“When you’re up [You’re UP!]. When you’re down [You’re
DOWN!]. When you’re up against Cornell track: [You’re UPSIDE-DOWN!] head track
coach Nathan Taylor would lead the entire team is this chant during our most
fiercely competitive meet: The Heps (Ivy League Conference Championships).
Despite striking fear in the hearts of our opponents and sounding somewhat
corny to their fans, the obvious point of the cheer tended to put things in
[somewhat of a] perspective.
Almost every runner I know has experienced the rollercoaster
ride of having a great season or year of races followed by some really bad
ones. I’ve always told myself
“Distance Running is a fickle sport” and that sometimes-hard work and dedication
don’t pay dividends right away. In my book “Running For The Hansons” I
personify Distance Running and joke about our rocky relationship – a
relationship that breaks and mends hearts. Injuries, illness, and overtraining are often the culprits
leading to major running disappointments. At times I’ve been so frustrated I
wanted to quit: One time I went a whole year without running a single personal
best- at other times I’ve been so anemic and/or mysteriously over trained that
I’ve regressed with progressively slower times. Whole seasons have turned sour
and championship races and major marathons have become haunted memories of when
I “choked” or failed to run up to my potential.
But then I always remember all the things that running has
given me: the camaraderie of being on a team (from high school cross country
and college track to post-collegiate running at Hansons), meeting a bunch of
cool people, and being able to travel to different races across the
country/world). I’ve had great years where I ran personal bests in every event
from the 800m to the marathon. The fitness gains, the amazing sensation of the
legs and lungs working in harmony at the physical capacities that the body was
designed for have been satisfying to say the least. Winning conference titles, qualifying
for NCAAs and competing in two Olympic trials have been highlights in my
running, but such performances are kind of just means to an end.
[Running a lot also means I eat a lot of pizza! Here is the first homemade pizza I've made where I actually had to knead the dough by hand...I had no idea what I was doing but it turned out okay]
After the initial high of finishing my first ultra marathon
at the Chuckanut 50k last month I’ve been having a bit of a rough patch. Nothing that I can’t overcome in the
near future, but enough to be considered a “set-back.” Because of my knee
injury I had to take a forced 3-week break. I know that doesn’t sound like a lot - but
when you are used to training 50 weeks out of the year it grinds on your psyche.
Coming back has been hard as I’ve experienced pain in my plantar fascia, various
ankle tendons, and now my SI joint…all on my left (injured side) My theory is
that in my weakened state of limping around for 3 weeks I failed to put enough
weight on my left side and thus lost some structural integrity. There’s always
a chain reaction of events going on when it comes to mechanics and the spread
of injuries/pain. Now, back training at close to 90 miles a week, I am paying
for my loss of strength with some pain. I’ve brought out the golf balls and
tennis balls and grinded these sore areas down; I’ve popped pain pills (ibuprofen)
and applied ice. I’ve started doing hurdle drills:
["Hurdle Drills": yes, I am aware that my shoes don't match - I'm not partial to any particular brand at the moment. Also, those headphones may or may not be from a '90s sony walkman...]
Slowly my
strength, mobility, (and fitness) seem to be coming back but it is not without a
struggle. I’ve been doing the majority of my miles uphill to stress cardio and
reduce impact forces. Usually I wouldn’t be in such a rush to get back into
shape but without any sponsorship support (and with prize money on the line) I
need to bust out some good performances and prove my worth.
The continual challenge for self-improvement and self-discovery
are always there and that’s why I like to embrace running as a lifestyle. Overcoming the lows and progressing
through any adversity in life are what help define character. Running has
helped me see this perspective as it has become fused into my identity. I feel
very fortunate to have such a supportive network of family, friends, teammates,
previous sponsors, and other runners who have allowed me to pursue what I am
passionate about. Such good fortune has made it easier for me to appreciate and
actually see that my whole life, and my entire running career, has always,
overall, been on the “up.”
["Cross Training" after a 2hr long run in the woods. Don't need no gym]
Hope everyone is having a great spring and enjoying some sun. Best of luck with your training and racing.
-Sage
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