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Missed Milo—Again!

Race bib…CHECK
Brand spanking new mizuno outfit…CHECK
Fully charged garmin…CHECK
Packed bag with extra clothing…CHECK
Gatorade and banana…CHECK

Milo Nationals

As early as friday evening, I was all set to run 10k at the Milo race that was held this sunday morning. To say that I was excited about this race would be an understatement. I had missed the Milo Metro Manila eliminations last July due to a fainting spell, so this was my chance to finally experience one of the biggest races in the country. Surprise surprise, I failed to make it…AGAIN!

The reason: sheer stupidity and stubborness. (I don’t call myself THE BULL-headed RUNNER for nothing.)

I heard about the importance of tapering a hundred times over from Coach B to Higdon and Galloway’s books. But, due to my obstinateness, over-enthusiasm, and plain addiction to running, I couldn’t quite resist the urge to run the day before the race. I’m almost embarassed to admit it: 10km close to race pace on the eve of race day. Yes, that’s what I did. Yes, you may slap me on the head. Yes, I know I will suffer the dire consequences of breaking the golden rule of tapering.

Soon after that training run (or more like midway through it), I felt a pinch in the most vulnerable part of my body: my left knee which suffers from discoid lateral meniscus. This knee tells me when I’m overtraining. When it starts aching, it practically commands me to rest the next couple of days and gradually ease back into my training or else…or else…I don’t even want to go there. So, when I felt that slight discomfort around 5km into the run, my first thought was “No, it can’t be” (denial), then “No no no, I can’t miss Milo!” (panic) and within the next few minutes, “I shouldn’t have run! I’m so stupid.” (guilt).

By that evening, after a mid-afternoon massage that I hoped would magically heal my meniscus problem, I was in agony over the decision I had to make. Every inch of my body wanted to run. Weeks of LSDs and speedwork prepared me for this race. (In hindsight, I’m thinking the past few weeks’ training may have slowly built up this injury as well.) But, rationally, I knew I had to bite the bullet; I had to sacrifice the Milo race if I wanted to make it to my first marathon in February next year. Sob sob, goodbye Milo.

This coming week will be all about rest and recovery for me. I’m hoping against all hope that Santa comes down our chimney tonight delivering an advanced Christmas gift for me: instant mending of my broken knee. But, since that is most unlikely (they say Santa doesn’t exist, plus we don’t have a chimney), I’ll just try to be a good girl and patiently wait for this knee to heal.

To all those who joined the race, especially the finalists, congratulations! I hope to see you next year…barring any unforeseen circumstances that may strike a third time from keeping me from Milo races.

Posted on 11.18.07 to 01 Bullish Insights, 07 Therapy & Injury. Tags: , , , , . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 21 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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21 Responses to “Missed Milo—Again!”

  1. Jaymie, I’m sorry to hear about your knee and the disappointment you surely must feel about missing this race. I hope it will be a speedy recovery for you. Get some rest and resist the temptation to run in the next few days.

    bealtea said on Nov 18 07 at 6:25 PM Reply

  2. think of it this way – it’s good that you’ve come to terms with what your knees are telling you at this early stage in training. consider it tuition.

    Tina said on Nov 18 07 at 8:34 PM Reply

  3. Hi Jaymie,
    And here i was eager to hear your exploits on the Milo race. Well it could have been worse anyway just follow what your Ortho says and hope you’ll be back in shape in no time. Besides there will be other races for the bullrunner to run. Get well soon. -The MH Urbanathon turned out well

    Armand said on Nov 18 07 at 11:09 PM Reply

  4. try ko how to use those numbers para sa pag taya lotto next time. get well now.

    roadrat said on Nov 19 07 at 7:58 AM Reply

  5. miss jaymie…. please please please……. i beg you… do not follow on my footsteps. hehehehe I was too eager in my marathon preparation….. that nasty injury caused me my ticket to Singapore Marathon and had to lay-off from running for almost 2 months. I hope you could know the cause of your injury so that you can prepare better and avoid it. Goodluck!

    ben chan said on Nov 19 07 at 10:01 AM Reply

  6. ay loka! ako muntikan na rin. i wanted to go bike from basa to subic last friday. urbanathlon went well — don’t have pictures but i’ll upload a picture of my hand na badly calloused from the rope burn!!

    marga said on Nov 19 07 at 10:31 AM Reply

  7. Curse of the Milo Marathon! It’s real! Beware!

    Joms said on Nov 19 07 at 10:38 AM Reply

  8. Bealtea, thanks a lot! How’s your training going?

    Tina, yup lesson learned!

