That's one thing I've learned about us TNT athletes. We're dedicated (stubborn), driven (hard-headed), passionate (crazy), I could go on forever...
We are the most dedicated, driven, and passionate group of people I know bonded together with the goal of finding a cure for blood cancers and helping those in our community who have blood cancers right now. We have in common that we like to be active, we like to test ourselves, and encourage each other in our success. I've also learned that we're also a little bit stubborn, hard-headed and crazy... especially around race time.
My back has been a topic of conversation since June. First I ignored it because I thought it was just a self-fulfilling prophecy since the Dr. pointed it out on the CAT scan and if I stopped thinking about it, it'd dissipate. Then I lived with it because I was training for a triathlon and aches and pains come and go, we rub them out with the stick (or a foam roller if you're more coordinated than me) and face our next challenge. Then I favored it and had my kids bend over to pick up anything on the ground, carry heavy things, even my ex was vacuuming my apartment for me - hey, I could get used to this. Then I adjusted and stretched it and finally went into the miracle chiropractor who straightened me out and taught me how to stretch it. Then I succumbed to it - no obviously I've survived this, I just gave into the pain as it's not giving me a choice.
During my good back moments, everyone is looking at me like "Really, I think she was at the beach when she called in sick for back doctor appointments." I even feel awkward walking so upright as if it'll disprove my back issue. During my bad back moments, I can't move or I'll fall over. OK, this is not a good thing.
I have stubbornly resisted calling an orthopedic doctor because I don't want to be told I can't do Nike. I'm probably hard-headed enough that if he said I shouldn't that I would anyway. I'm crazy (at least in my needle-phobic mind) to be hoping that perhaps I can get a Cortisone shot to make me feel good for the event.
I digress, but I've been a needle-phobe (trypanophobic) since I got in my barbed wire accident in 1985 an had to get a ridiculous amount of shots to numb myself for stitches, then it took so long to do the stitches that I was coming un-numb so the choice was, endure a handful of stitches or get a few more big shots, after getting like 30 that day... I think you get the picture.
To cure myself of needle phobia I've tried to donate blood regularly to put a positive association on the needles. Ooh, come to think of it, part of my trypanophobia could stem from the family tradition that after Thanksgiving dinner, my dad used to chase us around to give us flu shots.
FOCUS Sarah.
It was more painful for me to give in and admit that this time, I could only face the 1/2 marathon. I've only done a 1/4 truthfully, but the adrenaline and excellent company will carry me along and the tequila will take care of the pain! :) I SO wanted to see if my Ironteam training would help improve my marathon - which I know it would have. Now I have to try again next year to prove that! I was hurting at the idea that here I'd jumped into this awesome sport of triathlon and now have a wrecked back to show for it. I have my Tri membership card and want to use it! It's depressing me to not be able to ride my bike right now, and to not run as far as I should. Seriously, post marathon/triathlon blues are real when you suddenly stop getting those endorphins regularly. It was hurting to not be able to finish an event this year!
I will be going to the Doctor, I will take his advice (unless he tells me I can't do it - in which case I'll find shortcuts on the course - shhhh! Don't tell!), I'll keep doing the stretches my chiropractor says...
As soon as my back is better, I found the perfect way to reconnect with my kids and strengthen my core. We're going to take Mommy and Me Tae Kwon Do! Now I'm just trying to decide between the classic Korean TKD studio or the one led by the smoldering dark hair, light eyed dude with the intriguing accent.
