I’m not a fast runner. In the grand scheme of things, there are runners who are faster than me and runners who are slower than me, but no one would ever look at my race times and go “wow, you are speedy.” In general, I’m fine with that.
Two years ago, I had a wonderful spring training season and PRed with two sub-2 hour half marathons. I was PRing at every distance and seeing high 8s as my average pace at a lot of races. Then I trained for a a marathon and while my overall pace slowed a bit, my endurance was wonderful. I ran a strong marathon, only missing my 4:30 goal by a few minutes. I managed to keep my endurance at the half marathon level and also PRed at the 5k distance, finally breaking 25 minutes and getting second in my age group.
And then it all fell apart. I think that 5k was where I initially tweaked my achilles. I ignored it for about 6 more weeks until it was absolutely injured. Since then I can’t seem to go more than a week or two without some part of my legs hurting. Sometimes it’s minor, sometimes (like my calf pain) it takes more to come back.
Today, I ran a really slow, hard, but pain free 3 miles. It wasn’t pretty (I know the 84% humidity played a role in that), but I got it done.
I have two weeks until my 10K race. I obviously won’t be aiming for a PR, but I’m really hoping not to be doing a 6 mile march…
I, like you, have definitely found myself slower after my hip injury this winter. I was really feeling frustrated but as time has gone on I am getting faster. I also put on a little bit of weight while I was hurt as I have dropped my weight I am getting faster:) Good luck!
I, like you, have definitely found myself slower after my hip injury this winter. I was really feeling frustrated but as time has gone on I am getting faster. I also put on a little bit of weight while I was hurt as I have dropped my weight I am getting faster:) Good luck!
Sounds like progress is being made. Your speed will come back, just be smart about it.
Sounds like progress is being made. Your speed will come back, just be smart about it.
Yup – sometimes our bodies simply have to scream at us to pay attention. Glad you are back to running – slow and steady and you will increase your speed in no time . . . and the humidity has a huge effect on my running. Speaking of injuries – I have been struggling with hamstring pain for about 3 weeks and am now committed to taking a week off from running to see how it feels. I am still biking!
Yup – sometimes our bodies simply have to scream at us to pay attention. Glad you are back to running – slow and steady and you will increase your speed in no time . . . and the humidity has a huge effect on my running. Speaking of injuries – I have been struggling with hamstring pain for about 3 weeks and am now committed to taking a week off from running to see how it feels. I am still biking!
It's hard to realize we won't PR every time we go out to race. And sometimes we have to go slow to get fast again. Sounds like you know the recipe; just need to get past where you are. Good luck!
It's hard to realize we won't PR every time we go out to race. And sometimes we have to go slow to get fast again. Sounds like you know the recipe; just need to get past where you are. Good luck!
Congrats on going 3 miles with no pain. Take it slow and steady. Dont push to fast. I feel the same way Last year was my best running year and this year I seem to be struggling. Hang in there.
Congrats on going 3 miles with no pain. Take it slow and steady. Dont push to fast. I feel the same way Last year was my best running year and this year I seem to be struggling. Hang in there.
Isn't it so frustrating? There seems to be a fine line between pushing to get faster, and not (re)injurying anything. Good luck for your 10k – hope it goes well 🙂
Isn't it so frustrating? There seems to be a fine line between pushing to get faster, and not (re)injurying anything. Good luck for your 10k – hope it goes well 🙂
Speed really doesn't matter. In the end, being out there and doing it is what counts.
Speed really doesn't matter. In the end, being out there and doing it is what counts.
Injuries are so frustrating, I've had more than my share. It seems like every time I am finally progressing (because I'm pushing myself a little harder) that I end up with some kind of injury that pushes me even farther back.Definitely be happy for 3 pain free miles. Take it easy on the 10K and aim for an injury free race instead of a PR. That will make you happiest in the end.
Injuries are so frustrating, I've had more than my share. It seems like every time I am finally progressing (because I'm pushing myself a little harder) that I end up with some kind of injury that pushes me even farther back.Definitely be happy for 3 pain free miles. Take it easy on the 10K and aim for an injury free race instead of a PR. That will make you happiest in the end.
good luck, i hope it goes well
good luck, i hope it goes well
It stinks to have to slow down due to an injury, but it's awesome that you are still hanging in there and doing what you can to push through the hard times. SO happy you had a pain free run!
It stinks to have to slow down due to an injury, but it's awesome that you are still hanging in there and doing what you can to push through the hard times. SO happy you had a pain free run!
I've been so fortunate with the injuries … but it makes me worry about when my time is coming, because as a runner, it will eventually. You're a good runner, you'll be fine at the 10K – good luck!
I've been so fortunate with the injuries … but it makes me worry about when my time is coming, because as a runner, it will eventually. You're a good runner, you'll be fine at the 10K – good luck!
Frustrating. My speed hasn't come back since my injury. I don't feel I have the drive.
Frustrating. My speed hasn't come back since my injury. I don't feel I have the drive.
Key piece of this… the only part that really matters… "pain free". Keep it that way 🙂 Slow schmoe… it needs to NOT hurt! Wishing you the best with that upcoming race 🙂
Key piece of this… the only part that really matters… "pain free". Keep it that way 🙂 Slow schmoe… it needs to NOT hurt! Wishing you the best with that upcoming race 🙂
yay for having no pain!! Take is slow and steady and you will get the speed back 🙂
yay for having no pain!! Take is slow and steady and you will get the speed back 🙂
Ah yes, but you have seen the mountain top and that's what it's all about. Forward motion is the name of the game fo rme also!
Ah yes, but you have seen the mountain top and that's what it's all about. Forward motion is the name of the game fo rme also!
we all go through this – you'll bounce back. promise.
we all go through this – you'll bounce back. promise.
Oh, I hear you. Two years ago I was riding high on my Boston qualifying time of 3:45 and a string of PRs including a 22:13 5K and 47:10 10K. Those times would never make me an "elite" runner, but I was extremely pleased.I kept the streak going into the fall of 2009 with my 1:43 half marathon PR and the joy of the NYC marathon. Since then…it's been a long steady decline, and I thought I reached rock bottom with the Thunder Road Marathon in December 2010 (4:54). But no. Now, of course, I have to contend with the ripped up mess that is my right calf. I've lost ALL my fitness, I haven't run in 8 weeks, I'm fat, despondent, pissed off, and frustrated. When I start running again it will be from square one. No, make that square zero. I'm just clinging to the hope that I WILL run again. I know I might never see a sub-4:00 marathon again. or even a sub-2:00 half. I just want to run around the damn block without trouble. Just two miles? Please? Running gods, hello?Hang in there. Oh, and stay cool. It's hot out there!
Oh, I hear you. Two years ago I was riding high on my Boston qualifying time of 3:45 and a string of PRs including a 22:13 5K and 47:10 10K. Those times would never make me an "elite" runner, but I was extremely pleased.I kept the streak going into the fall of 2009 with my 1:43 half marathon PR and the joy of the NYC marathon. Since then…it's been a long steady decline, and I thought I reached rock bottom with the Thunder Road Marathon in December 2010 (4:54). But no. Now, of course, I have to contend with the ripped up mess that is my right calf. I've lost ALL my fitness, I haven't run in 8 weeks, I'm fat, despondent, pissed off, and frustrated. When I start running again it will be from square one. No, make that square zero. I'm just clinging to the hope that I WILL run again. I know I might never see a sub-4:00 marathon again. or even a sub-2:00 half. I just want to run around the damn block without trouble. Just two miles? Please? Running gods, hello?Hang in there. Oh, and stay cool. It's hot out there!