"You don't need to know where you are going to know you are heading in the right direction."I thought that seemed to fit well for this topic while I talk about recovering from ACL surgery and training for something that I have never done nor never thought that you could do.
A little under 4 weeks ago I was already signed up to do the Hotter'N Hell 100 mile ride out in Wichta Falls, TX. I was looking around on their website because I heard there were lots of other cycling events going on and I was wondering if I could do the mountain bike ride when the trail wasn't being used. Then I saw that they had lots of different categories available to accommodate someone like me that likes to mountain bike, but has never raced before. I then saw that they had a "Tripple Threat" award for those that did the mountain bike race Friday, 100 mile bike on Saturday, and a half marathon trail run on Sunday!
I had been easing back into running, progressing more slowly than originally to ensure my knee wouldn't get sore and so I could understand what I was capable of doing. So I figured why not start training, progressing slowly, and see if I could do it! I wasn't signing up, but was working towards seeing if I could do it. I talked to some different people and got some wonderful information on what I should do, and was given a condensed best of a 12 week half marathon training down to 4 weeks!
The training went really well, and my knee never was an issue. I have really enjoyed the long distance running (otherwise I wouldn't be doing it!). It has also felt good to have the running to keep my body in balance so I'm not just really strong for biking.
Even though I have only run 11 miles as my furthest so far, I feel confident I can do 13 miles and am looking forward to it. Plus it is going to be on an awesome mountain biking trail and with other people. So it's going to be fun!
I have really wanted to do things that I previously couldn't do with my knee. It's like I now have the freedom to do the things that I couldn't before, and I don't want to let that go to waste. Especially if it is doing something that I find out that I enjoy so much. I'm like a rebellious teen leaving home and having freedom at university!
As many know it's a lot of work to recover from an injury and to come back in good form. I recently heard an interview with Bart Yasso, a remarkable person. He has done many things as an athlete in his lifetime, but he has continued to run despite having lime disease, a remarkable feat. He made a comment that resonated with me. It was something along the lines of:
"When you are running it's not getting to the finish line, it's getting to the starting line that is what you should be proud of."
That's exactly how I feel. I have done all the work, feel prepared, strong, and ready. And on Sunday I will have got to the starting line.
Thanks to all of you who helped me figure out what I should do for my training, and for the encouragement, or laughing with me at my crazy ideas. :-)
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