2010 Season
Well, back at it ! After a few weeks of no training, following Ironman Hawaii and a diet that reminded me of Monday nights in college watching football, the 2010 season is underway. After a great 2009 season, in which I met the criteria set by the USAT for my professional license, I have decided to enter the professional field.
My season plan is a bit different than in years past. I have raced Ironman Lake Placid three times -- 2006 (my 1st IM), 2007 and 2009 -- but this year it will be part of a back-up plan. My goal race will be Ironman St. George, Utah: May 1, 2010, with hopes of finishing well enough to get a slot for Hawaii as a pro. This will not be an easy task -- not that it ever was as an amateur either -- but now it will be even more of a challenge.
My season started earlier than normal, as Ironman St. George is about three months earlier than Ironman Lake Placid. So, mid-November '09, I was back at it! My injury has come around well. After a few weeks off following Hawaii, I began pool running again and eventually worked my way out of the water and on to the treadmill. Under Coach Jesse's advice (http://www.qt2sytems.com/), I started my runs in the pool with the bulk of time in the water and then finished on the treadmill, eventually moving out of the water completely. This was done very cautiously, with the first several runs being done at a snail's pace. I had no problem following these orders, set by Dr. Mike Santipadri (http://www.bostonbodyworkers.com/) and coach Jesse, as I was willing to do anything to be able to run again.
This injury began back in early September '09, about 5 weeks before Ironman Hawaii, and completely stopped my running. To this day and for the rest of my life, I will never really understand how I managed the run at Ironman Hawaii, October 2009 ( see race report), as just a few days before the race, I couldn't run a mile without severe pain. Anyway, following Hawaii, my condition was a real mess; but I had time to rest and time to seek out the people who could help me -- so I did! It wasn't easy. It was time consuming, costly and, at times, just really frustrating. But it all worked out, and by late December, I was running -- not fast, but running! I will never, ever, forget the day I walked out my front door, started a jog, reached mile one and really thought I had to be the happiest dude alive. It was amazing! This day came almost 10 weeks after Hawaii and almost 4 months from when it all started -- a long haul!
At this point, about 9 weeks in and about one month after my first run, things are going well. My fitness is coming back, and my Monday night football pounds are disappearing. Last weekend, I ran a 10K over in Danvers MA -- coach Jesse had me running around a 5:55-6:00 pace. I managed, and it felt great. This was a huge milestone, as I was a bit nervous about pushing that sort of pace, fearing it would irritate the old injury. So, from here it's a few weeks build, a little rest week and then a build for Oceanside 70.3 -- March 27. But first, a trip over to Boston for the Boston Triathlon Team indoor bike time trial (Feb 21), and then a trip out to the Cape for the Hyannis Half Marathon (Feb 28).
I plan on putting together a post with a more detailed description of my injury and my recovery process, so stay tuned and thanks a lot for checking in and reading. For me to reach this level of racing is like a dream, and I am so grateful to so many people in my everyday life and for all of those who helped me through the very difficult period of being injured. THANK YOU all so much!
