Salamanders are the only vertebra that can regenerate lost limbs and other body parts.

I feel like a bit like a salamander because even though my heel is still technically broken, I can run. I can run because my body has produced this strange fibrous tissue in the fracture area in my heel. I was given a 10% chance that the bone would heal and I was told that I may never run again. I have what is called a non-union fracture where bone has not formed to unite the broken pieces.  But the fibrous tissue that has formed instead is supposedly almost as strong as bone.  I feel salamander-ish because I am in awe that my body has fixed itself by generating this tissue!

I am at the stage now that I have to go out and test my foot.  I have to ramp up the mileage and speed to see how much the foot can handle.  So far, so good - I am doing short track workouts and I can up to 45 minutes without any pain.  I am very optimistic that I will be able to come back faster than before.  I have a renewed appreciation for the finer points of running technique and, for the simple joy of running.

When I started running I ran because it took away all my childhood and teenage worries, because I loved the outdoors and well, because I didn’t own a bike and I wanted to keep up with my friends when they biked around town :)

As I improved and got older I ran to win.  Winning remains the goal, but I am going to take the time to appreciate the amazing thing most of us take for granted – mobility.  I am committed to –on occasion- running simply to run and not to win.

It was an interesting summer filled with rehab, doctor’s appointments for the foot, lots of biking and lots of swimming.  I shouldn’t forget to mention all of the water running.  I must admit that I have become good friends with a lot of seniors thanks to the water running! 

I did manage to squeak in some racing so that I didn’t go crazy (I was starting to get competitive with the old folks who I was water running with! Not good).

I did a few open water swim races, the Provincial 40 km cycling Time Trial Championships and the swim/bike portion of the Elite Triathlon Championships.  Based on the results of these races I can see that my swim has improved about 1 minute over 1500 meters and that my sustained power on the bike has increased between 5 and 10 percent.

I am super happy to announce that I will be doing my first triathlon in 6 months this Sunday.  It is just a local triathlon to test the feet but I am on cloud nine knowing that I will be racing in less than 2 days.  There will be some added drama on Sunday because Ken and his documentary crew are going to film this race (it is important to the documentary!).

I will be taking it a little easy on the foot, not running full tilt up the beach and in the transition area.  As well, I will be wearing full stability shoes (my Kayanos) instead of my normal Asics flats for the run.

For the remainder of the season Coach Alister and I will be focusing on building up the running mileage and speed.  There will be a heavy focus on technique, strength as well as flexibility as I ‘relearn’ how to run.

The main race will be an ITU event in San Francisco on November 8th.  This race provides me with a competitive race situation to really test out my run progression, but it will remain a no-pressure race.

Thanks again for your continued support. It was a tough spring and summer, but it was made much, much easier with so many people behind me.  I am confident that this will translate into better performances next year.

I have attached some pictures:

Winning the 4KM open water race in Orillia

At the Provincial Time Trial Champs in Plattsville

A thousands thanks,

Ayesha