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Running: Is It Time To Write A New Story, A Pivot
TRAINING AGE. If you started running competitively at 25 or 30 as opposed to 12 or 14, then your training age is much younger: My Competitive age is 31 years.
I remember deciding to "pivot" 4 years ago. I ran trails, biked wild canyons, and ran up peaks and into valleys- taking my time and connecting with the earth. But then, out of nowhere- she came calling- the beast inside of every athlete was calling: "You can run faster" she says. "Those shoes are still in the garage - you know the fast ones you never got a chance to drive". "Let's just see..."
And I was BACK AGAIN- running fast, feeling fast, and really the only thing that would stop me from dreaming again would be- well- my training age. It just wasn't the same. And so, upon suggestion from my mama a couple years ago, I began scouring for stories of other athletes like me who have re-written their stories because, well, I need to hear it from people who understand me - like really. And knowing that re-writing yields NEW this really means a challenge- just with different methods and better results- including enhancing my physical and mental strength and health.
Very Wordy Hip Surgery Story
Please, Please, Please do not take my story as an excuse that running is an unhealthy activity.
Running is hard.
Running has many facets: intensity, purpose, training age, proper progression, and well-it feels good once you adapt to the work.
Running makes you sore - AT FIRST - until you progress appropriately (contact me if you need a return to running program or a first time runner program).
Running is THE hands down best full body workout.
Running enhances cardio fitness, produces stronger bones, enhances well-being and social health. Want to get rid of that extra weight? Running.
I hate to hear (that for the general population) that running is bad for your knees, hips, joints, or overall health.
That idea is completely misguided.
Although I understand there are circumstances that keep some people from the sport - of course.
But for the general public, running has been shown to add years to human lives through its cardiovascular benefits, tendon and tissue tensile and strength, bone density and strength, all apsects of health, even greatly increasing mental and emotional health, and the best:
The community and the social benefits: The amount of dear friends I have as a result of running events and training is incredible - real friends! The kind you never forget. You share these moments that are REAL. AND, you can literally go to any town or city and find a friendly race or group of runners to add to your community.
Runners tend to be pretty kind, open, goal-oriented individuals who know how to see the bright side, even when their world is crashing down- in whatever way you can define that overstatement (or under) at any given time of your life.
I have always said, there is a difference between running and training: both are tough, but training is sometimes walking a line.
And, although we like to “think” athletics are strictly healthy, as a culture, we are taught and trained to ENDURE.
To seek out the edge to further a specific adaptation that will translate to our given sport.
We are told to show up, to push, and even to deal with the “right” kind of pain and suffer.
And there is truth to that.
As an athlete, you know your body better than anyone. But your body and mind start to mesh into one. Even when you are being honest with yourself, it is difficult at times to really know the difference between bad pain that requires you to take a break from training or good pain that is suffering that strategically we must learn to deal with if we are to seek higher levels of athletic performance.
It can get risky: concussions, tears, breaks, sprains, adequate energy availability- it's all part of it-I'm literally watching an HBO documentary while typing this and hearing: bring it on baby; embrace the pain, embrace the suck. IRONY-ha!
But sometimes, it sneaks up on you.
You are in a great training flow and bam- something goes awry.
Like my 2020 experience- I’m in 2:30 marathon shape the week before the Olympic Trials and injured a tendon on the top of my ankle-
This happened after 16-20 weeks of training hard at 4 am before reporting to my teaching job as a P.E teacher for 9 hours and then after that I got to take care of my sweet little family. And, I was happy to do it; I loved it - the runs charged my day with inspiration and even more energy- I was mentally sharper and just a better teacher and overall human! That schedule is just a little glimpse into the focus and structure an athlete can have who is serious about finding out her potential- her limits- her glory.
I digress- lol
So you feel a pain.... and you do all the things you're “supposed to do” ....and find out - the injury you think is an injury is not serious....
You find out that it's just some tissue dysfunction and that can be fixed with an amazing Chiro like Tross Chiro’s Dr. Hendrix and Dr. Conrad in Missouri. Maybe they use ART or dry needling or that amazing hot laser tool that literally takes pain away - and miracle: You have gotten over that hurdle- phew- ok when is the next tempo run scheduled!
And then other times, you’re told - this one might need an MRI. EWWW, I don't have time or money for that - are you sure we cant just see what happens- hands over face.
And so, you go, and you find something but its in an area that compresses so the bone will heal or the tear will heal just fine with proper treatment- you can be healthy in 4-6 weeks and you're right back at it without skipping a beat.
In the meantime, instead of enduring hard workouts on Wednesday and Saturdays, you endure the occasional, very long stare and even sometimes: “What did you do to yourself?”
Ugg the amount of times someone has said this too me. So many times I wanted to be a smart ass and say: oh I won lots of marathons, went to the trials more than once, have many records spanning 20 plus years, ran up and down lots of mountains, and ok ok im making myself sick - hahah but you get my point. I trained. I ran hard. And sometimes, things didn't work out - and everyone notices when your'e hobbling around on crutches.
