Hey all - Happy belated St. Patrick's Day! I originally wanted to run Seattle's St. Patrick's Day Dash 5k, but then I found out it was $40(!), so I decided to invite a couple friends to make a Dash of our own; we called it the St Pat's "Make your own" Dash 2012. I even made us race bibs! The three of us are dealing with injuries so we kept it short and slow by running three miles around Green Lake. Who needs the real thing, when you can get a make-shift event for FREE?
Anyway, my friend Paige did the run with me and we got to talking about the blog world and injuries. I told her I am having a hard time blogging, reading blogs and being on Twitter while I deal with this injury because all I read about is people running long runs, having awesome runs and running fast - all things I can't do right now... She agreed that when you're injured it feels like you're the ONLY one and everyone else is having a fantastic season. Anyone feel this way too?
Yes, my knee is very slowly getting better, but my fitness has dropped off the edge of the world and now running three miles is, I hate to say it, hard. I feel like I'm back at square one, picking up running for the first time. SO frustrating! So, although I'm mad and frustrated, I've decided to take it from where it is in reality, versus where I want to be. If I can only run three miles, so be it! Run those three miles and when I'm ready, add another. Slowly build, slowly add speed and sooner or later, I'll get back into the swing of things. At this point the two upcoming races I've planed (a 12k on April 1 and a Half on May 5) are currently out of the question, so I'm just concentrating on my first triathlon of the season on June 23rd.
Since swimming and biking don't bother my knee at all, this is my chance to get stronger at those two sports. I am doing a century ride at the beginning of June and I may add in a couple other organized bike rides before then depending on my fitness.
So that's my plan for the time being. Take running slow, bike and swim a lot.
That is awesome you planned your own run, what fun! Good for you. I totally where you're coming from with the not wanting to hear about long runs thing (as an often injured person!) but I think the good thing is that lots of people tend to be injured at any given time (the bad thing about running) do you can commiserate! You will become a dominant swimmer / biker and running will come back faster than you think!
ReplyDeleteI'm so bummed about your knee. I am planning on the Seahawks 12k & will miss you. Definitely an opportunity to get strong in the bike/swim. Even if your knee is bugging a bit, that run around Padden shouldn't be too bad, especially if you drop down to to the rec distance?
ReplyDeleteGood for you for doing your own St. Patt's Day run. I hope you finished with some Irish beer later?
Love the make your own run idea :)
ReplyDeleteI feel the same when I am injured. It's hard to see everyone doing great when you can't do anything. I also get jealous of all the people I see out running. Sometimes its hard to live in one of the fittest states in the US!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on making your own race. You are out there doing what you can and that is what matters!
Didn't realize you were injured - I've been pretty MIA from the blog world lately. Sorry to hear that, and hope you are healed up soon!
ReplyDeleteI think you're doing the right thing by taking it easy with running and looking at this as an opportunity to improve your swimming and cycling!
It totally sucks being injured, but you are being really smart by taking the running easy and focusing on biking and swimming. Heal. Trust me. Take it from someone who didn't do that and had a LONG time to heal from an injury.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your knee. I had a long term ITB/knee injury in the past and I was miserable. Good on you for attacking the cross training :)
ReplyDeleteI think one of the good things about blogging is that you can connect with others- sure lots of people are talking about great long runs, but there are also plenty on injured people to commiserate with too.
Your personal fun run sounds like a fun idea!! :)