Race Report: Patanella's Pancake or My Very First Triathlon!

Saturday, June 27, 2009
1/4 Mile Swim - 12 Mile Bike - 5K Run
Finish Time 1:22:35
Age Group: 10/29
Gender: 87/236
Overall: 338/598 (Youch!)

We have had the wettest, coolest June on record here in NYC. Saturday did not follow that pattern; no rain and hot weather. So kind of like training in the Arctic Circle to do a race in the Sahara Desert. Well, at least that's how it felt to me.

I discovered that my son was a huge asset the day before the race. I spent so much time tending to him I didn't have time to think and get nervous about the race. We also had a great time that evening lying on his beanbag chair in the dark watching the lightening storm outside the window. He called it our "Lightening Adventure". It was quite relaxing and if you read my "Random List" you would know my penchant for thunderstorms; it was awesome! The night before I couldn't sleep, and not because I was nervous. I was anxious I would not get enough sleep and so every little sound that I normally wouldn't pay any attention to was amplified by 1000%. So annoying.

Sunrise over the Verrazano Bridge from the beach.

Alarm went off at 3:45 AM. Had my oatmeal and started to get dressed. Tom got up about five minutes after me. Just as we were wondering how we were going to get baby Toots up, he walks into our room, score! He has no idea what is going on, but is up for anything at this point. We made it out the door by 4:30 and headed to Staten Island; that other borough. There is something so wrong about heading out so early to compete in a sporting event when folks are just stumbling out of clubs, or wrapping up a night of god knows what I used to do when I was 20 something. A few random cyclists heading north on the bike path for some race (they were wearing numbers).

Transition area, ready to go!

You can never be too careful when making sure your wheels are true; my mechanic on the job.

We got to the transition area at 5:30 when it opened. This is a catch 22 situation. I get there early enough to score a great spot on the bike rack right on the end near the bike IN/OUT (which also made for the best transition space outside the rack end), but stand around for the next 2 hours vs. sleep longer and my bike gets buried. I did see something of a remedy to this that I thought was so obvious it was brilliant; helium balloon! We had Elmo, Sponge Bob, Dora, etc. Ah you clever, clever people. After setting up my transition area I went and got body marked (how old am I?! It is indelicate to ask a lady her age!) and....then..... just.....waited......

1/4 Mile Swim: 10:53

I'm somewhere still in the washing machine.
Am I the only one running?

The swim was a point A to Point B, straight line running parallel to the shore. I was in the 4th wave (all women, seemingly in advanced years.....uh um..). Each wave waited in the holding pen until we were instructed to enter the water. As it happened I met my "swim buddy" from last week's open water swim and who is also doing the NYC Triathlon with Team In Training. Nice to see a familiar face. It was starting to heat up while we waited our turn. Ah! The smell of hot neoprene in the morning! Wakes up your senses like nothing else. The start was from the water as opposed to the shoreline. They made it clear that there was to be no swimming over anyone or they would be asked to leave. This gave me the courage to position myself in the middle of the pack kind of near the front. And they're off! I didn't get crushed or kicked nor did I crush or kick anyone. I felt pretty good with my stroke, a lot better than the open swim I had done the week prior. I sighted for the buoys and tried to stay close to them. Unfortunately, I really didn't find my stroke comfortably until about 3/4 of the way in. As I rounded the last buoy heading into shore I entered the gauntlet and had to slow down and watch for people around me. I am too courteous and polite, me thinks. As I exited the water I started running and stripping off my wetsuit. I did notice that people exiting the water were lallygagging and hanging out so I passed a lot of people heading into T1. I could hear some spectators shouting, "keep running this is a race!" And so it was.

T1: 2:12

I ran down to my bike, stripped of the wetsuit. I stepped on the towel sprinkled my feet with baby powder, put my socks on, shoes, sunglasses, bike helmet. I grabbed my bike off the rack and headed out.

12 Mile Bike: 37:31 (Pace: 19.2 MPH)

Cornering

Heading back in for T2.

