Hmmm. So. Where to start. September was brutal, and ugly. October was full of fun and wonderful. And here we are, just newly into November and who knows what this month will hold. I have a feeling it will hold me some learnin's.
Guess what interwebs. I can't run. Well I should say I'm choosing wisely NOT to run. Until January 2010. I'm taking a 'season' off of running. Clearly my body is protesting, it has been since about March. I ran some really good races between April and August, and some not so good. I achieved my goal of finishing a marathon, getting a 5K PR and doing a trail race. But since my body isn't a hoss, it's not a train that can run and run, race after race, mile after mile. I need a break. Actually my Physical Therapist suggested I take a season off of running. Duly noted.
It sounds absurd in a way, as a runner. But somehow I know it's right, it's absolutely what I need right now. It's time to focus and re-focus on certain parts of my life I've been ignoring and that I had given up on. So watch out non-running life, because when I put myself into something, I go all in. Maybe that's why I suck at Poker. And Gin.
My legs are... in the words of Meatwad... TORE UP. My PT is amazing, he is understanding, he is just the kind of PT I need. He looks at the why and what's go on all around, not just the injury or pain. He gets to the nitty gritty of it all.
Anyway, I know you want, so I'll give you the laundry list of all the things wrong with my scrawny little chicken runner legs:
Both legs are super tight
Low ankle rotation
Weak core, hips and booty (see people, being scrawny and skinny isn't all it's cracked up to be, we are lame and weak, boo)
Compensating from the weakness by running from my calves
Knotted calve
Tight calves
Tight messed up IT band on left side
Popping knees, something is wrong there, because of tight IT band (and my knees never ever even hurt when I run, or walk or do anything)
Weak hamstrings
That's all I can think of for now. See. TORE UP! Fire me up, I'm having a 'nic fit... okay that's only funny to Aqua Teen fans. Regardless, it's obvious I need some time to strengthen, rest and recuperate and focus on other parts of my health. The good news is I LOVE spinning class and that is one of the things I get to do. Along with lots of yoga (i've missed you yoga), pilates and strength training. The last one will take some effort. But I'm game.
Don't worry, I will still blahg. Promise. Since I always have topics rolling around in my head, and because I entertain myself quite a bit when I write. But mostly I'll continue the blahg because I'm an utter narcissist. Plus, I have a lot to recap. Pictures from the summer, trips, the fall, telling you all about my little life the past two months. The good stuff.
So hello needed running hiatus, goodbye frustrations, in a lot of areas of life. In the end, I'm looking at this as a running fast. I'm also going to be 'fasting' from a few other things, just to help me refocus. I'll talk about it all more later. Maybe. If I feel like it. Because in the end... I DO WHAT I WANT
So it's time to "Let Go" as Frou Frou would say. Time to let go of being so stubborn with running, and a lot of other things in life. Things that resemble me knocking my head against a brick wall repeatedly while the brick wall is all... "lady look, I'm not moving, get over it, you are ridiculous." Cheers to this season friends. Also. Cheers to Nutter Butters.
19 comments:
oh, look, I get a reward for working late into the night! Wait, what the hell? That news doesn't feel particularly "rewarding". Poo. Poo on toast. I really hope this hiatus does the trick for that protesting body of yours. Look forward to reading all that non-running stuff you promise to churn out though.
And I hope you still plan on attending the Giblet Jog as course support. I've heard talk of "special" spiced cider for hydration :)
Funny... I was just thinking about you today. I was thinking about how I miss your blogs! I just got back into running and blogging, myself. I had to take some time off to give my chicken legs some rest, also. I really do have chicken legs. I could probably get up to 300 lbs., and my legs would be just as scrawny as ever!
It sounds like you are doing a smart thing by taking a season off of running. It is such a bitter-sweet position to be in but I bet you'll be glad you did it.
I'm looking forward to reading your blogs again!
During the season off, hope you keep us informed of progress as you do strength & stretching as well to fix the legs!
sorry your body is not cooperating with you...hope the rest helps you recover and get stronger...i'm still unsure about the turkey trot, i tweaked something in my calf over the weekend and am taking a week or two off....see, my body is not cooperating either...maybe i need to go see your PT...
you know listening ot your body is one of the hardest things I think we have to learn and the easiest. We use it to get us through runs, but then try to force upon it things it can't handle sometimes.
Just think how excited you will be in January to get out there!!
You are wise beyond your years, my friend. That is one of the hardest things to do, but I think it is a great idea. Plus, think how cool it will be when you come back stronger than ever and kill all of your PRs? I am already seeing how much resistance training can improve your running--and I've only been at it for a little over a month. I think this is just the thing you need to get that body of yours to cooperate with running in the future.
I am also SO glad to hear that you will still be blahging during the running hiatus, though. I guess I can finally stop crying myself to sleep every night ;) I missed you, girl!
Sometimes the hardest decisions are the best ones. Please keep us posted on your progress.
I admire you for making the smart decision! And I look forward to your recaps... Enjoy the much needed break girl!
Frou Frou... love that song. Must go listen now...
My body is protesting too and I haven't even done my first Half Marathon - I may have to have a running fast too - I have not run in over 2 weeks until yesterday - I was allowed ( per docs orders) to do 1/2 mile - It didn't feel great or bad, somewhere inbetween - BUT I realized in this little running hiatus that I have neglected my family in the past 14 weeks of training and that realization was soooooo worth not running for 2 weeks! Have a great season off and enjoy all the things that you neglected or missed while you were running......
Okay, sounds like the hiatus is in order. Take care of yourself, chickie! Hopefully some rest (and PT/x-training) will take care of those legs.
"I'm an utter narcissist" hehehe!!
Hugs to rest and recovery.. I hope you can get those lesg moving again.
Miss you on the Blag...come and visit now and then.
A running respite will do your body and mind some good!
The break is probably best! I took off the summer because of my injury and it was hard but worth it in the end because I needed the break mentally as well as physically!
Sorry you're all tore up.
Good luck with the rest from running -- I hope you're able to cure the tore ups!
January will be here before you know it. Sounds like you're making the right decision.
hopefully the season off will pay off big next year! the strengthening exercises and rest are a good decision. i know i would have a hard time not-running (addicted to logging the miles in my spreadsheet, i'm a nerd), but it sounds like it's what is best for you. enjoy some down time!
give.a.way. check.it.out.
you are being so smart girl, good for you! you will come back MUCH stronger from this.
Oh girl, I'm so sorry. I completely relate to being plagued by injuries, when all you want to do is run. I think you're making a good decision to just take the time off and come back, I bet you'll be stronger because of it. I wish I had the will-power, but don't. I'm taking a lighter approach this winter though, and am following a base-building triathlon program for the winter... 4-6 hours max, only 2 running days/week, hoping that'll work for me. Take care...
Post a Comment