New Day, New Attitude. Time to Focus!!

Pain be damned.  No more whining.  It is time to focus on the race.

The DC Tri (Sprint) has a few nuances which will make the event unique, challenging, and hopefully more enjoyable.  First, the distances:  800K swim, 20K bike, and 7.5K run.  While the bike and swim distances are pretty standard, the run is long.  Most sprints are 5K.  Shorter runs are generally preferred by us Clydesdales (Note:  I am racing AG and am within a couple of pounds of no longer qualifying for Clydesdale).  However, given the setting and the fact that I’m signed up for a 1/2 marathon later this year, I’m looking forward to this.

Second is the sheer magnitude of the event.  According to the DC Tri site, participants will include “more than 3000 triathletes from 433 cities, 43 states and 11 countries”.  This is huge!  For perspective, most local Triathlons draw about 300 people.  I can’t wait to see how big the transition area is going to be!  I am very thankful for an assigned space.

Third is the location.  Need I say more?

Moving to the event itself, the swim start will be unique.  While there are swim waves (I’m in wave 15), each wave will line up in the coral with 8 swimmers jumping in about every 10 seconds.  Time starts as soon as the swimmer crosses the start mat immediately prior to jumping in…No Diving.  I may have to practice a jump start!

I’m really looking forward to the bike!  The route looks awesome.  Even with 3 U-Turns and a few tight turns, it should be a very fast event.

Finally, the run.  There are 6 U-turns and every person I’ve spoken to has forewarned me that although you think DC is flat, there are some killer hills around Capitol Hill.  Hello, it is called “The Hill” for a reason!   I’ve also been told that you see the Finish a couple of times before you actually get there which can be a bit deflating.  I appreciate the warning as forewarned is forearmed (and I take it seriously, especially since my wife won her AG at this event last year).

I’ll be out there in a white Rudy Aero helmet (yes, I’ve decided to wear it) on my blue Felt as seen above in the header and wearing a Team TPR kit.

Courtesy of a 6 year-old Photographer - But you get the idea!

If you are not participating, come out and cheer on all the participants!  It will be a fun day!

The Worrying Begins

My shoulder still hurts.  I’ve been trying to rest and recover after getting massage therapy (deep tissue and trigger point release) on Tuesday, but I’m having limited success.  I played wiffleball with my sons last night and the result was more pain than ever in my shoulder.

I am now getting worried about Sunday’s DC Tri.  I’ll get through the race, but I’m worried about causing damage.  I guess it is time to call the real doctor and get a diagnosis.  I saw a chiropractor last week who I had not previously seen.  His approach was different from the last practice I visited (he was more “old school”).  Although I’ve given chiropractics multiple chances with multiple doctors, I’ve had minimal positive outcomes.  So, while it may help others, it hasn’t significantly helped me.

So I’ve now set up an appointment with a very highly regarded orthopedic surgeon who is a shoulder specialist.  I’m hoping for the best, but first, I’ve got to get through Sunday.

Injured or Hurting?

What is the difference between “injured” and “hurting”?

“Hurting” usually is the experience of stress, discomfort, or pain that often happens when we push our bodies beyond our comfort zones.  You get better from hurting through proper recovery which likely includes nutrition, hydration,  light exercise, chiropractics, stretching, massage, acupuncture, rest, ice, compression and elevation.

In contrast, while pain is often associated with being “injured”, injuries often last longer and require more formal diagnostics such as medical exams, X-rays, and MRIs along with treatments such as physical therapy (ongoing), chiropractics, or surgery.  Getting better from an injury may also include the “hurting” recovery mentioned above.  You usually don’t compete while injured.

So is there a clear delineation between the two:  NO!  That is what is so frustrating.

For the past week I have had pain and stiffness in my neck and shoulders, especially my right shoulder.  I assumed that I was hurting and tried several of the recovery methods mentioned above.  However, with less than a week until the DC Tri, I’m still hurting.  Am I really injured?  I don’t know…maybe.

In my past, I have had baseball induced rotator cuff problems and received a couple of cortisone injections.  I also have 3 herniated discs in my neck that cause numbness, tingling and discomfort at times, primarily in my left arm.  But I don’t want to believe either of these to be the case because then I’d be injured.  Injured athletes don’t compete and I plan on competing Sunday.

Maybe I’ll go to the doctor next week.  Meantime, PT tomorrow.

DC Sprint on the Horizon

I’m glad I looked at the course map yesterday for the DC Triathlon.  I didn’t realize that this Sprint had a 6.7K run instead of a 5K run.  Then my wife, who won her AG last year in this race, posts on FB that there is a killer hill near the end.

This morning a friend asked what the water temp is for the Potomac (as in, will it be wetsuit legal) so I looked at the FB page and someone pointed out that the latest downloadable course map indicates it is a 7.5K run.  Which is right?

This race is certainly on my mind as I woke up at 3:30 last night thinking about swimming in the Potomac.  BTW, if the current DC heat wave continues (95 today) there is no way it will be wetsuit legal.  Here is hoping for a cold spell!