Here’s what’s happening, people. I’m injured. Like, legit injured. Last week I put myself on voluntary restricted duty. This week, though, I’m on full lockdown. I focused a lot on cross training last week and felt really great. Here’s how it went and some of my goals going forward:
Monday — yoga
I’ve decided I need to get back in the yoga game. I was diligent about doing yoga last winter and spring. I don’t love it, but it needs to happen. It was never more apparent than while I was attempting tree pose on Monday. I kept tipping over! All my balance is gone! Vanished. Adios, amigo.
Goal: incorporate more yoga, get that balance back, and streeeeeetch those limbs.
Tuesday — cycled 30 minutes + strength training
I have no way of telling how far I ride, unfortunately. But I do try to keep up my cardio for however long I was planning on running that day. It’s the most unscientific way to cross train, but it works for me. Do what you can with what you have, right? Plus I got to watch those European dudes again and listen to great techno.
In the afternoon, I did my little strength/weight routine plus IT band rehab work. I use very light weights and body weight and it definitely gets the job done. If I don’t keep up with these workouts, I feel DOMS for days, so I definitely know it’s working.
Wednesday — cycled 45 minutes
Wednesday is the day I rediscovered Serial. I listened to Serial religiously last winter while I logged all those crazy miles on the treadmill during the week. It definitely helped to pass the time. I listened to the first episode of the second season last week and I’m hooked.
Thursday — cycled 45 minutes + strength training
Same cycling routine from Wednesday, plus body weight and IT band rehab routines. I felt great! I did listen to Serial again, though… and this time I found myself getting distracted from my workout because I was too keyed in to the podcast and not so much in my workout.
Goal: focus on getting my heart rate up more consistently while cycling. Don’t get distracted!
Saturday — 1.34 miles
The plan for Saturday was to run 9 miles. I was planning on running with Julie, Sara, and Noemi, but Noemi couldn’t make it, Sara bailed, and then I realized I would be pushing my luck on a planned 9 miler running fast with Julie. I decided to play it safe and run in my neighborhood. I didn’t go out for long. I really just wanted to test my ankle. I ran for almost a mile and a half. Everything felt wonderful. In truth, the only reason I stopped is because I felt the roads were getting a little slippery from the freezing rain. I definitely could have kept running. I wore my Newtons.
Sunday — 1 mile
Sunday. Bah humbug.
I planned to meet Noemi and one of my clients for a 6 mile run. I was running to our destination, which would have brought my total to 9 for the day. I had my hydration bottle filled with SOS, I was layered appropriately. I was ready and determined.
I headed out and felt good. Nothing hurt. I stopped for a minute to put on my hat and started up again. As soon as I started running I felt the discomfort in my ankle.
Nooooooo!!!!!!
Nooooooo!!!!!!
I kept going. At this point I was barely warmed up and I wasn’t even a half mile in.The plan was to ignore it because I truly thought I was overreacting and it was all in my head. I got to one mile and I decided to stop and refocus. My ankle wasn’t getting better. It wasn’t getting worse, but it wasn’t going away. I thought maybe it was my shoe so I adjusted my shoe. I started running again. This time there was a searing, burning pain just above my ankle. It was just a split second, though, and then it stopped.
It was then that I made the call to quit. This injury was nothing I wanted to mess around with. Totally not worth it in the long run. I called Noemi and told her I wasn’t coming. I started walking home but it was fairly cold out, I was sweating, and I was starting to chill rather quickly. I tried to run very slowly, hoping I could make it home. Nope. I called my husband for a ride.
End scene. I wore my Mizunos on this run.
Monday — Medic!!
I got in, by some miracle, to see a PA early Monday morning. I was the first appointment of the day. I got my X-ray and all that jazz, which of course came back clear. The PA seemed certain I’m dealing with a tendon issue and not a stress reaction/fracture, which is great news. The bad news is that the recovery time and process is basically the same. I’m cleared to cross train and strength train, just no impact exercises. I’ll be on this regimen for approximately 3-6 weeks. We also discussed my calcium and vitamin D intake which will be adjusted accordingly but wasn’t far off anyway. There’s also a possibility it could be a footwear issue, so I’m planning to hit up my favorite running store in the next week or two to get re-fitted.
I chatted with my coach about all this, and we came to the conclusion that a spring full marathon just isn’t in the cards for me. After taking so much time off, I’d be playing catch up throughout the rest of the season just to get the mileage in. Cramming mileage is neither safe nor effective, and I have no interest in a repeat performance of last year’s marathon. I’m at peace with the decision. And despite not running the Cleveland full, I’m still very excited for the spring racing season. Being able to put the full v. half debate to rest, I can now focus my efforts on effective race strategy for my upcoming races: Hoosier Half in April, Cleveland Half in May, and Grand Teton in June. All completely different races, all completely different strategies. Should be a fun training season — once I can run again, that is.
Old goal: spring marathon.
New goal: fall marathon.
The silver lining with this is that I truly loathe running outside in the cold. Especially when it’s dark. On the weekends it’s okay because then I get to meet up with friends and it’s light out. But during the week my options are cold and dark, or the treadmill. Now I don’t have to feel guilty if I have no interest in running outside — because I can’t even if I wanted to! Plus I’ll get to work on all the other things that will make me a stronger runner — nutrition, core work (ooh, I forgot to mention I’m on a plank streak! Follow me on Instagram and you can join me!), strength work, cycling, and yoga. So much more variety than just running, running, running.
Will I miss running? Heck yeah I will. Especially on the days when the sun’s out and it’s not bitter cold. But you know what they say — distance makes the heart grow fonder.
xo
TALK TO ME!
What’s your injury-recovery strategy?
Favorite cross-training activity?
Bonus points: Do you like/dislike winter running?
This post is linked up with My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs for Tuesdays on the Run, and HoHo Runs and MissSippi Piddlin’ for the Weekly Wrap!
