Don’t you think it’s high time for a running update?
The holidays weren’t kind to me. Or rather, I wasn’t kind to myself during the holidays. I think my weekly mileage reduced to somewhere in the 0 – 3 range, and other fitness activities were even less frequent. I don’t feel guilty – just a little silly. I need to keep up my mileage. But the holidays and some injuries got the best of me.
However, I didn’t really fall behind. Just today, I ran my long run right on track with my 50K training program. Even though admittedly, today might have felt better had I been keeping up with my training over the last 8 weeks, it was a relief to fall right back in stride. Pardon the pun.
If you’ve been following my running or know me personally, you may know that over the last year or so, I’ve been suffering from some chronic injuries. Plantar Fasciitis, a pretty rare form of tendonitis called Peroneal Tendonitis (which won’t seem to go away), and most recently, a somewhat severe case of ITBS in both knees. Owee.
Traditional recommendation is to “rest, rest, rest”, and I’m gonna say right now: that’s my recommendation to you if you suffer from this stuff, or any injury, really. Rest is important and not resting can result in longer-term problems.
That being said, I’m not handling my injuries that way anymore. I wrote about this earlier, but I’m choosing to go against most advice and practice the “Tough It Out” method.
Now, before my other fitness and running buddies get up in arms, you should know that resting is part of my training regimen, and I’m stretching, performing as much PT as makes sense, etc. I’m not being stupid. But I’m also not staying off of my feet just because I’m having some issues with pain.
See, I’m stuck in a conundrum. I’m carrying a little more weight than I should be, and my muscles, though getting much better, are weaker than they should be, which forces my joints, tendons, and ligaments to bear more of the trauma than they should be. Yet to lose weight, improve form and muscle tone, and overall joint toughness, I gotta run.
Sure, I could swim or bike, and I’m doing those things. But I’m a runner. With some lofty running goals. I need to run.
Funny thing is, it’s working. I’ve been using regular short walking breaks during my long runs and keeping my runs during the week relatively short. As I said earlier, I’ve been taking stretching and other forms of exercise a lot more seriously. Though I’m still dealing with some pain some of the time, it’s not nearly as severe as it used to be and it seems to be getting better all the time.
If you’re injured, again, I HIGHLY recommend that you rest. See a medical professional. Pursue treatment programs. And read this Runner’s World Article: The Big Hurt. Though not really about toughing it out, it does provide a different perspective on what might be causing your injury and thus a different perspective on recovery.
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