From strangers or people who you really don’t know at all- maybe in stores or at work, or even your kiddos school wonder and you know, Im grateful I am seen in first place. I do understand it. even if its getting old-lol
The funny thing is that usually this type of question comes from curious people and often from those who also adorn you with praise after you win a race, break another record, or make it to the top of Pikes Peak mountain before any other female on a hot summer day.
I'm emotionally intelligent enough now to take these comments with a smirk and absolutely no defense.
If winning were easy, everyone would attempt to do it. It's not easy. Even for the best athletes in the world.
But, I'm used to this response. I used to feel such shame over my injuries, like what’s wrong with me, what did I do wrong, why do I push so hard, why can't I just do half the work and be ok?
Lol and this is where I know I am different from the general population.
But I still must exist amongst - lol and well I like that.
Geez if all were like me, uh, not good.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my type. If you can't wait to run your next 20 miler on Saturday or get anxious and excited about smashing your next tempo run or strength session in the gym, then you understand me. If not - well thank you too. xoxo
I digress - Again -
I'd like for you to imagine telling Micheal Phelps, Simone Biles, Patrick Mahones, Serena Williams or Micheal Jordan to rejoin their competitive sports and fields and train JUST HALF WAY. Just dont go so hard ok.
Bahahahaha.
Listen, I'm not trying to say I'm on the aforementioned level of these athletes, BUT an athlete is an athlete. Hard is Hard. Dedication is dedication. Progression takes hard training in the correct doses. Even when you dial in just right - well- s***happens.
What is an athlete? An athlete takes healthy risks and sometimes oversteps their recovery on any given day, week, especially if said athlete has other lifestyle commitments and responsibilities.
Sometimes, even the smartest athletes make mistakes, not so much in training too hard, but under recovering.
Under Recovering does not always mean rest.
It does mean BALANCE.
The elusive BALANCE that comes with a long distance runner's career as we start and progress to peaking to maintain.
It's such a dichotomous way of thinking: Run really long, run really fast, run really slow, run the hills, lift the weights, and BALANCE all that this week with relaxation.
So, once again, I am in a situation where I am smashing my training toward my LAST Olympic Marathon Trials goal with my race qualifier race in just 6 weeks.
- YET- Being the lively soul that I am,
I decided to take a trip to train in Boulder due to a rare opportunity, then follow that up with a concert on my feet early the next week and then a trip to Chi Town with the family to a musical festival that required 14 hours of walking and standing - sometimes in a very small space where I was posting myself up to protect my kid from a big crowd. ANNNNNNDDD, this is when the ache began.
My hip started talking to me: that's weird I think…I didn't feel during my 22 miller the previous week or in my 14 miler just that morning - nothing - I felt freakishly strong. All that prehab work ive been doing - my trunk, core, and stabilization have never been more solid!
But here I am-
post travel, post concert, post travel #2, post another concert - lots of amazing Emerge clients sprinkled all around there (man I love my job)-
AND now I'm with a deep ache in my left hip.
And as the day progressed and the crowd started moshing at the festival - - - - so did the ache in my left side and within hours turning into hardly being able to walk without severe pain.
Maybe I did take my focus off the most important thing: Balance.
I know it better than anyone- but sometimes- well- life and other people around you are more important than your training.
ADVICE: The fact still is, if you want to travel, have fun, and go to concerts, you will likely have to pull back your training so the output/input of training in recovery stays in balance during these times. This is never an easy thing to confront for an athlete in the middle of a training cycle.
And these “reprieves” in training as life presents adventures at times are important, especially if you are NOT a full time professional athlete.
Athletes should have a life. You should go to Six Flags, on family vacations, and to dances and shows with your friends and family. You just need to train accordingly around these things - or wait until after a big goal race.
And at the end of the day, I finally have zero shame. I didn't do this to myself. I always tried my best to make good decisions, but sometimes the athletes mindset bleeds into those decisions.
This mindset gave me some of my best times and memories in my life: several marathon course records, a top three finish at Pikes Peak, multiple Olympic Trials qualifiers, and the 8th fastest ever run 50 mile trail by a female in the U.S., several U.S half marathon championship races, and many more.
I am NOT ashamed of any of that! I'm freaking PROUD!
I did those incredible running events because I learned, practiced, studied, read, practiced every mental strength technique I could.
I learned what suffering is and how to deal with it when it comes to training and racing. I know how to endure- Thanks to Alex Huchinson, Coach Webster, Lauren Fleshman, Kara Goucher, Des Davilla, Coach Vigil and the great Deena Kastor.
I know what it feels like and how to push through it and actually feel stronger!
So, when life gets hectic, I am also very good at looking for the beautiful and being grateful, although I have not had to deal with trauma and tragedy on the level of so many others around me. What a cool perspective to learn through the practice of running fast.
