Knowing full well that there will be some talk and speculation about why I'm not racing Wildflower this weekend, I decided to set the record straight here on a blog.  Here it is:

A couple of weeks ago I developed some tendonitis in my right foot.  Not the side of my body that I broke, and not car accident related - just to be clear as I'm sure that will be the big question on everyone's mind, but it couldn't be further from the truth.  Instead, it is from running big miles and pushing physical limits as all pro triathletes do.  It's a fine balance to push things to the edge without breaking them down.  Foot/tendon issues are something I've dealt with in the past and it largely stems to tight calf muscles (which run down to tendons in the foot) due to my agressive forefoot running style which is being addressed.

Soon after I got to our second camp a few weeks ago in San Diego I started running on an anti-gravity treadmill which allows you to continue 'running' as you recover from injury and also provides a safe and gradual return to running in a totally controlled environment.  It's pretty awesome actually!  The focus stayed on Wildflower as I continued therapy and the treadmill running, but this weekend it was clear that the tendon is not going to be ready to race a hard 13.1 miles in a few days time. I did everything possible to help it along, but in the end, the tendon decides.  And it says to me, "Not yet."

The tendon is close, but putting myself and the rest of my season at risk to make it to this race would be a big mistake.  I have too much respect for myself and my body (for the favors it has done for me) to try and force it to do something that could put it (and my season) in danger.  

There has been a fair amount of hype about my first race back, and I understand this (and am also in a way grateful for it) but at the same time it's made me realize that I have to race my first race back for myself. Looking at the big picture, I have to push my comeback race back a few weeks.  I'm not the first athlete to have to push a race back, and I certainly won't be the last.  Admittedly, the last few days I was feeling stress, I was 'feeling' like it was a big deal until I realized that the stress I was feeling was about what other people would think.  I've since decided that that is a complete and utter waste of time and energy.  I've got a season to continue to prepare for.  

So I am re-claiming my comeback race.  I am going to continue to prepare here in San Diego. A HUGE thanks to the Rehbergs for going above and beyond on the homestay role - but they've long since ceased to be just a homestay.  So happy to call you guys friends:)  And in the meantime, Paulo and I will decide when things are safe and ready to race on.  Until then I focus on what it is that I need to do to race at my absolute best.  That's it. That's all.  Keeping it simple.