Friday, August 2, 2013

Those Who Don’t “Get” It and the Best Tri Shorts

First of all – can’t thank you enough for your suggestions regarding my back pain. I love our blogging community and how much we share and support each other. Lately I have felt like there are some people in my life (non runners/triathletes) who support me dearly, but just don’t “get” my training or why I want to do what I’m doing. It can be kind of lonely. It is invaluable to have this space to share with you all who get me and get what I am trying to do. I really mean that.

Right now, my upper ass is freezing. As I write this, I sit in here in bike shorts with a package of frozen peas (I actually think they are more of a mixed vegetable with corn and carrots – fancy stuff) stuck in the top of my bike shorts, numbing my lower back. It actually feels really good (and major thanks to Athleta for sending me these Queen K Tri Shorts. They are now my new favorites).

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I think I should start a new game in each of my pictures called, Where’s Heidi? Somehow she always photo bombs.

This is day #4 of no training and I think I am in withdrawal. I am shaking and sweating and convulsing. Well, not really, but my head is in a very strange place. It is odd to go from a 17 hour training week to…nothing (well, at most 7 hours this week, if I’m lucky). Coach told me yesterday “You complain when you’re training and you complain when you’re resting. Put on your big girl panties and just SIT.” I guess these bike shorts are my big girl panties since I don’t wear real panties. You can see why Coach Sharpie is such a good fit for me. She is incredibly supportive and sensitive, but can also give me a gentle kick in the ass when needed.

I saw the PT Guru of Boulder County yesterday and here’s what he said:

  • The problem is not a disc issue, but more muscular, something to do with the facet joint
  • Put on bike shorts and stick frozen peas or something in there and move around like that. Better to ice while you are moving
  • Do these exercises/stretches (cat/cow, opposite arm and leg raises, abdominal holds)

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  • Take Vitamin I (Ibuprofen) 3x per day to help with inflammation
  • Take one more rest day, then ride 30 miles and swim 2,000 yards on Saturday and see how you feel
  • If that works, ride 35 miles on Sunday and swim 3,000 yards
  • No running until next week
  • If I feel okay, normal training can resume next week

And, thanks to reader, Dawn, who suggested this article: 8 yoga workouts for back pain.

So there you have it. SUAR recovery. I am hoping this is a very short lived setback. My guess is this back shit will crop up for me throughout training, especially with the long rides in the aero bars. I do think my body is still in shock from the volume of training.

Do you ever feel like there are people in your life who don’t “get” your training or fitness goals? Most of my friends and family are incredibly supportive even if they don’t run, etc. But there are certainly many who don’t understand and who don’t want to hear about it. I just try to be sensitive where everyone’s at. But, at the same time – this is HUGE goal for me and probably one of the toughest (if not the toughest) things I will ever do. So, sometimes I’m going to shout it from the mountain tops and those who don’t care – then “sorry” as Gilly would say (hilarious video by the way).

SUAR

48 comments:

  1. I totally agree about some friends just not getting it. I do have to seperate my conversations with my friends. Some friends I can talk about my workouts and progress. Others I just stick to talking about WOW, weather, etc.

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  2. I'm on day 2 of rest from an old peroneal injury. Going. Freaking. Crazy. Good luck with the peas on your butt!

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  3. Have you tried a chiropractor? I never used to believe, but after dealing with on and off back pain for a long time I finally gave in and gave it a shot. Now I swear by it...best thing I ever did. And the best part is it is usually a quick fix. Best of luck!

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  4. Totally have people who don't get it. When I tell them that I'm training for an ultra or that my ultimate goal is to complete a 100 miler, they start talking about how I'm crazy. Although I get that I am crazy, this is also a huge goal for me that I really want so it wouldn't kill them to be supportive every once in a while. Hope you the peas in your pants work wonders and you are back at it soon.

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    1. They're right. Ultra = crazy. But also kick-ass. ;)

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    2. Crazy kick-ass AWESOME! Ultras are my goal after I reach my marathon goals.

      Having people who get it is part of why I'm on twitter & why I think of starting a blog (that no one might read....) Fortunately, my DH gets it, or at least enough to put up with it.

      You GO Heather & Beth!

      (Beth - check out 110% Play Harder compression shorts w/ ice pockets - I have the shorts, knee sleeves & calf sleeves and they all help a LOT - hadn't heard tip to ice while moving though, good one.)

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    3. MJ yes I do have some 110% play harder knickers with places for ice packs, just a bit hot for those pants today.

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  5. First try eaten.

    The people who don't get your fitness goals are just jealous they can't or won't even try.

