March 14, 2010

Flexibility- a new word in my vocabulary

I am not talking about what happens to your body after a hot yoga session, either. I am talking about being flexible with life circumstances. So, this is where I am right now- still semi-injured and now out of shape.

I have been playing with this in my mind for about two weeks, but this past week's events really solidified it. My ankle is not going to fully heal until I bag the ultra high mileage. I have made progress with the ankle by leaps and bounds, but it is still not 100%. My friends and family can confirm this, but I am not one to do something halfway. Meaning, I COULD run Charlottesville, but it would not be the very best I am capable of. Out of 20 marathons, I have NEVER toed the line unprepared, and I really don't want to start now. My training has always been solid. I had a minor setback during taper before St. Louis, but that had nothing to do with my training. Also, I would have to drive 12 hours to Charlottesville ALONE, run a less-than-best marathon, then drive home. In my mind, I was dreading the whole experience. Since I've been reflecting a lot on what makes me happy, I realized THAT would not make me happy.

Then, as a Godsend, I got an email from Steve at Brooks ID saying that I was a random winner of free entry to a choice of 6 RnR events, one being Seattle. A sweeet, sweet friend from RWOL offered me to visit with her while there, so... out of curiosity, I looked at airfare. Shockingly, it was quite low. All signs point to Seattle, it looks like!

After making the decision, I actually feel relieved. I can keep the mileage really low for the rest of March, then regroup and start training for Seattle. This also works out for me b/c of so many NRR things I have going on, like...

1. Track, track, and more track is keeping me VERY busy. I love it, though, truly love it.
2. My National Board re dos are due on April 15. While I have FAR less to do than last time, I am still far from being finished.
3. I got selected by Alabama State Department of Education to revise the current state test for 3rd through 6th graders. This will require me to be out of town for a week in April and will be gone a week in July, too. After each session, I will have to present *something, don't know what yet* to the teachers.
3. Annndddd, our kids take their State assessment the last week of March, so I'm basically teaching my butt off these days.

In regards to track, this week was a total bust. I'm very disappointed to report that BOTH our meets got canceled this week. Our Tuesday meet was canceled for no apparent reason. Over a week ago, our town experienced a racially-motivated tragedy. I really don't want to go into all the details, but high schools in the area were put on high alert for other racially-motivated *incidences*. A few sporting events were canceled b/c of this, but I would've thought by this week things would've settled down. Thursday was rained out, so that was a legitimate cancellation.

Tuesday is going to be a BLAST! We have a Girls Only meet scheduled. I've been working really, really hard w/ one of my h.s. girls, Barb*(not her real name). She has never hurdled before, but after a LOT of practicing, she is ready to race the 300hurdles on Tuesday. I am really excited to see how she does.

10 comments:

  1. sounds like a great plan, Seattle is a GREAT city.

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  2. Sounds like a great plan. That whole driving 12 hours myself, racing, and driving back home alone thing would have done it for me by itself. Good luck to Barb running the hurdles and to you with all your school stuff.

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  3. Anonymous3/14/2010

    bummer that you have to bag charlottesville but it seems like everything is going to work out for you in the end :)

    good luck on tuesday!

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  4. Really glad that you're bagging that race, sounds not worth it at.all. Have you been taping your ankle? That can work wonders of being able to run when it's not 100%. http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/ankle/sprained_ankle/taping.php I used a brace and hit it taped a couple times for me last year when I was dealing with ankle crap. Got me through.

    Brooks ID is turning into a gift from the heavens for you, Miss. Free stuff and now a winning entry! Very cool.

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  5. Anonymous3/15/2010

    Sounds like a great idea to hold off. Plus you get to run in Seattle, score! I've only been there for work for a few days and it is so beautiful there! You will have so much fun! Good luck with all the other items on your plate this month!

    CJ

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  6. Anonymous3/15/2010

    Hey there! I found your blog through the Brooks ID forum. As a former (and hopefully someday again in the near future) high school track coach, I'm really amused by your stories of the kids.

    That sucks about the ankle but it sounds like you're making the right decision in bagging the race. And woot to Steve and Brooks for the RnR entry, didn't even realize they were giving away something so awesome!

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  7. Anonymous3/15/2010

    What a bummer about your ankle, but you're definitely making the right decision. You need to heal before you can race.

    I need to take a page out of your book and learn to be more flexible with plans and such. I'm so bad at making those kinds of decisions or rolling with changes.

    Good luck on Tuesday!!

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  8. Anonymous3/15/2010

    Amen to the teaching parts of your post. I took off today because the march craziness was really starting to tax me! Bummer about your meets being cancelled, but good luck on tuesday!

    Slight possibility that I'll be at seattle rnr too - but with the half!

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  9. Hi! I've been reading your blog for quite awhile now. (Hmm, I hope that doesn't make me a creepy lurker!) Your last few blog posts have compelled me to write a comment about how truly happy and positive you seem lately. In some of your earlier posts, you seem to be very fretful and upset most of the time--as if nothing was ever right. (Maybe you didn't feel this way at all, but these seemed to be the tones of your posts). Lately, though, you seem to have a very 'live and let live' attitude--you seem free, balanced, and happy. (And, as you said, flexible). You seem content to just "be," not to have to "do." So cool! Thank you for your willingness to post about your life!

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  10. Anytime you are experiencing any professional doubt, please think back to this: The State Of Alabama thinks you are an amazing teacher and wants you to revise the current test for 3rd-6th graders. That is an incredible honor, congrats R! Sorry to hear that you are bailing on Charlottesville, but it sure sounds like an easy decision. I'm sure your ankle will appreciate and benefit from this decision.

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