First of all, I just wanted to say thank you so much to those who commented on my last post. I gave myself permission to throw myself a pity party and letting myself legitimately feel upset, disappointed, and out of sorts actually helped me to work through those feelings better than if I had tried to slap on a smile and accept all of this with stoic fortitude. The fact that you were all so supportive reminded me of one of the many reasons that I run: the running community rocks! I appreciate your readership and kindness more than I can say.
I have been able to manage two short runs these past few days without feeling IT Band pain. This past Thursday I ran three 6 minute intervals with a couple of minutes of walking in between. Yesterday, I met up with my dear friend Suzie for an easy and social 2 miler. My hip felt tired at the end of both of these runs, but I experienced no pain or cramping. I'm going to keep the mileage low and mix in a couple of days of active rest in between runs for the rest of the month to be on the safe side, but I'm delighted to be running again! I think the chiropractic care - especially Graston Technique - and the two weeks off from running with continued stretching, foam rolling, and icing, have helped me make significant strides in coming back from this.
I cannot tell you what a difference not running has made in my outlook and anxiety level. Yoga and cycling have helped a lot, but I have missed burning off negative energy and the thought-clearing process that running provides me. This has been such a reminder for me to not take my health for granted and also to make sure to carve out time for self-care and exercise. Once I stopped training for Chicago, I really let grading and other obligations slip into that hour or so a day that I had been using for training when I still should have been preserving that time for me - for my physical, mental, and emotional health. I need to remember that even if I'm not running 6 miles, I still need to give myself that time. I'm a better person when I do.
How was your weekend? What did you do? Any races? Any social runs? Any delicious meals?
I totally understand how not running affects outlook and anxiety. I go through that every time I need to have my knee treated :-(
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are progressing nicely! And you made it through the weekend. Now you can start looking forward and that's always a good feeling.
ReplyDeleteUGH!!! I've been away and wasn't aware that you had been having problems. I'm so sorry you didn't get to run yesterday! Sounds like you're bouncing back quickly though. I hope you continue to recover nicely!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you: I feel better physically and emotionally when I'm running regularly. Three cheers for fall and its perfect running days!
ReplyDeleteI think you've done such a great job handling your injury. You are one classy runner :-)
It's amazing how movement forestalls anxiety. I was thinking of you this weekend. I've been all crazy with Thanksgiving and eating :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your blog but sadly not to injury. I'm so sorry your ITB had other plans besides Chicago this year. I'm in the same boat: pulled the plug on Twin Cities training two weeks before the race due to an angry hip. This too shall pass and there'll be more races for both of us. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteYay to your 2 miles!!! You'll be back before your know it!
ReplyDeleteOnly race this weekend was my oldest kiddo's swim meet. :)
I understand the mental thing. I feel like I'm coping a lot less well without running and it's much harder to sleep and concentrate. I'm glad you had some pain free runs!
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right about keeping fitness time aside for fitness. It is much too easy to let other obligations fill up that time! That's one of the reasons I miss my old running group (now a continent away!) -- I had running buddies who expected to see me at 6pm three nights a week!
ReplyDeleteMy weekend was not so the best, but I can't complain. I did have a delicious pot of soup! (Head-cold cure-all!) ;-)
Setting aside an hour each day for you is SO important! I have a hard time finding the time myself, then I remind myself that really, it's only an hour, and I need it. Whether it's for exercise, reading, knitting, cooking something wonderful, etc.
ReplyDeleteI biked about 35 miles this weekend, and signed up for a 5k in November to give moral support to my fellow run-walking friend.
I always dismissed warm ups and cool downs as a waste of time until I developed plantar fasciitis.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you've figured out what works for your IT pain. And the marathons/races will always be there waiting for us to be back at 100%.
Ugh, it is so hard to set aside time for yourself, not related to academia. Thanks for the reminder. I am sadly sidelined with some knee pain, so I am trying to do slower runs of any length, to avoid stress and actual injury. Darn these wider lady hips!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are getting back into it! I think it's important to keep some time aside for fitness. I am sure it is frustrating for you to have to go back into it slowly, but that too, is very important!
ReplyDeleteMy weekend was good. I had no races but did have a long run, where I did not keel over afterwards. So that is a good run.
I am glad you feel better after letting yourself really grieve the fact that you couldn't do Chicago. I totally get that. Sometimes you have to acknowledge feelings so you can move on.
ReplyDeleteI am happy to hear you have gotten some runs in. I bet this really gives you a fresh perspective on running. Sometimes I fall into the habit of saying "I have to run X miles". I should think "I get to run x miles".
My weekend was wonderful. I PR'd big time and felt great afterwards!!
I'm glad you are starting to feel better.I totally know what you mean about not taking your health for granted.I feel like that with my back and whenever I feel pain, I think about how lucky I am that I am still able to run.
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