I had no problems mounting my bike and clipped in right away. I had shot blocks in my bento box - I hate GU's, yuck - and Gatorade in my water bottle. The bike course was a 4 mile loop, three times around. A little headwind on the return, but not too bad. I lost a water bottle on the ride, damn! I may have to consider alternative hydration methods. I picked off a lot of people on the bike and played a little cat and mouse with one woman. I don't know her AG since it wasn't on her calf (nor was her race # on her arm, grrrrr). I felt that when I was riding I was going to regret it on the run. I have been a little lame on bike training. I was sure I would pay for it later (and I did). I completed the bike and dismounted with no problems and ran into T2.

T2: 1:43

Nothing much to report here. Traded my bike shoes for my sneakers, bike helmet for visor, put on my watch and race number. I took a swig of water since I had lost my other water bottle on the bike course and headed out on the run.

Run: 30:17 (Pace 9:47)

Already feeling like death warmed over out of T2.

Let's call a spade a spade; I am a shitty runner. I only started running in February. I hate running although I am trying to convince myself that I love it. I do not. I like it even less when I have to do it after biking. As I headed out onto the course I was still out of breath. In fact, I started hyperventilating. I could not catch my breath no matter how slow I kept my pace. Finally I just stopped, took a minute to regroup and then started again. A little better now, but not easy. All I could think about the entire run was how I was not going to be able to do the Oly tri next month. That I had really stepped into some deep shit that I couldn't get out of. I know, defeatist attitude. I tried to turn my focus on my cadence 1,2,3,4...1,2,3,4. My legs felt weak and as expected, I had to pee like a race horse. Damn it! I'll say it, I had to stop a couple of times. Am I proud of that, no. I found this funny, because I have done bricks with longer bikes before and 3 mile runs after and been fine. Nerves? Adrenaline? Unfamiliar heat? Dog ate my homework? Who knows. In any case, I picked up my pace towards the end and passed some people who had earlier passed me and it was over, thank God!

Hallelujah!!

My hubby and son were waiting at the finish line. I just wanted to know where the bathrooms were.

My biggest fan!

My second biggest fan.

Post Race Musings:
I have focused a lot on my swimming these past few months. I was an ok recreational swimmer, but had no idea how to swim efficiently. I have come a loooong way and worked really hard on it because I felt like it was my weakest event. My performance wasn't stellar and I still need to work on my sighting and feel comfortable in the wetsuit, but I am pretty happy with it.

I've always been a fairly strong biker. Probably thanks to so many years of soccer and squats (strong legs) and commuting via bike before I started working at home. I think I could be really good if I apply myself as much as I did on the swim. I intend to do just this, although it might not be in time for my next tri. I need to be able to sustain the hard effort. At this point, I don't think I can keep up a 19.2 mph pace for 25 miles.

Running...ah running...... my silver bullet, my stake in the heart, my arch nemesis. I need more work on this. I need to run more. I need to run intervals more. I need to learn to embrace running. I do, in fact, reach a point in my running when I do enjoy it. It is usually at mile 5 when I finally feel like I have relaxed into the run. I always feel like the beginning of my runs feel like they should logically be the end of my run based on how crappy I feel doing it. Ah me...will work on it.

I want to thank Tom for taking the photos. In his defense, the blown out finish line shot and the missed swim shot are due to him having to deal with our three year old and focus on the race (his own personal triathlon). He moved the F stop on his camera unwittingly when he picked our son up at one point. Oh well. Thanks to Laurie who trekked it out from Roosevelt Island to Staten Island on bike; no easy task! She missed the ferry and missed the race and still came out. Thanks, that is true friendship! Pancakes & Dr. Pepper for everyone!!

I guess I should feel proud of my accomplishment, but I really don't. I am somewhat disappointed. I think it comes from always being really good at whatever sport I have turned my attentions to, almost right away. This is much harder and in a way I like that; it makes the victories that much sweeter. I also have to remember that I am not 25, 30 or even 35 (ok, not even 40!) and that physical accomplishments don't come as easily. I do, have to find the fun in this though, otherwise I will hate it.

