Taste of Madison

My Ironman journey officially began at 6:00 this morning when I left New York for Madison, Wisconsin. I'll spend the next 9 days here visiting family before volunteering at this year's race next Sunday. My two shifts - assisting in the female bike-to-run changing tent and run course marshall - span 12 hours from noon to midnight, yet I won't be out there as long as some of the athletes. I am volunteering so I can get an up close and personal look at the Ironman experience before jumping in head first. It also feels really good to support the incredible people taking on this incredible challenge. I want to be part of the race rather than watching from the sidelines. Since I couldn't get a morning shift, I will go to Lake Monona bright and early to watch the race start on Sunday.

Even as I sit here on the plane, already on my way, I can't help but have some lingering doubts deep within my mind. Can I really do this? Am I a poor cyclist and likely to crash again during the many miles I'll ride in training? Will I burn out from the high volume of training and lose interest in the sport? If you know me or have read my profile, you know I've struggled with consistency and motivation throughout my athletic attempts. I've always managed to get through my marathons, with stress fractures, ilio tibial band syndrome and other ailments, but I always could have done better. Why do you think I call myself The Lazy Marathoner? That is why triathlon has been so good for me. It's the first thing I've taken seriously enough to follow through and not cut corners.

I arrived in Madison at 1:45pm and was at the Taste of Madison by 3:30. This is my annual gluttony fest where I eat things like fried cheese curds and brats and it's always worth it. This is my third year at the Taste, but my first here with a purpose. When I landed in Madison, there were international triathletes arriving for their IMWI experience. My family said the lake was full of swimmers this morning. So while still subtle, Ironman is in the air if you take the time to notice. I'm getting up early tomorrow to walk to Lake Monona to see who is out there swimming the course. If I can't join them, I might as well watch them. That's why I'm here after all, to have a full Ironman experience before I begin my own personal journey. And the time is now.

Taste of Madison
1 order fried cheese curds
1 pulled pork sandwich
2 crab rangoons (fried, of course)
1 slice key lime pie
2 small chardonnays

Doctor's Orders

I had my follow up with the orthopedist today, just a little over 2.5 weeks from my crash. I had an X-ray that showed the fracture still there, but with signs of healing and it is still non-displaced. My range of motion isn't too bad considering the fracture and the lack of movement I've had over the past couple weeks. I was given the go-ahead to ditch the sling while at home, but I'll need to wear it outside for the next week or so. I was given some basic exercises I can do at home and was prescribed physical therapy in two weeks.

But the most exciting news of all is that I've been cleared to run in one week. I am looking forward to it so much that I can hardly wait. I'll need to spend some more hours on the elliptical in the meantime, but at least now, there is a final end in sight. I won't need to wear the sling, which will make it even better. I wonder how my legs will feel after 4 weeks of just cross training. I hope the transition is fast. I asked my doctor if I could go right back to full volume and he just laughed. He said everything I'd been able to do so far had surprised him, so why not? Of course I'm not looking to trash my legs so I think I'll make it a gradual transition.

My doctor laughed because of my morning workout. I went to the pool and swam a mile in sets with one arm. It took me a little over 45 minutes and I felt really great the entire time. I did a warm-up and then 100 yards for timing, then did the rest in longer sets. I feel as though I could swim comfortably like this indefinitely if I had to. I get a little more tired, but I'm adapting more and more each time. I won't be cleared to swim with both arms for another 3-4 weeks most likely so until then, this is what I'll do. My doctor was amazed that I got back into it with one arm. Or he thinks I'm crazy...

I'll have another X-ray in 3 weeks to check my progress, so until then, I'll continue on as I have been. I'm looking forward to getting back to running and focusing on the marathon. There is a chance I can still recover from this and have a good race. The rest of me has healed very nicely. The bandages have been off my face for a week and my leg and elbow are finally coming along. This photo was taken last weekend, just 2 weeks from the accident. It was the first time I started to feel somewhat normal. And it's only gotten better since then. Let's hope this is a trend that will continue.

Swimming
Distance - 1800 yards
Time - 45:54

Ironman Plan

I took everyone's advice and have used some of my injury down time to read and plan for my 2009 race season, particularly the Ironman. I've been enjoying the two books I bought last weekend. One is purely for inspiration and the other is a practical look at what to expect when training. The latter got me thinking about how I want to approach my training and when. Something I have been contemplating for quite awhile is whether or not to hire a coach. Coaches can be a big investment, but if you find the right fit, the return is worth it.

