Wednesday, February 17, 2010

36

So today is my last day of being 35.

Turning 36 is really no big deal. I mean, it's not like I'm going up an age group or anything. And 35 or 36... whatever... still "mid'30's", so not like turning 39 or 40. Not that turning 40 is bad (I know many of you are doing that soon or have done that already and believe me, when I turn 40 I won't be the least bit sad about it)... I just mean that 36 doesn't feel like anything I need to really go out of my way and make a big deal of.

So other than the typical birthday workouts (ahem, 36x100's anyone?), this birthday should pass by quietly and peacefully and when I wake up tomorrow morning, I will still be Scott's wife and Moana's mom. Though I guess one fun new thing about my birthday this year is that I get to make some of my athletes do my birthday workouts with me... I probably caught a few off guard when they read their swim workouts of 36x50's or 36x100's... so if you're reading this, go to the pool and get it done. And thanks for celebrating with me. :)

I got a Bosu ball for my birthday (thanks, mom!) It arrived in the mail yesterday. I pumped it up right away, much to Moana's amusement, and practiced balancing on it. Pretty cool, that thing. Makes plank a heck of a lot more interesting, and push-ups on that thing are HARD. I've been standing on it with one leg and trying to balance... Moana is intrigued and actually stood on it by herself today too.

You know what I'd really like for my birthday? A new calf muscle. Mine is still bugging me. I thought it was ok. I ran 3 times last week on the treadmill at the gym. Gasp. I know. Who runs on a treadmill at the gym in Hawaii when it's 75 and sunny? People who are injured and are afraid of mid-run calf pain and don't want to have to walk home, that's who. So last week Monday I ran 20 minutes, no pain. Got off ahead of the game before I felt any pain because I'm smart like that. Waited 3 days. Back to the treadmill on Thursday for 30 minutes. No pain. Sweet. Wait 3 more days. Back to the treadmill on Sunday for 45 minutes. Ok, a little tight this time toward the end there but no acute pain so I think I've licked this thing. Take another day off running and then hit the road outside Tuesday morning and 1/2 mile into my run BAM. Calf pain.

I don't like to swear on my blog b/c my mom reads this, but this warrants a really loud F&*K.

So of course now I'm being all 'crazy injured woman'. I mean, seriously, it's been 5 weeks since that initial calf strain/tear injury. I've been able to run some here and there, but you could NOT call it 'training'. I think the original acute tear has healed but now it's adhesions or something like that. Clearly time to see a professional about this because it'll feel 100% walking around for a couple of days so I'll try running and then re-injure it so it hurts again. But not exactly in the same spot as the original injury. It moves around. Isn't that weird?

Anyway, my thoughts at this point range from A)Forget it. I'll just swim and bike this year since obviously I'll never be able to run again... to B)I need to go see an ART person and get this taken care of... I should not try to run again for several weeks and meanwhile I will focus on building strength and doing what I can... to C)Screw it. Give me some advil and I'll just harden up and run through this thing.

'C' is NOT an option because the pain I feel when it starts to hurt is excruciating. I'm tough, but this is not an injury to run through. So it's either A or B. I'm thinking I'll try 'B' and if that doesn't work, well then, 36 will be the year where I tear up a bunch of ocean swims and bike races.

23 comments:

jessica said...

well, happy b-day!

good luck with the calf. I'd vote to go get it worked on (after my year of failing to work out my leg kinks on my own).

Katie A. said...

Happy Birthday!!!
Hmmm, maybe I can do 36x100's for my speedwork tomorrow at the track...let me see what I can come up with!
Enjoy your day!!

Clare said...

happy birthday!! i'm in for A myself (minus the nice warm ocean swims) and i WILL LIKE IT, but i hope you can manage option B!!

Pining for Pinterest said...

Happy Birthday!!! I hope that your calf gets better soon! I would get it worked on if I were you :-)

X-Country2 said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Good luck with that damn leg. Doesn't it know it's your birthday?

Velma said...

Happy Birthday - 36 is great!

Get the calf looked at - better early - just to make sure.

