Tuesday, July 23, 2024 – Setbacks (Cheryl Whittam)

Hi Everyone!

Congrats to Pearce who ran the Rev n Run 5K on the weekend finishing first in his age group with a PB time of 16:36! And last week I’d missed that Miguel had completed his first ever triathlon – way to go Miguel! And Bob raced the TTF 10K (and I can’t find the results now, but I know it was a solid one!) Great job everyone.

This week we have a guest post by Cheryl Whittam (thank-you Cheryl!)

Setbacks

“Setbacks are just a setup for a comeback” ~ Shalane Flanagan.

Recently a very unexpected medical situation completely derailed my training for the Berlin Marathon.  What I thought was a simple stomach bug turned into complicated appendicitis, hospitalizing me for a week of IV antibiotic treatment, and now I am awaiting surgery.

Needless to say I am heartbroken as Berlin was a dream race for me.  As I am sitting on the sidelines waiting to get back to running, I am finding the following principles helpful in processing this unfortunate setback:

1. Patience:As runners, this can be a tough one.  I recently learned that before Shalane Flanagan won the 2017 NYC Marathon, she had a major injury that set back her training.  In an interview with Forbes magazine in September 2018, Shalane said that the injury gave her mind and body the rest she needed and fueled her to come back stronger.  I found this information very comforting as I am trying to cultivate my own patience during this time.

2. Persistence:  Building back endurance takes time and can be extremely frustrating. During this difficult time, I have been trying to remind myself to run (or walk right now) the mile I am in. Ryan Hall in his book Run the Mile You are In, talks about the fact that “when you give all you have to a goal or a pursuit, it’s normal to feel an overwhelming sense of disappointment when it does not happen.  But it’s important not to get stuck there.  In this moment of pain, you need to take a hard look at your life and change your goal to something within your control”.  As I await my surgery, I have changed my goal to going for a walk or getting on my Peloton bike each and every day.  This is helping me keep both my body and mind healthy and moving towards healing.

3. Perspective:Running is such a big part of my part of my life.  It brings me so much joy and it’s something I want to be able to do for a very long time.  However, I keep reminding myself that I only get one body and there will always be another marathon.  I also have two young boys, and want to stay healthy and well for them for as long as possible. In addition, recognizing that this setback is only temporary (and not catastrophic) has allowed me to maintain perspective on this situation.

On some days it is easier than others to remind myself of these principles.  I am still very disappointed that I won’t be able to run through the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on September 29, 2024.  However I thought I would share these principles in the hope that someone else might find these helpful no matter what type of setback (running or otherwise) they may be facing.  I look forward returning to running with the LES crew once I am cleared.  You are all my type of people :).

Long may you run,

Cheryl

Thank you Cheryl for finding some optimism and gratitude in a trying time and sharing it with the rest of us. I know many of us need reminding of this more than you’d think. Get well soon – we are here for you when you come back!

On to tomorrow’s workout! Lakeshore and Leslie: 6:05 Drills, 6:15 GO.

I am away, Brianna is away, Kerry is away and Tanis is away. So whoever can and wants to take charge and get everyone going – please do!

1. For those building strength and volume for longer distance stuff: 1 mile @ tempo, 2 min rest, 800m @ 10K, 1:30 rest (or jog to 600m mark), 600m @ 5K pace. 3 min rest. Repeat.

For those who are doing a later season Olympic distance tri  or still training for shorter distances with a bit more pep, the second set is 800-600-200.

2. If traveling and going by time: 6 min tempo, 2 min easy, 3 min @ 10K, 1:30 easy, 2 min @ 5K, 3 min easy – repeat. OR make the second set 3 min, 2 min, 30 sec.

That is all – have a great one and see y’all soon!

xo

Seanna