Some people think coaches are for inexperienced racers while others think everyone should have a coach. I think the choice is very personal and depends entirely on the goals, personality and training style of the athlete. I am confident I could put together a good training plan with a little research and that I could motivate myself to stick to it for the most part. But after weighing the pros and cons and getting the opinions of several other triathletes, I have decided to hire a coach. This Ironman is a huge commitment for me and it's something I want to enjoy.

Having a coach will take the strain of planning out of my schedule and save an incredible amount of time. Training for an Ironman takes anywhere from 12-20 hours per week so every minute saved becomes precious. A coach will also be there to help me adapt to challenges. I keep thinking about what I would have done if this injury had happened during Ironman training. And most importantly, a coach will keep me from undertraining or overtraining, both of which can ruin my Ironman experience.

The process of finding a coach is pretty complex so I'm getting started now. I've gotten a lot of great recommendations that I'll narrow down to a short list with some research. Then I'll reach out to each one for more information and make a choice. I'm aiming to get started in December after the marathon and my November rest month. I'm looking forward to having someone come along on the journey with me. At least there will be one person who doesn't think I'm crazy (I hope).

Adaptation

After not having the use of my arm for 2.5 weeks, I'm beginning to adapt and figure out how to do a variety of things with just one arm. I've learned how to put my hair in a ponytail. I can get a pullover shirt on. I figured out how to shave my legs without slicing them up. But most exciting of all, I learned how to swim again.

It was my second post-accident trip to the pool and it couldn't have gone better. I started out with kicking and then grabbed a pull buoy and did some one-arm freestyle. After 100 yards, I decided to give it a try without the buoy. It only took me a moment to get comfortable and I was able to swim 200 yards easily so I kept going. It's harder work than regular swimming, but mostly because I have to kick a lot more to compensate for only pulling on one side.

Three months ago, I stood at the end of pool wishing I could swim to the other side and back. Every length was a struggle and I wondered if I'd ever get it. I found myself standing in the same place today, experiencing many of the same feelings. Only the hard work I put in over the last three months made it possible for me to adapt and learn this new way of swimming quickly. It was an incredible feeling, the best I have felt since my accident.

Of course it got me thinking all sorts of unrealistic things: Could I compete in my late September tri and just do the swim with one arm? Should I take my wetsuit to Madison and try a swim in Lake Monona? I decided I will wait and see how the follow up with my orthopedist goes on Friday before I let my imagination run too wild.

It was hard to follow up such a great swim with yet another elliptical session, but I managed to motivate myself to go to the gym tonight regardless. I was aiming for an hour, but as I neared 50 minutes, I swore I couldn't take another second, let alone another 10 minutes. But then 50 came and I forced myself to endure 10 more. I keep reminding myself that it might save my marathon and that keeps me going. Running will feel like such a sweet reward for all of the pain and boredom over the past few weeks.

Swimming
Distance - 900 yards
Time - 35:00

Elliptical
Distance - 6.05 miles
Time - 1:00:00

Reality Check

I went to a friend's surprise 40th birthday party last night against my better judgment. I knew it would be incredibly crowded and difficult to navigate with my arm. But this woman is the kind of person everyone loves. She is the kind of person you risk bodily harm to go out and celebrate with. So I went and took my chances. It was at my local bar, the one that used to occupy all my free time before triathlon and the one I still frequent at least two days a week. It was nice to catch up with some friends I haven't seen for weeks, but I definitely paid the price. I took about three hard blows to the shoulder and was grabbed a couple times in a span of less than an hour. It was as though anyone who passed by me was drawn to my busted shoulder and just couldn't help but slam into it. I'm still glad I went, but I had to make an early departure.

I ended up battling the worse case of insomnia all night afterward. My shoulder was throbbing and I just couldn't seem to fall asleep. I tossed and turned from midnight to 2 or so, woke up at 5:20 and finally got up at 6. The master plan for today was 45 minutes on the trainer before work and another attempt at swimming after work. I managed to get in 35 minutes on the trainer, but decided to skip the swim. My shoulder ached all day and I just don't want to push it.

