I’m just going to go ahead and title this the “Epic Week of Epic Fail: A Pity Party in Eight Installments.” Yup. That sounds dramatic enough.
I haven’t run since those four miles on the trail last weekend. And it’s been absolutely miserable. My frustration stems from a few things. First, that I’m not in any actual pain. At least, with pain, I can say to myself “Oh, I’m in pain. I should rest.” Second, that running does not come easily to me. At all. It never has and it never will. And the longer I sit out, with this annoying non-pain, the faster I can feel my abilities trickling away. It’s devastating to feel like I’m going to have to start from Couch to 5K Week One, Day One, instead of honing my half marathon time.
Let’s see just how much I didn’t train this week.
Sunday – rest
I had a long chat with Mr PugRunner about my injury. I decided that I would take the week off so I would be all set for Best Damn Race Orlando on Saturday. It was a really nice, motivating carrot and I threw myself into feeling better.
By which I mean, I made my very first batches of granola and granola bars from scratch. Everything was a huge hit, which is great, but also means I will have to make more.
Monday – rest
Stacey tried to talk me into body circuit, promising me I could just do arms, but I was a little stiff and decided to just stay home and do my stretches instead. Can’t be too careful, right?
Right.
I threw myself into cooking some new and fun meals. Little man has been super helpful in the dinner planning department, and it’s great finding some new recipes for the family. Yay for being productive.
Tuesday – rest
I had to be up and out for a super early staff meeting. I like these. It’s nice to see some of the staff that I don’t usually get to see, and it’s good to connect with the “HQ”, so to speak. It energized me for the day.
At home, I started helping little man with his diorama project for school. I love love love these projects, and I’m so happy he lets me help.
Wednesday – rest
Another mostly quiet day. I did some reading and some cleaning. Little man asked if he could change his karate schedule from Wednesdays to another day, so it made our evening a little more chill. I was ok with that.
My task masters were sure to remind me to keep working at my hip. They never let up.
Thursday – rest
This was not a good day. Not at all. I had been feeling great. The hip was strong. All the stars were aligning. I felt good and rested. I had started looking at my pre-race hydration and nutrition. I confirmed plans.
And then I tripped on the stairs, and it all went to hell.
I finally had to admit to myself that if I wanted to heal and if I wanted any shot at Gate River Run or the Publix Savannah Women’s Half, I was going to have to DNS BDR Orlando.
I cried. Three times. To me, at this moment, this was failure. This was giving up. In four years of running, I have never, ever, ever had a DNS. It was never an option for me. In my world, you register, you run. If that means you crawl over the finish line, so be it. And that’s just how it goes.
No matter how many times people tell me that this was the right call, and the responsible thing, it doesn’t feel like it. My logical side (which, I confess, is buried deep within me and I really don’t like letting it out to play, ever, because logic isn’t fun) KNOWS this was the smartest move. The rest of me thinks I am the biggest sissy pants, who can’t even run through a little discomfort.
I was a bit of a mess the rest of the day. I’m not proud, but I moped and sulked. Not only was I missing out on an event I love, but I wasn’t going to get to hang out with some great friends. I won’t mince words: it sucked all the way around.
Friday – body circuit
I tried to be more positive on Friday. I talked myself into going to body circuit. It didn’t matter if I stood around for an hour, doing curls. At least I would be with friends and out of my own head for a bit. And I felt great afterwards (not pack my Mizunos, hop in the car and drive to Orlando great, but great all the same).
We did the late evening karate and had dinner out. It was a nice family night, and I was glad for that.
Saturday – rest
Saturday was hard. While I was so proud of all my friends who were racing and crushing their goals, I was jealous, too. It wasn’t pretty. Mr PugRunner was headed out of town with a buddy to go see a hockey game, so little man and I were left to find for ourselves. I confess, we hung out in PJs way longer than we needed to, and foraged for lunch in the cheese drawer, but eventually, we got it together enough to go see Zootopia
and have dinner with my parents.
And so here we are. Monday.
The strengthening and stretching seems to be working. I’m not 100% and I have some decisions to make about the Gate this upcoming weekend. I have a partner who is a-ok with taking it slow and walking as needed, but I need to dig deep to see where I’m at, physically.
I’m trying to have perspective. It could be an IT band injury or bursitis or a stress fracture, or something far worse. It’s only a small tweak/strain of a muscle/tendon/ligament (what IS a hip flexor, anyway?) that just happens to be one of those things people use to do ridiculously basic things like sit and walk and climb stairs. It will be fine.
The feeling of failure is hard to shake. I hate that I had to skip out on a run. And I also hate that I can’t help little man with his training. We were both really enjoying that time together, and it stinks that we have been interrupted.
Onward and upward, though. I am going to continue “being smart” this week, and see where it leads.
How was your week in review?
How do you work through the “rest” and “rehab” parts of an injury, when all you want to do is get back out there?
I had a week like that a few weeks back and it’s very easy for me to mentally jump to lots of the same conclusions that you do. I’ve learned that taking a week or 2 off when you feel something is way better than taking 3 months off bc you ignored it. You won’t lose your fitness in a week or 2. Hang in there!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Roasted Veggie Pasta with Tomato Vinegarette
I hope that I don’t lose that fitness. It’s so terrifying to think that.
I’m hanging, but it’s rough.
