Trapped in the Phantom Zone!

I proudly admit that I am a Comic Book Geek.  I collected those slick-covered epic tomes for over forty years.  I was there when Wolverine first popped a claw.  Likewise, I uttered a loud gasp in my apartment when Thanos “snapped” half of life out of existence in the summer of 1991.  Nor did I miss the moment that Batman nearly perished from the viruses injected into him from the audacious Auntie Vaxx. (Actually, that last one never happened.  I was just testing everyone.)  

It never fails to amaze me that names like “Star Lord” and “Dr. Octopus” are familiar to most of the planet.  To even utter them during Junior High would have invited the "Mother of All Wedgies!"

Although I stopped collecting comic books about a year or two before I returned to competitive running, I bring it up for two reasons.  

• Comic books and more precisely - the mystique of superheroes - are as deeply ingrained into me as running.

• My current situation with running is best described using comic book terminology.

A Comic Book Geek in Nikes!

Don’t worry.  I’ve never fallen prey to fantasies about having an alter-ego.  Nor did I imagine possessing eye beams or being able to climb walls.  While there were moments that I wouldn’t have minded telepathy to know what someone was thinking, reality told me that if I was that curious, I probably didn’t really want to know.  

But there were indeed undeniable aspects of the “superhero mystique” that held considerable appeal in my world of running.  This became more apparent to me when I resumed comic book collecting during my freshman year in college by purchasing the latest X-Men on the way to our Conference meet.

The X-Men - my favorite comic book during college - held particular appeal with the concept of training to maximize your gifts or talents.  And then using those gifts to overcome whatever odds were stacked against you.  Likewise, with a focus on mutants as a minority of sorts, the themes of “community” resonated strongly as I saw the value in being part of a “team.”

Decades later, those themes still resound.  I see participation in races as that same opportunity to push myself through the pain cave and other adversities in the hopes of a PR or winning my age group.  Likewise, that sense of community still remains.  I would argue that social media certainly plays a role in providing a good part of that community.

Can I also confess to the silly notion that I enjoy going from a skinny, bespectacled older guy to becoming a somewhat toned, reasonably decent runner when I exchange the sport coat and slacks for running gear and Nikes.  Just promise not to tell anyone!

And what in the name of the Green Lanterns Corp does any of this have to do with being stuck in the Phantom Zone?

Falling Into the Phantom Zone!

I took it easy in June to fully recover from a hectic spring schedule.  Only that really hasn’t happened.  Tightness around my left knee exploded with pain during a cool down in early July.  Despite my best efforts since then, running has resembled a troubling rollercoaster.  Some minimal progress that is soon eroded by another setback before another minimal gain and so on.  

According to a sports medicine doctor, the culprit is arthritis.  There are treatments to address it that I plan to commence, but this is also a busy time for my work.  I had also hoped to recover enough to attempt two smaller races in November and December before undergoing that treatment.  But again, that recovery simply isn’t happening.

I’m essentially inhabiting in a limbo where I’m unable to go beyond a certain number of miles or do any speedwork - much less compete in any races.  Or to put it into comic book terminology, I’m stuck in the Phantom Zone.  

(You know, that “prison dimension” where Superman’s criminals are exiled.  C’mon, it’s been in two of his movies.)

I can’t speak for General Zodd or any of the Man of Steel’s other adversaries, but for me, I am not enjoying my time in the Phantom Zone.  I’ve yet to purge the taste of that last dismal race - having already missed four races with no idea when I can even return to training.  I also admit that when I can’t run as I like, it tends to cast a dark shadow over every other aspect of my life.  

This is certainly a new experience for me.  Previous injuries have always healed with that steady recovery fueling further motivation.  Understand that I bring this up only because this is a running blog. One that includes the bad as well as the good.

What Would Captain America Do?

Ultimately, to deal with this, I’m seeking to utilize another part of the “superhero mystique.”  I will need to tap into a reservoir of fortitude to maintain my determination to work my way through all of this and avoid the temptation to plunge into despair.  

Put it another way, did Spider-Man throw in the towel when the maniacal Mind-Worm confronted him with memories of Flash Thompson snapping him with a wet towel in the showers back when they were in high school?  No way!

Did Iron Man fall off the wagon when Madame Masque left him at the altar for a weekend rendezvous with Mr. Doll?  Of course not!

Given that, how can I do anything but preserve and do what it takes to return to running!

Epilogue

My thanks to everyone for allowing me to indulge my inner child with this post.  My intent is sharing a difficult experience in a more entertaining manner.  As always, I’d like to hear your thoughts and experiences.  Feel free to share them in the comments below.  

I used AI to create the pictures for this post.  But that’s the only role it played with my blog.  Any bad writing and/or misspellings are all mine.

One final note, since we’re talking about comic books, I am launching another blog titled “The Iron Age Revisited.”  I will be reviewing every issue of Iron Man, including some rather dreadful comics.  Of course, I plan to indulge in a considerable amount of fun with these reviews.  First one will be published on Friday, November 14.  You can check it out then or subscribe at this link.