In my previous post, I wrote about inertia of the mental variety. This time I would like to focus on the physical inertia that likewise plagued me:
Starting a few weeks ago, my runs left me with a lethargy that lingered into the next morning and even the next run. Feeling sluggish while running and after was frustrating. The discouragement I felt pushed me so far as to consider quitting, at least until the fall, but knowing this would wreck my base, I have yet to take more than three consecutive days off. Instead, I have adopted some new strategies, and I am happy to share them with you now:
Carly’s tips for happy, if not fast, summer running:
From high noon on April 12 to high noon on April 13, the Old Guns, Young Ones, and Banditos traversed 200 miles of the state of South Kakalaki from Columbia to Charleston. We pistol whipped (most of) the competition – finishing 2nd of 48 in our division and 6th of 73 overall. We also won the title “Life of the After Party,” which the race organizers oddly forgot to include on thewebsite. Here’s a pictorial recap of our race:
We are a team with some serious style and serious attitude.We ride with pride. (Unfortunately a brief rain storm caused an early demise to the cowboy hat.)Hood ornaments are a must.Window paint is also crucial.Ready to ride.These little guys give us the nod of approval.We also had temp tats this race – further evidence of our awesome.Tear drop pistol = “In it to win it!”We even tatted the Race Director – think of it as leaving our brand.
Okay, enough of the prep work. It’s time to get down to business: the run.
There were some long hot stretches on Friday afternoon, but like true OGYOB we banded together to support each other.There was no stopping this team.“Exchange zone ahead!”By the 34 to 35 leg exchange, we were pros.Welcome to Charleston – Leg 35 is the bridgeThe FINISH!What “done” looks like.What “done” really looks like.
It was a great race. Everyone ran well and enjoyed the experience. We only had one miscommunication about exchange points, but a volunteer and quick thinking meant it only cost us about 30 seconds (which is nothing in relay time). We shared conversations and thoughts that only 24 hour van rides and sleepless or nearly sleepless nights can stimulate. We rang the cowbell for all Palmetto runners – loudly by day, quietly by night. We had signs, maracas, and bandanas. There were water pistols filled with water and other things… In short, it was tremendous, and I cannot wait to ride again.
OGYOB for life!
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A note on future relays:
With two relays under our collective sombreros, we are quickly becoming old hands. For instance, we know what food to bring (brownies and sesame noodles), which night gear is the best (reflective vests with integrated lights), and how to plan for stops along the way (call the state tourism agency). We are also developing the all-important list of criteria for picking our next challenge:
The relay must (or really ought to):
Start and end in places where we have family and friends
Have a good finishing location (beaches are a theme)
Have a kickin’ after party (how else will we defend our title?)
Thus, with these criteria in mind, OGYOB has elected to ride again in the Tuna Run, October 18-19, from Raleigh to Atlantic Beach. Be prepared for all things fishy as we school up.
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
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
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!
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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.
