Today, I’m linking up with Erika, Patty, and April for their weekly link-up called Tuesdays on the Run. Typically, I love this type of post. It’s always fun to look back and see how far you have come and all the progress you are making towards your goals…. EXCEPT when there really isn’t any progress. I truly feel like a broken record and a negative Nancy when I look at the running goals I set for myself this year. Last fall, I deferred my marathon thanks to some piriformis issues stemming from a foot issue that I never took care of over last summer. Well, since that deferred race, my running life has been lackluster. And, since I was in such a slump over not making it to the starting line last fall, I never really wrote a post about my 2015 goals on my blog. This was likely because I was afraid to outline any goals that were too big and I was scared to test the waters with distance and speed. And, I suppose my main goal was {and still is} to get back into running shape and tackle a fall marathon.
So, come February of this year, I ran the Glass Slipper Challenge {yes, I still need to recap the half marathon…oops!}. I finally felt like my training was on the upswing. Despite being sick the week before the race, I still wanted to push at the Glass Slipper Challenge’s Enchanted 10k to test my fitness and see where I stood. I was super pleased with running just over 52 mins and all signs pointed to finally recovering! Well, that was until the West Point Half Marathon in March. It should be renamed the race that broke me and then led to a terrible series of runs at Ragnar SoCal in April. I still haven’t recapped that experience because it was just a disappointment for me. I was in so much pain that I swapped legs with my best friend. If you know me, you know how much it killed me to not run what I was expected to run.
So, since then, I have tried a whole lot of different things. Acupuncture, dry needling, massage, electrotherapy are just some of the things that are helping… maybe? I’m still a work in progress. Yet, mostly, laying off running has helped with the pain. So, here I am scared as all heck to embark on marathon training. I feel like part of me is absolutely batshit crazy for even attempting a fall marathon. Yet, it is our last year in New York before another big ol’ military move and I have my deferred entry to NYCM calling my name. To me, that is a sign that I have to at least try. So, I am slowly building my mileage again. I am still achy in the spots that are nagging me. And, I am trying not to let my pace deter me from getting in the miles. I’m just hoping I make it to the starting line in one piece. I mean, heck, this is a running blog after all!
Have you ever had a nagging injury that just won’t quit? If you have ever had a running injury, how do you get over the mental hurdles and build back confidence in your abilities?
Lisa
PS. Feel free to join the Tuesdays on the Run linkup! #TOTR
So sorry to hear that you're still in pain. Living through pain is never any fun. It sounds like you've made the right decision to lay off the running, but hopefully you'll be able to start back again soon!
My recent post 15 in 2015 Update
It's a slow process. The past month I worked on building back slowly. Hopefully the summer will bring some renewed energy to running!
Oh yes, I know all about nagging injuries. I hope marathon training goes well though and that you can do NYC.
My recent post 2015 Goals
Me too! From what I hear, it is such an epic race opportunity!
Coming back from injuries is sooooo hard. I did it a few yrs ago. For me, I had to slow my pace, which was really frustrating because I'm already so slow. There were other things, of course, but I did come back & I did PR.
Good luck. Doing the NYC marathon would be very cool.
My recent post 2015 – the injury free year? – Tuesdays on the Run
Yes, my pace is really slow right now. It is definitely frustrating. But, running slow is better than no running at all!
Gosh I know how tough it is to get through an injury when all you want to do is run. It isn't easy, but I think patience is key. I hope you don't push yourself too hard for this upcoming marathon, because starting to run again when you're not ready can be a recipe for even further injuries down the line. Best of luck!
Yep, I'm working on building back up nice and slow. It's way more important for me to run for life than to run to train for a race. If things get tough as the mileage builds back up I have no problem stepping away from NYCM. It will stink but I don't need any worse injuries!
I am in exactly the same position you are! I’ve been injured since wdw marathon weekend andd have been ever since. I signed up for wdw marathon 2016 as a redemption run but training starts next week and I am not ready. I’m actually scared to run again!
I can completely relate to being scared to run. I'm signed up for a fourth of july 10k and am a bit terrified! I just need to focus on taking it easy and listening to my body. I think that I will likely forgo wearing a Garmin so that I don't get down on myself! Hang in there!!
Running injuries are so tough and bad races can really be discouraging. I haven't made much progress this year, but just because of work/personal issues not even a running injury! I hope you continue to heal up and have a wonderful marathon!!
Work and personal stuff can certainly be demanding of your time. And, that's okay too!
I am sorry that you are having such a hard time with running and your injuries!! Good luck with your training!! Just take it slow and I am sure all will go well!! 🙂
Thanks for the well wishes! I sure hope it goes okay. I'm trying to hit a routine with getting back into training!
Ugh on the injury that won't go away! I had calf and achilles issues for about a year and a half that took forever to heal and took away all of my speed. I'm finally *knock wood* doing well and slowly getting back to where I want in regards to speed…
My recent post #31daysofSkirtSports
I had a hamstring and back injury combo for 3 years. It took forever to heal b/c I was not smart about it and kept trying to power through. Knock wood, I am all good now. Hopefully, you will be 100% for NYC. It is my fave and this year is my 16th. Happy to share my tips!
My recent post CEP Compression “No-Show” Socks – Review + #Giveaway
Sorry to hear about your injury! Hope the recovery is going well.