This hip injury has been a challenge to say the least. Filled with hope, I followed Dr. Miracle’s treatment plan as if my life depended on it. Alas Thursday’s test run did not go as planned: the pain returned after a mile and a half and I ended up shutting it down and moving to Plan C.
I can feel my metabolism taking a nosedive. The constitution is slowing down. I can no longer eat like a lumberjack. Maybe more important I can’t poop like one either. My temper is heating up. I’m a cranky, run-deprived mess.
Mother Nature’s cruelty added to my anguish: After slogging through sweltering heat with rainforest caliber humidity all summer, now that I can’t run, she treats us to unseasonably cool weather and no humidity. Bitch.
By Saturday I was sniping and snarling at my family. The pity party invites went out. Frustration mounted. Tears stung my eyelids.
Missing the Zooma Great Lakes training run broke my heart. Demons crowded into my head: What if I’m not ready for Marine Corps on 10/28? The Caveman’s reminder that we’d already made flight and hotel arrangements didn’t help. No pressure or anything. We ARE going. Even if the extent of my marathon is volunteering to work a water station, I’ll BE THERE.
SO how am I filling the considerable void running has left? I’ve been biking my brains out. Don’t get me wrong. I love biking. I love Blanche the trusty road bike. I love the adventure of exploring new places, feeling the wind in my face, all of it. Ok maybe I’m still a little afraid of resting on those aerobars, but I even love how other bikers are so friendly when I’m on wheels. I think they see me as one of ‘them’, which is funny, because I’m an imposter.
They should know I’m an imposter too. Because they all wear those cycling jerseys with great big names across the chest. Names like RUDY and HAMMER and BALLS and NADS with plenty of European flags, especially Italian ones. I pretty much wear running shirts.
Ok I do have this one cycling jersey. I got in on closeout at Athleta. I love it even though there are no European flags or menacing words.
But no amount of biking is filling the void. Not even in much harder gears. Not sprints, not quad searing hill repeats, nothing on the bike approximates running. Just. Not. The. Same.
The other day I was riding along with 18 miles and counting in the saddle (that’s what we biker-types call the seat) when I noticed another cyclist maybe 200 yards ahead. I decided to match his cadence for kicks. So we trucked along until it was my time to turn off and head for home. When I turned I caught a glimpse of something like this coming up behind me:
Source
Yep, a million-man peloton. I stared with jaw hanging open as they whirred by en masse. My thoughts shot to what could have happened. What if I’d been going slower? Would I have been swallowed by the peloton? Absorbed? Knocked down? Run off the road? Did they purposely slow until the old nag got out of the way? What is proper peloton ettiquette anyway?
I also hit the pool this weekend. You know pools and I don’t mix, unless there’s a raft and an umbrella drink involved. But, as frustrating as this whole injury thing is, I know it’s also the universe’s way of nudging me out of my comfort zone. Let’s face it, running has become as comfy to me as a warm blanket. Instead of my usual Sunday long run, I spent 90 minutes on the bike followed by a 90-minute pool run, which was an adventure in itself. Probably still not the equivalent of a 20-mile run on land, but it is what it is.
Have you ever been part of a peloton? Been passed by one?
One more day to enter my PlanetGear giveaway!
Hang in there! That was me last week! Today is my week back to running and now I’m getting nervous for it, like what if I hurt myself again or what if I’m not really ready to go back to running? Ugh! Injuries suck!
I think 3 hours is a fine long run equivalent! I’m so sorry about your hip, but it’s too early to think about not doing Marine Corps. Just concentrate on what you need to do right now. (Brought to you from the seat of the recumbent bike–but only once a week now! There’s hope!)
And yes a peloton would freak me out. I would probably crash.
I agree with Terzah since her and I went through the whole injury thing recently. I understand your emotions but I think you are doing all of the right things and that is definitely going to pay off for you. Keep the faith and I hope everything works out in your favor because you have been working so hard!
No sweat on the bike jersey, I own three and I still love to bike in my running shirts!! HA! They’re just more comfy. I think anyway.
