It’s been a crazy 4 weeks. I have been hit with everything I could handle in a short amount of time. The good news is that I am “down but not out.” For those of you that read my blog back at the end of March, you would know that I was feeling on top of this world 
I was having a series of great luck and success in all of my running and swim races and I was training better than I ever had. It was this fire and desire that made me realize how important my health and happiness meant to me. It is something that we all take for granted every now and then. Of course it is in the low moments that we realize how great we had it.
I was having a series of great luck and success in all of my running and swim races and I was training better than I ever had. It was this fire and desire that made me realize how important my health and happiness meant to me. It is something that we all take for granted every now and then. Of course it is in the low moments that we realize how great we had it.I have had a foot injury for a little over 4 weeks now which forced me to stop running and training on the bike the way I used to. I am one who loves to do it all and when something is out of whack, I get pretty hard on myself and frustrated. I know I need to work on this. So, what better timing to work on this and focus on my swimming, right? Of course. But 8 days after hurting my foot and organizing and coaching our 3 day Alcatraz Camp, I came down with a wicked case of bronchitis. I was trying as best as I could to stay positive and think that I would still be able to race WF. I still was going to race up until the night before the race when my fellow pro friends and coaches told me that it would not be wise with a hurt foot and still coughing up stuff. So, as you all know I opted to cheer everyone on and have fun! I was still smiling and letting go of my frustration by thinking that my foot and sickness would be all better soon.
A week after WF and I was again feeling so happy and alive while I was on my first run in 3 weeks. It was an absolutely amazing feeling to be running almost pain free. Since I didn’t want to overdo it, I waited another couple of days before I ran again since my foot was just a little sore. I ran just a couple of miles and felt a little pain. So again I backed off and waited a couple of days before I attempted another run. My 2nd and 3rd runs were all of 15-20 mins. So nothing spectacular but it sure was nice to get that feeling back.
A day after my 3rd run we were back in SF coaching our 3rd set of Alcatraz clinics. It is super fun and rewarding but also quite exhausting to be honest. We are doing all the sports with each participant and talking, giving lectures and answering questions all day for several days. This clinic was actually the most exhausting for me since I had to swim with the slower but gutsy swimmers and I ended up being in the bay for a lot longer than I ever have and I was just treading water and encouraging the swimmers to keep moving forward. They did awesome and were super happy. And I was frozen solid But that’s my job and I’m happy that I can help people accomplish their dreams of swimming across the bay. The next day I was toeing the line at a local triathlon with amazing athletes and great friends, including Macca, Lieto, Gina Kehr, Kelly Couch, and Kristin Hilger Iavarone.
But that’s my job and I’m happy that I can help people accomplish their dreams of swimming across the bay. The next day I was toeing the line at a local triathlon with amazing athletes and great friends, including Macca, Lieto, Gina Kehr, Kelly Couch, and Kristin Hilger Iavarone.I was racked next to Lieto and Macca and this was super fun. Macca asked me why I haven’t raced in quite a while. Ha! The last time we saw each other was a year ago at WF. He is an amazing guy and it was cool that he was racing at our local tri. Lieto’s kid Kaiden was helping me set my transition area up. He became a fan of mine (as Karis his mom says) after learning that I ride with his dad on Wed and race pro too ) So funny! At the swim start I lined up right next to Lieto and Macca was 2 people over to my right. It was such a fun and relaxed swim start with Belle swimming in the water a couple of feet away from us. She finally got out with 3 mins to go, everyone LOVED her I told Lieto not to kick me and told Macca that I was going to try to stay with him. He said “sure mate, let’s go.” And then the gun went off and we were on our way. It was pretty mellow and I only had one person hitting my legs over and over for the first 20 strokes, but then it was smooth and comfortable. I think I got too comfortable by just sitting in and drafting. I was feeling just ok so I thought I should just hang there. It was a just ok swim, I came out tied for 2nd with Kelly Couch, and Gina was just a couple seconds in front of us. My time was over 30 seconds faster than last year. For a 3/4 mile swim my time was 16:28. I headed up to my rack and Gina was about to run out. So I stripped my wetsuit off super quick and was off on the bike in 2nd.
