I guess that’s the definition of a genuine athlete – 42.7 equivalent miles even when hurting! That is a lot of miles. I bet the combination of all those remedies will solve the problem. Lots of love to you.
I always appreciate the praise, anddddd the elliptical doesn't hurt at all to do (other than my soul when it's particularly nice and sunny outside). I feel lucky to have a pain-free option; not only does it make the work more pleasant, but it means that I am likely not doing my body more harm. Given the fact that I was on it for 2+ hours yesterday and I feel even better today, I think it's conclusively true.
Re: Thigh. My sympathies. Injuries are no fun. Great news that, as of publication, you feel it's improving. I hope that continues.
Of course, listen to your body in the transition back to heavy mileage. For me, injury during race build-up is particularly challenging, because there's a very real deadline, and it can feel like I'm "losing" precious training time. Finding a healthy balance between sufficient recovery and manageable training during transition is tricky for me. I try to remind myself that my goal is to run the best goal race possible, not crush today's workout or hit this week's mileage, which were set weeks ago (when I was in that blissful, base-building state, willfully ignoring all the twists, turns, and twinges of a real-life, serious training cycle). Long-term view, trust the process.
Injury can also serve as a reminder how glorious it is when all systems are go and the body is just clicking. A painful reminder, when injured, but a helpful one to me, to stay humble and grateful (and attentive to health maintenance) when healthy.
Re: "And with all that, clearly it’s not enough because I got hurt." If I may play Claire's advocate: You can do all things right and still get injured. 100% guarantee against injury comes with 100% ban on running. My client is not prepared to accept those terms at this time.
I think your response is pragmatic and healthy: Who were the likely culprits? (Mobility/core/strength work, maybe shoe change.) What can I change moving forward? (Reassess mobility/core/strength work.) What information do I need to make those changes? (Expert input, for example, as built into workout classes, or from a trainer?) I tried to echo your thinking here; if I misspeak anywhere, please correct it.
Re: Mobility, core, strength. The "Advanced marathoning" book has a chapter titled "Supplementary training" in the second edition that discusses flexibility, core, strength, and form training, and it offers exercises for each. Presumably the third edition has something similar. Presumably the Web has many somethings similar (of various credibility).
I share your aversion to "making this up as I go along". Given this, and acknowledging constraints, perhaps you could arrange a one-off visit with a trainer, to assess weaknesses and imbalances, and build a set of exercises to address them? In any case, the preceding resource might provide helpful direction, so weekly core work feels less ad libitum.
Re: "This setback has cemented for me how much I absolutely love to run." You are in the right sport :) This (injury) too shall pass.
Re: Community. Yes.
Sending good vibes! I hope the massage, chiro/PT, sports-medicine-specialist trifecta helps.
I know I shared this sentiment before, but I love these comments. I feel like I have a pen pal.
As of the writing of this comment, I feel almost pain free. Today is my appointment with the sports medicine specialist, and I am hopeful that I will learn whether this is bone, ligament, or muscle, and the implications for easing back into training. Now that I have taken two weeks on the elliptical, I feel more resolved to come back smart as opposed to re-aggravating things. Wisdom!
I also didn't know how much I needed to hear that I'm not doing enough. I can both accept that I am doing everything right, and that injuries still happen. I definitely want to work on my weaknesses, but I am feeling less blame. Thanks for that.
And such a good call on checking out Advanced Marathoning for exercises. I have to admit that when reading it, I skimmed over that portion. Looking back on it, they are so helpful. Your input strikes again.
The next time a friend calls me out for taking days to reply to a text message, or e-mail, or (insert preferred instant electronic communication method here), I will arch an eyebrow, put on my best Eliza Bennet, and quip, "What a curious way to compliment me for being a thoughtful pen pal!"
I guess that’s the definition of a genuine athlete – 42.7 equivalent miles even when hurting! That is a lot of miles. I bet the combination of all those remedies will solve the problem. Lots of love to you.
I always appreciate the praise, anddddd the elliptical doesn't hurt at all to do (other than my soul when it's particularly nice and sunny outside). I feel lucky to have a pain-free option; not only does it make the work more pleasant, but it means that I am likely not doing my body more harm. Given the fact that I was on it for 2+ hours yesterday and I feel even better today, I think it's conclusively true.
xo
Re: Thigh. My sympathies. Injuries are no fun. Great news that, as of publication, you feel it's improving. I hope that continues.
Of course, listen to your body in the transition back to heavy mileage. For me, injury during race build-up is particularly challenging, because there's a very real deadline, and it can feel like I'm "losing" precious training time. Finding a healthy balance between sufficient recovery and manageable training during transition is tricky for me. I try to remind myself that my goal is to run the best goal race possible, not crush today's workout or hit this week's mileage, which were set weeks ago (when I was in that blissful, base-building state, willfully ignoring all the twists, turns, and twinges of a real-life, serious training cycle). Long-term view, trust the process.
Injury can also serve as a reminder how glorious it is when all systems are go and the body is just clicking. A painful reminder, when injured, but a helpful one to me, to stay humble and grateful (and attentive to health maintenance) when healthy.
Re: "And with all that, clearly it’s not enough because I got hurt." If I may play Claire's advocate: You can do all things right and still get injured. 100% guarantee against injury comes with 100% ban on running. My client is not prepared to accept those terms at this time.
I think your response is pragmatic and healthy: Who were the likely culprits? (Mobility/core/strength work, maybe shoe change.) What can I change moving forward? (Reassess mobility/core/strength work.) What information do I need to make those changes? (Expert input, for example, as built into workout classes, or from a trainer?) I tried to echo your thinking here; if I misspeak anywhere, please correct it.
Re: Mobility, core, strength. The "Advanced marathoning" book has a chapter titled "Supplementary training" in the second edition that discusses flexibility, core, strength, and form training, and it offers exercises for each. Presumably the third edition has something similar. Presumably the Web has many somethings similar (of various credibility).
I share your aversion to "making this up as I go along". Given this, and acknowledging constraints, perhaps you could arrange a one-off visit with a trainer, to assess weaknesses and imbalances, and build a set of exercises to address them? In any case, the preceding resource might provide helpful direction, so weekly core work feels less ad libitum.
Re: "This setback has cemented for me how much I absolutely love to run." You are in the right sport :) This (injury) too shall pass.
Re: Community. Yes.
Sending good vibes! I hope the massage, chiro/PT, sports-medicine-specialist trifecta helps.
Carry on.
I know I shared this sentiment before, but I love these comments. I feel like I have a pen pal.
As of the writing of this comment, I feel almost pain free. Today is my appointment with the sports medicine specialist, and I am hopeful that I will learn whether this is bone, ligament, or muscle, and the implications for easing back into training. Now that I have taken two weeks on the elliptical, I feel more resolved to come back smart as opposed to re-aggravating things. Wisdom!
I also didn't know how much I needed to hear that I'm not doing enough. I can both accept that I am doing everything right, and that injuries still happen. I definitely want to work on my weaknesses, but I am feeling less blame. Thanks for that.
And such a good call on checking out Advanced Marathoning for exercises. I have to admit that when reading it, I skimmed over that portion. Looking back on it, they are so helpful. Your input strikes again.
I appreciate you so much!
Pen pal---I like it!
The next time a friend calls me out for taking days to reply to a text message, or e-mail, or (insert preferred instant electronic communication method here), I will arch an eyebrow, put on my best Eliza Bennet, and quip, "What a curious way to compliment me for being a thoughtful pen pal!"