Having an athlete's mindset AND staying in Balance is a challenge in itself - one that sometimes I nail and get great results and others I fall short - I can tell you I have achieved more great results than failures though.
Especially as we experience all the moments of our lives and careers.
For instance the age of 12, 16, 20, 30, 41, 50, 60, 70 are all different experiences with the same topic.
Another consideration is your TRAINING AGE. If you started running competitively at 25 or 30 as opposed to 12 or 14, then your training age is much younger. You may have more time to progress and learn to run faster! This is why people don't like to hear - I'm getting old - its not that - its the amount of time you have been pushing. Thats a fact! There is always a way though - keep reading.
Those of us who have been competitive since the 5th grade should not be compared to those who come to running later in their adult careers!!! Do not misconstrue who YOU ARE and where YOU ARE. You just cant compare in this sport - there are so many variables with lifestyle that dictate what we can and cannot handle at any point.
As we “TRAINING” age, we may have to make a pivot. We don't have to stop and we don't have to struggle. Im finally ready to stop struggling.
If you are like me and keep knocking on a door that you have already opened MANY times and yes had a blast but now that door keeps getting slammed in your face, it's time for us to create a new story.
This is what Joan Benoit Samuelson did when she retired from her professional running career, yet still wanting so much from her sport - and intended to be a part of her sport for the rest of her life! She went on to run a sub 3 hour marathon at 62 - and you can bet her training looked different. This is amazing- do you think she was upset at this result when she previously won the very first women's Olympic GOLD GOLD in '84!
Your story could look like the retired Shalane Flanagan who decided she would run sub 3 hours in all the majors within a short time span (that's fast but again put it in perspective, she is a sub 2:20 marathoner and former NYC Marathon champion and Olympic Medalist. So she is still running road marathons, just challenging her body in a different way that serves her “training Age” much better. Her goal, like Joans is to have running in her life forever. She is also a coach.
Deena Kastor retired after winning an olympic medal in the marathon and dominating everything from the track 5k to the road half marathon for years. She came back with a new story for a hot minute: She wanted to break the masters (40+) half marathon record- which she did. And now she runs for the love of it. I haven't heard of any racing as of late.
Kara Goucher retired after several olympics and as one of the most celebrated Nike distance runner athletes. She created the story to take her racing and running to the trails and even more attention as a track and field and road racing commentator for major networks and she is awesome at it since she actually understands the sport and what the athletes are actually experiencing during the races she broadcasts - she's awesome!
Laura Fleshman retired from fast 5k running. Also an olympian amongst so many other titles in and around the running community - inspiring and delivering such good to our world and sport. She rewrote her story by running some marathons! She gave up the fast fast stuff on the track for a slower grind and this was her pivot! She now coaches and runs for fun.
Ryan Hall retired as one of the fastest marathoners and half marathoners in the country along with several Olympic appearances. He rewrote his story by coaching his amazingly fast and strong wife Sarah and for himself began venturing into strength training- and he looks awesome! Ha! My husband will tell you, I get giddy when I get to speak with him and his wife at any mutual races we have attended over my professional running career like olympic trials or us championship races. They are such an inspiring couple.
Ok, I could go on and on with the above stories, and not just from the running world.
We could take any retired athlete. At some point, we have to take that athletic mentality and re-write into something that serves us and the people we inspire.
The Suck
I found out yesterday that I have to have hip surgery.
I have gone 3 weeks without any activity, which is pretty hard for someone as active as myself.
Yet, I am at complete peace. I feel happy.
I feel for the first time that IT IS THE right time to Re-write my story. To stop knocking on a door I have entered and partied it up inside! Ha! It was so fun and so great in that room of training and racing fast as hell road marathons and halves, but now my stubborn ass needs to open some new one. I have done it before, but I just wasn't ready to fully commit yet.
And now, I can honestly say that I am ready.
I am ready to move from athlete to coach.
Full time coach and trainer.
Of course, I will always be an athlete.
But, with a different story.
With my brother Matt Pirtle’s guidance (he is the owner of Emerge and the best trainer around when it comes to rehabilitation and returning to sport), I still plan on implementing 1-2 “workouts” within my run/swim/bike/strength routine - but I will have to choose a new event to get used to the idea of only going by effort - I have to “divorce from the numbers of pace that used to be the magic ingredient in running the fastest marathon as possible. Having to find that fastest pace you can hold for an entire 26.2 without going under or over the edge. Yah, that kind of data has got to go. Effort, effort, effort.
So, I go into surgery Monday.
I'd like to keep you all updated on this journey back to full health.
The doctors say I should be weight bearing in 4 weeks and can introduce running back in 9-12 weeks! And then, with patience, love, strength training, and friends- I WILL be a RUNNER AGAIN.
I will be running for life.
I will rewrite my story.
If you are still reading all this stream of consciousness - I love you and thank you for loving me too!
Here we go!
My Hubs and I about to get after our "Rock Your Socks for Veterans 5k" from Emerge Fitness: What Running is all about: Fundraisers, community, and health!