Some crazy lunatic finishing the Chestertown Tea Party Classic 10 Miler in under 1:20. Photo by TriSportsEvents.comIn the June issue of Outside Magazine is an article in the Bodywork section that talks about the connection between pain and depression in athletes. “Psychologists use a tool called a Profile of Mood States to monitor injured athletes. This is a graph evaluating tension, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue, and confusion.” This theory may explain much of what has been going on with me these past two months since the tendonitis in my shoulder deemed me an injured athlete. As many of you know our moods are sensitive animals. An injury which restricts our activities makes us “bears” to live with.
I haven’t been right lately, in my head. But, let’s just say it hasn’t taken much to make me feel down in the dumps; I’ve been very sensitive (more than usual for those who know me). I know it has been connected with my injury, but, boy, it has been tough. There have been a number of individuals who have been helping me get back on track: an orthopedic doctor, a homeopath, a neuro-muscular therapist, an acupuncturist, many physical therapists, and a father/daughter swim coach team. To their credit I am on the mend in all areas of my life, and there are successes to prove it.
How has this manifested; how about a 10 mile PR, a triathlon victory, and an upper 10% finish in a large sprint triathlon. I am pumped. Saturday, was the 7th annual Pocomoke Triathlon, a sprint race with distances consisting of 0.5 mile swim, 14.3 mile bike, and a 3.5 mile run. The weather was perfect: no wind, 79 degrees, and clear sunshine. I rocked the triathlon, or so I thought. I did end up 23rd overall and 5th in my age group out of 300 total competitors. I did a total reversal of my strengths. Though I ran sub 6.5 minute miles in the run, the run was my weakest portion of the triathlon. I was thrilled to have my bike be my strongest event, averaging over 22 mph. The half mile pond swim took me less than ten and half minutes and I was the 30th fastest of the 300 swimmers; that really made me feel good; and my shoulder.
A long time triathlete and childhood friend, David Judd, won our age group. David has amazing speed in all events. He has me looking to where I could reduce my performance on Saturday by seven minutes to be more competitive with him. I told him that I never thought I’d ever be doing triathlons, much less try to compete against him. But, there I was running the last portion when I saw the leaders doubling back on the run. Somewhere in 6th or 7th place was a “kid” I recognized from childhood running in the same wild, loping strides, with head down, that I remember so well from tackle football in Jon Fox’s backyard; it was David Judd. It was great to catch up with David and we talked about future competitions and possible adventures together.
The Rise Up Runner crew had a great showing at the Chestertown Tea Party 10 Miler, where many racked up prizes for the RUR team. Dominic, Brennan, and Katherine walked away with trophies. After my third attempt I finally broke the 1:20 mark with a 1:19.52. Valliant, Joel, Shaun, and Mike B racked up PR’s or close to it. It was an awesome morning that continued through the afternoon as Kat, Rob, and I spent the better part of the afternoon mingling in the crowds at the tea party.
On the next day “the Bieb” and I ventured to Horn Point for a practice sprint triathlon. It was there that Dan showed me what it is like to race on bikes. He buzzed by me in my 2nd mile and I gave chase the rest of the course on him. He showed me that I could sustain a higher speed than I though maintainable. I attribute that ride to my success in Pocomoke. Dan didn’t do the run portion of the Horn Point triathlon, which gave me only a few targets to pass during the bike and run. I went on to cross the finish line first, though no one was keeping time. Dan is ready to rock Eagleman on his new bike. He has done the homework, put in the hours, and is ready to pounce onto the Ironman circuit. Go Bieb!