Strange Cravings:

After the race they had lots of pancakes, bagels, m&m's, twizzlers, grapes, bananas, peanut butter & jelly, water, Dr. Pepper and Coke. I hate soda as a rule. I do enjoy the occasional root beer or cream soda a couple times a year, but otherwise, ew! So I was quite surprised to find myself craving the Dr. Pepper and finishing it in 15 seconds flat (should have won some kind of AG award for that!). My hubby likes Coke, so I brought one home for him. It lasted all of 10 minutes once inside our home, I couldn't stop thinking about it and drank half the can. I guess something nutritional - using the term lightly here - was needing to be replaced?

Hard training resumes tomorrow with hill repeats at the run. I am going to try to focus on bike and run with what little time remains before taper. I'm terrified. I know I won't DNF, but it could get ugly.

RIP Farrah & MJ

Yesterday was a sad day. Two icons of entertainment gone too soon. Clearly my son could appreciate a legend, even at the tender age of 11 months.

Pack Rat Race List

This is my first triathlon. It isn't the "big" one in a month (well, for me an Oly is big!), but it is still the very first triathlon of my life. It is Patanella's Pancake. This afternoon I ran into one of the other mom's from Baby Toot's school who also does tri's. She asked how I felt. I told her I was trying not to think about it too much. It will be what it will be and I don't want to over think it (very unlike me). I don't mind saying that despite my run of good luck with my disc issues, it has been bothering me this week. I am not doing anything today or tomorrow. If it calls for pain meds the morning of, so be it. All will be revealed.

In a long line of gear list blog bites, I turn to Sherry's Gear Check post. Here in lies my own gear check list complete with color photos; isn't technology wonderful? My race is on Saturday, but I like to be prepared ahead of time and this process also helps me to be organized about it while hopefully keeping me from forgetting anything (which undoubtedly will happen) or losing my mind (which will also undoubtedly happen).

So here we go:

Pre race a.k.a getting my ass up in the morning and out the door on time: T-shirt over sports bra with tri shorts and flip flops. You can whittle this all together from the items listed below.

Swim:
Fit To Race TNT wetsuit (cuz the waters are still cold here)
Tri Top CW-X Xtra Support Bra
Zoot Tri Shorts
Speedo swim cap (just in case)
Aqua Sphere Eagle goggles (clear)
Aqua Sphere Kaimen goggles (tinted)
Body Glide
Fresh contacts (not shown)

Bike:(old bike photo, some stuff not in the photo, ie. pedals, pump, etc.)
Giant TCR2 Comp (full Ultegra components)
Mavic Elite wheels and hubs
Kenda tires
Look Classic clipless pedals
Topeak Master Blaster Road frame pump
Two water bottles (1 w/ electrolyte drink, 1 w/ water. not sure if I will need both on a 12 mile ride)
repair kit: 1 spare, patch kit, CO2 cartridges, tire levers, multi tool
Cateye Micro Wireless bike computer

Bike/T1:
Trek Bike helmet
Scott clipless shoes
Zoot Tri shorts
New Balance zip jersey
Ray Ban polarized sunglasses
Socks (of no particular brand) w/ baby powder
Fuel Belt race belt #454
Cliff shot blocks (I am a GU hater)
Sunscreen
Towel


Run/T2:
Zoot Tri shorts
New Balance zip jersey
Ray Ban polarized sunglasses
2XU Visor
Socks (of no particular brand) w/ baby powder
Fuel Belt race belt #454
Asics Gel Landreth w/ Yankz speed laces & Garmin foot pod
Garmin Forerunner 50
Sunscreen

Post Race:
Cotton Gap shorts
Cotton Tank
FitFlops
Clean unmentionables (no, I won't post a picture of those!)

It goes without saying that I will be slathered up in sunscreen even before I leave the house. My mode of transportation and hour of departure all depends on the mood of my three year old and whether or not he will go stay with his grandparents at the hotel. This will allow Tom to drive, otherwise I am taking the subway, ferry and SI train. Yes, I could drive myself, but by the time my husband leaves the house with Baby Toots and gets to the race it will be over (notoriously late for everything, he is).

