The Taper
Ok, so I'll admit, it hasn't been so much of a taper as it has been a down right halt! I haven't had a decent workout since last Sundays 25 mile bike ride.
I always find myself injured the week prior to a race. I figure I must have committed some ill somewhere along the way to create the pre-race Karmic revenge that I always encounter. (This began with my first ever race where I tripped off the treadmill the week prior and sprained my ankle!) Fortunately for me, it must not have been too grievous an action, as my pre-race ailments only serve to shake my confidence leading up to race day. Come the actual event, I feel healthy and ready to go. Why should this event be any different?
Last week I was practicing my swim stoke (in my living room) and pulled a muscle in my shoulder. (I know, I know! I don't want to hear it!!) It still hurt at Mondays swim and I had to stop after 600 meters. Tuesday was the bike clinic. Awesome! Didn't even crash! Wednesday saw me digging a little ditch to move a piece of sewer pipe at an RV site. Somewhere along the line, I ended up with what felt like an ice pick in my hamstring! Ice, ice, ice, ice... ok, that's better.
Enough already! I know better than to be doing this stuff before an event! Only rest and relaxation for me from here on out! Geeze, I can't even do that right!
Yesterday morning I woke up and couldn't even turn my head! The muscles on the left side of my neck and shoulder were all bunched into a tight knot. I applied heat all day with little effect. This morning was a little better, and after a really hot shower, I could feel where a disk had slipped out of alignment in my neck. After more heat, massage and stretching, everything feels like it's back in place and aside from some residual pain, my neck has acceptable range of motion.
So... today, the day before the actual event, I am doing NOTHING! We finished watching season 2 of L Word and will be starting the final season of Six Feet Under. I'm hydrating and snacking on saltine crackers. I've cruised everyone on my "Blogs I Stalk" list (some twice!) and I've made my way through some of Their blog links lists! This is the third time I've retyped this post, as the Blogger Save As Draft button seems to be on the fritz. Ok, this is really starting to get Boring!
The question is: What do I have to do to reverse the bad karma that befalls me before every race? Maybe help someone along the course? Maybe I need to volunteer more? I don't know... but I'll surely keep it in mind as I run tomorrow!
I always find myself injured the week prior to a race. I figure I must have committed some ill somewhere along the way to create the pre-race Karmic revenge that I always encounter. (This began with my first ever race where I tripped off the treadmill the week prior and sprained my ankle!) Fortunately for me, it must not have been too grievous an action, as my pre-race ailments only serve to shake my confidence leading up to race day. Come the actual event, I feel healthy and ready to go. Why should this event be any different?
Last week I was practicing my swim stoke (in my living room) and pulled a muscle in my shoulder. (I know, I know! I don't want to hear it!!) It still hurt at Mondays swim and I had to stop after 600 meters. Tuesday was the bike clinic. Awesome! Didn't even crash! Wednesday saw me digging a little ditch to move a piece of sewer pipe at an RV site. Somewhere along the line, I ended up with what felt like an ice pick in my hamstring! Ice, ice, ice, ice... ok, that's better.
Enough already! I know better than to be doing this stuff before an event! Only rest and relaxation for me from here on out! Geeze, I can't even do that right!
Yesterday morning I woke up and couldn't even turn my head! The muscles on the left side of my neck and shoulder were all bunched into a tight knot. I applied heat all day with little effect. This morning was a little better, and after a really hot shower, I could feel where a disk had slipped out of alignment in my neck. After more heat, massage and stretching, everything feels like it's back in place and aside from some residual pain, my neck has acceptable range of motion.
So... today, the day before the actual event, I am doing NOTHING! We finished watching season 2 of L Word and will be starting the final season of Six Feet Under. I'm hydrating and snacking on saltine crackers. I've cruised everyone on my "Blogs I Stalk" list (some twice!) and I've made my way through some of Their blog links lists! This is the third time I've retyped this post, as the Blogger Save As Draft button seems to be on the fritz. Ok, this is really starting to get Boring!
The question is: What do I have to do to reverse the bad karma that befalls me before every race? Maybe help someone along the course? Maybe I need to volunteer more? I don't know... but I'll surely keep it in mind as I run tomorrow!
posted by Barb at 2:00 PM
3 Comments:
As a die hard Red Sox fan, I will tell you that it sounds like you are suffering from the same curse of the bambino. which usually amounts to letting yourself get so psyched up about something that you are your own worst enemy.
So... stop worrying about injury and start telling yourself how much you are going to rock the course tomorrow. You are gonna knock it out of the park, baby. Relax, rest and enjoy and savor every minute of that race tomorrow. It will be the best race of your adult onset athletics career to date. You rock, Barb. Now you just gotta believe it yourself.
Sending you good half marathon vibes from the other coast.
You are probably correct... but I'm not going to pass up any opportunity to perform a random act of kindness during the race. I think THAT will set things right in the world. (my world, at least!) Thanks for the great words of encouragement!
Hope you feel better! Why is it, hindsight is always 20-20? I always get injured, and am like, duh! Why did I DO that? Running flats on a sidewalk for a 10K when I KNOW I overpronate AND supinate! Then, I'm kicking myself for the next 6 weeks while I limp along, watching other runners longingly. Anyway, rest is always the best remedy. My thoughts are--you might be pushing yourself too hard as race day approaches. Maybe budget in some more rest/easy days? Good luck on the race!
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