This force me to do a reality check. It is 99.99% certain I will not be able to recover in time to do any more triathlons this year. I've been holding onto a shred of hope that I will be able to do one of my late season races, but with every day coming and going with marginal improvement, I'm accepting that it isn't likely to happen. I think I've known this all along, but I just didn't want to admit it. It's incredibly disappointing, but I have a marathon to focus on now. I'm going to continue my cross training and keep it balanced with resting in an effort to keep up some level of running fitness so I can get right back to training when the doctor clears me.

I have an incredibly exciting triathlon season ahead in 2009 and so much to look forward to. Im starting with my first half-Ironman, I'll have another half in the summer and then Ironman Wisconsin in September. My new bike is also waiting for me. So on the emotional roller coaster that is my recovery, at least for today, I'm feeling at peace with how things are and am focusing on what lies ahead. I can't guarantee I'll feel the same way tomorrow, but I'll certainly try.

Biking (on trainer)
Distance - 8.3 miles
Time - 35:00

What it's Worth

As I'm stuck in cross-training land, I can't help but wonder - what is it really worth? Sure I'm retaining at least a percentage of my cardio fitness and that should help me get back into training without starting from scratch, but it's hard to compare the injury training with real-life training. For example, I spent an hour on the elliptical this morning, kept my heart rate high the entire time and felt like it was a pretty tough effort. Yet the mileage equivalent according to the machine was a pace slower than a 10-minute mile. I could have run much faster and further in the same amount of time. Biking on the trainer is the same. It doesn't really compare to real biking so you just have to take it for what it is.

I rebounded from a long injury hiatus during marathon training two years ago and was still able to complete the race, albeit in total misery. I'm not sure what this time off is going to do to the rest of my training and ultimately my race, but I'm hoping I won't have yet another miserable run. Paula Radcliffe was diagnosed with a stress fracture of the femur in May, yet she continued to train for the Olympic Marathon with cross training including swimming and water running. She only had 3.5 weeks of actual running before the race and she held out for awhile, but eventually fell back and finished 23rd in tremendous pain. She said she felt great cardiovascularly but her legs just couldn't hold out. She is one of the best distance runners ever. If cross training didn't work for her, how is it going to work for me?

I've mentioned before how many athletes, including myself, dread their running workouts and struggle with motivation. I sometimes question why I do it. But the second I am unable to do it, I miss it terribly. I was feeling that way this morning while I plodded away on the elliptical reading a recent issue of Runner's World (what can I say, I'm a glutton for punishment). Then I came across this article about the embarrassing questions all runners have, but never want to ask. After reading about intestinal distress and running-induced incontinence, the elliptical started to seem like a nice break. I realized I'll have plenty of time to abuse myself with the remainder of my marathon training and my race won't be miserable. My time might be miserable, but I'll no doubt enjoy the experience as I always do.

Elliptical
Distance - 5.83 miles
Time - 1:00:00

Hydrotherapy

Two weeks ago today was the bike crash that abruptly ended my triathlon season. The time since then has been a combination of rest, pain meds, bandages, ice, more bandages, optimism, frustration and planning. Anyone who knows me or reads my blog regularly knows how much the training meant to me. While I still have a long way to go in my recovery, I have been slowly easing back into a modified training schedule. Today was my biggest day yet both in significance and in volume.

I did my first swim today, which was a new challenge to say the least. My last swim before the accident was one of my best with my fastest mile yet. But today was entirely different. I swam with my sling on to keep my arm stable and used a kick board and pull buoy as needed for support. I started with basic kicking and was surprised by how hard it was to go straight with only one arm. After 100 yards I was pretty breathless. Kicking used to be so easy, but now it's a challenge. I switched to side kicking and then finally attempted some one-arm freestyle. At the advice of a fellow triathlete training through a broken collarbone, I held a pull buoy against my stomach with my bad arm to keep it stable and help me maintain my position. I've heard and read that when swimming one-armed, you should breath on your pulling side, so in my case, the right side. However, I've been breathing only on my left so I just went with that for today. It was awkward at first and difficult to figure out where my right arm should be in the stroke cycle without the other arm to balance it out, but I got the hang of it quickly. After 200 yards I switched to a balance and breathing drill that is essentially kicking without a board and rolling to breathe. This was by far the hardest since I didn't have any flotation support.

