a very good place to start.
When you read you begin with A_B_C
When you RUN you begin with 1_2_3...
1_2_3...
The first three [miles] just happen to be 1_2_3"
With apologies to my favorite musical "The Sound of Music" but the play on lyrics for this moment in my life are perfect.
I have an mild ankle sprain. At least that is what my podiatrist says. I'm not a podiatrist (and I don't play one on TV) but a recent increase in new activities [Crossfit] and the timing of a new pair of running shoes that are not working well with my orthotics [Brooks Ghosts 5 - damn you Brooks for changing the shoe style again!] has resulted in my left foot/ankle being sore and weak... so I have had to agree something is up. Rx was lots of Aleive and two-weeks of Complete Rest. No Exercise that would involved running or walking or balancing on my feet, only walking as related to everyday activity and even that should be cut back. He wanted to put me in a soft cast or air boot. I admit it, I revolted against both but I have stuck to the exercise restrictions and kept my foot elevated.
Yeah, I know, at times I can be a crappy patient.
It's been a week and I would say based on my pain level, I'm about 90% recovered. Just another week to go and I should be 100% again. And then what?
There is never a good time to get injured. I have big plans looming ahead. January 2013 is GOOFY Weekend in Walt Disney World with some amazing family, friends and teammates. I'm looking at 3 days and 3 races: 5K (3.1 miles), Half Marathon (13.1) and a Full Marathon (26.2). Then I have 11 months to prepare for my next Ironman challenge. Ironman Florida in November 2013.
So WHAT am I going to do?
Well I have sat and really thought this through and I am going to do something that I don't usually do but I tell my friends and fellow teammates to do all the time. I am going to START at the VERY BEGINNING.
During an orientation at Crossfit, [which I am going to have to take again, due to said foot pain...
LEAVE YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR!
This means, in essence, put aside all that you have accomplished to this very point and accept that this is something new, that your not going to be perfect and that in order to stay safe and uninjured, you will need to work your way up through the new activities and exercise. Don't be ashamed to be a Beginner. Hmmm... sounds familiar??!!
So next week, when the DR clears me to exercise again. I am going to pull out my books and I am going to START at the VERY BEGINNING. I'm going to pull out my own CANCER to 5K training program and get started there. It's a good start, I know over 60 amazing Survivors who have used it to get their starts! And then in 4 weeks, I'll evaluate my running pace, endurance, my foot and my goals and course correct from there.
If that means that I will walk 50% of the Goofy Challenge at 15-16:00 miles in order to keep myself from getting injured before leading into base Ironman training, so be it! There is no shame in walking and I will have plenty of company.
There is no shame in Starting Over...EVER!
Life is Good! LiveSTRONG!
