Yesterday I was hit with a revelation: There’s no way I can do 5 halves in 5 days if I don’t stop running.
I know that seems counterintuitive. I mean, who trains for a running race, much less several running races, without running?
Me, I guess.
Per my chiro’s permission, I jumped on the treadmill yesterday for a couple of slow miles. I did a super slow warm up. I walked for a bit at mile 1. And shortly before mile 2, I felt something between a pop and a zing in my calf and knew I had to stop immediately. I actually used the emergency feature on my treadmill for the first time ever. Oddly, the zing did not hurt, but when I stepped off the treadmill, I could barely walk.
Thanks to ice, my foam roller, and compression socks, I’m back in the land of the walking, but I’ve learned my lesson. As long as my calf feels at all tight, I won’t be running. I apparently get no warning that it’s going until it’s already gone.
So, where do I go from here? Well, first I had a nice pity party by myself yesterday. Then I deleted the remaining weeks from my training spreadsheet.
Now I have a plan. I’ll be heading over to the gym this morning and figuring out which cardio I can do without pain. I need it for my mental health and I need to try to preserve some fitness. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll be contemplating aqua jogging. {{{shudder}}}
Will this get me to my goal? No, not my original goal. I’ve let that one go. But it’s certainly going to get me a lot closer than sitting on the couch eating a chocolate bar the size of my head.
And you know what? One way or another, it’s still going to be one hell of an adventure.
YES!!!
thats my way of thinking too.
this will be a grand adventure.
xo
I think you are being very wise. One of the Run Like a Mother books (probably Train Like a Mother) has a plan for training for a marathon on a bike.
Itz always best to listen to your body (and your doctor!). I’m on a break from running right now and while I’m not happy about it, I’ve rekindled my love for strength training!
Way to adapt!! (I’m pretty sure I would still be stuck in the pity party part)
I hope you can find all sorts of cardio to help you maintain and even improve on all the training you have already done.
I’ve decided swimming is my form of staying sane. Break your wrist…….yes you can swim. Sprain your ankle……..yes you can swim. Love it.
That it will! xo
Well, at least you figured it out quickly! It took me like 6 months to have a happy epiphany. (Just check out the last 10 blog posts….it’s like watching it unfold). Patience! You might find your inner athlete that is waiting to escape from only being a runner!
It is all about adaptation 🙂
I’m sorry. That sucks. But you are being so smart by doing this. Adventure waits!
Way to not let this derail you. You’ll work through this and figure it out!
I didn’t want to say it yesterday, but that is true. I strained a quad once (playing soccer), and I couldn’t resume running for about a week or 2; a strain really just has to rest. Good luck with the alternate cardio! It’ll do the trick.
My friend has been aqua jogging and she loves it! I’ve never done it myself and can’t imagine trying to run in water but each to their own.
You have to listen to what your body is telling you and modify your training plans as you move forward. What about using something like Rocktape, haven’t used it myself but know others have to help with issues.
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about your calf. I know EXACTLY what you’re going through!
I tore mine pretty badly last year (running + tennis = torn gastrocnemius) and had to take several weeks off of running.
I came up with a list of exercises you can do with an injured calf. Happy to share ’em if you want ’em. Just Tweet me @RunTraveler
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t know how you feel. But you have a great outlook on it! I hope you heal up fast and that you find enjoyment in your cross training. Take care!
So smart to listen to your body. And it’s good to know that the emergency stop button actually works. Enjoy your adventure.