I have thought long and hard about the CC Half over the last few days and a number of my nearest and dearest have listened to me rant, talk, complain and weigh up the options time and time again (thanks guys!).
My major concern is that doing the Half will further aggravate my ITB (which is likely to happen) and will put me off the road even longer. I was expecting that I would have to take 2-3 weeks off running after the Half but 4-6 weeks was surprising, shocking and far beyond what I had contemplated. Right now, I can’t really walk properly thanks to my knee and the simple act of standing up causes considerable discomfort in my hip. Mr Jen_runs & I walked (well, he walked; I hobbled) from Bronte to Bondi on Tuesday night to see the Sculptures by the Sea. I had difficulty walking up and down the steps. It was simply ridiculous. I’ve had the problem now for 3 months and quite simply, I'm over it. Ultimately I have had to weigh up whether this race or my longer term goals (particularly for next year) are more important. While this has been a fantastic year, it has also been injury plagued and I would like to start the new year off on the right foot – so there will be no CC Half for me. I had thought about packing up the pom-poms and heading up there for the day to cheer – but right now I’m leaning towards escaping to the South Coast instead that weekend; getting as far away from the race as I can.
I decided to go for a final easy and relaxed lap of the Bay this morning (sans watch) before packing up my Brooks for 4 weeks. However that run (and I use the term "run" loosely) has simply removed any doubts I had about my decision. I parked at the Drummoyne Rowers just before 6am and then proceeded to run/hobble to the 2km CR mark and then turned around and walked back to the car.
So my "run" this morning was my last for a minimum of 4 weeks. I am feeling pretty shattered right now but my chin is still up (thanks 2P!) and focusing on my plans and goals for 2006 has helped to ease the pain. I was going to hold off setting out my goals for 2006 until NYD but in order to stay focused over the next few weeks, I’m setting them out now:
Times:
5kms: sub-25mins
10kms: sub-50min
21.1kms: sub-1.55mins
Racing program:
Canberra - 10kms (April)
Warwick Pentath-Run - the Half (& any races that Cirque is doing!) (May)
Woodford to Glenbrook (June)
City to Surf (Aug)
Willy to Billy (goal A: to finish intact & smiling: goal B sub-4hr 30mins) (Aug)
Sydney Marathon Festival – the Half (though I may be o/s at the time) (Sept)
Fitzroy Falls 10kms (Oct)
+ as many 5km CR challenges as possible & a few 10km thrown in for good measure.
After speaking with my physio and Satan, the plan is to have at least 4 weeks off running, to do more walking (avoiding hills as much as possible at least for the next week or so whilst trying not to get bored), to increase my swimming sessions to 4 x p/wk and to continue my weights, pilates and stretching sessions. Spin classes (which I’ve really missed) will be back in a couple of weeks.
How do I feel right now? Shattered (this post sounds slightly more positive/upbeat than I am feeling right now) but at the same time I'm feeling excited by the goals I’ve set for myself and looking forward to 2006.
21 comments:
Sorry to hear you won't be able to make CC Jen, probably a wise choice, get the ITB sorted first.
Bugger. Me too maybe. Pfft. Not the end of the world if we do CC or don't Jen. Hey I like some of those goals for '06. Hopefully I will to W2G & W2B for the first time as well. Keep smiling hun. :)
The rest is exactly what is needed. Keep up the cross training and your fitness level will surprise you when commencing running again.
Your 2006 goals look similar to my 05 events, some good choices. My favourite was Woodford to Glenbrook. This time next year I want to know which event you enjoyed the most :-).
I know it's been a tough decision but I think it's the best one. You'll be back better and faster than ever in no time. In the meantime we will Pilates, swim and eat chocolate together :)
We all need something to motivate us and when runners are not running...they are generally at a loss for what else to do.
So I hereby set you the goal of using the next 6 weeks to work on getting THE BEST ab's in town.
That's a lot of crunches and fitballing!!
Do you accept the challenge????
If so I want to read how you go each day.
The CC is there every year. But you don't want ITB every year - so take the rest and stretch stretch stretch.
R u doing cortisone?
Really, really bummed for you Jen.
After the masses of work you have done (and you've blown me away with the volume), this has to be a tough decision, but it appears to be a wise one.
Take Care,
Ben
Not good news Jen but agreed the right decision. Along with the other suggestions already offered I'd think about some sort of form/biophysical assessment. The last thing you want to do is just reduce/eliminate the inflamation with the rest but then still have an underlying condition that rears it's head as soon as you start running again.
Some great goals for next year, use the downtime to make sure the rest of the body will be ready to go once you can run again.
Excellent decision Jen - well done!
I am so pleased you left it until now to make. You gave yourself every chance and you battled through pain and discomfort and you have made enormous gains recently. But comes a time when enough is enough and that time is now.
