What are teammates for?

Today I ran my first 5k in a year. Needless to say, it was not the greatest. However, I was able to grind through it thanks to my wonderful teammates who came to help push me along. Dave, Lucas, Jade, and Ben all came out to the track to help push me along as I worked through the race against my greatest opponent, myself. The mind is a powerful thing. It can make or break you in a race. Today, I would say that my mind prevailed. I was able to push myself, but I know I could have gone faster. Despite this, I have to give a huge thank you to my teammates and friends who came out and didn't let me quit. I don't think I could have run the time I did without them there.

The semester is in a full gallop. Its end is quickly approaching. It's time to dig in and fight. It's nice to know I don't have to do it alone though. Despite all the injuries that they have sustained, the team is able to stick together. The monster can be beaten and trod upon, but never defeated as long as the team is one.

The End

I quit the team yesterday. I've had enough of the athletic trainers' painful therapies. I've decided to just let go and give my body a break from everything. In the meantime I'll focus on getting some schoolwork done over the next two weeks. Russ seemed to agree with the decision, although the look of defeat on his face made me feel kind of bad. They've all tried so hard over the past 4 months...my coaches, trainers, doctors, and teammates...and in a way I feel like I've let them down. I failed to be the athlete they needed me to be. I will be back however. I don't know when my leg will return to its glorious self, but I'm confident that time will come.

What is that thing they like to say? When you love something, sometimes you just need to let it go and see if it comes back. Hmm. I suppose it's time to find out if that really works. I still believe. Do you?


This is Lucas, signing off.

But only for a while...

me 2

I've been meaning to post something positive to counteract everyone-else's depressing posts in the last few weeks....but what can I say...my running hasnt been goin great either...hahah. ahhh well....If you can beat em, you might as well join em right?

After spring break, I had been sick for a loooong time. I coughed soooooo MUCh. it was disgusting. it wasnt even productive coughing, just a dry horrible hack. the only positive thing that came out of it was that I gave myself a good ab workout. haha.

Then easter came and I FINALLY felt better after being home a few days. The next week I just focused on getting back into running and i seemed to snap right back. BUT, sadly to say, after racing on Saturday and then doing a long run the next day, my knee has been acting up again. And I now feel drained of energy more so than ever.

When my knee first started hurting, Russ and I thought for sure it would heal up in a couple weeks. Now, over a YEAR later, it still bugs me. :o( I have decided that this will just be something I am going to live with...

ok. now for something positive:

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

Pain and Fatigue

My body is finally beginning to succumb to fatigue. I feel as if my legs are going to fall off. My knee started to hurt constantly today. I can't even sit without feeling irritation. My legs are just constantly tired. This isn't a problem that I have had before, but I suspect it has something to do with my sleeping schedule. I haven't been sleeping great for two weeks now, and I think it is finally beginning to take its toll. I just need to get back on track and hopefully all will fall in place.

Yeah...

Somehow I've managed to develop new injuries while not even running. All this low-impact cross training seems to be destroying my knees and calves. Now I am not only unable to run, but also can hardly make it down the stairs. Buck gave me a massage in the AT room today that was just as painful as the Graston sessions Jenny used to perform, even without the metal instruments. I'm starting to doubt whether I'll ever be able to run again.

Crunch Time

It never ends. The seemingly insurmountable pile of homework that is piled in front of me. Everything always happens at once it seems. Just when you feel you can't possibly become anymore stressed, something comes along and kicks you while you're down. It seems not even running can help alleviate the stress that comes along with school and other things. I feel terrible about today because I missed my run. I had to miss practice to meet with my advisor on and unyielding matter that needed immediate attention in the whirlwind that has become my life. There are still two hours in the day, perhaps I can push aside some homework to squeeze in a short run. Today would have been an awesome day to run, although Jon and Ben came back with reports of howling winds, stinging rain, and over all bitter cold. I enjoy running in the rain. There is something refreshing about it. Anyways, I need to get back to my homework. I know the top of the mountain is reachable, I just need to fix my mind on the task at hand and let nothing draw me away, such as this blog. Until next time...Live long and prosper.

(Oh, and He is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!)

Sweat Machine

Today I went up to the fitness room early to get my crosstraining done after work. A repairman was up there fixing some of the ellipticals and bikes. He was planning on doing some work on my machine too, but I was sweating so much that he changed his mind. I tried to clean up the mess but he said just forget it:

"It's nothing personal, but you'd need a mop and bucket for that. I'm not gonna sit in that crap and fix the machine."

I got a few kicks out of the experience. Gave the guy an excuse to skip out of the job early I guess.

Done for the Season

Greetings from the asylum. After more than a month without any real significant running I am finally going insane. Russ has me cross training until all pain is entirely gone, plus another two weeks after that. In other words I'm going to be in the SwimEx until late April at the earliest. This semester is getting rough, as a seemingly endless supply of research papers combined with the loss of my primary source of stress relief are slowly tearing me apart.

And to all of you who used to think I was anorexic, I've finally figured out how to gain weight: STOP RUNNING. I've packed on about 15 pounds in the past month alone. I'm not especially proud of that, considering that I was never underweight to begin with (no matter what Ash and the rest of the crew think) and every extra ounce exponentially increases the amount of pressure on my legs and joints. That equates to an increased risk of injury, which as you all know is EXACTLY what I want right now.

Good luck to the guys competing in St. Louis. I'll keep the cross trainers warm for you.