    Please remember to take the ice out of your pants if you answer the door. But ice in your pants during the race is a good thing. Context is everything.

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  6. NOBODY will understand why you run 26.2 miles, or bike 100+, or swim miles at a time, or race 24 hours in the woods or desert, or any combination of the above...unless they do it, too.

    You find that you will surround yourself with like-minded people, either physically or cyber-ishly via a blog (not really a word, but you get where I'm going). Your habits and strengths are encouraged by the 5 people you keep most closely to you. We're here to help, 'cause that's what runners/cyclists/swimmers do.

    Thanks for the heads-up on the peas. Vanessa is having similar issues, I'm going to have her try it when I get home.

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  7. Those exercises look awesome! :) Hope everything goes well!

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  8. hope your recovery works just right and you are back at it this weekend. BTW, what size shorts are those? I don't know if they run small or large...I expect you are XS??

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  9. I'm so glad those tri shorts work for you. I ordered them last spring. Loved the fabric, loved the fit but ... the way the crotch is put together didn't love me. Tried them for two workouts, same result, back they went.

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  10. I had typed out an eloquent response to your question and accidentally signed up for a blog account on gmail. Not sure what happened there or if I now have a blog of my own, but here is the abbreviated version. Your AWESOME! Going after a crazy lunatic goal that you know you are meant to achieve takes guts which can make people uncomfortable, jealous, and sometimes downright angry. Focus on those that know, love and support you! oh and us other crazy lunatic folks that do the same things :) Good luck!

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  11. Hey thanks for continuing to blog even though your training is temporarily on hold...because being injured is still a part of a runner/triathlete's training cycle at times ya know? And I'm sure there are people reading this post who, like you said, don't have many people in their immediate surroundings who "get it" - so maybe your blog provides that for them while they sit around icing and foam rolling. I just moved Washington from Oklahoma and don't have a running community yet, so, as weird as it sounds, reading a couple of running blogs (including yours obviously) have become my makeshift community for now. Helps me stay motivated and gets me out the door. Thanks for that!

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  12. i am a huge fan of the Melt Method for injuries and generally feeling good.

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  13. Married to the guy that TOTALLY gets me and my racing and training. Divorced the guy that didn't. Sorry to hear about your back-
    Yoga helps everything I am convinced!
    Re-check bike fit? May be the culprit??? just a suggestion.

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    1. Yes, bike fit is a good thing to check. Thanks.

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  14. Oh man, I am sorry to hear you are on forced rest, that is the worst when you have a race looming. I have had to take some rest this cycle too, but I had to last year and still finished. You will get there, be patient!

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  15. I just started reading your blog and I was thinking of you yesterday as I was running hills with my husband. The only thing harder than making myself get out there and run is sitting at home not being able to run. So, I was feeling for you yesterday, knowing how agonizing it is when you want to be training for a big race and can't. I don't do anything near as big as you. My big race is a half marathon coming up in a couple weeks. Hope you heal fast!

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  16. I am sorry that you are having a set back! I understand how the idea of resting can be tough during training!! It is hard enough not to run when I know I shouldn't. And, yes some people think I am crazy for running so much or whatever. But I have to remember I am am not running for them, I am running for me.

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  17. OMG YES!!! There are a lot of people who just don't get it and sometimes I feel like those are the only people I talk to. It's especially hard when these people think that racing is "easy" for me if I place in my age group of win...and I'm like "I work my ass off!!! Nothing about that was easy!"
    I'm glad to see you're on the mend. Can't wait until you post about your epic return to running!! Take care of yourself...:-)

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  18. I think for this acute stage you'd do well to take naproxen (Aleve) three times a day rather than ibuprofen. It has a longer half life,so you'll maintain the reduced inflammation for long enough for healing to take place.
    - your friendly neighborhood pharmacist :)

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    1. Thank you! PT did say either Ibu or Aleve, so I will go with the Aleve based on what you said...

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    2. Aleve has always worked better for me than Ibuprofen. However, I would take it twice a day at first, just to gauge its effectiveness. No need to take three doses a day if two gives you relief. Like all NSAIDs, Aleve can cause serious and potentially dangerous stomach problems. Never take a dose on an empty stomach. Best wishes to you for a speedy recovery.

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  19. Sometimes I feel the same way, good thing my hubby gets me!!

    Hope your back gets better!

    And thanks for sharing the tips!

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  20. I'm thankful for my running club; they "get" me. I have a subset within my club that I do weekly runs with throughout the year, and they "get" me. My family TOTALLY doesn't get me, but my husband is supportive enough to not bitch about me spending time away from home for runs/races. He rarely asks about them, though, and he's NEVER seen me in a race.

