The first weeks in Florida have passed. By now, I am in the middle of the semester and the cross country season has already started. It's my Senior Year!!!
I actually thought my injury would be healed by the time I left for America...wrong thinking. I was still in pain. I tried running but it did nothing; I was just lying to myself. So I completely cut out running from my training again. I got a lot of treatments.
Swimming and biking went back to normal, thankfully :)
I missed our season opener, unfortunately. 2 weeks ago our home meet took place - I was still there as a supporter :)
Last week (the first week of September) I took the plunge. I started running again - and it worked, not yet back to normal, but step by step. Even my first workout happened successfully - the first time with speed.
It was just so much fun. After the first rep. I saw stars, couldn't breathe and felt dizzy. Dude - humidity hits you differently. I have to get used to that again! Hulala. Mega awesome!
When I look at my times, I am really surprised - many missing kilometers, but times almost to the previous year.
The joy lasted unfortunately only briefly...already in the same week I caught a strong cold. I was in bed from Friday on. The training was completely canceled for a few days. It was Tuesday...Wednesday...I dared to do some running kilometers....the body didn't quite want to yet.
Actually, I wanted to start my season on Friday :D
Well, I had to dare. I hoped for timely recovery :)
Wednesday, 15.09.2021
Together with the team and coaches, we went to Tallahassee, Florida. From the south to the north of Florida - we had a good 7h drive. Arrived in the evening, not much happened. Eating, foam rolling, and then I went to bed.
Thursday, 16.09.2021
After breakfast we drove to the course in the morning, running the course. Felt it was the border for me, haha. Luckily I could recover the rest of the day, I did - in bed.
In the evening we ordered again at Olive Garden.
Friday, 17.09.2021 - Race Day.
The alarm clock rang early, I have made some compromises and set my alarm clock only at 04:45 am. Just under 3h before the race start should be enough this time; otherwise is too early.
At 06:30 am, we drove to the course - it was still dark, but fortunately dry.
With the weather we had a lot of luck the days, it was reported much worse...
As soon as we arrived, there was not much time until we had to warm-up :).
My goal for the race: just run, get through, and have no expectations. No matter what happens, it's good.
08:10 am: the starting signal was given.
I started very conservatively and lined up far behind (with 300 girls, that's also a crowd :D).
After the long straight, I tried to find my pace and made my way through the crowd. Left, right, detour here and there. The outer lane I have admittedly used too often :D
The starting field was extremely good. Many top-ranked unis in the NCAA were there (BYU, Clemson, Stanford, Furman, etc.). That made me feel honored to run.
Finding my pace, I ran my rut. I noticed that physically it was getting harder by the meter. I held on to the thought, step by step - just get to the finish. I can do it. Once or twice I almost tripped over my foot.
I didn't get any faster, nor did I slow down. I was caught in the mode. The will was there, but not the strength. It was predictable, of course.
Done!!! Finish.
I was exhausted. But happy. It was all about running the race. And the BEST part: I wasn't in pain. I was pain-free, and completely!!!! I hadn't felt that feeling in a long time. Wow. Yei !!!
Also, my girls all finished well :)
My result/time definitely has no significance :D. For the circumstances, acceptable performance and I can be more than satisfied. I saved the 96th place to the finish with 23:26min on 6km ;)
(But admittedly, this is already far below my actual performance capability).
The team result was okay.
But in four weeks we have another revenge ;). I am really looking forward to it!
After the competition, we could shower in the hotel and after that, we went back to the south of Florida. At home, I was really exhausted.
This weekend I will take a break again. Really recover and then the training hopefully goes 💪.
I'm so happy to be able to participate fully again. I can hardly wait to run with the team again!
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