Being back in the water was incredibly therapeutic. It made me feel closer to getting back on track. While it's not the same, it will help me at least retain my comfort level in the water so I can ease back into swimming more quickly. It was exhausting because it is all new again, but it didn't stress my shoulder. The hardest part was getting in and out of my swimsuit and getting my cap on. I was also worried I might not be able to get out of the pool since we don't have stairs. The lifeguard said he could send the chair lift down for me, but thank god I was able to hoist myself up the ladder with one arm. It's one thing to be barely swimming with a sling on your arm and another entirely to have to ride the chair lift out of the pool!

Since I can't bike to the pool anymore, I treated myself to a Mocha at the overpriced Tribeca coffee shop right outside my pool and headed over to the Hudson River Park for the one-mile walk home. It was a beautiful day and I was feeling the best I have in a long time.

After a small break, I hopped on the trainer for my first "long ride." I was aiming for 2 hours or 30 miles, whichever came first. I'm still struggling with my new pedals and had a little mishap when mounting the bike. I was trying to clip in on the right so I could swing my left leg over and just couldn't get it to clip. My foot slipped off the pedal and I ended up jamming my bad arm really hard against the bike. The pain was excruciating and actually brought tears to my eyes and took my breath away. I had to ice it before the ride and for the first few miles. Other than a shaky start, it was a good ride. I found ways to shift my weight to ease the discomfort of being stuck in the saddle continuously. I watched the ITU Triathlon Championships and Olympic recaps to pass the time. I took a quick break at 45:00 to stretch my legs, give my butt a break, fill my water bottle and have a gel. I hit 30.2 miles in 1:45:00 and decided I'd had enough.

I was registered to ride the North Fork Century today. My husband rode it and sent me pictures and updates throughout the morning. I couldn't help feeling bad about missing it, but I kept myself busy and was thankful I was at least training today. It was no century, but it was more than I was able to do a week ago. Hopefully each day will continue to be better than the last.

Swimming
Distance - 800 yards
Time - 25:00

Biking
Distance - 30.2 miles
Time - 1:45:00

Inspiration

Today was another rest day and I think I actually needed it. It's so sad that an hour on the elliptical left me with slightly stiff and sore legs after all of the training I have done. But two weeks of little-to-no activity are starting to take a toll.

I had an early start regardless to attend the funeral of a good friend's father. I had never met his father, but wanted to be there to support my friend. The final speaker read a poem called "The Dash" that was about how you live your life as represented by the dash between the year of your birth and the year of your death. I really enjoyed hearing the poem and I though quite a lot about it throughout the rest of the day. The simple message was to make the most of the time you are given.

With no training obligations, I was able to enjoy my day at a leisurely pace, something I haven't done in quite some time. I went to a wine tasting that was so much more than just a wine tasting. It was a BLT Festival complete with gourmet bacon, ribs and key lime pie. There were more than 25 wines to sample and even an interesting tequila drink with tomato, basil and bacon bits. But after sneaking an extra slice of key lime pie, I passed on the bacon bit drink so I'll just have to assume it was delicious.

After pickling my liver a bit, I headed off to Barnes & Noble to look at the Ironman books. Not surprisingly, the triathlon section was about as thick as a stack of business cards so there wasn't much to choose from. But I did find a good book for inspiration and motivation called "Becoming an Ironman" that shareds people's first Ironman race experiences. I also picked up a book called "Become an Ironman" that offers insights and tips on preparing for the distance. I'll have to order some other books that have specific training programs so I can start planning my training year. It feels so far away, but I know it will be here in no time. I have to begin training in December since my first half-Ironman is the first week of April. There is so much to do between now and December to get mentally prepared to start the challenge.

Tomorrow will be my first trip back to the pool since my injury. I'm planning a lot of kicking drills and will throw in some one-arm drills to see how it feels. After that, I'm planning a long trainer ride, hopefully 30 miles if my butt can handle it. Since I'm so much slower on the trainer, I think it will take close to 2 hours so I'll have to reward myself with a quick break about every 30 minutes or I'll surely go numb. It's going to take a lot of inspiration for sure.

I'll close by sharing the poem I heard today.

The Dash
by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on his tombstone
From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of his birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That he spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved him
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read
With your life's actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

If You Want Something Done, Do it Yourself

After spending hours on the phone trying to find a doctor to remove the two stitches in my elbow, I had accepted that my only option was to go to the ER and waste an entire afternoon waiting for this very simple procedure. But then I started thinking about all the valuable time I've lost as a result of the accident and decided I wasn't in the mood to lose more so I took matters into my own hands. Well, not my hands exactly. I sterilized a pair of manicure scissors and some tweezers, rounded up some alcohol wipes and enlisted my husband to take the stitches out. It went surprisingly well, didn't hurt as much as I anticipated and was finished in less than 5 minutes. So it literally saved the day.

