11 months

Good running in Kona


On a theme now, from water under the bridge to 11 months, still, a lot of water. The ribs are very slowly healing and, funny enough, the first exercise I took up has been running. The ribs hurt to run but, almost like a bad side stitch...nothing I can't handle. Just can't run (or do anything else) fast. Running is the thing I love most, growing up as a runner. Triathlon is something that came along later (when I realized that I wasn't a very fast runner). My last good run was literally 11 months ago. We were doing the last long training day in the big push for Ironman Canada. 100+ bike ride in the hills, then 6 mile brick at 7:30 pace. Penciled it into the training log and then prepared for taper. Then, two days later, went to do an easy run and couldn't run up the road from the house because, I didn't know at the time, I tore my hammy. Life has been quite frustrating since then. Mostly, self inflicted because I continued to "train", feeling I would get over this stupid hamstring tear. But, enough about rehashing the worst injury of my athletic life. Oh, by the way, the fractured ribs have been, by far, the most painful injury I've ever had! So, I've been able to run slowly now which is better than nothing. I cannot swim, too painful. I rode outside yesterday, bumps hurt. So, I'll run. The great thing is, I ran yesterday then again today with no hamstring problems. I feel out of the woods with that but cautious anyway. 11 months for an injury is, I think, a long time. Hopefully, I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel. We'll see.
Cheers.

Lotta water under the bridge

I've been out of commission for a bit of time. One, the Dane and I decided to move back to Largo as we had a house that wouldn't sell (who doesn't). Two, during the move (well, after most of it), I managed the bonehead move of the year and slipped in the shower and crashed on my side. The outcome wasn't good, smashed up ribs 8-9-10 on the right side. When the ER doctor is impressed with the x-rays, this is never good! I was in such pain I've never experienced in my life (and never want to again). After being bedridden for a week, I'm now starting to feel better. Sleep is still a bit sketchy as every time I move, I wake up to the pain. Getting used to that though. Must have heard in the ER several times that I have "high pain tolerance", yeah, tell me about it! So, no training for three weeks now and not due to any training injury. This unpredictable break is a nail in the coffin of my wanna come back late season attempt! Damn. I was just starting to get motivated again and the hammy was doing pretty good. Life is strange and throws us some curve balls that we don't expect nor plan for. So, plan now is to start exercising again and let the ribs heal at their pace. When I look back, I cannot believe the way the last 11 months have turned out but, as Lance says, sometimes you're the hammer and sometime you're the nail and I've been the nail for this period! My preparations will be to prepping to being the hammer for '11, we'll see. One thing that is a real bummer is not being physically capable of enjoying the SUP! Such is life and I'm alive without further injury. RIP to my most wonderful aunt, Katie - another victim of cancer. Damn.. May she make Heaven a better place!