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    Replies
    1. I also have a well-meaning but semi-clueless partner. Makes those "need to vent/time to celebrate" moments tough when that person just doesn't care as much as you do.

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  21. I used to have lower back issues all the time. I don't have problems to much anymore, but any time I feel a twinge I go right to the ground and do the cat and cow poses (when no one is looking of course);) Hope the mixed veggies work!

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  22. I'm still trying to come up with new ways to explain it to those who don't "get" it. I actually just blogged about my "why" a couple of days ago. Newbie error? I'm training for my first marathon, and luckily for me, most of my family members are runners, and those who aren't are still really supportive.

    Good luck with your pea pants! At least they aren't pee pants! :)

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  23. About people who don't "get" it, I understand where they are coming from since the people that I've had that experience with never even thought of running let alone doing anything like a race and/or marathon. My biggest laugh a few weeks ago was telling my mom about the Badwater Ultramarathon. She looked at me like I had ten heads and not much in any of them. I explained that it isn't something I want to do but how I thought it was commendable (or nuts?) that people try. She still gave me the "look." Oh well. :)

    Please visit my new blog: http://thesaratogarunner.blogspot.com/

    Thanks!
    Megan

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  24. Is it more difficult than giving birth?

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  25. I am fortunate to have a husband that "gets it", he actually just did his first Ironman in June. However, I have sadly lost a close friend who got jealous of my training time and the friends I train with. Sad but true. Oh well, I can't please everyone!

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  26. It seems that this wears is so awesome and i really appreciate this work.
    http://www.apparelnbags.com/athleticwear-athletic-shorts.htm

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  27. I definitely can relate to family not understanding, especially when I was deep in half-marathon training and slimmed down considerably. But they've always been supportive! You just have to share certain parts of your life with people who will be by your side and do what's best for you!

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  28. Good luck with your rehab - injuries suck but I find I always learn from them! I find after I tell most people what I do to keep fit - they have a blank state and go off to a corner and cry. LOL - it is true - surround yourself with the "gets" and not the "get-nots" !!

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  29. Sorry to hear about your back woes...It really sucks when our bodies don't cooperate with all the major plans we make for them! Hope you are feeling better and can get back out there very soon.

    I'm lucky that most of my close friends and family get my fitness goals. My mom told me once that even though she can't relate to running, she understands what it means to "find one's bliss," which I kind of love. My husband is a marathoner and triathlete who works around his rheumatoid arthritis, and he is incredibly supportive even during times when his R.A. is bad and he can't train with me. He always reminds me that running is a gift and to just get out there and do what I love while I can...haters be damned :)

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  30. I would have said: Get on the front of a tandem and have someone massage you while cycling!!!

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    Replies
    1. Now that sounds like the way to go. Do you think they would allow that during the race?

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  31. None of my friends run. Far too few of them exercise at all. So I am all too aware of what it’s like to have people that are “supportive” but without understanding. If I mistakenly remark about feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, their suggestions almost always seem to go towards skipping a run or workout while at the same time expressing disappointment when I don’t want to skip the Friday night hangout in the bar, so that I can run my long runs on Saturday mornings before that VA summer heat kicks up.

    These are small issues and they’re all coming around. But I totally understand. I’m really hoping for the best with your back. Back issues can be such a persistent night mare. I hope yours are relieved soon. Can’t wait to see how well you do in FL, or at least how much fun you have. If it’s not fun, why do it? Happy Training.

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    1. **when I DO want to skip the friday...**

      I need a better editor. haha

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  32. Side note about the "don't get it" types - they will often tell me how I inspire them/make them feel guilty they aren't working as hard. Newsflash: SUAR, it's all within your control.

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    1. Newsflash: I can't control people's reactions, only what I do. Some people are inspired, some people don't care, some people care but aren't inspired, etc.

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  33. I get a lot of "you should watch out for your knees" comments from my family, and one friend who always tries to belittle me after marathons. "Should you really be running 26 miles at a time anyway?" My dream response,"Haha, it's 26.2 and I hate you." I take the high road. Luckliy, my run group gets it and, more importantly, my husband gets it. I wish I could talk smack to your back to get it to cooperate. It will. Arnica helps, too. Take it orally and put the cream on, too.

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  34. I'm lucky. Thus far all of my friends and family are very supportive. But I've only just gotten off my ass and started doing stuff. Thanks for your blog, it helps me stay in perspective. xx

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  35. This article gives a lot to think about.

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