I am so relieved to have those stitches out. They were the last hurdle I needed to get over to really be on the road to recovery. I'm already feeling less pain in my elbow so it was definitely time to get them out. I wish I could say the same about my shoulder. It's been hurting more with each day as it heals, which has been an unpleasant surprise. But I'm off the pain meds and I'm not even taking any of the over-the-counter stuff so I guess that's likely part of it. I had continued the meds at night, but after waking up with another splitting headache, I'm calling it quits. I'll just ice it a couple times a day and continue keeping it as still as possible.

I finally found the motivation to go to the gym for the elliptical. I did 6 miles in an effort to kick my running training back into gear. I doubt the mileage translates accurately, but it will at least give me a point of comparison from workout to workout. I was able to get my sling adjusted nicely to minimize shoulder movement so it was relatively comfortable. I spent 15 minutes on my legs afterward to keep up my strength.

Now that the stitches are out, I'm planning my first trip to the pool this weekend. I'll likely focus mostly on kicking and just try to enjoy being back in the water. If I'm feeling up to it, I'll try a lap or two with one arm to get a sense of what it's going to take to learn. If nothing else, it will at least be interesting!

Elliptical
Distance - 6 miles
Time - 56:48

No Substitutions

It's been 11 days since my crash and I've tried pretty hard to keep my lacerated, bruised chin up throughout it all. I took a full week to rest, followed up with the orthopedist, changed hundreds of bandages, ate healthy, slept a lot and focused on the positives. Yet I don't feel as good as I wish I could. The whole experience has been a physical and emotional roller coaster that in and of itself is exhausting. I'll be feeling better and then realize I can't do simple things like get my shirt on or put my hair in a ponytail. It's actually amazing how many things are now a huge undertaking for me. I used to put my energy into training and now I put it into just getting by.

I took a walk tonight to clear my head and again found myself on the Hudson River, watching everyone out for their evening run. It was then that I realized why I don't feel better. I miss training. I miss having a goal and a purpose. I miss the energy it gave me and the sense of accomplishment. I miss everything about it. And it's clear there are no substitutions. I was planning to do the elliptical tonight and I couldn't find the motivation. It's not the same even though it's intended to get me back on track more quickly.

But since I can't train, I'm going to need to re-set my goals and priorities. I need to find a way to motivate myself within my limitations. I know I said a few days ago that I wasn't focusing on limitations, but I have to at least acknowledge I have them.

I reached an all time low in my injury sadness tonight. I don't want to dwell on it, but I think it's important that I acknowledge just how much this accident has affected me. It's hard to keep hearing, "cheer up" or "it could be worse" when I really just want it to be ok that I'm sad, frustrated and disappointed. Yes, I'm thankful it wasn't worse and I'm thankful I will heal quickly and look back on this in months as a distant memory, but for right now, today, it's hard. And until I can get some of it back, it will continue to be hard.

I paid a visit to my local bar because I heard some good friends were there and I knew it was just what I needed. It was nice to see friendly faces and forget about my arm and triathlons for awhile. I just need to carry that over to the rest of my life and everything will be fine.

Stitches

It used to be that the only stitches I worried about were the ones I was getting in my side from running. But now that I can't run, I have a different issue with stitches. My recovery is progressing quite nicely which means it's time to get the stitches out of my elbow. I'm really looking forward to this because I'm experiencing a lot of pain there and am hoping the healing process will get underway more quickly once they are out. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. Just like with the stitches in my chin (which I had to beg my orthopedist to remove since I happened to be there the day they needed to come out), I cannot find a doctor willing to remove them. I spent an hour on the phone today and was finally advised to go to the ER and have them out.

I've had the misfortune of visiting a New York City ER on three unhappy occasions and I don't wish to repeat this for something as simple as stitches. It would likely mean hours and hours of waiting and being exposed to some rather unpleasant things. I'm getting back on the phone tomorrow to see what I can do. The manicure scissors and some alcohol are starting to look like the best option.

