Alyse

High fives and smiles surround Alyse for an half hr after the pentathlon 400 meter race.  Not so unusual, but on this day it was especially satisfying. She’d circled the track in an unspectacular time, a half a lap behind her opponent from Canada.  But, she finished. That’s the important thing. 

Earlier in the day, Alyse was staring down the final two events in the pentathlon division.  Based on her results, she’d be placed in the proper division for the finals later this week.  Since she was one of two female athletes, there wouldn’t be any shake up overall.  The challenge ahead was she’d had an injury last November and recovery had been slow.  At training camp we saw a talented hard working young woman, and remaining so, this injury was especially difficult to work through. The previous day here in Dubai, she’d re-injured the knee on the first attempt of her long jump. An audible cry went out when she landed in the pit and our hearts sank.  Medical attended to her and she was able to move off the track and later attempt another mark.  It was too painful, and her coach Caleb, scratched the final attempt.

Her shot put went as well as can be expected, but not her best on the tender leg.  Ice would take over for any cool down and we would just hope for the best on day two of the trials.  

Temps warmed up quickly on the tennis courts next to the track, our “field event warm-up area” as it was named.  In the early morning, we had most of it to ourselves-the pentathlon high jump would be the first event. Our male pentathletes joined Alyse in warm ups and she had a heavily wrapped knee and brace.  Fingers were crossed it would help.  At this point, we knew the Canadian athlete would be untouchable, so the goal turned to finishing the pent and taking satisfaction in the fact that this was the world games and she was here completing. 

It quickly became apparent that the knee was weak and she was a bit shy to place a great deal of power on it.  Caleb asked if I could work to switch up take off approach side, a difficult technical challenge even on healthy legs.  It took a while, but we got the rhythm down and although probably feeling very foreign, she could get some lift after an approach from her “wrong side.”  I was hopeful.  She just needed to clear one meter.  

At the apron of the high jump, each athlete took several warmup jumps.  Alyse had difficulty making this totally opposite side work for her. A combination of the weak leg and fleeting confidence was just too difficult to overcome.  After an attempt, it was decided to scratch the remaining jumps.  Caleb would submit a previous performance to keep her in a division she belongs in.  In Special Olympics, it’s a complicated calculation, but needless to say, the fair thing was to keep her in the F01 division against Ragen, the Canadian girl.

More treatment followed and one event remained.  The 400. Arguably the most painful sprint in all of track.  She just need to finish.

Mentally, Alyse had to push through doubts of finishing, the pain, and the humbleness if she had to slow or walk and not being able to run like she’s capable of.  Team drs assured us that if she just took it easy, she’d be fine.  Both Caleb and I had heart to heart conversations with her and shared stories of other athletes in similar situations at world games.  She decided the effort was worth it to compete on this World Games stage. She deserved to be here. 

The gun fired and both young women took off from the far corner of the track.  I’d set up on the 100 meter side for yelling/encouragement/finger crossing.  Alyse kept up a steady pace- running, albeit slowly, but steady. Yes!  All eyes on our team were glued on her as  she ran the back straightaway, slowed, then picked up again.  At the last 100, my heart lightened as she picked up the pace and took it home.  

The effort to reach that finish line may have been the hardest race Alyse has ever run.  

Hugs from coaches and teammates brought smiles to an otherwise difficult day for this New York athlete.  Now she’ll have a few days break, with Opening ceremonies tonight and an off day tomorrow, and maybe enough rest to bring back some confidence and stronger legs.  We’re all hoping so.