I hit a few bumps in the road, and am not one to write about those. Not that there is anything wrong with writing about bumps in the road, it's just that acknowledging the bumps makes them real, and typically I am not ready to do that until I got a hold on the bumps. Probably none of this makes sense. So let me explain.
After my last 5K and crazy fast speed I developed a lot of knots in my hamstrings, than quads which made running difficult. I managed to keep running but with a shorter stride, and a much slower pace. Although I hit 73 miles last week, they were all slow. I ran a 20 miler last Saturday in over 3 hours, with stretch breaks. I ended up seeing a PT who confirmed that I am all knotted up (better than knocked up, I suppose:). Apparently I have weak glutes and a weak core, so my quads and hamstrings are doing more work than they should. He has me on a strengthening program which is great, but obviously makes my running more difficult. My legs/butt/core are sore which is unusual for me. I am also getting massages, which help a ton. The PT told me to keep running, which is great (gotta love a PT who tells you to keep running!). Things are getting loosened up and I even managed to do some speed this week, at a rather pathetic speed, and most of it on the treadmill, but I take it for now. This is not a major bump in the road, but it is one that left me thinking a bit about what running means for me, about my goals, and about how I am going to do things differently after Boston (meaning, I will take a full week off of running and also do a 6 week strength program before my next training cycle).
As far as some introspections, realizations during this semi-injury phase? Running even slow is better than no running. I can adjust to running on the TM, doing 20 loops on a 1 mile trail, running tempos on the track, you name it. The elliptical machine is an amazing exercise for running. Some smart coaches agree on that, too:)
Running benefits my marriage, my mothering, and my friendships. Enough said:) There are other things in my life that can take the place of the competitive element of running. This makes me happy and content that putting so much time into running over the years has not left me unbalanced as a person (just left my body muscles unbalanced, LOL). I am not good at receiving empathy when it comes to my "bumps". Please don't tell me you are sorry, or that I need to take it easy; I know you mean well but really that does not help. You can tell me I am going to get my speed back soon, that will make me feel better:)
On other news, we had a lovely Christmas, filled with lots of plastic and wooden toys for Petru, that are currently taking over my living room.
I am having a few days off before the new year, and it is lovely. Oh, and I got to do speed again this week, did I mention that?
I am having a few days off before the new year, and it is lovely. Oh, and I got to do speed again this week, did I mention that?
Hope everyone has a happy, happy, merry, merry 2012! No injuries, lots of PRs, and lots of growth:)
20 comments:
take care of yourself!
If your PT guy doesn't continue to help, find someone who does ART
Happy new year!
Tami, my massage person does. ART is the only thing that works for muscle knots:) Thanks!
Thankfully the injury was short-lived (and not 18 months like someone I know *ahem* - haha) and your PT was able to identify the problem quickly! My heel fiasco was also due to a muscle imbalance (I recommend EVERYONE to have a muscle balance test) ... never thought a weak core/glute/hip would cause heel pain.
I had some issues with my hamstring knotting up, too, and when I started going to Pilates (dynamic stretching), it really helped a lot!
You'll get your speed back fast, that's all part of who you are - fast! :)
Happy New Year!
I agree...better than knocked up! ha ha. And I hear you on the fact that running makes you a better mother, wife, friend...this is true for me too. Even when the competitive element changes a bit, just running and moving my body serves such an important purpose in my daily life. I love that you are using this bump to think about the overall picture and where running fits into your life. As I said in e-mail, I know you know what is best for you. And no doubts that speed will come back quickly for you. Your "bump in the road" speed and mileage is impressive in itself! Enjoy your day AM! Hope that massage does you well. And I've got to get a track set like that for Samuel next year...So fun! Messy but fun. We have cars, blocks tracks and so much "stuff" all over the freaking house. XO
Ah....yes...massage. A GREAT tool. So glad you got in to get that taken care of. I don't think you lost a whole lot of speed. Didn't I just see you blazing past me on my run today?? Oh...no. I guess it couldn't have been ...but that would be fun!