I wanted to try the elliptical today, but couldn't find the motivation to go to the gym so I did a short trainer ride instead. I was only in the mood for 30 minutes so I tried to keep the pace up to make it worthwhile. I got to try my new pedals and shoes for the first time. I love the shoes, they are specifically for triathlon so they are lined for sockless wear and vented on the top. They were incredibly comfortable. The new pedals were really hard to clip into so they need some adjusting. I'm hoping to be able to get them right.

On the topic of bikes, Cadence called to tell me my bike arrived today. They are keeping it there for me until I'm well enough to do the fitting. It's a 3-hour process that would require me to get my shoulder fully extended in the aero position so I'm guessing it's going to be a few weeks at least. I hope it isn't too long. I cannot wait to get on that bike, even if it's only on the trainer for awhile.

Biking (trainer)
Distance - 7.9 miles
Time - 30:00

Birds of a Feather

After being rather cooped up for the past two days, I decided to take a walk tonight to get some fresh air and natural light. Since I live right next to it, I wandered over to the Hudson River Park. Because the weather was nearly perfect, there were hundreds of people out for a nice, evening run. Suddenly, I felt sorry for myself yet again. I've been battling the self pity every day and some days are better than others. But I'm human, and the sight of everyone running in such great weather made me sad.

I was starting to head home when I saw a guy with a brightly colored parrot. You see a lot of strange things in New York so I almost paid it no attention until I saw a bunch of other parrots milling around the park. I stopped to get the scoop and before I knew it, I was sitting in the grass with parrots on my shoulder with a bunch of strangers. They were a lot of fun (the birds, not the strangers) and instantly cheered me up. The green one liked to be petted while the yellow and orange ones liked to play in my hair. One saw his reflection in my glasses and climbed right onto them. And in case you're wondering - yes, I got pooped on eventually, but only a little. Apparently I'm lucky he hadn't been eating cherries today.

I continued to improve today so I did my first trainer ride. It was difficult since I couldn't lean on the handlebars and had to keep my shoulder completely isolated, but I'm sure I'll get used to it after the multiple sessions I'll inevitably end up doing. I felt great and was able to ride a lot harder than usual, although I had to take two 30-second breaks to get comfortable and catch my breath. The trainer is not my idea of the best time, but now that it's all I can do, I'm thankful to be able to do it. I read about another guy's crash today that was so severe he required major facial reconstructive surgery and is looking at a long rehabilitation. Another girl had an accident that didn't sound so bad, but she tore her spleen and can't do anything for 6 weeks. So I'll take the trainer and the elliptical, and eventually my one-armed swimming at the pool. Things could certainly be a lot worse.

Biking (trainer)
Distance - 16.2 miles
Time - 1:00:00

Scene of the Crime

A victim of a crime sometimes finds it necessary to confront their attacker in order to achieve closure. This is the position I found myself in yesterday. Ok, so I wasn't exactly the victim of a crime and I didn't exactly have an attacker, but I am harboring some ill feelings about the road kill that was my demise. I remembered it being huge and very unusual looking, but was this a figment of my imagination? Did I embellish it to justify my poor bike handling skills?

I got the reassurance I needed when my husband returned to the scene of the crime on Sunday and found my furry friend still taking up the entire shoulder of the road.


Wouldn't you have looked twice? Now imagine you're cruising along at 20 mph and you ride right over the top of that thing. If you're still doubting, here is a closer look.


Even after seeing a photo, I still don't know what the heck it is. It looks like some sort of prehistoric or mythical creature. But the photo made one thing very clear. I know why I glanced back. I guess riding over it freaked me out more than I'd like to admit. I really am a girl.

I woke up feeling my best so far today, which was a surprise because I didn't sleep all that great last night. The road rash is starting to itch and I can't touch it so it's akin to torture at times. I hope it's a sign that it's healing because some of it still looks as bloody as day 1. The best news of the day is that my jaw is almost back to normal. I was able to bite down for the first time and the pain and clicking have minimized tremendously. I think it will be back to normal in a few days and I can resume eating solid foods again.

I had planned another crack at the elliptical, but was too busy during the day and then too tired tonight. I think the rest is still very much needed and I don't want to overdo it so I'm taking it one day at a time. My bike is on the trainer and ready to go so if my body feels ready, I'll get my first bike session in tomorrow. At least I won't have to watch out for the road kill.

New Beginning

It's been exactly one week since my bike crash and I'm finally starting to feel a bit better. I slept incredibly late - until 11:15 - which seems ridiculous, but I stayed up late watching the Olympics so I needed it. I decided to stop taking the pain medication today in an effort to ease back to normal. Since I was feeling pretty good and had a good night's sleep, I made my first trip to the gym to see how it would feel.

