The Good, Well... Getting Better Update

Well, here we are, a new week down the road.  I have had this foot injury now for over two full weeks with no running through it all.  Last week, the pain subsided enough to walk around but only a couple days ago, the pain completely went away.  My orthopedist gave me a boot to walk around in which helped but can be very uncomfortable.  However, I had not gone back to running.

With this week, I was hoping to return to running.  Having already missed a 20 mile run, this week would give me a 12 mile run on Sunday and then 20 next week.  I have been pain free for a day or two completely and was hoping to go running this morning.  Woke up and got up to go, shoes on and everything.  For starters it was bitterly cold outside and I felt like just staying inside and had multiple ideals of just giving up.  I am not a morning runner, this much I have basically already known... especially when it is cold.

Well... I got to the starting point second guessing myself and the foot over and over.  After around 30 feet of running I stopped.  I wasn't sure if my foot was hurt or not.  It felt like I was feeling the injury with the steps and was going to act up if I continued to run.  Maybe just some soreness.  However, I decided not to risk it and came home sadly.

The entire walk back I was thinking, maybe I am scared to run?  It has been over 2 weeks since running and my body may be a little not used to it anymore which could be a factor... especially mentally.  At this point, maybe I will try running on it later in the day down the week, but for now, I think it is best to not go on it.

I have injured myself over and over.  This foot injury was one of the most painful I have had so far...  I am not sure if I am at that point of fear for running now.  I get that little sinking feeling in my stomach when I try to get myself psyched to run around.  It has just been a bumpy ride and it is one of those, 'what will the next injury be?'  Instead of the 'get out and enjoy the run!'  I just dont know anymore.  

I am getting to that point in the training where if I miss much more, the marathon will be difficult.  I feel that if I atleast am able to get a running base back under me I will be okay for the marathon, but that means running by next week at the latest or I may be out.

Its a Rollercoaster Ride

Okay, it has been a few weeks since my last post and I want to apologize for that.  The past few weeks has been really up and down.  I will start with a little recap of the situation to get to where I currently am.


For spring break this year I went to California for the first time and saw Judy!  It was a great trip and I had brought my shoes with me to run.  That week however, was a rough week in terms of motivating me to run.  I ended up barely running Tuesday, and Wednesday flew out and arrived that evening in California.  Thursday I went to Disneyland for the first time and did not run.  Friday I ran in Granada Hills and almost face planted into the pavement.  Probably would have been a 'take me to the hospital now' type of fall, but somehow, and I mean somehow I barely stayed up.  I ran 16 miles on Sunday and was really happy about that. (I am missing a run in here or something I believe).

After returning it was real hard to start running again and I only ran twice that week.  My long run on Sunday was only 3 miles before I gave in.  I wasn't going to let that happen again.  It was a huge snag in the road for me and was an eye opener in terms of what I need to do for the marathon.  After that, I put my butt in gear (somewhat) and went for a good week after that.  I hit all my runs and ended up running 43 miles last week!  The most I have done in a week.  I even woke up at 5 15 am to run along the river in Tulsa, OK (where I was for a wedding) and ran 17 miles. 

With all this good turn of fortune came a real bad turn.  I ran eight miles on Saturday on the treadmill because I hate the cold and did it real fast too.  However, I also became aware later that day that my foot was 'cracking' and hurt a little on the outside.  I still ran all 17 miles on Sunday but ended up going to the ER to get my foot checked out when I couldn't walk without each step having horrible pains.  Turns out I was running on a badly sprained foot.  Luckily no stress fracture.  However, I could barely walk until yesterday when it still hurts but at least I am not limping. I hope to not be out of running for longer than two weeks or I will then need to put some serious thought to running the marathon.

I missed last years marathon with an injury and I hope to not miss this years again.  I am pretty sick and tired of having all of these snags and just wish that I could not be so injury prone.  I know I don't have the body of a runner but I hope to have one some day... that isn't going to happen if I keep getting hurt.

I guess what would marathon training for me be without getting an injury?