I haven’t been able to run for 13 weeks. My last run was on a hotel treadmill in St Louis MO. It was at the same time that I learned about the awesome opportunity with the Trakkers Team. For real?!?! I have this great chance to be on such a cool team, to promote products that I have already been using, love and rave about, to try some new cool products….and the best part-to be reunited with Carole whom I have know and loved for years?? And I can’t run?? What kind of curse is this?!

Why have I kept this to myself? (Not completely to myself-Cris, my coach and my “medical team” have known). Not sure. Maybe because I haven’t known what “it” is. What I have learned after countless appointments with various people, is that it is not just one thing-but many. And, as one is discovered another surfaces. So, if anyone asked “why can’t you run?” or “what did you hurt?” My answer would be “I am not sure”. Has it been frustrating? More than I can say. Has my faith waivered? Many times. But, then I hear a song, or read a verse that puts me back on track. And I have my ever optimistic coach, who each time I say something negative, he comes back at me with to positives. I have just spent TONS of time seeing this person and that one, different therapies, even a series of lumbar injections….just chipping away at it all. Is it working? I sure hope so-time will tell.

This time (yes, there have been many non running times) has been harder for several reasons. The first, again, not having a concrete answer-too much for my little concrete thinking brain. I am familiar with bone-it breaks, it heals, done. And it heals more quickly than this. I know in the long run good things will come from this, but that doesn’t always help in the immediate. Second, running is my best stress relief. I have had an insanely busy/stressful few months at work, and running is when I work out/work on things in my head. When I can’t run I tend to do this when I should be sleeping. Third, having to withdraw from another big race. I had really been looking forward to IM St George-good course for me, good time of year. But, I know there is next year-gives them time to work out any kinks in a first year race :)

I walk into the closet to see all my brand new Saucony shoes-purchased right before this happened-the Guides, the Tangents, the Fastwitch, just waiting and ready to roll. I open the dresser to find the new Saucony winter run clothing-again purchased right before this happened. I wear some around just because it is so comfortable. At a stop at the grocery store, coming from an injection, wearing run clothes, the kid bagging asked “did you just run?” Sadly I said “no” and thought to myself, I just came from getting a shot in my back so I can run. At least my awesome First Endurance products are being used so I still feel “athletic”.

So, what have I been doing? Swimming-a lot of swimming-long swims and longer swims, the longest I have ever done….and some water running thrown in. Thank goodness for the great Triswim products so I don’t have a cloud of chlorine following me around and my skin hasn’t peeled off. The computrainer and I have become one. Thanks to an exceptionally cold and wet GA winter, most of my riding has been inside. This has given me the opportunity to watch some TV series-the whole series, of shows I would have not seen. I highly recommend Madmen and Dexter.

It is during times like this I think back to my previous non-running days for motivation. This is my second longest non-running stint next to a year off running/2 years off racing nearly a decade ago. When I returned to racing I returned a stronger cyclist from all the bike miles, and PR’d every distance because of it. And, come to think of it, I returned riding a Kestrel! I will take that as a good sign :)