Big Girls Don't Cry...

She wore it like a badge of honor... and I can't be for sure... but I think it was a first.

When a girl tells you proudly that her cross country coach proclaims that she simply will not ever cry... you have to dig deeper.

Not that it should be Coach Doug Bacon's goal to see his squad members in tears, of course... but when you find out that one of his top athletes was trying to power through a disabling syndrome, and never shed a tear... you get the idea... the girl is tough.

It started as what was brushed off as a simple case of the shin splints... but in reality... it was something far different.

It's a mouthful, to be sure. Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome (CECS).

What is it?

Trying to put it as simply as I can... the muscles in her legs have a tight tissue around them called a fascia. Extended work by the muscle, of course causes expansion and swelling... and sometime, athletes fascia are simply not big enough to withstand that swelling.

The result? One word... Pain.

Eventually the ability to use that muscle simply shuts down.

Which is what happened to the little Bobcat Engine that Could in this case.

I've often talked about how special I felt that cross country or distance runners have to be... not only physically... but more often, mentally. But this is a deal that simply could not be powered through.

It ended up robbing Sarah of much of her senior season of cross country when it became apparent that the CECS needed surgery. A "fasciotomy" was the solution where the University of Iowa took care of relieving that pressure and essentially expanded the fascia around the muscle to allow her to run again.

See how much I learn during my sessions?

While cross country didn't end up like she had wanted as their senior leader, Miss Shirar, should be able to get back after it this spring for the track season... and I'm happy for her because of that.

So... I learned that while she wouldn't let a physical ailment bring her to tears... I'm not so sure that what happened this last week didn't.

Perhaps her tear ducts were put to the test as the celebration that she, along with the rest of St. Louis Cardinal fans, have been enjoying as World Series Champions. The off season party came to a temporary halt this week as it was announced that team icon and living legend, Albert Pujols was opting to leave the team for more money in Anaheim.

Being a Cubs fan... I knew I was in for another session with the "enemy" when one of her primary focuses besides running... came in the form of her faithful Irish Setter dog, Mac.

Mac, of course, is short for McGwire... as in Mark McGwire... former Cardinal slugger, and current batting coach.

I can tell you that the girl stood toe-to-toe in discussing America's pastime... not an easy thing to do, if I may say so. I must blame her father, Kirk, for this. :)

I must admit, that while Mac was named after one of my team's enemies... he certainly didn't hold it against me. Sometimes the fight to get a dog's ears to "pop up" for a photograph can be a challenge. Not this pup. The were perpetually in the up position, which made things very easy for Mama Cindy and I, when we would normally be making fools of ourselves like we were trying to get the attention of a two-year old.

She has a "man's best friend" for sure... just don't ask her about her "friend." On second thought... please do.

(you know I had to, Sarah)