) So funny! At the swim start I lined up right next to Lieto and Macca was 2 people over to my right. It was such a fun and relaxed swim start with Belle swimming in the water a couple of feet away from us. She finally got out with 3 mins to go, everyone LOVED her I told Lieto not to kick me and told Macca that I was going to try to stay with him. He said “sure mate, let’s go.” And then the gun went off and we were on our way. It was pretty mellow and I only had one person hitting my legs over and over for the first 20 strokes, but then it was smooth and comfortable. I think I got too comfortable by just sitting in and drafting. I was feeling just ok so I thought I should just hang there. It was a just ok swim, I came out tied for 2nd with Kelly Couch, and Gina was just a couple seconds in front of us. My time was over 30 seconds faster than last year. For a 3/4 mile swim my time was 16:28. I headed up to my rack and Gina was about to run out. So I stripped my wetsuit off super quick and was off on the bike in 2nd.Here is where everything leading up to the race decided to show itself. I was fatigued. There is nothing else I can say except that my legs were wobbly and I felt weak. It was such a bummer, but I knew deep down that I had not rested, I have been super stressed, and sick. So what could I ask for? My body was not responding as much as I tried so hard to go fast, I just couldn’t. I kept thinking about all the great rides I have had, but it was a no go. I got passed by the 3rd and 4th place pro women and I just didn’t have it and mentally gave up a bit. I stayed with it and kept trying but my legs would not respond. So, I just did what I could and when I came into T2 I saw Reid and Belle and I told them I was pretty dissappointed by the look on my face. I wanted to call it a day since I knew I hadn’t run in several weeks other than a total of 45 mins. So it would have been really hard to make up what I thought was 4 mins. Now looking back, I shouldn’t have given up, 3rd place was only 2 mins up. But I gave up enough to not have a chance to catch her. UGH, what a mistake. I really need to work on my mental game and not letting this injury bring me down this much. It really is not worth it and I know better. I ended up in 5th place with a slower time than last year on the bike for sure. Faster on the swim and about the same on the run. I let 4th place go too, but having a “pity party” with myself attitude. This REALLY isn’t me!! I really knew something was wrong. I was just feeling awful. Literally 20 mins after the race I started having this weird flashing in both eyes. I couldn’t see more than a couple of feet in front of me. It was scary. I knew a migraine was now coming on. We rushed to get out of the race area and into the car where a full blown migraine took over. I was in SO MUCH PAIN!!! I have never had a migraine this bad ever. I had to throw up several times, I thought my head was going to explode and my eyes were going to pop out. That is how much pressure I was feeling in my head. It was unbelievable. I kept telling Reid I was going to die. Seriously the worst feeling ever. I am just getting my vision back today and my headache has subsided a bit. If I bend over or lean down to pick something up, I still get an awful pressure filled pain. I’m hoping it will go away very soon…
Lessons learned: RECOVERY IS VITAL. Stay POSITIVE throughout 100% of ALL races, ENJOY being HEALTHY, DO NOT taking anything for granted!!
20 Comment(s)
D said:
Ugh. So frustrating to be frustrated, isn’t it? I totally 100% know how you are feeling and where you are coming from right now. I don’t think I could be much more in the same place. I have lost so much strength and power in my legs that 30 minute runs are a struggle right now.
Chin up, girl. I think we both take everything too seriously and need to remember that this should be fun. Everything should be fun, or what’s the point?
Life. We has it.
Beth said:
Hope that your migraine is gone Eileen!! I can’t even begin to imagine that type of pain…
Also wanted to say great job in your race. I definitely know how a running injury or any injury for that matter can mess with your head and keep you from feeling strong and confident in your fitness. So that you hung in there and finished it up really says a lot! I know you feel like you gave in a little but that’s you being hard on yourself!!
Regardless – I hope you are feeling better soon and keep that chin up!
ADC said:
It’s great that you’ve learned valuable lessons – that is the most important thing. So onwards and upwards – I am sure you will have some great races just around the corner.
