Monday, March 17, 2008

The BIG Picture

Super bummed but I must face where I am at for right now.

Truth is that I am in some serious knee pain from my 5 miler on Sunday. It was the first night that the pain woke me up. So first thing Monday morning I contacted and was seen for my first PT appointment. Sharin was amazing and did several forms of treatment (Iontophoresis). I will see her 5 more times over the next two weeks. For now there will be no running… none… not even a mile. I have irritated my IT Band to the point that I must stop. I have lots of homework that she has given me that I will complete each day.

This brings me to my next decision…. My next 50k Trail Ultra will not happen in four weeks. Even with a run/walk strategy I would only be likely landing myself right back where I am now. My body needs to heal and I want to get stronger! I want the BIG RACE and that is the MMTR 50 mile Trail in November. Basically I have two months until my training officially will begin with a focused 5 month build up for that event and that is truly what I am trying to stay focused on.

Last year I would have resisted this decision for longer and put it off. This year I am trying very hard to remain focused and be smarter. Everything in me tried to weasel around what Sharin was saying but she was right and I am listening. I will continue to cross train like CRAZY and continue yoga. All of these tools that I am learning about will have to make me into a smarter runner . Not an easy post but Sharin assured me that I will be ready for the next 50k in May. So it is not the best of news but it is not the end of the world either.

Why it is so hard to get to this place... be in this place...? In a few months I will be covered up with training miles to run and would welcome a rest but today everything in me wants to strap on my shoes and be free... run the trails... get lost in the woods... just run.

Robin

16 comments:

Nancy said...

Oh damn, that is disappointing, but you are being so smart. Try to think about where you would be if you did go bust out a 5 miler -- in pain, in bed, not running for even longer. I'm so sorry. I know this is hard to take. You just have to do the right thing and hope that is rewarded with healing and injury free knees. Take care. ((HUGS))

Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...

Robin smart words... friggin injuries (sigh)) you should SEEEEE how my runs have been this past week and HOW I purposely STOPPED at one hour when I wanted to do 2 hours...this is a crazy mental test I am in right now cause I feel SO behind but in order to keep moving forward I have to SLOWLY rebuild my base and keep my injuries at bay so they can heel in conjunction with my trainings....ahhhh what a fine line!!

I say all this cause YES, Cross Train, get educated, take the time to recover...this is a BIG Mental Test for you and you will PASS IT.

Dana said...

Even though I am not training for nearly the same distance as you,I SO feel you on this Robin. It's always the case of when someone tells us we can't do something,it makes us want to do it all the more!

Here's to both of us listening to our docs,listening to our bodies & realizing that these injuries will make us stronger(& hopefully smarter) runners in the end.

Stuart said...

OK let's all link arms and hum "together we shall overcome".

Keep the train-smart head on your shoulders, ignore the call of the woods and you'll be back there before you know it.

Maybe we should set up a support group!

Hang on in there kiddo it ain't over yet!

J~Mom said...

You will get through this!! It is going to really stink for the next few weeks but then you will pull through and then be back and stronger then ever!!! (((HUGS)))

zanne said...

we always want what we can't have -when we're knee deep in training, we'd give anything for less miles, another rest day. when we're told to stop running - thats all we want to do. its all a crazy mind game - we just have to figure out the rules & play it right so we come out the other side - healed and ready to go. we can commiserate together girlfriend ... hang in there! get that bike off the trainer & hit the road ... will be better to feel wind on your face & actually be moving forward!

RunToTheFinish said...

I am so sorry...and glad you are so much smarter than most of us. I always try to remember that things happen for a reason, so maybe this is your chance to learn to love yoga or umm try that 30 ab program for another 30 days. :)

Good luck!

David said...

Life can never be as optioned as one of those "choose your own adventure" books from childhood, where you could go down a path of decisions, and back up if it got too sticky. We have to have the foresight to look at not only our upcoming goals, but the health we inherit later from the decisions made now. You are making a very smart choice, and the seasoning you gained last year is certainly reflecting in choices this year. As frustrating as it is, mobility later is worth not running now. Keep up the cross training, 'cause you're doing great!

mindy said...

Just discovered your blog. Everyone's comments are so supportive and helpful - words of wisdom for all of us. Sometimes I think we sell our souls a bit to all the training we do - but the reward should be a healthy, indestructable body, right!? Seems so unfair sometimes. But it will work itself out and you'll be brought back to the trails soon. Hang in there!

Unknown said...

I'm super bummed for you. :-( Rehab is no fun...but getting hurt worse and missing months on end is even worse (I know, I'm just coming out of that myself). Very wise to miss a race, limit the damage and shift focus to your goal race later in the year.

I hope you recover quickly.

Lori said...

I'm so sorry you have to deal with all this mess Robin. Especially after you had/have such issues with your GI, too :( You are really being so smart and I think it is such a testament to your training and learning over this past year. And your cross-training is so intense, it will serve you very well.

Mendy said...

Robin, this saddens me, cause I know how bad you want to run. But, like others had already said, it's smart and you've learned so much over a yr, not just about running but about recovery and listening to your body.

Keep doing what you're doing, listening to your Dr's, and cross-training. You have your A race and that is priority over all the others. You'll be there in Nov to tow the line!!!

jen said...

Oh Robin, I understand how you feel right now, I really do. But you have absolutely made the right decision and will be so glad in the coming months. You'll get through it, just hang in there!! Enjoy your yoga and cross training, and think positive. :)

RunBubbaRun said...

Sorry to hear about being injured.. I totally know how you feel, I missed a couple of races this year because of it..

But looking at the big picture is the best thing..

Lots of biking helped me when I can't run (if you are allowed to do that). walking although boring helps too..

Stay strong and positive..

RunnerGirl said...

Hang in there!

Scott McMurtrey said...

:(

you're playing it smart. mmtr 50 is the big fish.