Addressing Congress...
As you may or may not have noticed, there has not been much mention of RUNNING on this here running blog the past few weeks. In fact, it has indeed been nearly 4 weeks now that I've abstained from running in the hopes that whatever this twinge/strain/inflammation on the back of my leg was would make a hasty retreat. I'm sorry to report that has not happened :(
Truth be told, I have not really been resting my leg. I've maintained my normal workouts, save for running. My weekly workouts have generally looked like this the past month:
Monday: Strength or HIIT workout (Bodyweight only, at home)
Tuesday: Strength workout (Weight lifting at the gym)
Wednesday: BodyCombat (Les Mills kickboxing class)
Thursday: 4 mile walk (outside)
Friday: Bicycling + Rowing workout (gym)
Saturday: REST or Hike outdoors
Sunday: 4 mile walk (outside)
Throughout all of this my leg has not been in pain, but it didn't really feel like it was getting much better. To be clear, this is not a knee injury. It is an inflammation/pain of the tendons, ligaments or muscles in the fleshy part of the back of my leg behind my knee.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and let me tell you, I have been dying for a run. So, last Thursday I turned that 4 mile walk up there into a 3 mile run. Bad news bears. 1 mile in I felt GREAT! I was RUNNING for heaven's sake. The wind in my hair, finally breaking into a real sweat, endorphins starting to kick in, and then I felt it. An ache. A twinge. A pinch in my leg behind my knee. MOTHER F#$*(&^@!!!!
I convinced myself it wasn't that bad and continued to run. Another mile. It was definitely there. Pain. Mile 3. Ok time to stop. And I definitely paid for that
I still don't know where this mystery injury came from. Is it because I'm wearing running shoes that are far past their prime? Could be. My shoes are 9 months old. Way beyond their lifetime at this point. Is it because I've been doing 2+ mile walks daily in flip flops with my charges at work? Probably a contributor. Did I strain something in my new kickboxing class and continue to aggravate it each week? Also a possibility!
I had planned to run this trail half marathon with my friend November 1st, but now it seems that may not be a possibility. Even with the very abbreviated training cycles I do, I still need a minimum of 8 weeks to adequately up my mileage for a half. That means I would have to start training Sept 1st and that just doesn't seem a possibility right now. I guess as a last ditch effort I could try to abstain COMPLETELY from all physical activity for the rest of August and attempt a run come September 1. But who are we kidding. If you got me to sit still for 2 1/2 weeks you should buy a lottery ticket because you're definitely a miracle worker. I think at the very least, I will cut out as much walking as possible, as that seems to aggravate it the most.
[PSA: I'm somewhat making light of this but if I was in extreme pain, if I felt something may be broken, or if my daily activities were being hindered in any way, I'd obviously abstain from physical activity and possibly see a Dr. I'm not advising anyone take my advice regarding overuse injuries right now!]
Any suggestions, commiserations, pity parties are welcome! If you are running right now, LUCKY LUCKY you. I want to be you.
You haunt my dreams
The State of our Union is strong my fellow Americans (mmm, debatable), but the state of my leg is not. Send good vibes. And I'll send some your way :)
When was the last time you suffered a running injury?
What was it and how long did it last?
And HOW DID YOU DEAL!?!?
I had runners knee a couple years back which kept me from running for a week and a half. Some people it will keep down for longer, months even. I hated not running. I still tried to run through it. I am not good at resting as I too love my runs!
ReplyDeleteI got runner's knee when I ran my very first half marathon! I sort of ran through it just to get through the race and then took some time off.
DeleteI mean, if it has been that long, it is time to see someone, in my humble opinion. We tend to be stubborn, us runners, but it might do you some good to get an opinion.
ReplyDeleteLast injury? Stress Reaction. We don't talk about it.
I should prob see someone at this point, but I have really basic insurance that doesn't cover that kind of thing! So I'll keep trying to nurse myself back to health and try to be better about taking time off. Oy vey
DeleteUgh I'm sorry, you know i can relate to the injury thing. It's hard to back off unless you know exactly what it is and how to fix it- like a broken leg, stress fracture, etc. I hate taking long periods of time off running but you're absolutely right- it makes you appreciate it more! Hopefully that pain goes away soon!!
ReplyDeleteUgh this is killing me. If I could even do other workouts without aggravating it I could probably deal, but it seems everything I'm doing lately is causing problems! I mean I don't think I can go for weeks just working out upper body and abs but that may be what it comes down to!
DeleteI can't imagine your irritation about not being able to run- I don't run but I do walk, and last week my legs got severely burned and I couldn't walk for a few days. Not in the same league but soon you will be able to and it'll be amazing :)
ReplyDeleteOh dear Farin. Severe sunburns are so painful! I'm so sorry. And yes, I do not deal well with sitting still, which is probably just prolonging my injury! oyyyyy
DeleteI am totally the type of person who pushes themselves THROUGH the pain! ha! So not a good approach but I don't wanna be a lazy sack either!
ReplyDeleteHahaha, exactly. I do not want to be a lazy sack but I think I'm just prolonging this injury. I took 6 days off and nearly went insane so then I exercised 3 days in a row and my leg is killing me again. Ahhhhhhhhhh
DeleteUrghhh, I'm so sorry to hear that! :[ I don't really ever run, so no running injuries to speak of, but I have tweaked my back a couple times from lifting (stupid mistakes on my part). They were not fun. :[ I hope you recover completely soon!
ReplyDeleteOh man, I pulled out my back last winter shoveling snow and it was one of the most painful injuries ever! I literally could not move for like 48 hrs and was crying in pain. Ahhhhhh I feel you on that
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