›Injured Banzai Pack Fill....
Race date: September 11, 2005
Joe Barrett
I wanted to chronicle the end of my race season. I had planned two triathlons in the months of August and September this year. Race #1 was to be the Sisters Off Road Tri. It was not meant to be. So, the following week I orchestrated “Joe’s South Sister Run Off.” What a great exchange that ended up being. In addition to catching some excellent scenery I was able to place first in my age group, clocking in at 4 hours 30 minutes.
The race was only 12 miles, but the elevation gain was 5K ft. Needless to say, it was quite painful for the next week. So, to next year’s competitors a word of warning: This run will kick your butt like a marathon. Also, remember to bring a camera for the top. The views of North and South Sis are incredible.
Next race was to be the Banzai Tri in Bend on 9/11. As it turns out I injured myself 4 days before this. I took a spill on the bike right in front of my friend, Marc Williams. Water on the road made a slow turn very painful. I suffered some kind of hip contusion that continues to impede my hop. But, I was hell bent not to let another tri slip away.
The morning comes. The pain seems to be receding. My bike is quietly being snowed on in T1 at 4500 feet. Dad has come for support. Can we catch the bus? Barely, Dad had to yell at the bus driver to keep him from leaving me in the dust. Being in a hurry I had to ditch my car by T-2. Sorry, Wade it was my red Jeep that was obstructing the view for the duathletes.
I cannot remember feeling the hip pain at the beginning of the race. I was just happy to be comfortable swimming in 62-degree water. Purchasing extra wet suit material was worth it. I came in at 25 minutes, which is pretty good for me. Part way up the bike hill, however, I was thinking I should have stopped there. Getting up to Bachelor was tough and painful. Now I remember that I had an injury. Would this be my first DNF?
Well, maybe I’ll start the run, and see how I feel. Things checked out o.k. Until the last 2 miles I thought I was cruising. Then the hip pain returned as my oxygen debt increased. I was able to finish fourth in my age group of nine. Understand that this is a very competitive group.
I am left pondering the nature of injury and its indelible relationship to
creativity. On the way to creating a new endeavor one is often beset by obstacles.
When your creation is fitness I believe the obstacle is injury. How one overcomes
injury often determines much more than the outcome of a race. It can define
the life that you lead….Cheers….Joe
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