February is always an uplifting month. The dreary days of January are over, the snow levels are typically quite favorable at Whistler and Cypress Mountain (where I have been known to traverse the high alpine or glide through the cross country) and the majority of our wet west coast days turn sunny. This February, elation meets entirely new dynamic motivation and excitement.
After my surgery on September 13th, 2011 to repair a fractured femoral neck, I went for my first run today. This a major breakthrough considering the snail pace progress over the last 5 months. It went something like...absolutely sedendary to slow movement to gentle yoga to even gentler swimming to indoor cycling to carefully planned strength exercises to monotonous minutes on the elliptical to finally...wait for it...February 8th, 2012 when I was gifted with the freedom of a slow jog outside. While the pace was pedestrian (10 minute / mile) it was a running motion nonetheless. It was outdoors in the fresh air with the birds, sunshine and ocean views.
For the past several months my sole focus has been to heal and recover from a broken hip and the trauma of surgery. Health is a precious gift. Freedom of movement should never be taken for granted. Being an athlete requires a number of essential ingredients of which health and movement are key ingredients. As my body continues to repair itself and embrace its new found freedom to move, my mind must also make subtle adjustments. As I said two posts ago, this adjustment has not been overwhelmingly difficult thanks to a teaspoon of openness and an ounce of willingness to accept, adapt and surrender to the process of healing from an injury and knowing that this too shall pass on its own time. Don’t get me wrong, I am far from self-actualized but I do consider myself coachable, teachable and trainable. I am always ready to absorb any sound guidance if coming from supportive and trusted sources. Thanks to a trusted source, my journey back to health felt positive, enriching and maybe even bordering on enlightening.
This “setback” now coined “opportunity” gave me a chance to reframe my vision as an avid and elite participant in competitive sport. More importantly, it underscored the importance of tuning in closely to any future signs of overcompensation whilst steering clear of all the wonky things we endurance athletes do to get a bit more speed. My injury (after the fact) was not optional and therefore can only be an “opportunity”. Funny how that works out nicely.
October through to December were very social months. With no early swims and late day runs to rest for, I opted to engage with friends (and Sunice logoed crutches) on the town. Since my body didn’t need to recover from a hard workout, I fueled with alcohol and delicious food. As movement became possible, the allure of the nightlife lost its luster but my attitude remained and still remains relaxed and playful. This attitude is one I plan to hang onto since it seems to be helping my swim times and bike wattage. If I feel energetic one day, I give my gusto. If I am exhausted when my alarm goes off at 5:00 a.m., I roll over. There is an associated sweetness with being true to your self and respecting your inner voice.
Jasper Blake continues to guide my training and coach my mind with openness and unconditional support. Together, we decided that I have a solid triathlon-racing season ahead in 2012. My bone has healed remarkably well thanks to rest, Vit D, Cal Magnesium, Udo’s Oil and a hefty dose of Greens. Judy Chambers of Dynamic By Nature reworked my nutrition plan to reduce the acidity in my body and consume a vast amount of bone building nutrients. Ivan Duben worked on my fascia and released all the nasty tension around my IT band, gluts and hip.
Since January, I have been easily found cycling with the pack along side Jamie Armstrong, Arimo Evans and their fantastically motivating clientele at Method Personal Training, swimming with the Vancouver Dolphins Masters Club at the Aquatic Center, gliding the trails at Whistler’s Olympic Nordic Centre or lifting weights with a solid squad of keener's at Steve Nash Fitness Club. And now, more and more, I’ll don my runners and jog along the Kitsilano beaches and through the oxygen plentiful trails of the UBC Endowment Lands. As the sun shines brighter and warmer, my Specialized bikes and I will start rolling over the West Vancouver hills, climb Cypress Mountain and maybe even hit the ever glorious Sea2Sky Highway leading us to Squamish and Whistler. Wherever I am these days, it is with a light heart and playful mind yet focused and purposeful effort. I never show up to win a workout. I show up to play the game, enjoy the sport and love the movement. I engage for the feeling of freedom and rawness associated with sports. I “train” because I have goals and because I chose to.
My Half Ironman Races as a professional triathlete include:
- Mont Tremblant 70.3, June 24th, 2012
- Muskoka 70.3, September 9th 2012
- Miami 70.3, October 28th, 2012
Many more races before, after and during.
2012 Has Arrived.
