Training last week wasn’t as good as the week before. My ankle didn’t hurt, but running didn’t feel effortless either. To be honest, I miss running, and I’m going through a lot of fear if I’ll ever get to be completely injury (and worry) free again.
I feel as if I have multiple minor aches and pains. There is nothing serious, but every little ache worries me. This fear happens for most injuries, though. Every ache or pain worries me I’ve refractured my foot.
| Monday: | 20 minute run | Core |
| Tuesday: | 40 minute run | |
| Wednesday: | 65 minute run | Core |
| Thursday: | 3000 meter swim | Core |
| Friday: | 40 minute run | |
| Saturday: | Run for the Hill of it 5 miler | |
| Sunday: | 40 minute run | Core |
| Total: | 40ish miles |
Thoughts:
My runs in the beginning of the week were all boring but fine. I go through the motion of getting the miles in. To be honest, this is the hardest part of getting back into shape. I’m out of the “honeymoon, oh my gosh I can run again stage” but I feel like junk running. It’s hard not to get discouraged right now.
I wasn’t planning to break into the racing scene last week but you have to ride the pain train sometime… Last year, I ran the “Run for the Hill of It” and I enjoyed it. I knew the race would be low key and stressless. Honestly, I didn’t want my first race back to be a local 5k because I would internally feel pressure. If I chose a flat, fast 5k, I know I would compare myself to the times I was running three months ago.
Is it silly? Of course but I know myself well that choosing the flattest, fastest 5k course to race would create unnecessary personal stress.
So I found a nice softer ground trail race. I’ll have a full recap tomorrow, but I was happy with the result. I ran injury free and achieved my dream goal of running under 7 minute pace. I actually finished in 34:09 which is 30 seconds faster than last year. It was great motivation that my fitness hasn’t completely left, although it was painful and hot race.
Question for you: How was your week of workouts?
YES!!!!! I’m so happy for you and I love that you just know yourself so well and set yourself for success with that race. Good for you!!! I can’t wait to read the whole recap. Look out – – she’s BACK!
So glad you are back!! And look at you, running all fast right away. Glad you are taking it easy. Enjoy those miles!
I’m glad you had a good race! I hope you’re back to normal soon. I had some mild tendonitis in my ankle last week and it’s been driving me crazy. I just want to feel normal again!
Yay glad you are building up slowly but had a nice race-trail was a good idea!
http://www.breathedeeplyandsmile.com
It’s great to see you getting back into thing again! Great job on the race- I can’t imagine running a 7 minute pace in the trails haha
Super glad you had a good week and got to run the 5 mile race. I agree with you on the first race back from injury- keep it as low key and fun as possible because then there’s fewer expectations, and you don’t compare it to previous performances. When I was coming back from injury in 2014 I did a lot of trail runs too because they were more about focusing on the process rather than the times. It’s a very smart strategy.
That’s really exciting that you are running well and injury free. I think that your minor foot aches will probably linger for another 1-2 months (they did with my stress fracture) and it sounds like you are being really careful. Can’t wait to read the full report.
So do you run for time or distance in your training?
It was hot, hot, hot and humid here so training is a slog at best, but I did it!
Right now I’m running for time. I have a rough idea of mileage but I don’t know my exact miles.
Really glad you had a great first race back!!! After 7 weeks of “junk running”, I had finally turned a corner last week since my last injury and I was feeling on top of the world. Unfortunately, a niggle on Wed turned into searing pain in my ankle/calf yesterday and I cut my long run short and limped him. Mike found me crying on the couch and I feel silly for getting so upset, but I’m so tired of getting injured over and over again! Anyway, reading this makes me feel hope that I can see the other side of injury as well (and reminds me that I’m not alone in constantly worrying that I’ll re-injure myself over and over again).
I definitely understand that Alison and I hope you don’t have anything serious.
Welcome back! My most recent race included a trail component, and it definitely made me stress less about hitting paces. Excited for you to carry this momentum into the fall racing season!
Nice job! And running in the heat always makes it way harder.
Thank you and isn’t that the truth?