember that soccer was my LIFE for almost 20 years, that’s something that you can’t just forget about. Mentally I suppose. Your brain can’t forget about your first love, but your muscles sure can.
Even though I’m no longer a fraction of the technical player I used to be, I still play as hard as I did then. And thus with efforts like that… you tear your unprepared muscles. That’s right. I went ahead and played too many games in too short of a time, and ended up partially tearing one of my quad muscles. Nice job!
Back to Running: Fail.
So, I hope that through my tone you can understand that while I am pretty disappointed I’m not walking around with a black cloud over my head. Life is still good, and I am in good spirits finding other things to do with my time.
Mostly those “other things to do” include driving my husband crazy, messing up the kitchen, cleaning up the kitchen, and day dreaming about moving to a tropical island to spend my time paddle boarding around! That would take my mind off of running.
Thanks to everyone who has sent along words of re-hab encouragement and interest in racing life. There will be race reports again some day!
On that note, I’ll leave you to ponder moving to a tropical island.
Enjoy!
19 comments:
OMG! I am so sorry about your quad muscle! :( I didn't know about your soccer past and you look so pro and dedicated on the photo! I am so glad, you are keeping heads up and the positive attitude. Things happen for a reason and you will be back stronger than before. In the meantime, happy baking :) :) :)
Yowser, that scan looks scary! And sorry to hear about your quads.
How the heck did you manage to swim if you could not lift your arm above shoulder height???
Triathlon and running and all of that will still be there in 2013. And 2014. And forever. Having a torn quad really sucks because you're limited in other stuff you can do...but you can still bake (whew). Hope you are feeling better soon.
Sometimes a break is good and triathlon will still be there when you come back. Being injured SUCKS so I'm very sorry but it's great that you still have such a positive attitude about it!!!
You will come out of this year so much stronger mentally and physically! I know it!
Can I join the island with you?
Sorry to hear about all the injury stuff - definitely frustrating, but everything has a purpose. I'm sure you'll find the time off to focus on any number of the other things going on and by the time you are sick of that, your body will likely be ready to get back to physical stuff again.
BTW - thanks for the note about the re: neon dressed people. That makes total sense now. We saw them at like 3 or 4 different places. Hope you guys had fun too!
@Thomas
Thomas, swimming was my weakest event in triathlon. Like everything else I had adapted for, I created my own personal swim stroke! :)
@Christi
Christi, you can only come if you don't do any of the "running and training stuff" :) Paddle boarding only!
Oh my gosh, you are an absolute rock star! I'm exhausted from just reading about all your different activities! That so amazing and inspiring! Hope you heal quickly!!
Life is never simple or easy! Huge kudos for the positive attitude and good cheer.
Wow: not exactly a lot of luck there. Love your positive attitude! :)
Sorry about the injuries, but great attitude about it!
I tried paddle boarding for the first time in Hawaii last year and LOVED IT! So much fun. Of course I won't rule out that the environment had something to do with it!
Injuries and accidents happen. How you choose to respond to them guides who you are.
Worst triathlete injury I've ever seen? 2 years ago this very day my husband was riding his bike on hill repeats in prep for Buffalo Springs Lake 70.3. He was confident of qualifying for Kona, and all of his training was spot on.
Well, life took a turn. A woman driving a car had a bad day. My husband on his bike met her car and vice versa. The police reports state he was going approximately 40 mph. His fork punctured the right passenger door (like snake fangs), his left shoulder blew out the right passenger window, he went up and over the car, his head putting a good sized hole in the right windshield, and a bit more before he stopped.
He didn't know it happened until a few months later, as there is about a 6 month gap of time that is missing from his life.
Basic injuries: nearly severed right ankle, shattered left scapula, crushed ribs, dislodged diaphragm, paralysis on the left side, broken left index finger, and oh yeah...bleeding in his brain resulting in a TBI.
Basic recovery: 7 days in a coma, 3 months in ICU, 3 months in rehab. Note- he was life flighted to INOVA Fairfax Hospital, and the docs only said he was given hope to live because he was wearing his helmet and he was in such good physical condition. (I think his stubborn Special Forces mentality had a bit to do with it, too..)
