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May 29, 2007
Pieces of a Puzzle
Life is finally coming together. Tonight I have to make a choice that is independent of the results I receive tomorrow and once made, I have to stick with it, no matter how hard it is. Because the choice is between a definite DNS and a possible DNF.
The past 4 weeks have been hard. I have struggled to keep myself from running and cycling and swimming and I felt like I was going to go out of my mind because I couldn't go out onto the road and do something other than sit on my behind. But now I'm starting to feel a whole lot better and I know I'm not allowed to start running yet, which frustrates me more.
The one thing that I've noticed is a severe lack of energy on my part though. I walk up the stairs and am out of breath. I love taking the stairs at work and right now I'm one of those that wait for the lift to arrive. Unfortunately our house has 3 levels, and we haven't fitted a lift, which means I have to walk up the stairs to get to my bedroom. Sixteen stairs. That's all it takes to make me out of breath and a few minutes later some aching joints join me where I sit puffing on a couch or on the bed.
The doctor told me that this might continue for as long as 2 months and that initially I'll always be left feeling weak and unable to do much. It should improve though - in very small baby steps. The real question though, is whether or not it'll get better in time for Ironman? As much as it pains me to say this, I somehow don't think it will. I think I'll be standing there on the day, scared beyond movement because I haven't been able to complete my training as I would've liked.
So tonight, I'll dream about Ironman and put this puzzle together. Do I go to the start and hope for the best, or do I withdraw and try again next year?
Posted by karinm at May 29, 2007 9:36 PM
Comments
when it comes to matters of the heart (physical, not figurative!), err on the conservative side. i know it's hard, but a dns is much easier to handle than a dnf. it's funny, i'm at about the same point that you are, too. i'm sorta sidelined right now and don't know if i'll have the time to get the training in and i think it's easier to push the race back, drop the intensity down a bit and re-evaluate goals.
don't think of it as a dns, if that makes it seem easier to stomach. it's not a dns, it's a realistic evaluation of what your body can handle. much better to race healthy another day than race weakened and risk injury through a dnf; physical or emotional injury.
there's playing it safe and there's playing it smart, and you've always struck me as a bright cookie.
Posted by: jeff at May 30, 2007 1:56 AM
My two bits - if you've already paid for the event (as far as I know they aren't usually refundable or transferrable to another year) and you are feeling well enough to do any of the event, I say do what you can ... as long as it is medically safe and approved of by your doctor(s) that is. If you can, look at it as a "practice Ironman" ... You know - you're going there to check it out, how it all works, enjoying the ambience, figuring it out for when you are ready to do the whole thing ... that's just one way to look at it. BUT, the most important thing is that you don't jeopardize your future by taking an unnecessary risk.
Posted by: Cindy J at May 30, 2007 4:16 AM