Last November, 9am, I anxiously sat in front of my computer. The day I had been waiting for had finally come: registration opened for the Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon. It sold out the previous year long before I thought of signing up- I was determined to get a spot this year.
Somehow I managed to snag a spot before the triathlon sold out later that day. At the time, I couldn’t imagine anything going wrong- it wasn’t until August, so I had plenty of time to train. I wasn’t just going to do this tri, I was going to kick it’s butt.
Only I never planned on getting injured.
Even now, as I sit amongst a pile of bike gear after a long drive to MD, I can’t fully admit that it’s not going to happen.
I understood that I wasn’t going to be able to do the race- it just never sunk in. I went to packet pick up, along with hundreds of other racers, mumbling thanks as volunteers said ‘good luck’. I could only utter the words “I’m not racing” so many times. It was even smeared across my packet- “Not Racing”- like a giant scarlet “A”.
I proceeded to make it worse on myself as I went to see the course and got caught up in the flurry of athletes setting their bikes up in transition. I started to walk towards the swim start area, but I couldn’t do it. It was like rubbing salt in a wound.
So no, I won’t be racing tomorrow. But I’ll be there, bright & early, with bells on, cheering on all the other Iron Girls, hoping that next time I’ll be running alongside them.
{ 29 comments… read them below or chime in }
You are amazing for going out and cheering! Hopefully we can meet up this week?
Yes, definitely!
I feel your pain but am so happy you are going to support them. This will be me in September at the Philly half marathon.
I think it’s wonderful that you’re still going to cheer your fellow athletes on!
Boo. I’m sorry you couldn’t do the race.
I’m also sorry that I didn’t get to hang out with you when I was actually living in Columbia!
You were in Columbia?! Aww, bummer!! I’m up here all the time, that would’ve been awesome!
I am SO sorry… and I am very proud of you, friend
You are being great about your recovery, and brave in your showing up to cheer everyone on…
After my injuries, I could not imagine going back to the tennis court. I still haven’t, and it is hard to even type that!! I eventually made it up to the mountain and watched my ski team race again – and it took even longer to get me back on skis – I hope some day I can possibly teach tennis again… we’ll see.
I wish I could be there with you tomorrow – to cheer YOU on for getting through this! Because you ARE
XO be there in spirit, I will…
I feel your pain girl- I’m SO glad you’ve gotten back on skis. My fingers are crossed for you teaching tennis again SOON!
I can only imagine your frustation, but you are sending such a positive message by choosing to be at the event in support of the racers. You are stronger than you think. Cheer loudly!
I’m sure that was complete torcher having to go up there! Send positive thoughts your way
((hugs)) you WILL be there next year. you are sooooo totally strong and will bounce back like WHOA
So sorry to hear you won’t be racing! I know exactly where you are coming from: I had to pull out of the Disney Princess Half Marathon 3 days before the race because of my IT band injury. Waving goodbye to my friends as they headed over to the starting line was really hard, but once I got to one of the viewing areas, it was fun to cheer everybody on and I had a great day!
First, we have the same bike shoes! Second, I think it’s awesome that you are still going to get up to cheer everyone one. Admitting that you “actually” injured can be so hard!
Ooh yay, they must be good ones then
I haven’t tried them yet- I need to switch out my pedals- I can’t wait!
Sorry that you aren’t able to race. I can imagine that it would be frustrating. I hope that you recover well and are ready to kick butt next year.
I’m so sorry you had to give up on your dream of racing this year. I’m guessing they don’t let you defer your entry until next year?? (that stinks…) But I have to say, I really admire you for going to cheer all the competitors on. I know that must be really tough!
Nope, wouldn’t let me defer, which is silly, because they wouldn’t let somebody else use my entry this year.
It is so awesome that you’re still there, supporting the race and the racers! Next year, when you’re among the competitors, you’ll be glad for that extra support and know that you helped someone finish the year before
Good for you for going out and cheering!!! You’ll do it next year
I give you a lot of credit for going to cheer on those who are able to race today. Sometimes it really is harder to be on the sidelines.
The sidelines are definitely a tough place to be. I know how much of a difference having someone cheer for me helps though, so hopefully I can help keep someone going if I can’t be there racing with them.
So sorry to hear about your race. I have suffered from ITBS on and off over the past year or so and it is extremely frustrating. Good for you for cheering the others on!
Also wanted to let you know that I read your post on IT bands (the one you linked to above) and I thought it was the best summary that I’ve seen in all my online research!
Aww thanks! I’m one of those people that has to understand what my injury is before I can start dealing with it. Sorry to hear you’ve gone through the same thing- IT bands stink when they don’t cooperate!
I have had to go to a few packet pick-ups for races I cannot run because of injury and it’s so depressing… but I agree that cheering the athletes on DOES help! That is what I did when I could not run the KC Marathon last year – I cheered on the runners at the Chicago Marathon. It really made me feel better
Wow, thanks for sharing this and being brave enough to write this post. Injuries can be so demoralizing and disheartening. I think it’s so phenomenal that you are still able to cheer on the other athletes. I would also suggest a change to the post title, because you’re certainly not defeated – you’re really a champion for keeping your head up!
Aw you are so sweet! You just cheered me up!
Aww, hope cheering on everyone else made you feel better!
I’m sorry about what happened. But you should be proud of yourself for signing up and for wanting to do it, and for cheering on the other athletes when you couldn’t race yourself. There’s no defeat in that.
Sorry that you won’t be participating… but traithletes love to have people like you cheering them on!