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Post by bberk1 on Aug 3, 2008 10:48:43 GMT -5
Messed up my arm and will be casted for about 5 weeks. It's very depressing to see all of you biking and running around town. Any suggestions to get over this depression? It's even really tough to clean up so sweating via a bike trainer might be tough alough once i get some strenght i'll be all over that. any other suggestions?
And good luck to everyone next week at gct. i'll be the sad one on the sideline trying to do the one handed clap.
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Post by Aussie Rob on Aug 3, 2008 12:36:06 GMT -5
No words of advice, but i feel your pain mate.
I'm carrying a knee injury that has forced me off the bike when i should be peaking in my mileage in prep for wisconsin, and it doesnt seem to be getting much better after 3 weeks. Now all i can do is hope that it gets better before race day.
What did you do? You break it? How?
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Post by bberk1 on Aug 3, 2008 12:52:08 GMT -5
bad fracture in the first turn of the sweet corn last sunday. too fast around the turn in a pack. and i'm the only sucker who went down.
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Post by Aussie Rob on Aug 3, 2008 13:35:27 GMT -5
Man, that sucks. Was GCT your A race this year?
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Post by bberk1 on Aug 3, 2008 14:42:26 GMT -5
I didn't really have a race. I was going to do a couple of long bike rides and really work the bike this summer. I've also been plagued with a torn tendon in my ankle, but that surgery got put on hold with my wrist injury. Maybe next year will be my year. I'll pick one out of the area like steelhead.
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Alan
Olympic Member
Posts: 133
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Post by Alan on Aug 3, 2008 16:33:16 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about your fracture. Injury is common in triathlon more muscle, tendon and joint than skeletal. I too am down for a bit due to muscle/sciatic nerve and a bad knee with arthritis. (it's even hard for me to swim) Attitude is everything, weather it's during a race or if you're suffering from injury. Take this time to review your training that you've done and how it has or hasn't been working, what you need to improve on and how you're going to do it. You have time to lay out your training for the next season and what races/goals you want to do. Just keep in mind that you're in this for a lifetime and you'll have plenty of opportunity to meet your goals. Believe me I know how you feel when you see everyone out biking/running. I may be down but I know it's only temporary and once again I'll be SBRing soon. Overcome and Adapt!  This will all be behind you! |
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Post by michaelfenoff on Aug 3, 2008 20:35:43 GMT -5
happened to me in the winter and spring when I had mono and than gull bladder removed. Trust me I know how much it sucks to not be able to do the things we like to do.
The best advice I can give is to just focus on the comeback. How you will build up and come back. I had to completely build up from no base because I hadn't been able to train for almost 6 months. Take it one day at a time and stay determined to come back when your better and train and race harder.
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Post by suziharman on Aug 4, 2008 6:36:16 GMT -5
As I was reading this thread, I was feeling for all of you - injuries just stink. You're bored, you may be in pain, you feel that all your fitness is melting away, you may put on a few pounds, etc. etc.
Then I realized that this is exactly how I feel, although I am not really "injured". I am pregnant with our second, and our first was born at the end of May last year. So for two seasons I have been pretty much side-lined - by my own choice of course! For me it is all worth it, though it is hard to remember that sometimes when I go to run and I am slogging along trying not to throw up or pee on myself.
BUT I am still extremely jealous of all you out there racing and training, and I have all the concerns listed above except that "you may put on a few pounds" is "you WILL put on a few pounds". Hopefully next summer I'll be back at it at least a little bit. For now, I live vicariously through your race reports.
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Post by bberk1 on Aug 4, 2008 10:13:17 GMT -5
Maybe a new category for us 'slackers' for things we can do.
1. the percocet challenge
2. ugliest xrays / mri's
3. fastest to get dressed without use of 1 limb.
etc.
Make these part of the beast series?
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Post by rickstark on Aug 4, 2008 12:43:22 GMT -5
I guess I would like to take a shot at this one...
I was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer 4 years ago. Since then, I have had 4 rounds of chemo, 35 radiation treatments, and 13 surgeries. The last two surgeries were especially fun. The first of the two, in October, was to remove part of my jaw since it was dying from the radiation and replace it with a titanium plate. The second surgery, at the end of April, was to remove a piece of my posterior hip and graft it into my jaw. (yes, I have probably heard ALL of the jokes) All of this fun has kept me at various times, out of the water, off the bike, and off the road. Heck, I can't even make my own saliva anymore because of the radiation, but I keep going. If I stop, then I lose. If I keep going, I win.
The key for me was to understand that this is a temporary situation. I can still swim, I can still ride my bike, and some time soon I will run without it hurting. Until then, I do the best I can. I will finish the GCT half. I may be the last one across the line, I may have to wake Mickey up, and everyone else may have gone home, but I will do my best.
It is that hope for better days that keeps me from being depressed since I know this is temporary.
I will be glad to hear your one hand clapping since you too will have better days.
I am racing against cancer. And I will win.
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jbird
Olympic Member
"It's good to be alive'
Posts: 99
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Post by jbird on Aug 4, 2008 13:21:00 GMT -5
Wow, Rick! What a reality check that was. I am truly inspired after your post. May GOD bless you in your full recovery. Cancer is at pregnant dog, but it sounds like you are ten times tougher than it is. Keep up the good fight and keep us posted on your results at GCT.
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Post by bberk1 on Aug 4, 2008 15:18:43 GMT -5
Wow. That will shut me up. That is awesome that your racing on sunday. for you i will suck it up and try to clap with 2 hands. that is the least i could do. Hopefully you will have a speedy and good recovery.
