Season opener
By Alison Colavecchia
3.27.01 (www.slowtwitch.com)

Let the Race Season Begin ….sort of….

It took me 38 years to prepare for my first half-marathon and a little less than 5 months to prepare for my second. The first I ran on the perfect day for a long run, a late May day with some cloud coverage, light breeze and moderate temperature. I raced in tights because they prevented my legs from jiggling. On top I wore a singlet along with my fanny pack of course. The pack contained small bottles of water and GPush, and three gels. I used most of it.

I had no preconceived notions about a race time other than hoping not to finish last. I mentally scanned all my systems as I ran and watched the clock. I started at the very back of the pack and was only passed by a few folks, I passed less than a handful. My time was 2:11. Other than the impatience of the last 1.1km, I could really have kept going.

My second half marathon was just two weeks ago. I ran in -3 degree weather without the windchill factor and the kind of head winds that hold you up. To keep warm I wore tights, 3 layers on top, a jacket along with a headband and gloves…plus the fanny pack. At the start of the race, I found myself in among folks in shorts and racing flats. Was I confusd? Had I mistakenly misjudged the size of the back of the pack from last year's results? We were then reminded that the race was heading directly BEHIND me!

Ah… there are my people! The fanny pack people with layers on! Was I relieved….

During the race I maintained rhythm and kept a careful watch over my heart rate. Time passed quickly. The fanny pack had GPush and two gel packs. I relied on the water at the aid stations and only took a couple of sips of GPush and ate 1 gel. This year I ran 2:09:51. Along the way there were people who passed me whom I passed in the last couple of miles. At the end, I felt satisfied at having overcome the wind, cold and early timing in the season of the race. I was particularly proud of having knocked off steady 10 minute miles, the first a little slower, the last a little faster. My race goal was 2:10 with this strategy in mind….pretty close to the mark eh!

Alas, on finishing, my left foot was painfully uncomfortable. I loosened my shoe and thought this was the answer. Several days later it was worse. So I headed to the sports doc and the chiropodist. The sports doc diagnosed a metatarsal stress fracture and recommended that I stay off it. Bummer to say the least. I needed "off" clearly defined. Could I swim and bike? Could I flip turn? Could I climb on my bike? I think he thought I was overreacting. I was not a happy camper. Next, was my appointment with the chiropodist. He didn't think it was a stress fracture. Which theory to go with?

At first I was really, really mad. I thought, "I have done all the right things: followed the coaches plan, stretched, flexed, done the weights, made sure I had the right shoes. How could this be?" I was pretty indignant. Then I was kinda embarrassed…I thought how am I supposed to be a tri writer if I am not tri'ing ??? How am I supposed to be writing about beginning when I cannot begin at the beginning, so to speak. Then it dawned on me that this is beginning! Still…

This is the part where as you begin training harder all those physical flaws show themselves, when you are forced to face the long term effects of some of your bad habits and unfortunate genetic proclivities. The bane of my existence therefore is my feet…. my mother donated her foot structure and therefore a predisposition toward bunions and the like. Years of painstakingly selected funky high heelage probably didn't help either. I guess it's payback time. Only I just wish it weren't now…

For the next few days, I whined and moaned BUT I didn't hit the fridge, sofa or mall.

Then I did what any hard working triathlete does… I went running. I needed to know for myself, I needed to hear it from my body myself. It hurt while I was walking to get to my starting place. I figured it was the shoes….so I returned home and switched shoes. They felt better. I ran for 29 minutes during which I was so glad to be back at it, I had missed two runs. Then came the realization that my foot was not at all OK. So I stopped.

My next endurance challenge was supposed to be the Around the Bay 30k March 25 (the oldest race in North America-older than the Boston Marathon). I considered doing the race anyway… I knew that mentally I was ready to race 30km and I also knew that physically I had prepared well enough to race. After testing out the foot, I accepted that I was injured and unable to go. I felt good about listening to my body and that I wasn't just making excuses so as to avoid the next challenge. It had helped to have someone ask me (thanks Scott)… to consider whether in my "heart of hearts" it was an injury that needed rest? To consider whether the difficulties were mental or physical ?

So, I have opted to use the time to focus on my swimming and cycling. I will work on my ankle and foot strength and with the help of a new training plan will forge on. My bottom line is the half-Ironman in July. If nothing else were to happen for me from a racing season perspective, I would feel that the season and year of training had all been worth it if I accomplished this goal. I am pleased that I caught the injury early enough and that I will likely not be off for too long.

After wondering when I would begin my 'mental training', when I would begin introducing 'special' exercises that work on my mental focus….I am now keenly aware that overcoming these obstacles is part of the mental work. Perhaps there is after all just as much to learn from descending as there is from an ascent.

Still tri'in