Lizzie said...

Happy Birthday Michelle! Your post made me feel so much better about turning 34 shortly :) I know what you mean about the treadmill. I have been limiting myself in case my ankle gets all weird on me again - eeep! If it's any consolation my coach was all set to run NYC last year and had to pull out w/ 2 weeks to go b/c of a calf injury. Continuous massage and physical therapy and I'm pretty sure she's going to haul ass this year :) You will too!

Rebecca DeWire said...

I am so sorry to hear about your injury. That really, really sucks and I hope that it heals up soon. Happy Birthday and I hope that 36 is a good one!

Angela and David said...

Happy Birthday! Now get your 36 year old ass to a doctor and get an official diagnosis on your calf.

Jennifer Harrison said...

36 !!! Yes! Have a great birthday Michelle and you know my advice!!! SEE a DR and get this thing fixed. And no 'testing' it...get it taken care of so you can have the 2010 season you deserve!

Natalie D said...

A happy b'day! That is too cute about the workouts you made up for your athletes. Sorry about your calf, that would be a nice b'day present.

Running and living said...

Happy Bday! 36 is good, I should know since I am 1/2 way through it:)
I agree, see someone, even if just for reassurance and guidance. And I know you are joking about C. I have this rule with myself that I never take painkiller. I want to feel the pain so I can stop. Good luck! Injuries suck!!

cherelli said...

Happy Birthday Michelle! Sorry to hear about the calf. Pretty sure once you rest it properly/get ART and focus on bike/swim your body will get back up to running scratch quickly...but then you'll have an even faster bike and swim so you'll still kick butt!

GoBigGreen said...

Happy Birthday! The Bosu is really fun ( in a sick sort of way!) As for the calf....pay close attn to the riding. I know it sounds silly and sad :( but all that pulling up and pushing down while riding HARD isnt giving your calf a chance to really rest. I am not saying DONT ride, but take that into acct as you heal it. And keep that ice handy...i also find that deep tissue massage is more helpful than ART when it gets chronic, but that is just my experience.

Enjoy your 36 x 100!
Easy on the espresso, tho, try 3.6 shots not 36.LOL.

Beth said...

Hope you have a GREAT birthday Michelle!! And I really hope the calf gets to feeling better soon. Sounds like something that could really benefit from ART. Get some MD help and you'll get through it!!

RunningMama said...

Happy birthday! I vote for option B. Get that sucker worked out. Remember my quad issue last August/September...I tried to roll it out/deal with it on my own and BAM! two sessions of ART and I was running again!

Angela said...

Happy birthday Michelle! Hmm, I'll have to postpone the swim celebration until my optional swim day, but I will do it!

Take care of the calf.

SPGieck said...

First off, Happy Birthday, and even though it is just a number with no concrete need to celebrate, it is still a day that you should enjoy!
As for the calf injury, speaking as a physio, I would highly recommend getting treatment. Whether it is ART or acupuncture or IMS, treatment at this time would be best. Especially if you have a big year ahead of you:)

Kate Parker said...

Happy Birthday!

For what it is worth, 36 is my favorite number and I can't wait for it! Enjoy!

kerrie said...

happy happy day!! i ate 36 m&m's in your honor today! i hope that calf clears up for you soon...don't push it too hard now!

Kathy Nelson said...

Hey there!

Did you get my text? Did you receive my Fed Ex that I sent 2 weeks ago?

Just a little concerned since I have not heard from you.

Hope you had a wonderful birthday:)

Kathy

Regina said...

Happy Birthday!!! I love the bosu ball!! It rocks! (especially if you have bad balance; I know stupid joke).

I hope the ART works out for your calf.

You're Mom reads this? I'll have to curtail my potty mouth.

RunningMama said...

P.S. Can I add that it is so *cool* to know someone SLIGHTLY older and still kicking butt in races. I'm still struggling with being in my 30s and the end of youth...but seeing now that you can still have fun and be young in you 30s, 40s, and beyond in a way I never imagined. For me as a kid, life kind of ended in my vision after 30!