Rant -- stfu and give me a chance to fail!

[blndsnbrdr]

This is a complete rant, feel free to just skip over it if you'd like. I swear I'm a nice person with sane thoughts most of the time. Right now is not one of those times.

I've spent the last two weeks not running...or hiking...or anything-ing. Full blown rest with trips to the PT to figure out what is up with my right leg. Turns out it's all about weak/tight hips and a cranky soleus/achilles. I've been into the PT twice a week, every week to have dry needling and other work done. I've been an obedient PT patient doing all of her exercises and resting and stretching and...every.damn.thing. Today I got cleared to run! I ran a half mile on the treadmill. It was glorious. Well, the treadmill sucked, but nothing hurt when I ran! I can run again tomorrow, then every other day slowly increasing mileage.

That's all good. Now for the rant...

I have a 100 mile race on the schedule September 12th and I'm not ready to give up on it yet. The PT is on board, a few close friends are supportive and I'm confident that if I can get to the start line pain free I can complete this race. I was fully prepared to DNS two weeks ago because of pain, right now I'm ready to run.

Other people in my life -- the ones I don't talk to regularly, only see at races, am FB friends with, etc -- have very strong opinions about whether or not I should start this race. And apparently they are discussing this among themselves. Part of me wants to feel special...but more of me wants them to STFU and stop doubting me before I even get a chance to suck at life!

Yea, it'll probably suck and yea, it may not end well...but why are they so freaking invested in my race?! I'm not asking them to crew/pace/anything... All I want is a chance to see what's going to happen -- no one benefits if I don't start this race except for me (I get $150 credited to next year's race) so why care?!

/rant

[meltoine]

Aw Sorry about the haters. If you decide to do it, I'm sure you'll rock it!

You know yourself best. I won't tell you to ignore them because I know that's impossible, but they don't know anything.

[G22]

I get this. Rant away. Sorry people feel the need to butt in when their opinion isn't ask for.

Its like people asking me if i think the reason I can't get pregnant is because I run all the time.(yes I've sadly been asked that) My Dr know I runs and I have her permission to. And I listen when she tells me to back off. Its no one business but mine and my drs on whether my fertility and running are connected.

[G22]

Aug 25, 2014 14:33:17 GMT -5 @vtcupcake said:

Aug 25, 2014 14:31:14 GMT -5 G22 said:

I get this. Rant away. Sorry people feel the need to butt in when their opinion isn't ask for.

Its like people asking me if i think the reason I can't get pregnant is because I run all the time.(yes I've sadly been asked that) My Dr know I runs and I have her permission to. And I listen when she tells me to back off. Its no one business but mine and my drs on whether my fertility and running are connected.

Annnnnd I also want to set these people on fire.

Seriously, people don't have enough shit in their own lives to worry about, without butting in and adding opinions on things they know absolutely nothing about? Ugh. I'm sorry

It was one of those "loving" nosy family members who couldn't resist asking. Most of the time I ignore ignorant comments. That one still bugs me. Makes me feel like other people are probably judging me too, but whatever.

[cinco]

I'm sorry. They should give you more credit. You are working with a PT and know your own body better than anyone else. You have us for support!
ETA: Yay for a pain free run!

[Deleted]

Aug 25, 2014 14:31:14 GMT -5 G22 said:

I get this. Rant away. Sorry people feel the need to butt in when their opinion isn't ask for.

Its like people asking me if i think the reason I can't get pregnant is because I run all the time.(yes I've sadly been asked that) My Dr know I runs and I have her permission to. And I listen when she tells me to back off. Its no one business but mine and my drs on whether my fertility and running are connected.

Snap!! My family have 'discussed it' and believe that both my miscarriages this year is because of 'all that training'. I live 10,000 miles from them and fortunately it's not in my face. I would like to tell them that I PR'd my half marathon time today, but I know it will stir shit up. It makes me sad because both times I got pregnant, I stopped running. 

To the OP: fuck them. Whether you do it or not, we support you. $150 isn't much in the grand scheme if you decide to try. Go with your heart and how your body feels. 

[G22]

@cheshire I'm lucky that my immediate family and my BFF are super supportive of both my running and IF stuff and that makes all things better. I feel safe to talk either topics with them. My mom is a runner and she had IF issues so she gets it

I'm sorry your family feels that way. Even if they think that, they should keep it to themselves.

