I really thought this injury was going to be a minor one. After a week or so of rest I thought I might be able to get back to running the tiniest bit. Not super far but possibly a mile or 3.
Last week I thought I’d give the ole tendon a test run. If it felt good the plan was to run a 5k for the Rock n Roll Virtual and earn the Phidippides medal. Sounds reasonable, right? Except 10 steps into the test run, my tendon protested. Not just a little either. It was full on war. I heard something pop and saw stars. The bruising was already coming up by the time I hobbled home to dial up Dr. Miracle.
Any good sportsmanship I may have had flew right out the window. I was pissed. And desperate. Dr. Miracle saw me that same day and talked me down off the ledge.
There’s been a whole lotta unpleasant scraping (Graston) among other varieties of voodoo and all sorts of exercises that address the chink in the kinetic chain responsible for the injury in the first place. We’ve already worked through the acute phase as well as phases 1 and 2. Phase 3 starts this week. I was cleared for cycling last Friday and if you’ve seen my Instagram posts, you know I’ve been pool running. A lot. This week has been all about recovery as well as figuring out what I CAN do to preserve/build? as much marathon fitness as possible.
Going forward the focus will be on healing as quickly yet smartly as possible. I never had any time goals for Berlin so any finish at all will be fine with me.
Lets get to some fun stuff:
After only 8+ years Erika and I finally had a chance to meet. When I heard she was going to be in Chicago we set up a zoo date. This meetup was years in the making but it was worth the wait!
The POPSUGAR Must Have Box turns 5 years old this month and to celebrate they put together a really spectacular assortment of goodies! The rose gold Free Spirit Journal is one of my favorites and the festive “Cheers” tray has become by daily go-to for transporting drinks, reading material, whathaveyou outside to the patio. You’ll also find glittery birthday party candles. yummy gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, a pampering face mask and more. Definitely worth checking out!
How was your week? Have you ever been injured during training and gone on to finish the race?
Yikes! Sounds like you are already healing well but that can be scary. Keep up the hard work with the rehab!
Your dog is adorable 🙂
Oh, does Ozzy (or a comparable substitution) come in the box? (Asking for a friend) I have had some strange untimely injuries accompany me to race day, and although they have cramped my attitude, they have not kept me from crossing the finish line (well, there was that one DNF last year with a 10K I should have not even started). That must have been so exciting meeting Erika!
I’m so jealous that you and Erika worked out your meet up! Damn job keeps interfering with all the fun I want to have!
So now it’s my turn to remind you about how strong you are, about all the experience you have with the distance. You talked me off the ledge so many times during Big Sur. Told me I could do it. And I did. You will too. Just stick with Dr Miracle and your cross training. You got this.
Oh, bummer on the injury. Glad you can do pool running and cycling. I did Graston therapy when I had bad PF a few years ago. It hurt like a @#)(#()$*%@!%& but it worked really well.
Oh man – what Coco said about Graston – but it does work! Good to hear you’re already on phase 3 with Dr. Miracle – you can pull this off!
That’s cool that you go to meet McMama.
Good luck with your healing. I bet you will be fine for the race.Fingers crossed
I injured my achilles and still ran my half – well, I ran half and walked half because I didn’t get my ling runs in.
I tried Graston therapy once omg that *** was painful as all get out. It did not do anything for me so hope it works for you. Sending healing thoughts your way
Stupid post tib!! Im glad you have a doctor available to help you through it- even though I’m sure some of those treatments are not fun! Fingers crossed it heals up quickly and you can get back to training.
GEEZ! You got this! Follow Dr. Miracle’s advice and stay in the pool. It is hot anyway! Ozzie is turning into quite the model, he is a definite keeper! Cool that you and Erika got to meet up- too much fun! Glad there was some fun along with that aggravating injury!
I saw the same try in another post and love it. So cute!
I hope you heal quickly and get back to training. But I know you will still get to Berlin and finish the marathon.
I’m sorry to hear that the virtual run didn’t go as expected :(, but happy that you are already on phase 3 of rehabbing the injury! I am no stranger to graston (holy hell!) as I have ART appointments every other week. So painful but it does help!
Super awesome you got to meet Erika! And why is your dog so darn cute??!
