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August 15, 2005
Eliteblogger Defecting?
It looks like, with one race to go, I mathematically won my age group for the summer racing series. And why did I win? For no other reason than b/c I showed up. I beat a handful of people (and people my age beat me but they aren’t in the series b/c they are not official club members) but the main reason is b/c I showed up and ran the most races. SEE, just exercising makes me a winner!!! Ok, that was so lame. But anyway, just leave your house (and don’t get hit by a bus or car or I will feel horrible) and see what happens. I honestly feel like just showing up for stuff is the best thing you can do in a lot of different areas of your life. Of note is that I better enjoy it while I can since next year I enter the 25-29 year age bracket and I will get my butt kicked swiftly each and every race. I feel like the 25-29 age bracket is extremely competitive everywhere. But I say BRING IT ON!!!
I ran for 30 minutes today, stopping 15 minutes into the run to stretch everything. I felt fine. I have no idea what is going on with my body and why I get these weird injuries every few days. It’s kind of strange. I am starting to think about maybe chilling out on the running (not giving it up, just running less times a week with no speed work and no long run) and picking up some different sports-maybe soccer or tennis. I’ll have to see. There is a tennis league in Boston I was looking at last year and I think I could probably find a soccer team that needs players. I used to play on a soccer team in DC when I was 23 and that was awesome, just not compatible with a whole lot of extra running. I could still run at the time, but I couldn’t do long runs on the weekends b/c we would have games I couldn’t be tired for (b/c I wouldn’t play as well and b/c you are more likely to get hurt if you are exhausted). I guess I could work out some sort of schedule where I was doing long runs in the middle of the week-but I still don’t think it would be a very good idea. I am not sure what I am going to do, but my focus on running is killing me here! I am always hurt and I miss other sports.
On the flip side, it’s harder to play other sports at this age. I would have to drive far for practices and games. I would be committed to a schedule that is out of my hands. You can’t travel on the weekends as much b/c you have to be around for games. I don’t know. Just some stuff to look into as I think about the fall.
I know, this entry is all over the place. I am excited about running and talking about next summer-but in the next breath am talking about switching my concentration to something else. I have no idea why I have recently gotten so nostalgic about other sports. With the exception of soccer for the season I mentioned above and some intramurals in college, I have been just running for 5 years (except for all the cross-training when I am hurt :) I guess I’m antsy for a change?
I played soccer for 9 years and never got bored of that, but that was slightly cyclical. I had anywhere from a few weeks to a few months off each year and I also wasn’t hurt as much so it didn’t drive me as crazy. Or maybe soccer was my true love sport? Does anyone else have a sport they miss that they just can't do anymore b/c we are older and it doesn't fit in with life?
I have only played tennis recreationally but I really like it and if it wasn’t the same season as soccer I would have loved to have played that in HS. Whatever I decide, though, I am not going to stop running without a future sports plan. I bet I could play tennis AND run though...hmmm...unless I got hurt from running again...I am rereading this entry and I think I it's pretty clear I need a break or change or something :)
Oh, I also swam for 30 minutes after work. Things are so weird in DC right now. There is less traffic than normal and the pool was deserted. I feel like everyone must be on vacation right now.
Posted by Audrey at August 15, 2005 08:23 PM
Comments
Sounds like a break or at least a change in pace is in order, Audrey. You don't want to keep doing something if you are getting injured. Backing off may be a big help in reducing the injuries. Fewer injuries might mean more enjoyment.
"Does anyone else have a sport they miss that they just can't do anymore b/c we are older and it doesn't fit in with life?"
Is scuba diving considered a "sport"? I miss that very, very much. The technical gear, the adventure, the cool stuff you see. I miss it all. Not enough time to practice safely these days, at least for the diving I want to do.
Posted by: Jon in Michigan at August 16, 2005 09:09 AM
Maybe you do need a break, or to shift focus a bit. Maybe running is the sport you truly love, or maybe it's something else, but I guess that's the kind of thing you figure out with time and even by not doing it for a while. Who knows. Being injured does suck though, tell me about it! I don't think I ever got hurt doing any other sport, but then again I didn't do anything with as much intensity as running (and I haven't even hit big mileage!)... at least I didn't "overuse" body parts as much! :) The "showing up" part reminds of something someone told me once: that accomplishing things in life was a mix of a bit of luck and showing up.
Posted by: Nanda at August 16, 2005 10:57 AM
It sounds like your body wants to do something that doesn't make you hurt. Even when we love to run, if it makes you get injured your mind starts to wonder if you are doing the best thing you could possibly be doing. Maybe looking into some other sports may be beneficial for the time being? Whatever it is, don't stop blogging, I love reading along!
Blondie
Posted by: Blondie at August 16, 2005 08:27 PM