I spent 30 minutes on the elliptical and it was completely pain free. I kept it at a low resistance and high cadence to more closely mimic running. I got some funny looks from my fellow gym-goers since I was working out with a sling and bandages all over me. The sling was great, but I still held my arm pretty firmly across my stomach and supported it on and off with my right arm to ensure there was absolutely no shoulder impact or movement. After a cooldown, I spent 15 minutes on leg strength training. I'm hoping between the elliptical and weights that my legs will be ready to transition back to running where I left off. The only thing that hurt after my 50 minutes at the gym was my knuckle. This is proving to be one of my most painful injuries since I essentially lost my knuckle in the crash. It is going to take several months for the skin to fill back in and I imagine it will be painful for quite a bit longer.

This little workout made me realize just how much I've changed over the past three months. There was a time when 30 minutes on the elliptical might have been my full workout for the day and I was content with that. Now it's something I did to test my boundaries with an injury and I'll most certainly be doing more on each subsequent trip to the gym. My training over the past three months made me really happy. Not only am I more fit than I've ever been, but I feel better - more healthy, more positive, more fulfilled. I also felt accomplished from tackling new challenges and stretching out of my comfort zone.

While I hate being stuck indoors at the gym, it felt really good to get my heart rate up and get moving again. It was a tiny step, but an important one. It was a new beginning for my next phase of training. This phase will be focused on healing, regaining strength and retaining as much of my hard-earned fitness as possible. Instead of dwelling on my limitations, I'm going to focus on the possibilities. With hard work and a little luck, I might come out of this stronger than I was before.

Elliptical Training
Time - 33:00

Jockstrapping

Jockstrappers are the friends and family that support us during our races. They help us carry our gear to transition, drive us to events, carry our favorite snacks, take pictures and cheer us on. I'm used to having one, but not used to being one. So today I changed roles from athlete to jockstrapper since my injury kept me from doing the race I was registered for.

Picking up where my post left off yesterday, Barb and I had a bright and early wake-up call at 4 a.m. I went to bed around 11:15, but ended up being awake most of the night. My pain pills had me feeling out of sorts and I just tossed and turned. It was frustrating to lay there and know how little sleep I was getting, particularly knowing how much sleep I need right now. It was just like all other pre-race sleepless nights, only I wasn't racing! I drifted in and out until the alarm went off and got right up and ready to go the fastest I have yet with my injuries. I dressed, changed a few bandages, put on a hat, guzzled a cup of coffee and quickly ate some cereal. Roberto arrived around 4:30 and we were out the door.

It started to get really foggy just as we left Manhattan. It was still really dark when we arrived at the race site and the fog showed no signs of lifting. You could hear the waves crashing on the shore, but it was too dark to see anything. Rumors began about the swim being canceled, not because the water was rough, but because the fog made it impossible to see. They delayed the start so we stood around killing time until a decision was made to go on with the race. Then it was delayed again due to the fog on the bike course. Finally, the bike was canceled and the race began.

The breakers were huge and looked like a lot of fun to swim through. Once past them, the water looked incredible. It was nice and smooth and the course was a simple out, turn and back. Not surprisingly, I felt a great deal of sadness watching the swimmers take off. I'm ok with letting go of the races, but I just learned how to swim for the first time in my life and now it's been taken away. I know it's only temporary. I know I'll be able to get it back, it's just going to take some getting used to.

Here are a couple pictures from the morning. First, Roberto and I waiting for the swim start. Note that I've been able to downsize the bandaging on my face to just one small Band Aid!



And here is Barb before the swim. She's an incredible swimmer so I knew she was going to have a great race.


I was back in Manhattan by 10:30 and back in bed by 11:30. I slept soundly until 1:30 and couldn't believe (A) How early it still was; and (B) How much I had already done for the day. My energy level is tremendously better but it was still a very tiring day. I was resting some more when I received a very happy call from Cadence - they had located the Cervelo in my size and it was on it's way to New York with my name on it. I motivated myself for one more trip out so I could pay for it in full and know it was officially mine. They should have it in the store by Wednesday and I can go have a look since I can't take it home just yet. What great motivation to rest, heal and recover so I can come back even stronger and enjoy a fall and winter training season on my brand new bike. I Suddenly felt remarkably better.