I've got a little baggie of other stuff: first aid, markers, tape, wipes, things like that. I also just picked up my race pack. There doesn't seem to be any rules to this tri that I can find. None came in the pack and there are none online that I have seen. Im guessing they will be regulation USAT rules. The race is small, 650 competitors, so maybe they are not concerned with it. Will have to check in that morning to be sure. I have my bright yellow swim cap and will be in wave #4, 8:15 am race start for me.

Well, see you on the other side!

Wheaties, The Breakfast of Addicts

I am convinced that one day, like cigarettes, we will find out that cereal is laced with some kind of dopamine enhancing drug. Why else do I crave cereal above all other foods any time day or night? Why am I so blissfully happy after a big bowl of oat, corn or bran goodness? Why else would they charge outrageous prices for such a seemingly simple box of highly processed foodstuffs?

Anyway, it's just a thought.

Addendum: My sister just sent me this link today from the NY Times outlining the very thing I am talking about. Clearly there is a conspiracy to arrest our taste buds, thus ultimately allowing the food industry to rule the world! Wa ha ha ha ha!

I should mention, I don't buy the sugar argument, ok I do, but I always choose cereals with 0 grams of sugar....is the nutritional content not to be believed? Is there some other subtle combination of ingredients that promotes mind control? Are we in a death spiral hurtling towards oblivion? Yeah, that went a bit too far....I need to get a grip....(but will they let me.....?)

Coney Island Open Water Swim or It's All About the Wetsuit

"I'm supposed to fit into that?!", she exclaimed with horror.

Wetsuits. I am buying stock in neoprene. I got mine home this week and decided a trial run putting it on was in order. I broke out in a sweat and burned at least 400 calories, never a bad thing, struggling, pulling, grunting into this thing. Got it on, pant, pant. I was so worried about putting a hole in it with my nails I immediately pulled them all off, who has time to track down the nail clipper. One by one my nails went into the trash. When I put it on at the pool on Wednesday night it was a piece of cake, only 200 calories burned. That doesn't account for the other 800 sweating my ass off on the pool deck waiting to get in the water. When I did, Woo hoo! I felt like I was flying across the water surface. Granted I had a long sleeve one, so it took a minute or two to get used to the feel of it in the shoulder area, but it was awesome! At the end the coach gave us 1 minute to get out of the pool, get our wetsuits off and ourselves back into the pool. I felt like a lead balloon (watch it!). What a huge-ass difference.

The Gathering ( I think that was the name of some
horror film with Christina Ricci, so not too far off the mark)

Dress rehearsal for the big dance

Yesterday brought the first open water swim and run at Coney Island, land of Nathan's hot dog, The Cyclone, The Wonder Wheel and today, the annual Mermaid Parade.

(ok a little break here, I am watching the 2005 Kona Ironman on Universal Sports and am welling up watching some of the finishers: a woman with one leg, a man with ALS, an 80 year old grandfather (Dude!)....I am such a sucker for the hard luck story.)

Back to business....The predicted rain held off. The water didn't look too bad, relative to any body of water that surrounds NYC or any of it's outlying boroughs; no medical waste. I have no fear of open water, so was not nervous about this at all. I am a wimp when it comes to cold water though, so what a relief to have the long sleeve wetsuit. Yeah, not a good look for me.

Clearly, latex or neoprene for that matter, is no friend of mine

We bobbed around in the water getting our wetsuit bearings, then swam a short distance. Man, how different this felt. The wetsuit combined with the salt water meant I was swimming on the surface of the water like some kind of crazed Jesus Bug, so not used to this, a very weird sensation. I don't mind saying that I was a bit out of breath just swimming a short distance. This was crazy, I can swim a mile in the pool with no trouble. Clearly I underestimated the power of group swimming and wetsuit compression. My chest started to feel a bit tight and I was finding myself getting out of breath on the swim. I didn't panic, I was able to still stay pretty relaxed, but what an eye opener. I started to feel a bit better towards the end. However, next week's race will be interesting to say the least. Thank God the swim is only a 1/4 mile.

