When I joined masters in 2008, I promised myself that it was for fun, and healthy competition for those who choose to compete. In March I was diagnosed wth 4 severe herniated discs in my neck, and training came to a halt. In April, I got a cortisone shot , and a week later came down with a very bad case of shingles. I had entered Atlanta, and felt I could go and maybe watch. I had not been outof bed for about 5 weeks. The next thing I know, I am swimming at Nationals, and going slower than I thought was physically possible. I felt this strong obligation to my teammates, that If I did not swim, I would let them down , and that I was being a wimp. I was trained in the late 60's and early 70's, that you swam not matter what.Maybe that masochistic mentality set in. OUr team scored in the top ten, and may not have, if I did not swim. BUt I hated every single minute of the pain in my body, Does anyone else stuggle with the guilt of not being the team player, and thinking of what is best for them? And not withstanding my own horrible meet . Was Atlanta the worst meet possible? Too big, Too long. UGH
Mindy, this past April we had our Colonies Zones. I was put on 2 relays which were back to back and I had just gotten out of the 100 IM and had the 400 IM coming up. I also had ankle surgery in Nov and now have a ganglion cyst which causes me a lot of pain. I saw the relays I was entered in and wasn't pleased since I preferred to ice my ankle for my 400 IM rather than be in 2 relays. I spent 10 min hobbling around looking for a replacement with no luck. Then comes one of my relay mates who says that he made the 2 hour drive mostly for the relays. I had a choice, back out of the relay and disappoint him and the other 2 or swim and possibly mess up my ankle more. I swam.. in pain but it was well worth it. The 400 IM probably did suffer but the relays were fun and I didn't let my team down. Our team as a whole won the meet, too. But the guilt of letting my team down was huge while I was trying to decide what to do. But in the end, I wouldn't change what I did. If it had been a smaller meet and no one had traveled just for the relays, no I wouldn't have been in them. I would have been sitting down with ice.
Congrats for making it through the meet. I hope you can one day look back on the meet with a smile on your face.
Mindy, this past April we had our Colonies Zones. I was put on 2 relays which were back to back and I had just gotten out of the 100 IM and had the 400 IM coming up. I also had ankle surgery in Nov and now have a ganglion cyst which causes me a lot of pain. I saw the relays I was entered in and wasn't pleased since I preferred to ice my ankle for my 400 IM rather than be in 2 relays. I spent 10 min hobbling around looking for a replacement with no luck. Then comes one of my relay mates who says that he made the 2 hour drive mostly for the relays. I had a choice, back out of the relay and disappoint him and the other 2 or swim and possibly mess up my ankle more. I swam.. in pain but it was well worth it. The 400 IM probably did suffer but the relays were fun and I didn't let my team down. Our team as a whole won the meet, too. But the guilt of letting my team down was huge while I was trying to decide what to do. But in the end, I wouldn't change what I did. If it had been a smaller meet and no one had traveled just for the relays, no I wouldn't have been in them. I would have been sitting down with ice.
Congrats for making it through the meet. I hope you can one day look back on the meet with a smile on your face.
