I'm also walking faster than an 80-year old, so yea! for me. (But some of those folks can really move!)
In other fascinating news, it looks as though I'm about to loose my first toe of the 2009 season. Errr, toe nail. Sorry about that: loosing a toe would be pretty awful. Well, just as long as it wasn't the big one or pinky one.
Actually, this nail trend thing started after Gulf Coast Half in 2007. Just as Nathaniel took this shot of me, I was saying something like, "Holy Cow it's HOT!" and then, "I'm SO going to loose a toe nail or two."
I don't know who was more surprised: the volunteers or Nathaniel.
This time, I kept my thoughts to myself, until we were seated in the car. Then all bets were off.
In other news, I've stopped whimpering while standing up suddenly. I no longer have to use my arms to hoist myself up: thank goodness I've retained my rower-like upper body. But I'm still taking things easy.
Trust me.
But in spite of the pain and whimpering, I still wouldn't change my selection of shoe. Yeah, it hurts now, and I shuffle around slower than I did post back-surgery, but I learned a valuable lesson in the process.
It sucks to get passed by 20 people in the final mile, while your legs give out well before the cardiovascular system shuts down.
The competitor in me is ticked off, upset by watching the backside of speedy runners sprint towards the finish.
And its something I will not forget. In fact, I will carry that memory into my next race, and then the race after that. And by the time Oceanside 70.3 rolls around, I'll know exactly what I need to do to have a stellar run, minus the pain of angry quads.
Sometimes we need that. We need that boost, that little bit of extra charge, the spark that ignites a hotter, more fierce fire. Because now it's lit, and I'm ready to take back those three miles. And I can't wait.
But first I need to work on standing up minus the whimper. Yeah, that will be a good first step.
14 comments:
The fire to compete is what makes the difference in us on race day.
I am so proud of you sister. SO PROUD
You did good! And wimpering isnt whineing..just remember that:) I wish i could send you some fresh snow for those ice baths. It is the one thing that makes winter great, the ice baths are so easy with bags of fresh white powder.
Jen says champions are made in the winter. So good job, Champ!
I'm so excited for you to loose your first toenail of the season..this is monumental! Ha! Kinda kidding but really though, it does remind us of how happy we are just to be doing the things we love. If we can spare a toe nail or two along the way, then so be it! Love the picture too! You look so well...MARIT!! Miss you girl! Take care and recover well!
Great to hear recovery is coming along nicely (and slowly). I like that photo of you - a lot of sponges you're holding there :-)
I am laughing about losing the first toenail of the season. I would have done that on a run on Monday, but it hasn't grown back from last year yet. Just am ugly painful blister where the nail should be instead.
Great post!
Does everyone HAVE to lose a toenail? What if your shoes don't rub? I want to keep my toenails! PLEASE??
I am also laughing about the toe nails. At least I know in my next race I should not loose any - as they have not yet grown back from last time!
Its a decision - pretty feet or sport. You can't have both!
We want pictures of the painted nub where the nail used to be - that's the best way to cover it up, just paint the nub! So you're still getting out of the chair like a pregnant person, arms, belly then legs. Better now than later. Oh, p.s., I posted a picture on my site special for you!
Awesome job! And hey, you have 9 more toe nails to go through huh? It's going to be such a great season!! :)
My legs are also just now recovering from wearing flats in a 1/2 marathon on Sunday! Of course, I was out there running longer than you were... Congrats on rejoining the racing scene. Feels great, doesn't it? :)
I don't think I have ever lost a toenail in 15+ years of running! I must be lucky. I'm sorry you're in so much pain, but glad you learned something from it.
Hey, great half mary!!! I am laughing inside because I believe you about your sore quads. Last year at St Jude marathon I wore some shoes that were Not the best choice for the distance. No one believed my right quad had seized up so badly- that is was mental, and I almost thought it was too...until the next day. You did SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO awesome!!!! yeah, yeah, yeah!!!!!
That's awesome that you're doing Oceanside. You'll have a blast. Running races are just prep... Guaranteed to get you fired up for when it really counts!
Thanks for all the great ski racing tips. It's going to be a hoot.
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