Running injured
Shortly after setting a personal best for my half marathon time in late November, I got injured. I didn't get hurt immediately after the race but sustained the injury by excessively pushing myself in training after that race. This past training cycle, I really cracked the whip. As such, I've made tremendous gains in my overall fitness and running.
Looking back, I obviously got carried away and lost my steady approach to training. While recovering I've been reading a lot of philosophical material on running. Apparently the days and week following a big PR is a dangerous time for a runner. The tendency is to want to ride the natural high longer, so you push harder (because you feel so dang good), then BAM! INJURED. Lesson learned!
At first I was in denial. As a runner, I am used to varying degrees of pain and discomfort. But then the soreness and pain in both my knees would not go away. I hobbled up flights of stairs. I moved ever so slowly whenever I had to bend my knees. Even in bed while I changed positions I would wake up in pain. Boooo. Boooo. And more Booos!
I gave myself two weeks off from running. It helped! Then I went dancing. That did not help! More pain and hobbling around. (Booooo.com.) I took even more time off, and now I am most definitely better and feeling close to 90%! Yesssssss!!!
I thought I would be utterly devastated because I love running so much. Surprisingly, my spirits are high even if I've had to drastically cut down my mileage. I've limited my runs to 2 times a week max, with my mileage being low (no more than 4 miles each run.)
Getting better
Doing the following has helped me get better:
(1) I still remained active. I went to the gym, walked, strength trained, cross trained, and most recently started group circuit training. All so much fun!
(2) I rested more. I made sure to get 7 - 9 hours of sleep most nights.
(3) I started taking a multivitamin, a high potency glucosamine, and fish oil EVERYDAY. I call this my "Tri-Pack" because these were the supplements I took while training for my first Triathlon = ) Most overuse ailments have to do with pain/inflammation in our joints and/or tendons and I have found glucosamine and fish oil to help my joints feel supple despite heavy training.
Lastly, I am finally feeling good enough for a long run and writing this post makes me tingle with excitement at the prospect of running 10 miles this weekend (a gentle long run with walk breaks.) Woohooo!! Just like a kid on Christmas morning, I tell ya! LOL ;-)
Here's to a wonderful year of fitness, training, and racing!
