I’ve never functioned well on land…exhibit A, bionic ankle. Sure, I played land sports. I did soccer (for a million seasons), volleyball, basketball, softball, track…but it was in the water were I felt that I excelled as an athlete. There was no running in water sports!
I became very anti-running. We did some running for “dry land” practice but I struggled. I was super awkward. Did you see the Friends episode where Phoebe and Rachel go running. I’m Phoebe.
Post NCAA career I struggled with not having an athletic outlet. A huge part of my identity was being an athlete. I didn’t know what to do, especially with all of my free time. I did a Super Sprint Triathlon with two of my Polo Alumni and I loved it! But, Tri’s are expensive with equipment, race fees, supplies…and I was a broke ass college grad on the job hunt.
Cut to me working 80 hours a week and the only thing I want to do during my free time is sleep. Exercise? Hellz no! I stand on my feet for 15 hours a day.
Then, I moved to Atlanta and my bionic ankle happened.
I’m totally on the track to be the next Kona Ironman, no?
This time last year I was broken, swollen, and affixed with an external fixator.
This week I made it to the gym 3 days and ran 8 miles total on the Treadmill. <—-WTF?
Why? Why is the aqua jock with a bionic ankle running? Answer: Because I can. Sure it hurts, and it’s hard. But, I’ve recently read several stories about athletes with far more traumatic injuries than mine who are competing in huge athletic events.
If they can do it, why can’t I?
I told you about my Mud Run on March 31. I’m also signed up for this:
Bonus, there’s chocolate and a sweet race jacket included!
So let the training continue. I finally feel like I’m getting my “land legs.”
The Merfett 