This is the blog post where I list the various 2010 events I participated in as an individual athlete rather than as a coach. I would normally highlight any personal accomplishments or extraordinary experiences, and stories about destination events. Normally I would hope to report on 6 to 8 Triathlons, various ½ and full marathons, and a Century ride or two. Unfortunately, this year I was unable to participate in a single event. This is the first year since 2002, when I first became involved with endurance sports by running the Houston Marathon, in which I did not individually participate in a single event. It was not by choice, my hip has given me a lot of trouble this year and I have been unable to run, bike, or even walk very far without pain and a limp.
In January I signed up for the Lone Star Triathlon in Galveston with Team in Training which was scheduled for late April. I planned on doing the swim and bike, and then walking the run portion. It became clear early on that I was not going to be able to pull that off. I got on my road bike on my trainer a couple times early in the year and each time I had pain and a clicking noise in my hip, so that ruled out any biking for me. I attempted several walks around the 2.9 mile loop at Memorial Park and could not finish them without having to stop a few times and then needed ice afterwards. I resolved to myself that this was not my year as an athlete. I did go ahead and complete the fundraising to support the Lone Star Triathlon Team and ended up as the #3 fundraiser. I was also Master of Ceremonies for Inspiration dinner held the night before the event for all the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Chapters who were participating in the event.
The good news is that I am scheduled for a full hip replacement at the end of January and have expectations of being able to run again. My Doc, Kaare Kolstad M.D., said that after about 9 months I could do some easy running. So I have something to look forward to and anything will be better than limping around all the time. I think I will stretch the definition of “easy” running to suit my own needs and am planning on doing a couple of Sprint Tri’s near the end of the 2011 season (that sounds like “Easy” running doesn’t it?).
