If you've looked at my sidebar in the past day or so, you may have noticed that I've started to run again! I had an appointment on Monday morning with my chiropractor and he said it was time to see what would happen when I ran. I was instructed to run 30 minutes Monday evening and 45 minutes on Wednesday evening. I decided to use the treadmill so that I could more easily monitor my pace. I also don't normally run in the evening and didn't want to have to deal with the traffic.
Monday evening I got to the gym and all the treadmills were in use, so I warmed up with 15 minutes on the elliptical. A treadmill opened up and I set the pace to a very easy 12 minute mile. So far so good. No real pain, just a few tweaks. If I had felt any significant pain I would have stopped. I completed my required 30 minutes....no more, no less. I was pretty pleased with myself. But by the time I got home my leg was sore and ached. Despite stretching and foam rolling, it got progressively worse. I could not concentrate at work on Tuesday because it ached so badly. I silently cursed my chiropractor, thinking he had pushed me too soon. I seriously thought I'd never run again, it was that bad. But by Tuesday evening it was feeling a bit better. I went to the pool for a gentle 30 minute pool run. The water is so soothing and the non-impact motion helped a lot.
This morning, the ache was gone and I was back to just feeling a few tweaks here and there. The day before I had thought there was no way I could go through with the Wednesday run. But now I was feeling ready again. This time there was a treadmill free at the gym. So I walked for 5 minutes at a 15 minute pace and then continued on to run/walk at a 6/2 interval, keeping my run pace at 11:45 and my walk pace at 15. I completed 45 minutes and then topped that off with 15 minutes on the elliptical. A few crunches and a good solid stretching session followed. I waited for the aching to start. Arrived home....still no aching. It's three hours later and I feel pretty good! I think my chiropractor may know what he's doing. I have another appointment tomorrow and I'm looking forward to his assessment and finding out what's next. Hopefully I'll have the go ahead to keep it up.
I made the decision to officially pull out of Pac Rim. It just doesn't make sense right now. I think I'm on the mend, but there could be more set-backs. At one time I was super excited about Pac Rim. But now I just want to ease back into training slowly. I need to be smart about it. And I'm anxious to get back to the trails. So I'll likely help out at Pac Rim, but I'm aiming for the Rumble in April to be my next race. Wish me luck!
Monday evening I got to the gym and all the treadmills were in use, so I warmed up with 15 minutes on the elliptical. A treadmill opened up and I set the pace to a very easy 12 minute mile. So far so good. No real pain, just a few tweaks. If I had felt any significant pain I would have stopped. I completed my required 30 minutes....no more, no less. I was pretty pleased with myself. But by the time I got home my leg was sore and ached. Despite stretching and foam rolling, it got progressively worse. I could not concentrate at work on Tuesday because it ached so badly. I silently cursed my chiropractor, thinking he had pushed me too soon. I seriously thought I'd never run again, it was that bad. But by Tuesday evening it was feeling a bit better. I went to the pool for a gentle 30 minute pool run. The water is so soothing and the non-impact motion helped a lot.
This morning, the ache was gone and I was back to just feeling a few tweaks here and there. The day before I had thought there was no way I could go through with the Wednesday run. But now I was feeling ready again. This time there was a treadmill free at the gym. So I walked for 5 minutes at a 15 minute pace and then continued on to run/walk at a 6/2 interval, keeping my run pace at 11:45 and my walk pace at 15. I completed 45 minutes and then topped that off with 15 minutes on the elliptical. A few crunches and a good solid stretching session followed. I waited for the aching to start. Arrived home....still no aching. It's three hours later and I feel pretty good! I think my chiropractor may know what he's doing. I have another appointment tomorrow and I'm looking forward to his assessment and finding out what's next. Hopefully I'll have the go ahead to keep it up.
I made the decision to officially pull out of Pac Rim. It just doesn't make sense right now. I think I'm on the mend, but there could be more set-backs. At one time I was super excited about Pac Rim. But now I just want to ease back into training slowly. I need to be smart about it. And I'm anxious to get back to the trails. So I'll likely help out at Pac Rim, but I'm aiming for the Rumble in April to be my next race. Wish me luck!
7 comments:
So glad you're back at it! I may need to be introduced to your chiropractor...Sorry you had to make a decision about PacRim, but you're so wise, much wiser than I had ever been...what is not surprising, everybody is. Good for you, Sarah, looking at the whole picture!
Sarah,
I'm glad the ache stayed away. I am bummed you are out of Pac Rim, though I think it's a wise decision. I'll look for you on my endless loops!
slow and steady seems prudent.
Very, very encouraging. I'm thrilled for you Sarah.
Do ease into it...you'll be back. You are so experienced, just pay attention to things, as you did this week.
You have much running in front of you...missing one race as you bounce back is simply a small down payment on many more pain-free races to come.
Sarah, that is tough. Injuries suck! We miss running so much when we can't do it. Its the peak of frustration. You will be back sooner than you think I bet.
Sorry about Pac Rim. Gail and I are going to try and see how far we can go. Maybe you can come run a few laps with us. I know I will be going super slow with mostly just a run walk. If not at least it will be good to see you there.
Definitely the right decision to pull out of Pac Rim. Rest up and recover for the Rumble in April. I enjoyed that one a few years back when I ran it.
that's awesome that you are both back at it and doing so in a wise way :)
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