I’m looking forward to the Assateague Assault Tri on Father’s Day; an ocean swim, wow! Meanwhile, Eagleman is in 10 days and I have to be ready for my cycle portion of our Team Talbot Dudes relay team ( more on the relay team later)
My injured shoulder has brought many good things and good people to my life. There is a silver lining to every cloud. Kicking in the pool for the Galan’s has given me endurance to excel in my biking and running. And, now that I am swimming again, a whole new world of possibilities is shaping up. Love, swim, ride, run, and appreciate what life throws at you ~ M
I haven’t been right lately, in my head. But, let’s just say it hasn’t taken much to make me feel down in the dumps; I’ve been very sensitive (more than usual for those who know me). I know it has been connected with my injury, but, boy, it has been tough. There have been a number of individuals who have been helping me get back on track: an orthopedic doctor, a homeopath, a neuro-muscular therapist, an acupuncturist, many physical therapists, and a father/daughter swim coach team. To their credit I am on the mend in all areas of my life, and there are successes to prove it.
How has this manifested; how about a 10 mile PR, a triathlon victory, and an upper 10% finish in a large sprint triathlon. I am pumped. Saturday, was the 7th annual Pocomoke Triathlon, a sprint race with distances consisting of 0.5 mile swim, 14.3 mile bike, and a 3.5 mile run. The weather was perfect: no wind, 79 degrees, and clear sunshine. I rocked the triathlon, or so I thought. I did end up 23rd overall and 5th in my age group out of 300 total competitors. I did a total reversal of my strengths. Though I ran sub 6.5 minute miles in the run, the run was my weakest portion of the triathlon. I was thrilled to have my bike be my strongest event, averaging over 22 mph. The half mile pond swim took me less than ten and half minutes and I was the 30th fastest of the 300 swimmers; that really made me feel good; and my shoulder.
A long time triathlete and childhood friend, David Judd, won our age group. David has amazing speed in all events. He has me looking to where I could reduce my performance on Saturday by seven minutes to be more competitive with him. I told him that I never thought I’d ever be doing triathlons, much less try to compete against him. But, there I was running the last portion when I saw the leaders doubling back on the run. Somewhere in 6th or 7th place was a “kid” I recognized from childhood running in the same wild, loping strides, with head down, that I remember so well from tackle football in Jon Fox’s backyard; it was David Judd. It was great to catch up with David and we talked about future competitions and possible adventures together.
The Rise Up Runner crew had a great showing at the Chestertown Tea Party 10 Miler, where many racked up prizes for the RUR team. Dominic, Brennan, and Katherine walked away with trophies. After my third attempt I finally broke the 1:20 mark with a 1:19.52. Valliant, Joel, Shaun, and Mike B racked up PR’s or close to it. It was an awesome morning that continued through the afternoon as Kat, Rob, and I spent the better part of the afternoon mingling in the crowds at the tea party.
On the next day “the Bieb” and I ventured to Horn Point for a practice sprint triathlon. It was there that Dan showed me what it is like to race on bikes. He buzzed by me in my 2nd mile and I gave chase the rest of the course on him. He showed me that I could sustain a higher speed than I though maintainable. I attribute that ride to my success in Pocomoke. Dan didn’t do the run portion of the Horn Point triathlon, which gave me only a few targets to pass during the bike and run. I went on to cross the finish line first, though no one was keeping time. Dan is ready to rock Eagleman on his new bike. He has done the homework, put in the hours, and is ready to pounce onto the Ironman circuit. Go Bieb!
I’m looking forward to the Assateague Assault Tri on Father’s Day; an ocean swim, wow! Meanwhile, Eagleman is in 10 days and I have to be ready for my cycle portion of our Team Talbot Dudes relay team ( more on the relay team later)
My injured shoulder has brought many good things and good people to my life. There is a silver lining to every cloud. Kicking in the pool for the Galan’s has given me endurance to excel in my biking and running. And, now that I am swimming again, a whole new world of possibilities is shaping up. Love, swim, ride, run, and appreciate what life throws at you ~ M
1 comment:
Hurt my arse!! ;) Frog, you are flying through runs and tri's. You are in great form, having great fun, and as always, an inspiration. You are keeping your standard stellar attitude and seem to have a solid balance with your own activities and the big family stuff coming up. Drink it all in and enjoy!
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