Category Archives: Discovery

Discovery, Flux, Running

Carly the Runner 4.0 – Injury. Coping. Comeback.

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Meet Carly the Runner 4.0. Why 4.0 you ask? Let me explain: I have had three major injuries since I became a runner in August 2004. In order: a stress fracture in October 2006, a calf strain in February 2010, and sesamoid inflammation in January 2013. Each episode reduced my running to zero for several weeks and initiated the cycle: Injury. Coping. Comeback. Therefore, if I started as Carly the Runner 1.0, I am now 4.0. Let’s look at the cycle:

Injury.

It happens to the best of us. Mine have usually been the result of overuse. Accepting being injured is the first step, and it’s a toughie, but more use on top of overuse does not lead to faster recovery or quicker times.

Coping.

Pool Belt
Pool Belt

Through my forced transitions, I have gained considerable skill in coping with injury and anxiety while remaining a pleasant human being.** The injury causes pure frustration, arising from an inability to do an activity I love. The anxiety is a nagging foe reminding me I am getting slower everyday, and I had better put down the ice cream spoon. These internal struggles become a serious hinderance in pursuit of being my best self, but I do think I am improving on this front by finding alternatives to running such as pool running and by reminding myself that I will recover, after all, I have before.

Comeback.

Comeback Shoes
Comeback Shoes

What has made me better at coping, is likewise what has made me better at recovering: confidence that my running ability will return. In transition from 3.0 to 4.0, I trusted more fully in the ability of my body to remember running: eight years and 10,000+ miles are too much to forget over a few weeks. Thankfully, this has proven true. In week one of 4.0, I have run five times for a total of 25 miles – that’s a good memory! I also take 4.0 as an opportunity to hit reset on certain metrics – like longest and fastest runs for general training purposes. This helps me avoid unfair comparisons to how I was then with where I am now. Therefore I would like to celebrate with you the longest run of 4.0: 7.25 miles on April 6. Take that comeback!

For my real comeback challenge: the Palmetto 200 April 12-13 with the Old Guns, Young Ones, and Banditos. Next post will be a follow up on the race. Ole!

OGYOB

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**I will confess that during my most recent injury, “pleasant human being” status faltered seriously one day in early March. The weather was beautiful: sunny and warmer than it had been, and I was driving to the post office when a song I usually listen to while running began to play on the radio (“Trouble” by TSwift, if you were wondering). The pangs of being unable to run tore me apart. Worse yet, I had not gone to the doctor yet, so I had no clear idea when I would be on the road again. My parents gamely took my phone call. I think if they had known how I was going to whine, they might have let it go to voicemail.^

There was also some serious pouting when my mom came to visit for a weekend. Clearly there is still room for improvement in the “Coping” phase, but I would like to think I weathered the storm better than I had in previous transitions.

^They wouldn’t actually do that, I was being dramatic.

Discovery, Unicorn

Discovering: TEDx and Banff

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Last Friday was a banner day for Discovery. I encountered new ideas, new people, and new perspectives. We live in a big wonderful world full of people who are eager to challenge the status quo and to challenge you to do the same. Let me tell you about TEDxGreenville and Banff Mountain Film Festival.

TEDxGreenville was phenomenal; if I could have stayed forever, I would have. By its nature, the event attracts the innovators, movers, and shakers of a city. You are surrounded by people who want to create positive change; how can you not soak some of that in?

TEDxGVL

Three of my favorite speakers were:

  • Thomas Riddle, “Imagineering Education:” What we have is not working (or could work better). Let’s incorporate PLAY and make it fun!
  • Knox White, “Discovering Your City’s Personality:” In essence, a talk about being yourself. Find the quality that already makes you a star, then share it with everyone. Case and point: Falls Park.
  • Phil Yanov, “Bang a Drum. Build a Tribe. Start a Movement:” Precision advice for how to take your mission and make it a community mission. Do you hear my drum yet?

I know the list would be longer if I had been able to see all of the talks, I participated in TEDxGVL as a volunteer occasionally had other duties to attend. If you are asking “what is TED?” visit this website TED.com and watch a video.

On the heels of a hugely stimulating day at TED, I attended the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour for the first time. One word: Wow!

Banff

I spent the day exploring the mind and society and the evening exploring the extremes of human adventure. The individuals in the videos will inspire you to follow your dreams (though I doubt many will take up the call for Antarctica). These modern day explorers have the gumption, stamina, and wit to push the edge of the possible. If you have the chance to see the tour, I highly recommend it.

Here’s to another weekend of Discovery!

Clemson, Discovery, Media Consumed

MOMIX

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On Thursday night, I saw MOMIX: Botanica, and I was dazzled. If you wanted to pigeon-hole MOMIX, I think “modern dance” would be the title given, but this does not even begin to do justice to the visual sorcery of the performance. From the moment the curtain rises, the dancers bring you under their spell.

Creating illusions with their bodies and their dress, the boundaries of reality were extended. I was amazed at how simple costume alterations, a black line here or an all-brown body suit there, could metamorphose the human figure into another being. The entire production was a demonstration of our ability to seamlessly transfigure ourselves.

Light and dark become play things as your perception is bent this way and that. For instance, a deep red backlight with no front, side, or above lights transforms the dancers into black shapes without distinct features, or the trickery of a black light on reflective sleeves worn on the arms and legs opens new stretches of the imagination.

The dancers also make deliberate use of props, objects that are often lithe in design and motion while bold in statement.

Altogether, the show is captivating. I highly recommend seeing it if you have the chance.