Forced Break Is Over- Back To Training!

I used to think the most difficult part of training was running slow and for distance. Nope. The most difficult part of training is recovering from an injury, and not being able to do any running. Last week SUCKED. I know I needed to rest my back and let it heal, but my legs kept wanting to run. The chiro said swim or use the lower impact machines for cardio work. Oh whatever. I know they are great, but I just want to run. I was still in plenty of pain most of the week, and it was pretty busy anyway from the holiday.

It was the worst possible week to have to not be so active- so much eating. I managed to at least maintain my weight rather than gain a bunch, so that's good. I went out a couple of times and ran. The first time I made it to a mile and it was still pretty painful. Yesterday I went two miles and it felt really good. Started to get a little tight in the lower back, but the great part was when I stretched after I recovered really fast- more so than in the past week. I also finally had a chance to try the new shoes- and I LOVE them. So light and flexible it's like I'm not even wearing shoes. I did notice that I was putting my weight on different places as I ran, but it wasn't painful. Just different. I'm really glad I didn't wait until after the half-marathon to switch.

So, now that I'm at about 80%, I decided just to continue where I left off in my training plan. Only this time I will keep stretching, no matter how good I feel!

Key Run #1: Repeats: 1k, 2k, 1k, 1k, 400m rest intervals
Key Run #2: 5 mile medium tempo run
Key Run #3: 8 miles (we'll see how the back is doing by the end of the week).

In other running-related news, I might have had too many slices of pie this week, because I joined a challenge over on Daily Mile. Going to try and run 125 miles in December. Crazy? Not if you love to run!

Time to get moving.

Sidelined.

I thought my knees would be my big problem being a runner. Sure, I've had minimal knee pain over the months, but that's been the least of my problems compared to my back. I've got this lovely curve in my lower back that has always caused me some sort of problem over the years. If I stand too long, the pressure is too much. Walking stretches it out nicely, but even if I walk too much it gets tight and I need to sit or stretch or both.

So I start running a year ago. More impact, more pressure. My chiropractor has helped greatly since I finally went back (no pun) to her in May. She has actually been 1/3 chiro, 1/3 physical therapist, 1/3 personal trainer. If you are in the East Valley, I recommend this place a hundred times over. They also have a massage therapist on staff now that is fairly inexpensive, and I will be utilizing her very soon.

The hip and legs start feeling great, overall I'm feeling stronger, and I get lazy. Stop stretching as much (if at all) before runs, yet with the half-marathon training I'm adding a lot more distance to my runs. Cut back on icing areas whether they hurt or not.

So what happens? I tweak my nerve. Last Wednesday I got through a mile, then had to stop because rather than the pain working itself out like it usually does during a warmup, it became sharper and more annoying. Been sidelined ever since. The pain goes up and down. Over the weekend it started feeling better while I was at PodcampAZ. Monday morning however I was on the phone hoping I could get in to see the doc.

The back is such a sensitive and large area, you don't realize how it all connects until a connection is broken. Even just raising your arms straight in front of you takes lower back muscles. If you're tight, you're going to hurt something.

It's been a rough week- taking the time to heal is like doing the longer, slower runs. You want to do more. I took a walk the other night and it took GREAT willpower to not try a little jog. I argued with myself the entire time. Probably mumbling to myself so I also looked like a crazy person walking down the street. On the upside, I bought new shoes. No, they are not 5-fingers (sorry Tyler), but they are a lot more minimalist than what I had. My training partner and her husband wear them. She said most of her arch pain was gone after a couple of runs. They feel like a water shoe, and are really light and flexible. We'll see how it goes- I can't wait to try them out!

So what have we learned kids? Stretching and ice should be an extended part of training. Just put it in the routine. Even if you feel good, because by the time you hurt and feel it too much damage has been done.

And you're sidelined.

I miss running.