The run afterwards was ok, although my chest still felt a little tight, so it took a while to get my breath back. The run was supposed to last anywhere from 30-45 minutes. I did an out and back in about :23, nature was calling, and you know my bladder stories, so I hit the head and called it a day. A wardrobe note here. I decided to wear a two piece sporty job I bought a while back from Land's End with a zip front top (should have stuck with the TYR one piece with a sport bra if I was going to go the bathing suit route), the bra, not enough support after exiting the water. The twins were not happy, but they would have to endure. I am old enough to know when to be vain and when not to be vain. I was not vain yesterday. I could care less that every person I passed got a good look at my ass-ets. Let's put it this way, if you happened to have some jello, I had the cottage cheese to go with it. You gotta love Body Glide, nuff said. I did decide though that this will not be my uniform of choice next weekend. I'll be making sure no one has to strap a "Wide Load" sign to my back.

26 Random Things (I Like To Break the Rules), Make That 27

Just trying to get your attention, do I have it now?

This will be a big swim week, and tomorrow will be the big run we didn't do last week, but who cares. Saturday I skipped my bike GTS because I didn't feel like going, but I did make it to the flat fix clinic, but who cares. The chick at the pool today was smoking my ass (she had fins, does that make you faster?), but who cares because I am not going to talk about training today.

I have been hoarding this list for FB since I got "tagged" a couple months ago. by my college roomie, I never did put it on FB, so I figured I would use it here. Mind you, there are a couple things that I left off the list that would have made for interesting reading, but once you put it out there on the Internet.....well, you know, it's there forever....

Speaking of thunderstorms, here comes one now..

26 Random Things about Me

1. Really, really don’t like trying new things (but I do)
2. I secretly wish I were a medical examiner
3. Hate pork chops
4. Started the women’s soccer program (w/ 2 friends) that still exists in my junior & senior high school today.
5. Have a black belt in karate
6. I had to do speech therapy in 1st grade for a lisp and when we moved from Long Island to upstate NY I had to have speech therapy to rid myself of my “Long Island accent”
7. My nickname in elementary school was “Rocky”
8. Slept with my “blanky” until I was 12
9. Very insecure about my art and design. Never think it is good enough.
10. LOVE huge thunderstorms and snow storms.
11. I never wanted to have a kid, but am so glad I have one.
12. Constantly wonder if I should be doing something else with my life, but feel blessed to be doing what I’m doing now.
13. As a teenager I liked to sit in my room in the dark and listen to music
14. I had rainbow sheets on my bed as a teen (kind of ruins the dark teenager image in #13, huh?)
15. I used to get a new Malibu Barbie every Christmas (no, not any more!)
16. I’ve had in my life two hamsters, 1 guinea pig, numerous cats (10-15), 4-5 dogs, two Blue Fronted Amazon parrots, mice and cockroaches, but they weren’t exactly pets.
17. I feel blessed to have a healthy son and a good husband.
18. I feel blessed to be healthy myself
19. I research and over think EVERYTHING to death before buying it or doing it, which ultimately leads to my inability to make a decision.
20. I had professional photos taken of me when I was pregnant.
21. I hate stickers….they feel creepy
22. Used to have a spitting contest when I was about 10 with a boy named Jeff Skiba, we both had a gap between our two front teeth. I always won. I got braces; no more gap.
23. I got dumped about a month before prom (despite our detailed plans to go)
24. I think my husband is HOT!
25. I’m actually really lazy. If I thought I could get away with sitting on the couch all day eating cookies and not feel guilty, I would do it.
26. Huge Eddie Izzard fan.

So that's it sports fans. Not exactly me in a nutshell, but maybe something there you didn't know before.

