I am a mess
Well, the title about sums it up.
- My Son's open heart surgery is in 9 days
- I am donating blood next week for the surgery
- I am supposedly participating in the Boston Marathon in 7 weeks
- I had a bad race in the beginning of January and injured my IT Band
- I have done barely any training in the last month and a half
- I have gained a bunch of weight from bad eating decisions and little training
- I have a plantar's wart that is so bad I can't even walk without pain (being treated by doctor)
- I have had a sinus infection for the past week and I am now finally on antibiotics
- I have very little motivation to train at this point
I guess I don't have a question. I am just freaking out.
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Comments
Take care of yourself so you can take of your family.
The nice thing is that you know what it takes once the skies clear for you. Do what you can to stay in maintenance mode.
Allow yourself to focus on what's important. Don't beat yourself up over this 'I'm outta shape with some nagging injuries and I won't be ready for Boston' thing.
I have a couple of similar situations going on but I'm not going to hijack this thread. I'll shoot you a PM.
good luck !
Weight, training, racing ... Put that in moth balls. A freak athlete like yourself will have little difficulty getting back in the game.
Priorities.
I find the "box" metaphor that we use while we race is a good one for life. You've got a lot going on - just throw everything that isn't critical outside. Do what you can to support your family and do the things that give you energy and lower your stress so that you can get everyone through this.
We will all keep supporting and praying for you and your family. Everything else will be here waiting when you're ready!
Take it one thing at a time and soon you will see you "mess" will begin to disappear. Fitness comes and goes and when ready, you will be top of the charts again.
On your injury, I'm sure you're getting physical therapy. The thing that I feel has kept me injury free is yoga. I do it every Monday morning or after a race to undo the damage. It might be a good way to aid your recovery and help find mental peace in this stressful time. I know yoga is some hippy shit but it works.
I have a bunch of sunk cost in the Boston trip so we will go. I want to run it if I can without any time goal. My knee is feeling ok at this point. The stupid wart is the thing giving me the most trouble.
Once that is all behind you BOSTON will be a good relief valve for you. Take it easy. Have fun. Soak it all in. Give lots of high fives. Get a kiss from a Wellesely girl. It's by far the most fun I've had at a marathon and was by far one of the worst finishing times I've ever had.
Peter,
After the first two on the list take care of the infection so you can be there for your son. Beyond that controlling the eating and weight gain and the rest of it will sort itself out.
I'm sure the motivation to train will return when things are back to normal. Here's some EN mojo for your son.
Gordon
Plantar wart: I've had several bouts. First was decades ago and had 1 nickle sized wart surgically removed from the center of my right heal. Not fun. Then about 10 years ago I started getting a few on each foot. Tried any/all OTC treatments which succeeded in making things worse. By that point there were dozens on each foot! Eventually I planned to have about 35+ removed but my new Podiatrist wanted to try a few oral remedies first. After failing the first trial, she had me start Tagamet (OTC antacid). Within 2 weeks there was a noticeable change. After a month all were nearly gone. At 2 months I couldn't find any trace! Have not had any since and I am so glad I didn't' go the surgery route. Ask your Dr and give it a try.
This is all just a game. Nothing matters except being there for your son and your family.
Period, full stop.
But please post some pics of Fat Bearded Peter, because that's just damn funny!!
This is me back in my homeless configuration along with this little weasel that decided to be born with heart defects!
First, I am sooo proud you!
Second, you are likely still faster than me. So, there is that.
And you, Peter, could throw on a pair of sunglasses and pass for the Iron Cowboy at the moment. Not that you'd want to. :-)
The surgery finally happened on the 24th and he did really well. We spent 4 days in the ICU and 1 day in the general heart ward. He was only on pain meds for 3 days. He is now back home crawling again and playing as if nothing happened. The surgeons and cardiologist say that the surgery was a great success.
My foot is also finally healed. I tried the tagamet that was suggested, but also kept going back to the Dr to debride the wart and apply sodium hydroxide to it. I also killed the bejesus of it using 40% salicilic acid. I am not sure what finally cured it, but I am glad it is gone.
I am still going to do Boston but will totally wing it. I did a 13 mile run a week ago. I am going to jog 18 miles this weekend and then show up and see what happens. I am really just going for the jacket. Thanks again everyone!