First the good news - I bought my wedding dress today. Can you believe it? I must have set a world record time for buying one. It was the third one I tried on today. As soon as I put it on, I knew it was 'the one'. Happy days. Now I just need to finish organising the engagement party !
Now on the boring stuff - I probably haven't been entirely honest with myself. I don't think my ITB is ready to kick off my 'return to running' program but I am torn between feeling that I should:
(a) just start running again (following my bastardised R2R program) just to see how it goes, and if necessary back off again if it isn't happy; or
(b) stay off the road even longer for fear that any running I do is going to aggravate it even further. So much for my sports doctor's suggestion of 4-6 weeks off the road. I'm now up to 9 weeks and I'm pissed off...
I feel heavy and unfit. All the swimming that I have been doing is probably junk kms because I really haven't been working that hard cardio wise. I'd kill to do a spin class right now. Went for a 35mins walk this morning with my dad over slightly undulating terrain. My knee felt/feels tight and tonight whilst walking up the stairs to my apartment, it was sore. Really sore. Blah, blah, blah. I don't even want to read CR at the moment....
17 comments:
Yes first, the good news, it is incredible but much better that you could find your dress sooo quick!!!
At this point I would like to find out everything about that injury, but as we aren't doctors, the best thing to do is follow your medical prescription, I think.
Your swiming sessions are inspiring and tough don't punish yourself saying they are not (I am even thinking of giving a try to the pool).
Don't lose faith there most be some way to fix this, is just to find it!!
Nice work on the wedding dress shopping Jen. Guess you won't be posting a pic on the blog before the big day ;-)
Hey, how can you call all that swimming junk miles! Its great exercise and its waaaaay better than doing nothing. Besides, reading your blog reminds me I should be getting out there and doing a little smimming myself.
It's definitiely not junk miles Jen, it all helps with toning and keeping you off the couch and out of the Tim Tam packet.
What do the experts say about the ITB? When is your next appointment?
Jen... if it is not ready DONT RUN!!!! It will only get inflamed again! I know how frustrated you are but big picture stuff here... another few weeks is better than months of ongoing awful ITB pain!!! I would listen to the doc's- I know that is not what you want to hear BUT I want to see you at city to surf etc AND walking Pain Free down the isle!!! Your swimming is great exercise and all you gym stuff! You will get there! We should arrange another coffee!!!!
NOW... WOO HOO about your dress! That is very exciting! I bet you looked beautiful!
Talk soon!
Oh you poor thing. I have been where you are now and it is not fun.
Not being able to run is like mourning the death of a dear friend. Sadness, frustration and anger - but then you move on to acceptance which is when you sensibly start approach your new situation with a purposeful and sensible strategy.
I ditto what everyone else has said - it is better to wait longer than risk making your injury worse. I spent most of last year with a stupid hip injury which has only now started to come good.
Be patient grasshopper and good things will come your way.
Wise wt
Don't run yet Jen. Better to find other things than start again only to have to stop - again!!
Great news on the dress. Now I am very curious to see the style you picked. Hands up all the girls who want to hear more details???
Now about the swimming. I know others will disagree with me but in my honest opinion - whenever I swim a lot I bulk up. My shoulders get bigger and my waist line. Yes it is all from muscle and being used etc etc but the end result is that I feel bigger and put that together with not 'sweating' makes me feel I need to do something else as well.
I am not sure what other options you have open to you but certainly look into other things. Even yoga and pilates would be good for you. Are you abel to use the eliptical machine? After a few weeks I was able to go back on that - but whatever, just don't overdo it.
Oh and one more thing (promise)...there is no such thing as junk miles. IT is all good for something - either the body or the brain!
Oh Jen,
Firstly, let me (once again) offer my sympathy.
Next I have to give you the same advice that the other commenters have given you - if you honestly don't believe your ITB is up to it, then it almost certainly isn't.
The black line is a boring form of exercise, but it isn't junk. Exactly 12 months ago I was sick to death of it.
You sond like your enthusiasm is waning, and I can't blame you for that. I reckon if I had been in your situation I'd had given up and got very fat and unfit by now. You have not done that - you have done the absolute opposite of it, and for that reason you continue to be an inspiration to myself and a whole lot of other runners.
Hang in there, Jen. It's gotta come good soon.
Cheers,
Ben
I'll stick to the boring stuff...
Try plan (a). You've had 9 weeks off. Just start with easy jogging every second day and see how it goes. If it's not killing you while running and doesn't get worse then keep going (while also doing the rehab/stretches stuff).
Oh Jen, I know how you feel. I'd be tempted to have a bit of a run and see how it feels as long as you stop as soon as it starts to hurt. That's the rule Aqua-Satan has given me for my runs on grass. Stop the minute it hurts; pain only switches off muscles and makes you weaker. It will answer your question one way or the other at least, and you won't be wondering.
I'd be very interested to see what Aqua Satan says about your case. I'm seeing him in the morning so I'll ask him if he thinks he would be able to help you.
Hang in there.. it will get better and you will be back stronger and fitter. And I've seen you in your swim suit and you are not heavy.. just stand next to me and you'll feel a lot better!
Dress? What dress?? Are you getting married??? LOL ;-)
Said it before - listen to your body, but don't let it dictate. I'm sure you two can work out a win win solution - might just take some negotiating.
2P :-)
Your next goal race is in May. It won't hurt staying off the ITB and knee longer. You might try some sand running, it doesn't put too much pressure on the knees.
:-/ sorry to read about the injuries.
My hand's up to hear more details about the dress. We want photos.
Firstly great news about your wedding dress - how fantastic to find "the one" so quickly. As for the ITB you poor thing. You must be so frustrated and have down days which is to be expected. I keep thinking of CJ - she had such trouble with her ITB after the Ironman in 2004 and eventually had surgery. Since then she has improved out of sight and her running is better than ever. Now she's training for the Marathon with no ill effects from her ITB. That of course is a last resort but it may be good to ask her about it. In the meantime swimming is meant to be the best total body exercise and your exercises with Satan sound amazing.You inspire a lot of people. You could do what Ewen suggests and try a short run to see how you feel but don't keep going if it still hurts. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
[Gnome doesn't have anything useful to add to what the others have said, but wants you to know that he's sitting in sympathetic silence...]
*hugs* swimming works all your muscles, dude - so if anything, when you get back to running, you're going to be less likely to have future injuries.
I'm thinking of you and sending you good, non ITB-flare up vibes...
Oh, and I'm with the rest of the gals too, we want details about this dress! :)
Yeah for the dress! How exciting! I ditto Runner Susan's comments re: pics.
As for the working out, you're swimming workouts are awesome! You'll be out pounding the pavement soon enough. That's the cool thing about running. It will always be there for you!
Hang in there!
Not sure what the best advice is with the ITB - I know you've done a fair bit of research already, and tried a couple of alternative remedies. Did the acupuncture get a look-in in the end?
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