Pooped (NOT another TMI post)

When I say pooped, you must be thinking, "Oh god, she's pooed herself now?!" No, I assure you I have that wrapped up tight, no worries. I am feeling exhausted the last few days. With all of these 6 am wake-ups to train (even with a bedtime of 9-9:30), motherhood, working, I'm spent.

So the email I got from the coach outlining this weeks training plan was not encouraging. It's a big week, starting tonight with a 7 mile run with hill repeats and pick up intervals. We have a timed .75 mile swim tomorrow, a BRick on Thursday, Friday more swim, Saturday Bike (still to be revealed) and Sunday, endurance run. This is not the week for me to feel like I am so "over it" all. I am getting so bored with training. I feel like I have been training for so long for something that will never get here. I'm very unmotivated at the moment. I am sure I need a break, but not sure if this is the time to take it. My running sucks, and while I do ok on the bike, I certainly could use more time in the saddle. With work, motherhood and training I feel like I am hitting a wall. I'm becoming short tempered, agitated, anxious and fed up.

I work for myself which definitely has it's benefits (see my work here). I am also blessed to be able to work as a designer/artist. The sucky part is having to pay my own taxes, pay my own retirement and then having to itemize at tax time and pay more taxes (like the nice big surprise tax bill I just had to pay, grrrrr). It also seems that they keep going up every year, but my "salary" does not. I sound like I am complaining, and believe me, I am happy just to be working in this economy, but I need a new plan. With all of the financial responsibilities that I (we) have (including tuition to preschool that costs more than it did for me to go to college), I need to figure out how to meet these responsibilities better. This just adds fuel to the already blazing inferno. I am not writing this looking for sympathy, that is not my style, I am just outlining the many reasons why I am feeling as anxious and drained as I am.

I have been more tired in my life, like after bringing my son home after giving birth. No question, this was hands down the most knocked down, dragged out I have ever felt. However, I didn't have to pick myself up to go run 7 miles, or swim or bike, I just had to make it through the day (until I was once again awakened in the night for a feeding).

One bit of joy. We had a raucous thunderstorm last night. I love thunderstorms. It sent my 3 year old screaming into our room to cuddle in bed with us. He glued himself to me and we all just chatted about the storm and tried to calm his fears (all at 3 AM), it was very cozy. They are predicting more for this evening. I am praying they arrive as that would cancel our run. I normally would not wish for this, but I need an excuse not to go, and if the run is still happening, I will go, begrudgingly, but I will be there.

My hopes were that by voicing how I am feeling it would be some kind of cathartic release. At the moment, I am not feeling very healed and especially not released.

My friend Marnie, who just finished the Danskin Triathlon on Sunday in Austin, way to go Marnie! Told me about a website called Tut.com, where you can sign up to get messages from "the universe". She forwarded one she received recently:

"As you always have, Marnie, you're going to find, yet again and forevermore, that the hard and difficult stuff only ever seemed hard and difficult, before you began it.
Bet you feel better now, huh?


Begin it,
The Universe"

Kind of cool, but not sure that would do the trick for me at the moment. I do, however appreciate her sharing that with me, thanks Marn.

Someone also wrote on my FB wall that "Life just runs along and drags us with it." A truer thing was never spoken, I've got road rash.

Birthday Race Report

5K
Time: 29:35

Yesterday was my 42nd birthday and also the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Rock & Run on the River. This race was a 5k run/walk.

Laurie & I

My dear friend Laurie came out and ran with me, bless her heart, as she hasn't really been running. She also happens to work at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, so what a trooper, but this was made clear during our 5 Boro Bike tour back in May. This run wasn't a real timed race. They had a clock at the finish, but timing and distance were probably a bit inaccurate. I used my Garmin to help better gage the distance and time. I did not run this race as fast as I could have. Although Laurie gave me her blessing to go ahead without her, how could I? She dragged herself all the way to the west side at the crack of dawn to spend my birthday with me and run a 5k, "see ya later" was not in order. We were running a 10.5 minute mile and at just past the halfway point Laurie said she needed to stop and urged me on. I did obey at this point since I didn't want to stop. My mistake was taking off like a bat out of hell. I kept looking at my watch and seeing 8:45 minute mile. I felt ok, but knew that couldn't last with my inexperience. It finally caught up with me about the last .5 mile or so, I was gulping air, but trudging along. I managed to finish in 29:35, if my Garmin is to be believed.

