It was supposed to be a big weekend for me – 10k run on Saturday and sprint tri on Sunday. Saturday was the 31st running of the Bellin 10k run in Green Bay, WI. I qualified for the elite group based on my time last year, meaning I got to start with the first 100 people out of a field of 13,000.
However, two weeks ago, I pulled my left hammy during a training run and it has been preventing me from doing anything other than water running since (I can bike, but, it gets a little sore). Felt pretty good, so, I decided to give it a go. It “popped” at the 2 mile mark, forcing me to leave the race and call for medical assistance to get back to the start/finish line. First time I have ever had a DNF.
Spoke to my coach about Sunday. She said no chance to doing the full tri, but, suggesting I do a swim/bike as a training session ONLY if I was able to ride without pain. Tried to ride the course on Sat for practice and to test the leg, but, unable to get more than 3 miles before I had to turn back. DNS for Sunday.
My A race is IMWI, but, I have worked very hard and really looked forward to these two races. I was absolutely stunned how disappointed I got about this weekend. Like I said, these races were supposed to just be for fun, but, I guess I really wanted to do well. And, I am also very shocked about this, but , I am having trouble shaking the feeling of disappointment and fear that this could happen again for IMWI. .
I have the Horribly Hilly Hundreds (200k bike race) this Saturday and High Cliff 1/2 IM in 2 weeks. How do I shake the disappointment from this past weekend and recover in time to get back on track? Anyone have any ideas on how to recoup a torn hammy?
I can’t help you with the physical problem other than to say be proactive and call a P.T. today and get on it. Remember, joan Benoit Samuelson won the Olympic marathon only 6 weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery.
As for the rest, you know as an athlete our sport s an unforgiving- but loyal- companion. There are days when the sport takes from you- days when it gives back to you. This was a day when the sport took from you. The answer to this is to reach into the reservoir of experience you have for fortitude and the confidence that *you can do this, you have done it. *Those are historical, undisputable facts. You’ve completed events before and done well. It’s a matter of record. The historical precedent is that you will do well again.
One bad day does not any kind of a failure make. It is simply the unforgiving nature of the sport rearing its familiar head. Take time to bounce back, lick your wounds figuratively and literally. Take proactive action to treat the injury. Focus on doing something to move yourself forward. Read books on mental training to help proactively address the issue of your previous circumstance. Be ready to come back strong and have some good races once you have resolved this.
You will bounce back from this if you address it proactively. I say you actually already are addressing it proactively. Putting this thread up was one step toward resolving it. You’re on the way. Let us know how it goes and good luck.
You have the best in the business available to help you get better. Use them and listen to them
We are a long way from your A race. My best 2 cents is to focus on recovery and focus on your A race. This may mean shelving some of the B and C stuff. But some of that stuff (10k’s and sprints) will put a strain on that area that going long will not (IMO).
Better to take it easier and longer and be 100% in Sept than one step forward 2 back all summer (that is the voice of experience from last year BTW).
Good luck. If you need to a slow guy to ride with to pass the time let me know
I offer you need to look at the big long term picture. Not sure of your age, but let me assume you are “young”.
Is it worth taking the risk for today, and not be able to compete long term? At 50, one sees fewer folks competing.
Lots of reasons, but one clearly is folks tried to compete through injuries and it took its toll long term.
So, listen to your doc. But, seems like it will take time to fully recover from your type of injury.
I know I am dealing with an injury I have had for 6 weeks now that has prevented me from any run training. I still
have done well in races, but will see the doc on the 19th and see what he says. Like you, I have worked my butt off
for this season, but, it is more important for me to want to compete at 70, than this being my last season.
I have my largest race on my life in 3 weeks at AG Nationals. Will see if I am even able to make it based on what the doc says to me.
So sorry to hear about that! Thankfully you have time to mend it. But make sure that really focus on healing NOW. If you try to come back too soon the process will just be lengthened. Train smart and you’ll be back at it in no time! Take this from the girl who cracked her kneecap 8 weeks out from IM. The good thing about forced time-outs is they make you so excited to go back and train. I’ve never looked forward to runs so much in my life!
Thanks to everyone for the responses. The insights and perspectives are greatly appreciated. Good to be reminded of the real goal and the long-term racing plan.
I was just really surprised that I woke up this morning and was still bothered by it. But, I am pulling my head out of my @ss and starting to focus on being productive/proactive. Scheduled a massage therapy appointment and gave my PT a call.
Luckily, I can still swim and bike, but, looks like water running for a couple/few weeks (and you know how fun water running can be – yuck!).
i agree with Tom, and believe it’s important to get over the disappointment and continue looking forward. negativity is a hard thing to overcome, and once it starts it can quickly pull a person down to a bad place.
my reco is to evaluate what you can do, think out of the box, and then try to find an event that addresses what you can do. if you can do hilly hundred in a couple of weeks, then focus on that and don’t waste time with negativity.
if you can swim and bike, then pick out a challenging aquathon and make some big goals so you are working towards something.
as for Tom saying get into a good PT, that is the best advice. go see someone and take action on your situation…once you do that you can feel more in control and will be taking positive steps towards doing what you want to do.
trust me, i understand what it’s like to go through injury. these days i’m hard pressed to get beyond 10 mile run without real consequnces for my knee (that’s been hurt on and off for years now). but, i know the best thing is to move ahead and if necessary make other goals, or put in new ones to keep going forward.
at the end of the day, being able to be this active is a huge blessing. there are alot of sick people, people who would love to just be able to run or ride a bike. so, appreciate what you can do, and use that to the best of your ability…that is my best advice.
attitude is one thing you can control, so make efforts to have a good attitue and outlook, and very good things happen from there.