What he did: followed all of the docs' orders even if he didn't agree with them, dug deeper into himself and proved to himself he could do whatever he wanted to do, was patient with himself (NOT an easy task), incorporated more yoga and better foods into his diet, and more.
2 years later: he's run a few 5ks (no where near the 19:xx pace he used to..), run 1 half marathon, done a few cycling races, fell in love with trail running (thanks to his wife!), and will be racing BSLT 70.3 this June.
Somewhere during those 2 years he...: grew closer to his family, met and married this blessed woman, realized his work really wasn't what was driving him and is heading to grad school for MA in English before PhD in literature, and found out he's going to be a Dad again. :-)
The accident was tough. It required a LOT of recovery and healing. His life beyond the accident is better, though it isn't always easy. You'd never know he was hit by a car unless you asked him. The docs question where the patient is when they see his records.
Hang in there. Life is what you choose it to be.
Peace.
:( I'm really sorry to hear about this not so great time of injuries. But truthfully, 2011 was a kick butt season for you, you did so many great things, and I think you deserve an easy season or a season off. Hurting yourself in soccer, not so awesome, but these things happen. I think it's really smart to take the time to make a full recovery, don't overdo anything, and make 2013 another really awesome season. I know it'll be hard b/c you're competitive, but its for the best. And to join you in injury land, I have royally messed up the tendons in my foot, with 6 days to go to the 10 miler. Hoping a week of rest and cycling will do the trick!
We are still human and our bodies have limits, even though our minds don't. Glad to hear you are recuperating and your mind is letting you continue that healing process. I would pretty much trade paddle boarding in a tropical island for anything. I also wanted to let you know that I've been reading your posts and have nominated you for the versatile blogger award: http://foodiebefit.com/2012/05/01/versatile-blogger-award/
I'm a fan of the Boss and you. Haven't checked your blog for a while.
Did see you play soccer couple weeks ago on the boss's blog. Sorry to hear about your injuries, Yes being an European I truly appreciate Soccer and if you don't keep up, it does make it injury prone. But what I have learned, actually that a season off, will help you re-focus and come back stronger. I am a 20+ year Waterpolo player. and my shoulder is busted... but once a while I hop in, just to have a game with the old boys, just to have some fun. Old habits never die.
I bet your stronger core will help you with your run and aero position on your cool lady bike. Plus added upper body strength will help you with your swim stroke.Actually this Paddle boarding is just covert Tri Training ^_^
Good Luck !! I hope you'll make a speedy recovery.
I am also inspired by your blog. May 13th, I'll be doing my 1st tri. www.moganshantriathlon.com in a Kick-ass environment, and if the boss or you, should be in China in Oct or May, this is the place to be. I was a volunteer last year, the area is absolutely stunning.
ps. what a story by Wendy.... life is amazing!! Livestrong.
Cheers,
Ken
Aw, sorry to hear you're having a rough time with sports and injuries! Injuries are just the worst. I agree with you, moving to a tropical island is definitely the answer. I think I'd opt for a nice tube to float around in instead of paddle boarding though. :)
Hello Bobbie,
I was thinking a bit more about your shoulder injury over the weekend.
Perhaps you should check out a chiropractor…
For my injuries I go see a Chinese Med Chiropractor.
Just a random example if for instance you have limited movement your finger, the cause may not be your finger, the culprit may be misalignment of some of your back vertebrae affecting your finger joints.
I know this sounds far-fetched, but my doc was always able to help me with my “discomforts” .
If you can not lift your arm, there must be something wrong, if it isn’t your shoulder joint, it could possible misalignment of some bone in your body, normally all your bones work in harmony, but in your case something seems to be hampering your movement, and I think you should have it checked out.
Preferably by a Chinese Med Chiropractor, but in the DC area maybe a regular chiropractor would be more practical.
I hope you will have a speedy recovery with your shoulder
Ken
Oh, it's so sad to hear that! Suffering from some any sort of injury is frustrating. Don’t just neglect the pain it caused, it'll be a burden soon.
Post a Comment