What is the actual diagnosis of your tendon injury? Popping and seeing stars, plus bruising is no bueno. I hope you’re healing up quickly.
How fun to meet and hang out with Erika! I’m sorry about the injury. Why are the stupid things so untimely anyway? You were my go-to authority/inspiration/motivation for training while injured a couple of years ago. So, I know you can do this. {Big Hug}
Yes. I wasn’t able to run a step when my ITBS was at its worst, but I was determined to do the race because I’d signed up and paid. I crossed the starting line, and I crossed the finish line, walking the whole way. It’s not something I’d recommend, but I can be extremely stubborn.
Sure hope that injury will clear up soon…. and your pup is absolutely the cutest little guy! I am with him… those cookies sound terrific.
How much fun I really can’t believe you and Erika have not met! Well hey, you have now! The zoo sounded like a fun adventure!
I do hope for a super fast healing! But you do have this, I know how frustrating it can be, just stick with what you know best. You’ve been here before and this will work out too! 🙂
I’m so sorry that your tendon is still giving you trouble. But it sounds like you’re on the right path! I hope you’re feeling better. Is Dr. Miracle really your doc’s name? Lol!
My shins and calves have “tried” to cause some problems for me while training…that’s why I’ve been doing my best to roll and stretch post-run as thoroughly as possible.
Sorry to hear your tendon is still not better. However, it’s great you are able to do some swimming/run swim and cycling soon! I’ve been having some SI joint/glute problems this last week 🙁
Hmm I’m glad your doctor could get you in the same day, but wow those soft tissue injuries can be so frustrating and this one sounds a little scary. It’s frustrating to be only on activities like the pool. But OTOH the older I get the more I appreciate water exercise. Glad you could at least get out with your friend to the zoo– is that Lincoln Park? Such a great place!
I’m so sorry to hear about your ankle. Crossing my fingers you get fixed up before Berlin.
Totally off topic but in that first picture, are your trees losing their leaves already?
I’m so happy you got to meet Erika! I love meeting bloggers that I read every day, and it always feels like old friends when we finally meet.
I’m so sorry that your tendon is still giving you so much trouble. Happy though that you at least get to ride and pool run.
Ugh .. I hate that for you. Graston, when done by a proper professional, works. Hurts like MoFo but works. Sending lots of positive vibes to heal quick. But take it easy. You can do Berlin in your sleep!
Oh, I’m so sorry.
I spent a lot of time injured a couple of years ago – it was a nasty hip flexor tweak that just wouldn’t improve. I went on to complete several races. They were ill advised, but I finished the Gate River Run 15K and the Glass Slipper Challenge, among others. I am mostly better, but I still have some serious fear so I don’t know that I will ever get back to where I was.
Hang in there. If you didn’t have a time goal, you can still enjoy the experience. <3
UGH. Sorry you are still dealing with the injury. You have enough sense and experience to get through this. Can’t wait to read the Berlin recap. You’ll get it done, injury be damned!
Well dang, I was so hoping this would be a short term thing for you. Hang in there! Hopefully some of that voodoo will make some healing progress.
SO cool you got to meet a buddy blogger for so many years!
Ozzy is so cute, his look does make me melt lol
OH!! and the gum, thank you 🙂 I meant to email you today and just realized I forgot! I like it so far!
Yay Karen! Glad you got the gum. Enjoy!
Oh no! I’m so sorry about your tendon! Sadly, I’m all to familiar with the Graston technique and…OUCH is all I have to say! I hope all continues to heal up well!
So fun when bloggers or others you know on social media get to finally meet up in person! I love that!
What a great idea to pool run instead! Hope your injury heals very soon.
Ah sorry to hear about your injury! I did notice your pool posts on IG! I hope you recover quickly!
Somehow I missed this post — I’m so sorry Marcia, I hope all the work pays off and you toe the line in Berlin. Actually, I have no doubt you will.
I don’t think any of my injuries have been as severe — sometimes being slow is a good thing — but I had one race I really should have DNS’d, but didn’t know better at the time. I finished, but it was my most painful race ever and the recovery took months.
And a few years back I had some stuff going on with my hips, but by then I had found taping, and while there was some pain, I was fine afterwards.