I like to bike with the big boys of my cycling peloton but normally end up getting dropped. The thrill of being able to hang on as long as I can is worth it 🙂
ahhh. so sorry to hear about your hip! i know all those feelings far too well…I so hope your hip will be back to 100% soon! the peloton thing sounds pretty scary to me. i have never really tried biking but i want to. im just not sure if im more scared of my own lack of coordination on a bike or being eaten up by a peloton. eeeeek!! glad you got in the workouts you could. and that you didn’t get eaten by the peloton but definitely hoping you can hit the roads running soon:)
ahhh. so sorry to hear about your hip! i know all those feelings far too well…I so hope your hip will be back to 100% soon! the peloton thing sounds pretty scary to me. i have never really tried biking but i want to. im just not sure if im more scared of my own lack of coordination on a bike or being eaten up by a peloton. eeeeek!! glad you got in the workouts you could. and that you didn’t get eaten by the peloton but definitely hoping you can hit the roads running soon:):)
If they were good cyclist, they would have passed you on your left, most probably would have said “Hi” or something nice along those lines, maybe a couple annoying “on your left”. If you kept biking, they would have swallowed you up, let you join the pace line, talking the miles away, one of the other cool things about bikers
Oh no! An injury rut!!! Get over the hump and you’ll be back to normal in no time! You’ll be ok for the Marathon I am sure since you are being smart
You know I know the place you are in all too well. I’m so sorry! But hopefully all the cycling and pool time you are putting in will help you keep that fitness level sky high and returning to running will go smoothly. Fingers crossed!
Bleh, I’m so sorry that hip is still being angry – this is suppose to be your year, girl – no injuries allowed! You still have lots of time to get MCM training in, I hope Dr. Miracle has some tricks up his sleeve!
You know how much I hate that damn bike but I have to say, I was in much better shape last year when I biked a gazillion miles than I currently am marathon training. So there ya go!
That said, I think I am out for Chicago. I’ll email you this week. 🙁
I’m pretty sure I’d poop myself if a peloton came up behind me. I sometimes wish there existed a pill that could give us the runner’s high and sweat equivalent of a run for when we’re injured. When I’m hurt, I miss the clean pores feeling the most.
That peloton would have intimidated me. ANd a 90 minute pool run is unreal!
WHy did your daughter want her ugly dress for the dentist?
Still keeping my hopes up that this hip episode will be short lived and you can resume your training. I stay out of the way of bikes when I’m on the road running. They always have the right of way in my mind!
Damn hip! You’ve still got time for MCM – hopefully the pool and bike will be enough to keep you going till your hip cooperates. Hang in there!!
You’ll get through this. The problem will be getting through it without actually causing physical harm to another human. I feel your pain. I know your doubts. But there will be a day very soon that you will run pain free and we’ll all be cheering you on until then. (and if you need to kill anyone in the meanwhile just remember it’s not fun to get your mileage up in an exercise yard in prison)
Is your hip starting to feel better?
I feel like an imposter on my bike too. Even with my new jersey. And it will never replace running but I do enjoy it! 🙂
Way to step out of your comfort zone:) I always notice a difference in my bathroom routine when I am not able to run. No fun:( I hope the pain goes away soon!
Maybe triathlon is calling your name :-). A three hour Oly is less tough on your body than a two hour HM and a six hour HIM is less tough on your body than a HM, at least that is how it feels to me.
I am glad to see you haven’t lost your sense of humor at least! And yes, that peloton WOULD have swallowed you up. I have had that happen to me when out runnning!
And why do bikers wear all that loud clothing anyway?
I hope you can enjoy your pool time. I am swimming lots this summer…well learning anyway, and really loving it.
Good luck with your injury. You will be ready for that marathon, I am sure.
Missed you!
I’m sorry your hip is being an asshole. But I’m glad you can bike. I’m not sure what I’d do – I’m terrified of the bike, so option number 1 is out the window. Guess I’d have to get the hell outta my comfort zone, huh?
Keep doing what you’re doing, and you’ll be back at it in no time, I know it…
You sound like me. Pools and I do not mix either. I have been rooting for you while training since we are both training for MCM, although you are speedier than me.;) I know injuries suck. That is why I have had to slow down for this training because of my hammy injury in March. It has helped me focus more on form though because my heel striking sucked. Have been utilizing a lot of Chi Running to help me and strength training to even things out. Years of dancing had me with larger quads than hammys and feet that like to point out a little bit. So I have been religiously working on that. I am sending a lot of good vibes your way friend!! You still have MCM. I know you do!!
Your such a wonderful writer I would like to see what you have to say about Potential FOLED pitfalls I have read other writer articles about this suject , but I think you would be able to shed a new light on the suject.