ShirleyPerly said:
Well, I think you did very well considering all that you’ve been through lately. I had a longstanding hamstring injury that messed with my mind for over 6 months and just started feeling like I can trust it again. Keep up the positive thinking and hope the migraine is better now.
alfie said:
The mind is a powerful thing, and those positive thoughts will take you to where you want to be!!
Stay Positive!!
-alfie
Damie said:
I will think of you this weekend when I tackle the run out of T2- even though I went 60 days of no running. I enjoy the lessons learned from you:) xxx and ooo and to a healthy recovery for you- asap!
Kiet said:
Hey sorry, I didn’t give you any words of encouragement when I went by you. I was running scared as Tim Naylor was chasing me down. Still, no excuse to not at least utter “good job”, next time!
Lisa G said:
Hang in there, girl! That is so crazy that you got such a horrible migraine right after the race. Good call on the RECOVERY – with the migraine/bronchitis/foot injury, your body is definitely telling you it needs this and to slow down!
It is really tough trying to fit it all in but the most important thing is to take care of you! Here’s to a speedy recovery!
MJ said:
Hope you are feeling better – sounds like some rest is in order. Try to enjoy the time off – you’ll be running again soon I’m sure.
Cheers,
SBS said:
Your swim and run splits were better than most. Even without running for almost a month you were still FASTER than most of those girls. Congrats. You were probably just tired on the bike and that happens to even the best. You are GREAT!!
Missy said:
A migraine can take you OUT and if you’ve never had a ‘real one’ you got no idea. Hope you got some good meds for it. They are killer. You DO feel like you’re going to die.
Chloe said:
It’s so hard to let your body recover – when mentally you feel like your ready to go. But Migranes ARE KILLER! UGH. Bed. Dark. Sleep. That is all I can do when they hit!!
Meredith said:
Oh, how i COMPLETELY feel your frustrations, as I too have been out with injuries from running, and combined frustrations with performance…there IS a light at the end of the tunnel, but you can’t quite see it, right?!? I don’t wish a migraine on my worst enemy, I hope you are better…keep your head up, you sound like such an awesomely positive and hardcore chick!! You’ll be back at it before you know it, and perhaps that extended break will do you good long term…. Keep doing what you CAN do!!
Haley Cooper said:
Yikes! I’m sorry to hear that you’re in such rough shape. Try to not be so hard on yourself. You know how much you’ve improved, you just haven’t given yourself the optimal opportunity to showcase it on race day. Don’t worry, it will happen
Jon Gilchrist said:
Keep your head up ES….you’re a solid triathlete and a great competitor and a wonderful inspiration. make sure you keep it fun and enjoyable…head up, back straight, wlak tall and be proud. You are a phenomenal person…remember that!
Bruce Stewart (ブルース・スチュワート) said:
I remember all too well one of your friends (in your blog list) went through hell with migraines last year and seemed to lose all hope. Fortunately, she is a lot better. I guess you really need to have the right balance in life (e.g., between coaching, training, racing, etc.) I am always amazed how my swim coach is always at her best when it comes to races (which she does at world record pace), even though she does a lot of traveling and coaching as well. There must be a secret to it. I myself still tend to get a little stressed out by working too much and not having enough time to relax or to swim, etc. It is a lifelong challenge. Anyway, hope you are better soon.
Benson said:
Oh dang it all.
Sorry you had to go through that awful migraine. Maybe that’s the last of all the bad crap and you’re now on the upswing.
Best wishes and good vibes going out to you.
Amber Dawn said:
Sending healing thoughts and positive vibes!
Marni said:
What a great post! Sorry about the downs you have gone through lately. After I was injured for 4months of no running, 2 years ago, I have taken every workout (and day) seriously and I am so thankful for every pain-free workout. You are right, you can’t take anything for granted when it comes to your health! Get well soon!!
-marn
Jennifer Cunnane said:
Your post meant a lot to me – I am just a typical age grouper, yet have found this year to be SO challenging with my brother’s death (away from my kids 5 weeks taking care of him), a torn adductor – 9 weeks and counting no running and stress!! Unbelievable to know that tough people like you even fight the mental game and have to self talk to work through difficult spots. You will get better soon – keep up the great attitude!