Breaking Point

The irony of my last post is not lost on me. I should be racing right now. Actually I would be in Zone 3a to be more specific...not quite "racing" yet. Macdonald Forest was going to be my first race run according to the plan set out by Scott, my coach. For the first time I was going to approach a 50k with a HR and nutrition plan. Instead I'm reaping the combined results of over-training and poor judgement.

What I was hoping was just another ache and pain of my body adapting to ultra-running has turned out, according to the bone scan, to be a stress injury. Those in the know are assuring me it's not a stress fracture. But before I could say the words, "I'll ice it," I was warned it could quickly become a fracture if not rested. So here I am. In the best fitness of my life and I'm side-lined. Many will say, "I knew this running wasn't good for you," or "You're getting too old to do what you used to do," or "This is a sign, really, why don't you just take it easy and take up knitting?"

It's these "helpful" comments that leave me speechless and frustrated. The injury is just that, an injury. It is a sign, but it's not a death to activity warrant. After taking a close look at my activities and stress levels during the past month I can understand the factors that lead to this hurdle. I will learn, adapt, change and grow. This, in turn, will make me stronger. If our answer is always to quit what makes us uncomfortable or sets us back we slowly stop learning, improving and growing. I realize as I get older my body will be able to do less. But I refuse to let my numerical age dictate a set plan of exertion levels. So, if you want to ask about the injury, that's fine, let's talk about your experience, recovery options, the bright side- surf is calling.

The office manager at Epic Imaging worked with me to schedule a bone scan with only one day's notice. She smiled when I walked in. As I thanked her for squeezing me in, explaining about my race the next day, she nodded. "Don't worry I understand. I have to get foot surgery, but I'm training for the Hood to Coast walk, so I'm waiting until afterwards to get the surgery." I sat down and smiled. She gets it. Physical limitations are sometimes temporary, sometimes with us for the span of our lives in some shape or form. It's the process of over-coming these limitations that motivates and inspires us to continue our passion. This can be found at any level of sport. These are the people I'm drawn to. And these are the opinions I value.

Flexibility is always stronger than rigidity. I don't know about you, but I feel great after a 30 minute run. Thirty minutes on the couch leaves me stiff.

Choice.