I understand about not wanting to post about the bumps, but it does at least make you seem more human, rather than the superhero we all know you are!!
Love that photo of Petru. :) He looks like an engineer!! Matthew isn't really as tough as his letter to Santa lets on. He gets teary pretty easily. It's all just an image :)
Im glad you have a PT that is helping you. Frankly I cant even imagine doing the training i do without my PT and despite not being injured i see her often for Pre-hab. You know what got me thru my IM last summer? GLUTES and CORE, that was sort of my motto. I repeated that alot..glutes glutes glutes.
I spend about 4 sessions a week on my exercises...and i think they are as important as my SBR.
So keep at it! Thanks for your comment on my blog. IT is what it is, so i just hope i can get some relief without totally gving up my small amount of coffee!!
Raina, yes, that WAS me...in my dreams:)
And yes, gluteus and core, the weaknesses of women! Pretty soon I'll be able to bounce quarters off of mine...ha, ha (not!)
Oh, and Raina, until recently I almost believed I had an injury proof super human body, LOL. Everything else about me...definetly way less than superhuman, ha!
I think ART is great too. And I have NO DOUBT you'll get your speed back. None!
I came over here to thank you for such a nice comment on my blog! The idea that someone would send people there to be inspired means so much to me! Thank you!
this year also brought the realization to my life that I need to get my self together and workout every muscle of the body, especially the core, glutes, and hips. hate how this comes the hard way. but good news is that since i've started dead lifting like a machine, my bum looks pretty stinking amazing in my running tights and maybe one day i'll finally rock that six pack at the beach. ha!
love running, but man does it mess with the equilibrium of the body. it'll all catch up though and will make you faster then ever.
AJH, you really are inspiring. I am in owe of people who start working out later in late and pick up things like running and triathlon without making excuses that their bodies can't handle that!
I'm remembering right now how sore I was when I started working with Ross....Not just the pain in the ass but the total body "ibuprofen inducing" soreness!! I was only easy running but no lie 9-10 minute miles felt so HARD!! knew I was doing what was in the best interest of my body but yet a challenging time with my mind trying to stay confident while running slower....You just wait-this little bump is going to be but a very distant memory so shortly. It's already becoming a memory!! You're body is going to adjust and heal, get "equalized" and be FASTER than before! This I KNOW. And speaking of fast! From my perspective, your speed is of very little concern. I've watched you hit paces WAY WAY under your goal paces. After your marathon recovery you were back to full speed AMAZINGLY fast. Your current speed is not near pathetic BTW.
As far as the rest of life. You are far from unbalanced as a person:) Easy to see!
So glad you get some time off! Joe would be in his glory playing with Petru and that train. Poor Max never got to play with his toys....
this is my thought exactly you said, "until recently I almost believed I had an injury proof super human body"!! Me too! That party is short! Take care of yourself!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
It seems that muscle imbalances are behind everything bad happening to athletes!
But at least it is something that should be fixed pretty easily with consistent work.
Happy New Year!
Bummer. I've had some pain in my lateral glute/hip area. Can't seem to get it to go away...
Get well.
Fast running sure is WAY harder on our bodies than easy running, isn't it? I'm finding that out now too... Important to really hyper-manage trouble spots! Hope you get it worked out and figure out which exercises are the critical ones to keep you strong. I am all over my Trigger Point rollers these days and that has been my savior that has kept me running!
I'd MUCH rather be NOT-knocked-up. Haha.
I see this as - you're strengthening other muscles, form related stuff. Sure you're sore and slower now, but beefing up those muscles will make you even faster in the long run!
Good to figure this out now rather than the weeks leading up to your race. Massages are great. I don't think I could run injury free without them. Glad your getting what you need. And you haven't been doing strength training this whole time?? Holy cow! Watch what happens to your running now!
Love this post, how wonderfully positive! My living room is filled with toys also! Hope you have a wonderful New Year and good luck with your goals! -M
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