Take comfort that you really did give it your most extra special best shot. The very least you have done is to inspire those around you - so thanks ;-)
As for 2006 - that schedule looks suspiciously like a carefully planned campaign to get you to the start line (and ultimately the finish line) of the 2007 Six Foot Track..... goforrit :-)
Shame about CC Jen, but smart move on your part - I look at how strongly others like Clairie have come back from this injury by being sensible about it.
Even though I was only doing it for two weeks walking isn't that bad. Look on the bright side, it takes so long to get anywhere,you get to listen to way more music on the iPod :-)
I'm glad you're excited by your 2006 goals because I sure am, especially the Warwick run.
Jen, you've made the only decision you could sensibly make. In the long term view, it's no more than a glitch in your plans; make the wrong decision now & have one setback after the other is not the way to go! From where I'm at (!), you're so young with plenty of years to do all the running & anything else that you want to do with your life. Don't let one (or even 2!)hitches upset you too much.
Brilliant move to set out your goals for 2006! Focus on them & the training you will need to do; make this setback work to your advantage...2006 could be a great year for you & it's not far off!!
Well - what to say Jen? Good on you for making the decision though.
It's been an emotional time for all of us following your ups and downs over the last few weeks. I know how much you would have loved to be there for CC, and I understand your thoughts about getting away for that weekend. It would be a terribly shame not to see you again though, but that's just me (and Nat, Benny, Gronk, 2P etc...) being selfish.
The other side of me recognises that you've just done the very difficult, but sensible thing that I went through with the Port Mac race. Sometimes it's for the better good to forego a short-term goal to focus instead on the long-term. I certainly believe I made the right decision in that regard (if it's any consolation).
Now, the next thing i just have to say is how impressed I am with your 2006 goals! Wow - willy 2 billy eh? That's a big one to aim for, and certainly achievable for you. I'm excited about the thought of following your path to these goals - and hopefully occasionally joining you along the way! I won't ever miss C2S, but I'm also particularly keen on joining you for the Pentath - can't let you have Cirque all to yourself!
all the best Miss Jen
Hello Miss Jen....
Sitting here in kyoto I thought I would check how you were all going. I am sorry that you will not be able to complete your first half but you have made the right decision. sadness and dissapointment are temporary states of being ( as a wise buddhist man told me) Take comfort in the fact that you can start a fresh, become stronger and tackle new goals in 2006!!! It is a great time of year for some down time to rest and recover!!!! With all your gym work and swimming your fitnes will be fine.... then ease back into it. I hope that in the next fre weeks you will not feel quite so dissapointed! It is a horrible feeling. You are a tough cookie and will bounce back!! I saw we christian 2006 your year!! GO JEN!!
(I like the idea of an abs challenge!!!) Now I prescribe that you have a cry and then do something nice for yourself and look forward to a happy new year! Hey will DEFINATELY need a catch up ... new goals and photos!!
Keep smiling!
I can't wait to follow your progress next year Jen. I have a sneaking suspicion there'll be some awesome progress once you get over these setbacks. Roll on 2006!
Jen sorry to hear about the ITB biting back hard again. Rest it and get it fixed so it can't come back. Good goals for next year. Although after pom poms at SMH Half I thought you might swap sides of the fence and run it. The crowd support is great.
Sorry to hear this news Jen but I know how it feels. Being with Belinda and watching her going through the agony of pulling the pin on Canberra this year after all the hard work she put in during the preparation. But look at what she was able to do after having 7 weeks off running.
It is also great to see you outlining your goals for 2006. It is exactly what Belinda did and it sure worked for her.
Hang in there Jen and remember tough times don't last but tough people do!
Just take it as the normal process in a runners life, because it is. Those goals for the next year are interesting and resting now is the only way to get them.
Hi Jen, there are some big goals in there! Good luck with them. In your heart I am sure you know it is the right decision. Be patient and let things heal fully before starting slowly again.
I'm sorry to hear that you are still having so many problems with your ITB - its not fun. But having goals to look forward to always help and will keep you motivated. We want to hear about your progress so don't stop blogging!
Wow Jen. I've never been the 22nd commenter on a blog entry before. Ever noticed how many people care about you? I think it's because they're just returning the favour :-)
God bless you girl.
sfG
This verdict is bigger than australian idol.
good decision.
*hugs*
I think you made the right decision - there are years and years of races and running to be done, best to get yourself fully fixed and recharged and ready to kick butt!
I have this feeling that when you come back, you're going to be a force to be reckoned with!
And don't think you can get away without writing blog entries in the mean time - we want to read about the ab challenge!
Stay cool, keep positive and know that we're all thinking about you! You are an inspiration to all the runners who don't have the strength to know when to rest their injuries.
H xxx
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