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Post by Eric on Aug 4, 2008 20:47:14 GMT -5
Rick, Thanks for the reality check. One of my tag lines this year when I blog is "Because I Can". Why do I tri? Because I can.....to inspire those that want to, to support those that do, to represent those that have moved on. I have been following the recent struggles of Jamie Whitmore. Xterra Champion, athlete extrodinaire, cancer patient. Not to sound like Debbie Downer but Jamie's most recent post is perfect for this topic. We are all fortunate to have found this sport with such a friendly and supportive community. I wouldn't trade it for anything. jamiewhitmore.blogspot.com/ |
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Post by Aussie Rob on Aug 4, 2008 22:14:29 GMT -5
Talk about a dose of perspective.
Rick, that's amazing mate. I can't imagine dealing with that, but hats off to you for giving a big F you to cancer. Kick it's arse!
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Post by robreddy on Aug 5, 2008 9:27:26 GMT -5
Rick
You ARE the biggest inspiration on the Forum - THANK YOU emensley (sp?) for posting
r
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Post by suziharman on Aug 5, 2008 16:19:14 GMT -5
Although I don't enjoy hearing about struggles like yours Rick, I am truly glad you share it. It inspires me and certainly puts many things into perspective. Can't wait to cheer you on at GCT!
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Post by rickstark on Aug 6, 2008 12:04:07 GMT -5
Thanks all, for all of your extremely kind comments. Especially timely since I saw my radiation oncologist today, and he told me that he was done with me since he considered me CURED. Great feeling to be fired by one's oncologist. If you have a few minutes to kill, take a look at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk0o_AT5UnMI am really intrigued about how this thread interacts with the threads regarding cheapening triathlon. I have been struggling with this post all of my lunch hour - adding, deleting, modifying, and still am not sure how to say what I want. I hope there continues to be room in the sport for both the fast and the rest of us. I really enjoy triathlon. The people are great and the challenge of three events, plus nutrition and transition is unmatched. A marathon or century ride just gets boring after a while. I will never again be fast considering what I have been through, so the talk of cutoff times really scares me. I think that as long as people can say that they did their best, and gave it their all, triathlon is getting the respect it deserves. The only way to cheapen triathlon is to not do your best. Those who give it all while working, raising a family, going to school, overcoming challenges, etc. are to me the spirit of triathlon - rising to a challenge. |
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jacqui
Olympic Member
Posts: 120
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Post by jacqui on Aug 6, 2008 12:39:39 GMT -5
Wow! Very motivating clip. Your last paragraph says it all. It's not about speed, it's getting out there and doing the best you can on that day.
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Post by JenCollister on Aug 6, 2008 12:45:32 GMT -5
Very inspirational Rick! Thanks for the video - we'll be cheering for you at GCT this weekend!
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Post by sidmcmahon on Aug 6, 2008 18:29:14 GMT -5
Thanks Rick for the inspiration. I hope I can have the same courage, if presented with the same sinerio. I do think that half the battle is attitude, and the reason that you are still going.
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Post by jimdehner on Aug 8, 2008 14:57:16 GMT -5
Rick you're incredible - good luck this weekend
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Post by rickstark on Aug 10, 2008 8:11:10 GMT -5
Well, CRAP. I had my first DNF. I didn't have it in me today. I got about 7 miles into the bike and couldn't get through it. I feel like I let you all down and I feel like I quit on myself. On the other hand, the sun is still shining and I am alive for another day. Just a setback, not quitting. I guess I just wasn't ready after the surgery.
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jbird
Olympic Member
"It's good to be alive'
Posts: 99
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Post by jbird on Aug 10, 2008 8:25:43 GMT -5
Rick, no worries. To even be able to train and try with what you have been through is remarkable. You will continue to be an inspiration to many . My son is turning 3 on the 13th of this month. It will be exactly 2 years of chemo for my little guy. He has had Leukemia since his 1st birthday. It is people like my son and you Rick that cause me to get out of bed at 4 in the morning and train. Like Eric Gibb says," I do this because I can". God has given me today and only today. I and others live it as if it was our last. God bless you and your family Rick. You and yours are now apart of my prayer list. And there is always another race day, so don't be hard on yourself  |
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Post by suziharman on Aug 10, 2008 16:59:13 GMT -5
Hey Rick - you were smart to make the call when you felt you didn't have it in you. Let us down - no way. You are a huge inspiration. Next time....
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Post by JenCollister on Aug 10, 2008 18:33:56 GMT -5
Definitely, no way you let us down. Just training for this stuff while battling is impressive enough!
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Post by Aussie Rob on Aug 10, 2008 20:05:10 GMT -5
Dude, it happens to the best of them all the time. Some days you just don't feel it. Don't sweat it.
The real benefit of triathlon though is the training and lifestyle....racing is just for kicks, and you'll get em later at some other race; but you know this already im sure.
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Post by bberk1 on Aug 10, 2008 20:29:33 GMT -5
There are plenty of more races that you'll be ready to do even if you have to wait till next year. No reason pushing it if it wasn't your day. Heck, you coulnd't even swim today if you wanted to.
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Post by rickstark on Aug 11, 2008 10:25:38 GMT -5
Thanks, all. I found out that there was a greater purpose in my DNF. I made it to church, and something that I heard in the sermon was a comfort to one of my Team in Training teammates. We have had kind of a run of bad news with new cancer diagnoses. I would not have been able to help if I finished. Doing good is always better than doing well!
Also, you are all correct. There are other days. Thanks
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