I stayed at the finish to cheer Laurie on across the finish line. I didn't have to wait too long. A couple of things worth mentioning here, or maybe not. Here comes the TMI, so get out while you can. I have complained about post preggo incontinence, or at least the difficulty of "holding it" after/while running. As soon as I crossed the finish line I headed to the port-a-potties about 10 yards away; didn't make it. I was mortified. There was no river of gold streaming down my leg, but there was definite leakage. Why this day when I only ran a 5k? Why not on the days I run 6 miles? Was it the time of day, the heat (it was the first real hot day I have run), what? Kegels mean nothing when your va-j-j has been stretched by carrying child. Apparently, even if the usual exit is not utilized the day of the blessed (read bless-ed) event, you are still subject to this curse. Another reason not to have a second child.

Laurie was kind enough to offer this encouragement, "Look at it this way, how many people can say they peed themselves on their birthday?" To which I responded, "Probably a lot, but at least they are passed out on the floor of their bathroom due to over intoxication, I don't even have that as an excuse." She also treated me to a lovely post race brunch, Thank you!!

What can't you find floating in the Hudson River?

During our trek there I thought I kept smelling pee (this in NYC, I probably did), and had to keep asking her, "Is that me? Can you smell me?" I did learn something else though, after living in this city for 20 years, I had no idea you couldn't eat at the sidewalk tables or be served alcohol until after twelve....who knew?

I came home to my son waiting at the door with a gift box and card in hand. Tom had done the dishes, made the bed and fed Baby Toots lunch. I also got to have a nap! An honest to goodness real nap! Even if it only lasted a few minutes. Can't seem to nap anymore since I had the little one. Always feel like I should be up and doing something.

Later that afternoon we ichatted with my folks and that night Tom took me out for Tapas and Sangria! yum! I came home full and buzzed. It was a good birthday (except for the pee part).

What's It All About?

My run on Tuesday was, in a word, abysmal. I still managed, somehow, to finish the 6 mile jaunt (I hesitate to call it a run) and oddly enough, handled the northern hills in Central Park fine. However, I was defeated before I even began. I guess these things happen and I am trying to take it in stride (ha!). It was a particularly humid Tuesday night, like running in soup after the rain stopped. Even that I acclimated to. I also had a wardrobe malfunction. Not of Janet Jackson proportions; boobs were present and accounted for. I wore my soccer shorts which are made of a thin nylon material, add sweat to this and they stick to you and major chaffing ensues, ouch! This is why I always wore boxers underneath during matches, but not on the run. My stomach was growling on the way to my run, I hadn't eaten since lunch, this was just stupidity on my part. Lastly, I was haunted the entire run by thoughts of my hip, waiting for it to start hurting. I never felt it until just about 5.8 miles and then only slightly. In fact, I'm not sure I would have noticed it at all had I not been obsessing about it. So when I say my run was abysmal, what I mean is I ran so slow and stopped about 4 times, although each for less than a minute, I have run this course before with no problems. I was happy that I managed to finish it, but disappointed in my performance. In any case, I've put it behind me and am moving on.

I had my first PT session yesterday. Aside from the consult I went for when I twisted my ankle, I have never been to PT, so wasn't sure what to expect. All of the exercises that were prescribed by my doctor and that were administered, were things I already do and have done for more years than I can count. While PT can't heal the tear, the thought process is to strengthen the muscles supporting my lower back and hip and increase flexibility. When this hip injury first reared it's ugly head a year ago, it was excruciating. I was already working out, weight training, boot camp, some minor running, etc.. When I started serious training for triathlon, the pain wasn't really there too much anymore. I attribute this to the stretching and unavoidable strengthening of muscles through training. I had an isolated few days when I had the numbness in my leg and felt some hip discomfort which prompted me to go back to the doctor's (I had gone last September, x-rays at the time revealed nothing). I feel like I could do my own thing and not waste my time going to the PT. I am not a pro athlete by any means, but I felt like they and their facility are not up to dealing with me (but who is?). In other words, I am not confident in their ability to "heal" me. What to do, what to do? My husband, always the realist, and sometimes a kill-joy, said, "I know people who have ended up worse off by going to PT." Thanks, honey, just what I needed to hear, you are an endless fountainhead of support!