[nichelobe]

Some people want to diminish or sabotage other people's amazing achievements (100 miles - WHOA) just because they seem so unattainable to them. They wouldn't dream of even trying the race. The difference between you and them is you know this is going to be difficult and you've got some challenges you're addressing, but you're going to do it ANYWAY. That makes you a total badass.

[sadlebred]

You and your PT will know if it's ok for you to run it! Good luck!

[emilyinchile]

People suck. And people think they know your body and your capabilities better than you do. I definitely have been getting a bit of it over continuing to do Crossfit through injury - since I'm not a total idiot, I've been avoiding problematic exercises and using the equipment at the box to do legit PT exercises, but sure, let's act like I'm just over here re-injuring myself every day. It's annoying. I hope that you can keep healing and make it through your race as planned!

I am wide-eyed, mouth open shocked by the comments that @g22 and @cheshire have gotten though. WTF.

[blndsnbrdr]

...I love you all!
Thank you!

And I feel much better about the nosey bitches in my life, at least they aren't telling me how to reproduce appropriately!

Plus, I'm kind of a whiney bitch about things -- I like to tell people about my problems when I'm running. Not because they are killing me but because I want to acknowledge it...and to see if anyone around me has a solution or suggestion. Not because I want you to go into "omg, your leg is going to fall off" mode! Geez!

Looks like I'm going into the race with crew/pacers who are either relative strangers or have no experience with ultras -- sounds crazy but I think it's a good thing. I'll be forced to make my own decisions without input from trusted friends, meaning I'll be doing things for me because I need them. #silverlining

[thom]

I'm sorry Heidi! I hope you keep seeing improvements at PT and can get to that start. I'm also floored that you did your first few run back on the TM. I thought you hated them??

As for the 100 mile, obviously you know you're in a tough spot, but as a runner and adult you can and should make your own choice. It sounds like you have weighed the options and would rather go for it and see what happens versus electing not to start. As a PP says, you know your own body best! It also seems like you've got a good attitude & crew, and you know H&F wishes you all the best. keep up posted, ok?

[thom]

@g22 and @cheshire. Hugs ladies. Honestly. I can't imagine what I would say to such things, and I'm so sorry you're having to hear it. I suppose some of these people might think they have your best interest at heart and just don't get it, but it's still so frustrating. Take care.

I didn't realize you'd had two losses @cheshire. I am so very truly sorry. I will, however, congratulate you on the PR!

[Deleted]

Aug 25, 2014 16:50:30 GMT -5 thom said:

@g22 and @cheshire. Hugs ladies. Honestly. I can't imagine what I would say to such things, and I'm so sorry you're having to hear it. I suppose some of these people might think they have your best interest at heart and just don't get it, but it's still so frustrating. Take care.

I didn't realize you'd had two losses @cheshire. I am so very truly sorry. I will, however, congratulate you on the PR!

Thanks on the congrats. Yes, two losses - I'm getting more efficient at miscarrying, the first lasted 3 months, the second maybe 5 weeks? 
I genuinely stopped running as soon as I found out about the second one. The first one I reduced my pace and stopped when I was 6-7 weeks. I feel a lot of guilt, but I don't believe that running caused it.

[blndsnbrdr]

Aug 25, 2014 16:48:03 GMT -5 thom said:

I'm sorry Heidi! I hope you keep seeing improvements at PT and can get to that start. I'm also floored that you did your first few run back on the TM. I thought you hated them??

As for the 100 mile, obviously you know you're in a tough spot, but as a runner and adult you can and should make your own choice. It sounds like you have weighed the options and would rather go for it and see what happens versus electing not to start. As a PP says, you know your own body best! It also seems like you've got a good attitude & crew, and you know H&F wishes you all the best. keep up posted, ok?

Ha -- I was only on the TM so the PT could watch me run!

I get to run outside tomorrow. I'm so excited, even if it's super easy stuff in town!

[hannahb]

Ugh. People will always have an opinion. Ignore them

[reginaphalange72]

Screw those guys! You do whatever you want to do and whatever you think is right! I can't wait to crew for you and scream my head off cheering you on. I'll be there for whatever you need! Hugs, hair pats, high fives, whatever!

