Nerves

SNAPSHOT

Just do it

DIGGING DEEPER

2014 was the last time I had toed the line at a race.  It had been a fairly good race but it was the beginning of an injury.  I had gone through five doctors, PT exercises, X-rays, MRI, crutches, questions, and no answers.  However recovery came and training began again. I had 9 speed or tempo workouts in my training log, but this little race had me almost in tears.

If a friend had looked me in the eye, I would have lost it.  Me, at 36 years of age, scared of a no pressure local spring 5-mile race.  With over 250 races on my resume including years as a competitive runner in high school and college and I was still worried that I wouldn't be able to survive the pain and have the mental toughness needed for this small race.  

My coach had talked me through which shoes to wear and reminded me that there were no expectations.  A friend that knows runners too well had felt my nervousness and said, "Relax and enjoy the race." I keep my eyes downward for fear that someone with see my terror.

As I reached the start line and continued my pre-race routine with strides.  The weight and worry vanished. It just disappeared. Gone just like that.  I felt the old me, the one that was fast and confident. Everything was right.  My flats gave me smooth steps, my arms swung alongside, and my teammates were surrounding me.  I was free.  I was at home.  

The race went by quickly as it always does.  My splits were fairly even and faster than I expected.  I was back in.  I could toe the start line again and know I got this!

SOLUTION

Keep stepping closer to what scares you and let the fear disappear.

Thanks to Joe, Vince, Beth, and Willow Street AC.

Coming Back

SNAPSHOT

Will a recovery ever happen? Yes, but the future will look different than the past in many ways.

DIGGING DEEPER

It took seventeen months to come back.  The injury never was figured out even though many doctors tried their best.  I knew it wasn't as simple as one aliment.  My body is all connected together and this injury took me down in many ways.  

There was a moment or a weekend that the despair shifted and there was hope again.  A small, tiny, miniscule hope that I one day again would walk without pain.  Then after realizing I could walk, I dared to run again.  For 30 seconds that is.  I thought I was a bird that had escaped from it's cage. Little by little with great caution, I added time and distance to my new norm. There was still pain but it wasn't getting worse.  With fear I kept on the road to recovery, not knowing if each run could be the last.  The week I got to 55 miles in 7 days and wasn't any worse off, I brought a new Garmin watch. It was my reminder and declaration that I was whole again and could hope for the future.   Two months later, I embarked on the first real speed workout with training partners by my side. The pace was slow but they reassured me it would drop down to what use to be natural for me.  

TODAY was the day that I ran the 8x400 at 5:20 mile pace that I once knew.  I wrote on my driveway in my daughter's sidewalk chalk, "COMING BACK 8x400 @5:20."  In the past my humility would have kept the chalk off the driveway, but these last 17 months have taught me to enjoy today's  accomplishments.  They are valuable. 

SOLUTION

Don't wish away the great accomplishments of today.

How She Does It

SNAPSHOT

When she misses a workout she counts it as gained.

DIGGING DEEPER

That bad day happened and the speed workout got kicked out. This is how life is.  You can't get around the fact that today there are only so many options and running the first hard workout of the week will not happen. So wipe it away and understand the value of rest.  At least on this day strength is gained because it is at rest that the body rebuilds.  It is not for a lack of motivation or planning that a run was missed. Next morning, the sun will rise in the east and another chance to snatch a fast pace on the watch.

SOLUTION 

Patience and understanding that this road will twist and turn but is still going in the right direction.

Legs Follow Arms

Snapshot 

The range of motion in your shoulders influence your stride length. 

Digging Deeper

Have you ever noticed that sprinters pump their arms far forwards and backwards?  They are driving their arms and the legs are following, creating powerful strides that get them across the finish line.  Now watch the elite distance runners arms.  The quick smooth swinging of their arms keep their strides efficient and quick.  Your legs follow your arms.  It is all about range of motion in the shoulders.  

Solution

Touchdowns -- Dynamic and static rotator cuff or shoulder stretches will enhance your running stride.