My ever fragile ego got a nice little boost this morning from my son's sitter. She told me I was looking so fit and trim lately. Sandra, I love you!

My friend Laurie sent me an article from the NY Times on the run-walk method of running. I like it! I am not a purist and I hate running. I am trying to embrace and love running, and I do look forward to it on that rare occasion. However, while athletics in general are necessary to keep me sane, running isn't the specific sport that provides that for me....yet. I am hoping it will one day, I think I just have need more time to get there. Laurie, of the 5BBT debacle, is bravely coming out with me to run the 5k on Sunday, she is a glutton for punishment, but above all a true friend. They are predicting good weather Laurie, I promise! Afterwards, I think a little middle aged birthday libation will be in order. Cheers!

Damn!

Joked with my hubby last night about my doctor's appt. this morning (reviewing the results of my MRI). Told him they will probably tell me there is nothing wrong with me, and hence, I have wasted all this time and money just to find out it was all in my head.

My doc is Andrew Hecht. He is also the spine surgery consultant for the New York Jets and New York Islanders professional teams....FYI.

Herniated disc between L5-S1 for sure, this is not news. He rated it as a 2.5 on a scale of 1-10. Ok, not bad, I can live with that. Labral tear in my hip. Shit. Shit. Shit.

My MRI (click to see larger image)Love the "fluid in cul de sac"
picture flooding in a dead end road of a picturesque community.

Apparently this is becoming a pretty common diagnosis for many reasons. I can blame all my weight training to protect my knees while playing soccer and on the 30+ years on soccer itself, apparently.

His recommendation is a conservative approach at first with PT, see where we are in 8 weeks, then go from there (meaning shots and if that doesn't work, surgery). Oh, and by the way "back off on the running and maybe start using an elliptical machine." I wanted to say, "Are you f*cking kidding?" Instead, I said, "I have 3 triathlons scheduled this summer and a 5k next weekend." Ok, It's not Ironman, but I gotta start somewhere. He just looked at me. You know the look, "You can do what I am suggesting or find yourself in worse shape." To the look I said, "Yeah, yeah, I hear you." Inside, "Do you know how long it took me to get to 6.5 miles? Forget it! I will never maintain this level on an elliptical machine!"

I have my first PT visit on Wednesday. I have a 6 mile run tomorrow night. I am pissed. I am sad. I am frustrated. I am probably stupid....or at least I will be, if you catch my drift.

How is this for irony, the 8 week follow up visit with the doc is the day after my NYC Triathlon. The Olympic distance one that I have been training for, the one I raised all the money for.

Here is the thing that pisses me off more than anything. The doc showed me the MRI with the spine shots, I couldn't make out heads or tails of it. But he never showed me the hip MRI, and they were still sealed with scotch tape as if never opened. I wonder if he even looked at them. I do fit the all the symptoms, but come on! I blame myself for not being more proactive, but honestly I was kind of shocked. I didn't even realize I hadn't (he hadn't) been looking at the hip MRI's until I left the office with the envelopes and the one was still sealed. I could tell upon opening them that it was the hip shots, although I can't read 'em to save my life.

As an addendum to this I found an envelope inside with the spinal MRI's and the diagnosis of the labral tear (by the doc reviewing the films) and the above copy (see pic) of the MRI pointing out the trouble spots. This envelope too was sealed. However, the diagnosis seems to be real and not a figment of my imagination.

So what am I going to do? I'll let you know tomorrow after my run....