You are a rock star whether you DNS, DNF, or finish. Either way, we all love you.

[kams]

I completely understand you.

Opinions are like assholes. We all think you are incredible!

[blndsnbrdr]

...and to top it off, after being all Negative Nancy about my race, my main crew and long distance pacer bailed. Clearly he was looking for a way out with all his "are you sure you want to start?!" questioning. Turns out he wanted to make other plans, which is fine. I mean, I'm a little pissed off about his dick move but if he was going to be all negative I didn't really need him there anyway. Right?!

/end rant #2

[joenali]

If you've been cleared and you want to run, don't listen to your friends. They probably have no idea what it's like to train and train and train and want to do something so badly. Go out there, give it all you have. You know your body best! Good luck!

[Stingyshark]

I think you're crazy, but, not because of anything health related.. 100 miles is just effing nuts =) I definitely think it's going to suck, but, you know that. I do look forward to reading your recap afterwards, and hopefully following you're journey on twitter (are you going to tweet while you run/hike?) You should, if you can. You're a badass mamba jamba, and don't let anyone take that away from you. Eff the haters, like wambam said. I'm pretty sure you know what you've gotten yourself into.

A great thing about FB, is that you can unfriend people. =) I'm a regular unfriender. Or, you can put them on a limited profile so they can't see what you post but you still show up in their friends list.

[katinthehat]

Two thoughts.

First, you're a smart person. If you start and it hurts, you're going to stop. You know (or can imagine and have seen) how much 100 miles hurts when you're totally healthy, no way are you going to risk permanent injury pushing it on a not fully 100% body. Meaning, you'll know when/if to call it quits. And, you also know how much that goes into 100 milers is the prep and planning and execution and nutrition and hydration and all that stuff. If nothing else comes out of this and you get some miles in race conditions and a chance to practice, that's a huge win.

Second, your ice cream choices are awesome.

[Brit]

Ignore them. Do what is right for you. I struggle with gossipy people.

[stinkerbell6879]

Ugh. Ignore them and go out there and rock that 100 miles. You know what you can handle and when to call it a day. Also that is just badass because I won't pull the trigger on even doing 26.2 :-)

@cheshire and @g22 . I would probably go ballistic on someone telling me that! I have been through 3 IVF's and had one MC, and was not running very much during that time, because you just feel crappy! BUT when I did run it helped keep me sane and my sanity is way too important to not get in some light running (as long as my Dr ok'd it). So those people need to STFU.

[blndsnbrdr]

Aug 26, 2014 12:08:00 GMT -5 katinthehat said:

Two thoughts.

First, you're a smart person. If you start and it hurts, you're going to stop. You know (or can imagine and have seen) how much 100 miles hurts when you're totally healthy, no way are you going to risk permanent injury pushing it on a not fully 100% body. Meaning, you'll know when/if to call it quits. And, you also know how much that goes into 100 milers is the prep and planning and execution and nutrition and hydration and all that stuff. If nothing else comes out of this and you get some miles in race conditions and a chance to practice, that's a huge win.

Second, your ice cream choices are awesome.

Oooh -- thank you so much for all of this! You're spot on with your first thought (and second, if I may say so myself...). That's exactly what people are choosing to ignore -- I'm crazy for running 100 miles but I'm not a complete idiot! 

[blndsnbrdr]

Aug 26, 2014 9:37:12 GMT -5 Stingyshark said:

I think you're crazy, but, not because of anything health related.. 100 miles is just effing nuts =) I definitely think it's going to suck, but, you know that. I do look forward to reading your recap afterwards, and hopefully following you're journey on twitter (are you going to tweet while you run/hike?) You should, if you can. You're a badass mamba jamba, and don't let anyone take that away from you. Eff the haters, like wambam said. I'm pretty sure you know what you've gotten yourself into.

A great thing about FB, is that you can unfriend people. =) I'm a regular unfriender. Or, you can put them on a limited profile so they can't see what you post but you still show up in their friends list.

I won't be tweeting -- but I do have some very twitter-y friends crewing! Follow #runabler and #RRR100...I'll have them use the #'s!

And thank you for making me feel cool!