    Armand, kwento about Urbanathlon?!

    Roadrat, baka malasin ka lang sa numbers na yan. hahaha.

    Ben, I pretty much know what the cause is. My pace is too fast during my long run. I think I should slow down by 30 seconds to a minute more. Over excited kasi eh.

    Marga, dead toenails and calloused hands… poor girls we are.

    bullrunner said on Nov 19 07 at 10:39 AM Reply

  9. Try just targetting 21k or 25k muna next year. Don’t run 42k yet. You need to strengthen your knee first. Next next year would be fine.

    Mon said on Nov 19 07 at 12:42 PM Reply

  10. Sayang. I wasnt able to run as well since I never had a decent practice lately. Bawi ka na na lg sa Animo Run next week. :D

    Jinoe said on Nov 19 07 at 1:09 PM Reply

  11. hi BR! i was looking for you…i’m sure you would’ve smoked them if you ran…i went to the mizu store to pick up my bib last sat. but it was picked up by another runner…not a good sign…in short, i ran milo without a bib…our male mizu elite runner topped the milo 5k, i think thats nelbert…also it was finally in the papers yesterday about mizu runner jujet being 2nd overall in the NB 25k in clark…by the way, in the milo half-marathon in baguio a few weeks back, there was a semi senior runner from baguio who approached me and asked where i was from, so i told him manila…i guess i looked alien to them…then he asked if i log on to Pinoy Runners and i said not yet but really wanting to…then i said, i just log on to mizuno and Bullrunner…then he goes, ah si jaymi…wow, so keep it up and keep us posted…enjoy your rest and recovery…

    mond said on Nov 19 07 at 3:34 PM Reply

  12. my training is going well, thanks. i did my longest run ever yesterday, a 12.85miler! my legs were so stiff by the end of the day!

    here’s a link to my blog, http://bealtea.blogspot.com/

    bealtea said on Nov 19 07 at 5:06 PM Reply

  13. ah sikat talaga si jaymie ano? mond, ako iyong jurassic runner na naki usap sa iyo haha. since baguio is a “small” city, we pretty know each other here. nice to meet you.

    roadrat said on Nov 19 07 at 6:02 PM Reply

  14. Hey Ms. BullRunner! I am becoming addicted to writing your posts here. Anyway, I am sorry for whatever happened to you before the race. It sucks. But I envy you because you’re setting your eyes upon running a complete marathon. I will still find out if I can after running the 21k in subic this January. I hope you’d get well soon and see you in the race track. TC! :)

    Xarpresth the Great said on Nov 19 07 at 7:56 PM Reply

  15. Jamie, “rest” is a part of life. everything and everyone needs it, machine needs it or it breaks down, mas maganda “preventive maintenance”, keysa “breakdown maintenace” . . . . si Lord nga nag REST on the 7th day . . . More Power to You.

    mandie said on Nov 20 07 at 5:26 AM Reply

  16. Sorry to hear about the knee! Smart decision though, it’s tough but better to cut your losses than make it worse. I always taper but only for the races I want to do well in. If the race is just part of training then I’ll train right through. Oh if you’re not doing it already, ice, ice, ice.

    rick430 said on Nov 20 07 at 1:56 PM Reply

  17. Hey by the way thanks for taking care of my friend. She’s kind of a slacker with the running thing. Might have to get rid of her, don’t want any slackers on my team, haha…I’m kidding…well…no I am I am.

    rick430 said on Nov 20 07 at 5:12 PM Reply

  18. Hi! we got a running group here in iloilo city, if you are around, you are welcome to join us in our early morning run. My email address is omerophoto@yahoo.com

    nonoy721 said on Nov 20 07 at 10:14 PM Reply

  19. huh??? you didn’t get to run? and all beacuse of being over eager beaver about the run itself??! haha! how ironic!

    dont worry though, lotsa runs to go.. and not long before now, a full marathon for the bull runner! wootwoot!

    banggigay said on Nov 21 07 at 5:30 AM Reply

  20. Hi Jaymie,

    Rest those knees and strengthen those legs, goodluck on your marathon training :)

    TRF said on Nov 22 07 at 12:13 AM Reply

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