One of my blogger friends emailed me last night, checking on my knee.
Truth be told, I’m in a bit of a painful and deflated state. I’m having pretty severe knee pain, which started with hip pain, and apparently jumped to the knee.
I blame the Taper Worm.
The little Taper Worm booger jumped into my body, when my poor body is trying to recover after months of hard training, and wiggles all over the place and hurts parts of the body that didn’t bother me before. Stupid Taper Worm.
Anyway, my blogger friend said, “How’s the knee? Really worried that you’re going to have to drop out of Augusta.”
Earlier that day, the Expert had said, “I would hate for you to have to walk off the course, with your knee and all.”
I wanted to poke my eyes out and plug my ears and sing, “lalallalallalalalaala” at the top of my lungs. Because the truth of the matter is that I have never (not once) even considered DNS or DNFing (not starting or not finishing) Augusta. It’s not in my brain vocabulary. I refuse to think about that. I’m going to race and I’m going to finish.
As I told my blogger friend, “I’m not dropping out of Augusta… I’ll drag my useless leg behind me before that happens. It’s not great but I’m using my mind to control [my leg]. I’m not taking crap from it.”
I can’t think about DNS or DNF.
Before Miami 70.3, I had not run in weeks due to a hamstring issue. I had a terrible cold. I felt awful. The weather was awful, but I used my mind to drag me through that race course, and I never thought about quitting. Even when I had finished Mile 1, and thought… 12.1 to go? Holy crap &#^@. Still. Never. Thought about quitting.
Yes, there are some not-so fantastic truths going on right now in my life:
Truth: My knee hurts.
Truth: My hip hurts.
Truth: The Taper Worm is evil.
Truth: I’m fatter than I would like to be.
There also happen to be other truths:
Truth: I have worked my tail off in training since recovering from the broken foot..and the sprained foot.
Truth: I am stronger than I was before my last 70.3.
Truth: My mind is focused.
Truth: I’m adequately salted and electrolyted.
Now, looking at these two lists, I realized a few things. All the things on List #1 are negative. All the things on List #2 are positive. So, going forward… I will now only review and think about the things on List #2.
This also goes back to the things I can control… and the things I can’t.
Six days out of a race of this caliber, I can literally only control what I think. My thoughts and my attitude. That’s it. The race preparation and training is done. The logistics (check-in, hotel, etc.) will fall in line. The race course, the heat, the weather, the marine life and my body… are… all out of my control. [Now, I shouldn’t go to a Rave and drink Coronas for hydration, so I guess, my thoughts and what I shove into my gullet are the things I control.]
Last year, a few weeks before Miami, I was freaking out. I talked to Coach Monster, and he said some very important things to me –things that have not left my gray matter.
I had “blown” several long workouts a month before the race. I called him crying. And this is what he said to me.
“You are not dying. This is not a big deal – it’s not cancer, it’s not homelessness, it’s not job loss. It’s triathlon, for God’s sake. Enjoy your journey. Stop trying to be what you’re not. Listen to your body. Be who you are, right in this second. Be that person. Be grateful. And give yourself a break.”
Perspective. Gratefulness. Faith.
To all my Augusta friends, three more words: We. Got. This.
Here is the way I tape my knees to keep them happy for anything over a 5k. I use the pro tape, apply after alcohol cleaning the night before arace so that it melts onto my body. I have never needed any ice after any of my half marathons or duathlons. And hey, wearing kt makes you look like a real athlete right? http://www.kttape.com/instructions/full-knee-support/
Thanks Meredith. I really needed this today. I’m with you in Augusta, my first half. And I’m feeling the nerves. Coach Monster is right on. We’ve got this!
Rock on!
I’d wish you luck, but you don’t need it – you’ve definitely got this! I can’t wait to read all about it when you’re done!
At the end of the day 1.) Your hubby will still love you 2.) Your kiddos will still love you 3.) They will all think you’re pretty darn awesome for what you did (well, maybe not the kiddos, but the hubby, yes) 4.) You are pretty darn awesome! If you don’t believe me, read this: http://www.theodore-roosevelt.com/trsorbonnespeech.html If you are still unsure, read it again! You amaze and inspire so many people! Have fun and screw the taper worm. It always tries to get me too. :0) Gen
Coach Monster is a very wise monster indeed.
How do you get properly “salted & electrolyted?” I have a very high sodium content in my sweat & constantly fight muscle cramps. What do you do to help before a race? BTW your gonna kill it in Augusta lady!
Salt Stick tablets (or something similar)… start ’em out a week before race (you want to “load” them), and pop them on the bike too. Also, salt food all week leading up. I am a HUGE sweater, and Coach M’s wisdom about this has proved invaluable in my races. 🙂
you have put in the work, the training…you are ready for this. Regardless what happens race day, just know that in your heart your body and mind are ready. Enjoy yourself! My coach has a philosophy that all the hard work is the training–the race is the party. Now go party!
I was struck by the taper worm and ran only twice the 2 weeks before my first half marathon on Sunday and guess what..I finished. I was 4 mins and 7 sec slower then I wanted but who cares, I did it. We were running next to injured and wounded soldiers, some of whom had lost limbs and they never complained and smiled the whole way through. We human beings are stronger then we give ourselves credited for….you will ROCK THIS!!!! I can wait to see your happy dance when you are done so we can get you on Ellen…think about that when things get tough. I know you can ‘Walk on Water’.
love love love…….boy I struggled today…..
You have the right mental attitude. The rest will fall into place! You continue to inspire, my friend! Love Coach Monster’s words of wisdom too.
I had a DNF this year – my back spasmed so bad I had to be pulled off the course. It still haunts me – I’ve finished 3 triathlons since then, but I can’t shake it. I know your mind will get you through this – you will rock it!
I am a huge and salty sweater, as well…wait, maybe I should say prolific instead of huge 😉 …and I only just discovered SaltSticks. Wish I had known about them in the horrible heat of the summer, but they are great!
If anyone can kill it mentally, I know you can, but I hope you have a feel good day at Augusta. You’re gonna rock it! Can’t wait for the recap.
Yay Coach Monster! I might print that out and hang it on the wall to remind myself of that great advice. Can’t wait to hear how you ROCKED Augusta!