Race Day Again

Finally, we get to race again! As many of you know, I was injured last April 4, 2024. I had a disk at L4 vertebra collapse and pinch a nerve in my back that caused over half of my lower leg strenth to disappear. I had a lot of atrophy in my right leg quad and I have been recovering ever since. I am close to 100% on strength and the right leg looks like it is very close to normal size again, but it has been a battle. I have been working in the gym, doing pilates again and also running. All of these things must be done in balance so you can get the proper rest and recover. I still do full body massages every two weeks and I also have been working with a Cox Technique Chiro since the injury on a weekly or biweekly basis. The chiro has gotten me stretched back out and the pressure off the nerve, that treatment has been the real source of healing in my opinion. MY normal doctor was not any help, but this is not what normal doctors do--naturally healing. The first meet of 2025 for me was at a USATF Illiois Master at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL. It is a one day meet, run your stuff and go home. I visited with the people that are at these local meets every year-- and guess what-- they are coming off injuries as well. It is like pro football, we are always hurt, but we suck it up --heal and train and get ready to race. When you talk with your age group-- everybody is fighting something--everybody. Masters athletes just grind away and keep racing and you gotta love them for it. Since I have been out of competition for 9 months, it was going to be an interestiung meet--I really had no idea of what I could do in terms of performance. We got to jump the High Jump first and I was struggling with my run up and could not pin point my starting point, I did make some progress, but it needs work. I have not jumped at all since last March--nothing. I did clear 1.35 meters and that is an All American Standard jump--which is a good jump. The AA standard is a USATF established rating system to baiscally define the top 10% of perfromance in the USA. My personal best as a 65 year old is 1.45 meters. I get to try and improve again next Sunday at Carthage College. My major concern was landing on my shoulder and back, I do the Fosbury Flop, but I have not noticed any nerve pain today or during the meet. I did a total of 7 jumps and that is about all I have in me currently. I need more stamina to say the least. We ran the 55 meters next. The two meets I run every year are basically the only two in USA to run the 55 meters indoors--most meets are 60 meters. I ran a 8.73 seconds which is also an AA mark. My start was a little off due to a blocks issue. I will see how we do next week--they run a 55 meters as well at Carthage. Last year at this meet I ran a 8.47 second pass. I think there is more speed to find, but I felt good and did not have any problems with my back. I was wearing a small heat "relief pack" on my lower back to generate heat and provide some flexibility. It helps some, but today my core and lower back of very stiff, and that is expected. Ice and lay around a day or two and get ready for next Sunday. The final run of the day was the 200 meters. I was in the outside lane and basically ran my own race, I saw no one the entire lap. I ran a 32.08 seconds. That is 2.5 seconds off an AA Standard run. This is where I need to improve. But I made the lap without any pain and basically pushed the entire way. I did not generate any lactic acid in the final straight, which is very normal in an all out 200 meter run. So I need to pick up the pace a little here. Overall the day was a success. I have been working very gradually from April 4 last year to get back on the track and I did accomplish that successfully. I did not go backwards on my injuries and cause more trouble for my back or legs. And I had fun! Next weekend, I will be at the USATF Wisconsin Masters Indoors at Carthage College. This meet is run in less than two hours! You get warmed up--run everything and and then go to Frank's Diner for breakfast. Frank's is an old train car type diner that has been added on to over the years, but it is just insanity in the place, just the management likes it! From tequila shots an Noon to Garbage plates of food. It is a classic place to eat and Linda is going to this meet because we can go to Franks after the meet.