Of Injury and Seniority

After my session at the sports trainers, they determined I've pulled my hip flexor. I have no idea how, only that it hurts really bad. So they gave me ice and stim treatment, as well as ultrasound to break up the scar tissue. The result: it hurt like billy-o the next day. Really badly. But I have to keep up the treatment for the rest of the week, and hopefully with the swimming I'm doing I won't regress too badly. It's supremely frustrating to be unable to run, but therein lies the danger I guess - impatience. I have scores of friends who have recurrent injuries due to impatience - in fact, I have a few myself. So there's nothing for it but to wait, I guess.

Yet another frustrating thing - I may not get to run due to me being a lowly freshman (aka grub). Since some of the seniors are on the waitlist, and this is their last year, it's entirely possible that I'll be put on the waitlist so they can take my place. Funds-wise, this isn't a problem - the funds I raised can be used for next years run, if it comes to that. It's just somewhat disappointing, even if I've no problems with the reason. I'm seeing coach today to sort this out, will let everyone know how it goes :)

Back In Boston

Wow, I'm back in Boston and it is COLD. currently -10ºC out there, so I'm not heading out yet. Was supposed to join the Tufts marathon group for a run today, but didn't because 1) they were training at 7am, and I have no spandex to run in i.e. I will freeze, and 2) am not feeling too good. It's probably the change in weather - coming from Singapore with it's average of 26ºC/80ºF to Boston with it's average of -5ºC over the next 6 days cannot be good for anyone.

In any case, the summary of my exercise in Singapore would be: a week of running, followed by a lot of pain and water exercise and crunches. I will be (hopefully) seeing the sports trainer in half-an-hour, so maybe I will be able to figure out what is wrong with my hip. It still hurts, even while walking.

But while the Singapore leg of the training was not as great as I had hoped it would be, the Singapore leg of the fundraising was supremely heartening. Many, many, MANY thanks to the wonderful people of the Singapore Hash House Horrors, particularly the Joosas! When they heard that I was running the Boston Marathon and was raising money, they did not hesitate to offer me the chance to take advantage of the fact that they were organising a run to raise funds. So I got 25 bandanas (courtesy of the Joosas) embroidered at the army market at Beach Road (urban legend has it that what with all the spare parts you have there, you can make your own machine gun), and they looked like this:



The Hash run was, as all Hash runs end up in this weather, wet and muddy. Although I squelched through the water with some trepidation as the Tufts cross country team suffered terrible rashes the last time they ran through water, the whole thing was fun. I even have photos!


Natalie, Sijmon and Ella enjoying a bandana split! Sorry, I couldn't help it…


The Laraia boys + Uncle Slime (aka Virginia Slim)…


…who gracefully sprawled on his car, since it matched the color of his bandana.


Uncle Funny was enjoying himself.


So did the kids, who were playing "Traffic Light".


Hash was quite fun :) good times. Now for sports medicine man.