SAVAGE BUMMER

Photo by Dan Hickock at http://savagemantri.org

Well.

I guess I was feeling lukewarm about the training anyway....

SavageMan is down the drain for me. I've buggered up my already-buggered-up Achilles tendons.

They've been bothering me again ever since I got over about 6 miles in run-training. Then this Tuesday and Wednesday, I went AT hiking, 10 miles each way over loooong ascents and descents (called the "Roller Coaster" section) with a 30-pound pack on my back and.... well, the last few miles of my return trip, I was leaning on my hiking poles like crutches. Honest, my right AT (that's Achilles Tendon this time, not Appalachian Trail) felt so bad I was afraid it was rupturing, but the only way for me to get off the trail was to hike off it.

I knew then I was out. That if I had a prayer of hiking 2100 miles next year, I had to get this treated.

The foot/ankle doc today confirmed what I already knew. Do nothing that aggravates the injury. Like running. Or hard biking. Or hiking. Or anything that includes hills.

One thing I know as a runner is generally to question a doctor's order to "stop running" unless you have a fracture. Except this time, there was no question. I can't run on it. SavageMan is 3 months away, and as she put it, "We can probably clear it up by then, but I don't see how you can do your training."

I don't either.

I'm allowed to walk if it doesn't hurt (with arch supports and heel pads), and bike easy with no resistance. That's not the training I need for the most savage bike course in road triathlon in the world.

Maybe there's a relay team that needs a slow swimmer. Or maybe I'll go as a course volunteer.

Much as I have wanted to do SavageMan and become a True Savage, I'm reasonable enough to know that it's not right for this year after all.

I will do anything I have to do to reach Mt. Katahdin in Maine next September. Even sacrifice SavageMan.

For this year, anyway.