Alright…so we’ve all done it.  You know- that little thing you didn’t listen to while training.  That little “ow”.  That little “ow” that becomes a “tweek”…..

That’s what I did on Tuesday at Masters Swimming.  I was running late and didn’t get there in time to warm up (packing my food for the day).  I started right off with the one arm drills the coach was prescribing.  Almost immediately my right shoulder started “popping” a bit…but I continued on with the 25 meters of drill…and then for fun- did it one more time. 

Nothing hurt  much during the workout but then later I could feel I had done something to my shoulder.  And this happens to be the same shoulder I had surgery on to cut the upper bicep tendon three years ago….

Now here’s where the tweekin comes in….Not only did I “tweek” my shoulder- but I full on start tweekin in my head!  I start thinking, “Oh no!  I’m going to need surgery!  I’m not going to be able to swim again!  I’m not going to be able to do my Ironman”.  Blah, blah, blah, blah.  The list goes on and on!

The first thing I did do though was to call Dr Ken at Active Care  and make an appointment to see him that day.  Dr Ken first put my shoulder back in the correct spot, then had me come back a few days later for some more care.  His prognosis- I pinched my rotator cuff and should keep using my shoulder, but warm up good! 

Today I went back to Masters and took my time with a few hundreds to warm up.  Our workout today was longer sets 125s and such.  I could feel my shoulder a bit during the workout, but nothing that felt like a “tweek”.  Afterwards I was a bit sore- iced it for awhile- and called Dr Ken to confirm that all would be ok  (he said my shoulder was going to be fine).

Tweekin is no fun.  It’s no fun to do and no fun to let run wild in my mind.  One thing I did learn from this is to always properly warm up!  I know this is important for everyone- but now that I’ll officially be over 50 in a few days, I really need to pay attention to my warm ups!  It’s just not worth loosing energy and training time over….So here’s to those darn warm ups and making  the extra time they take.

I'm goin in!

I’ve been contemplating pain lately.

There are basically two types of pain.  Physical and Emotional Pain.

Let’s start with physical pain……

First I was thinking about the pain when I train and race.  I read an article in Triathlon Mag about being able to tolerate pain when racing.  It made me realize that I don’t do that and that’s why I don’t “go for blood“.  I have not made myself really uncomfortable when racing and I wonder what the result would be if I did??? I probably wouldn’t miss 3rd place by 12 seconds…hummmmm…..

This thought brought me to another physical pain…as when there is something wrong and ignoring that pain.  I think of my Dad who had severe pain in his neck for one year and all that time it was cancer growing…and then I thought of my dear friend Jeffery who complained of chest pains the day before he had a heart attack that took his life……you get the picture…the kind of pain that we should pay attention to but don’t.  As opposed to the pain of training and racing…..hummmmmm

Pain is there for a reason.  It’s our bodies way of telling us something is not right….it’s just that we have to learn which pain to pay attention to and which to ignore…..I think I may pay too much attention to racing pain when I would be better served ignoring it……but I am grateful for the times I’ve payed attention to pain that was due to an illness or serious injury….hummmmmmm

Now emotional pain….man am I getting my share of that now.  Whatching my father go through treatment for cancer…not being able to talk, hear, eat….it is very hard and painful emotionally.  This man who was larger than life and could always fix everything, is now dependent on us to do everything for him.  It’s painful to watch him when he struggles- with his physical and emotional pain.  It’s painful  to watch those who love him stuggle with their emotional pain. 

It was scary for awhile…as in would he survive 8 weeks of chemo and radiation….today I can say that I am very hopeful he will survive!!!!

Which pain is easier I wonder?  Usually with physical pain there is a fix for that…kinda like putting a bandaide on a booboo….but emotional pain, how do you fix that????  The best I know to do for now is to remain hopeful and positive.  This helps the emotional pain for me…and for my dad when he is struggling.   We are given many gifts…and even though those gifts may downright SUCK in the moment….in hindsight we can see the gift that came from the pain……..

And who knows…if I can learn to endure the emotional pain maybe that can translate to accepting the physical pain later……….hummmmmmm

The big day is here for the Ironman 70.3 (half-Ironman distance). I’m packed and ready to drive to Kansas with Keith and the rest of our PC Team.

This week-leading up to Kansas has been particularly difficult/challenging….On Monday my SI joint started to go “out” and I ignored it because it was hard for me to get my chiropractor. Well did I pay the price Tuesday morning when I woke up and couldn’t even walk! My right hip went one way while the rest of me went another.

Long story short….after two days of a pain level of 10 (no kidding) and three adjustments and bodywork….and some major depression…..I got up this morning, swam for 1/2 hour, and my back feels fantastic!!!!!!!

I am heading to Kansas hoping that the 8 hour drive won’t set me back any….but have decided no matter what…even if I can’t race come Sunday- I’ll be there to support my team and watch the PROS race! Chrissie Wellington will be there and I would love to watch her!

One thing I learned through this is- Trust your instincts! I should have seen the Dr on Monday and could have avoided 3 days of pain…..And ok- two things I learned…..There are going to be down times and times of doubt-but I need to face them and realize that it’s fear that is getting to me. I have 5 more months until Ironman Cozumel. Three days off from training probably did me more good than not….

Ups and downs…that’s life. Thank goodness I have wonderful friends to call who know just what to say at just the right moment…(thanks Janet P!)