I know how frustrating it is to not be able to work out the way that you want to, but that extra rest will hopefully lead to a faster recovery and getting you back out there sooner than later. Just imagine if you ignored the pain and made your injury worse, leading to even more time off from running. You’re doing the right thing.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…ZOOMA Annapolis Half Marathon Training Log – Week 5
I keep thinking that maybe it’s really no big deal, and I should just suck it up. But then also seems pretty counterintuitive and I come to my sense. Mostly.
I had a week like that recently, but I had no excuse other than lack of motivation. But it was still all about listening to my body. I took the lack of motivation as a sign that my body wanted to rest. I’ve also had to DNS a race due to injury, and it sucks big time, but it must be done. I hope your rest week helped and you heal up quickly!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Protein Rich Vanilla Chai Latte {vegan, soy free, gluten free}
I can deal with lack of motivation. I manage to get it back pretty quickly, and no harm done. Hopefully, this all gets under control soon.
Sometimes our bodies are such a debbie downer. But deep down inside, you know you’re doing all the right things.
I shall now confess something that might make you feel mildly less bad about your own DNS. Or make you judge me. Maybe both.
Last year, right about this time, I registered to run the Leprechaun 5 miler. When the day loomed near I was pretty out of shape, and not super ready to kill 5 miles. But I figured I’d take it slow and see how it went. And then it was the day before and it was icing outside. Not raining exactly. Not snowing. But it was cold and precipitating. Black ice was everywhere. The forecast for the next day? BITTER COLD. Like single digits. I knew I wouldn’t go. But I went and picked up my bib and t-shirt anyway. Oh the shame!
Stacie Seidman recently posted…Those breeches….
Nope, I don’t judge you at all. That sounds like a miserable day for a race, and I don’t know that I would have done differently. Then again, I hate the idea of running in a rainstorm, so…
short term rest now or long term rest later. I know it stinks right now but you do have to continue to be smart about it! there is always, always another race!!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Week 7 Training, SoulCycle X Target & #RunEatDrink
You are so, so, SO right. And I know it. But ugh. It’s hard!
I’ve had one DNS after a stress fracture in my foot. I was so not happy. But I did go and spectate and cheer my friends on. That was fun!
Hope your injury calms down soon.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Big Sur Marathon Training Week 5
I thought about doing the same, but it would have been 4ish hours worth of driving for about 14 hours. I think I will go cheer or volunteer for this weekend if I can’t physically do the miles. I think.
Oh, I feel for you. Injury of any kind is no fun at all. I was unable to run at all last winter after throwing my back out. I had to sit out for 5-6 months and wasn’t able to do much at all. I hope you are able to get rest and healing and strengthening so you can get back to running.
Sandra Laflamme recently posted…What’s in Your Runner’s Recovery Toolbox?
Oh, you must have been a mess! It’s so hard to be benched like that! But, now you’re back at it and doing awesome!
I’m feeling a lot better. Not 100%, but things are manageable, and I’m very grateful for that.
Ugh. Injuries just really suck no matter what they are. I hope your hip flexor is better soon.
Coco recently posted…A Hilly PR — Reston 10 Miler Race Recap
It’s doing a lot better than it was. Not perfect, but I’m not feeling quite as hopeless.
I think you are being smart by giving your body time to heal!! Wishing you speedy healing so you can get back out there!! 🙂
It’s the right call, but it’s aggravating as anything 🙁
Ugh. I’m with you. Perpetual “rest” while my body decides if it is indeed injured or not. So frustrating!
RFC recently posted…2016 Ripley’s Family Fun Run Review
Perpetual rest sounds like no fun whatsoever 🙁
Give it time to heal. I know it sucks to be on the sidelines, but it’s better to heal it the first time than for it to become a nagging, returning injury. Trust me on this because I may have been one who did not DNS when I should have…
MCM Mama Runs recently posted…The best thing about running is where it takes me
Injured is such a complex state to be in, and for me it’s always so much more about the mental state that it throws me into. The spiral effect is real and somehow even when my head knows what’s logical my heart does not give a crap. I am sorry that you had to make this decision but I am sure it’s the right one! Maybe we can make up a new acronym for DNS, dance non stop?
Becki S recently posted…5 Reasons To Rock A QALO Ring
I am so sorry that you are going through this right now. It is sad and frustrating for you… but think how luck you are that is the first time since you started runnning that you have had to DNS. I am sure you are doing the right thing by taking the cautious route.
Try not to stress over it – and yes, do spend time with the things you CAN do and your friends.
I am so sad for you. Maybe by DNSing, you’ll be back to running sooner.
Hope it is not serious and you heal quickly.
Darlene recently posted…TOTR: The Best Thing(s) About Running …
Sitting out is tough! I lost most of February after the Disney marathon last year. I am battling shin splints right now, and I am not sure how Gate will go Saturday. I think you did the right thing in not racing. You need to heal. Good luck Saturday! It looks like it will be a warm one!
Angie recently posted…The Other Half of My Story
Injury is hard. As of this moment, I’m going to be at the Gate. Probably not my best decision ever, but in the grand scheme of things, I think I will be ok. It is going to be warm, and I’m not thrilled about that, but it is what it is.
Hope you’re feeling better!
runswithpugs recently posted…rundisney princess half marathon weekend: expo & pre-race
omg I totally know how you feel! I had a DNS last year at my half and I cried the day before. I was so bummed. I got really sick and my mom told me it wasn’t worth my health (true) but I still wanted to run so badly and NOT have a DNS. I know it was the right call but in that moment we can be hard on ourselves and really question our decision. I also hated that I Wasted $120 lol
Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…35 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes!
It’s so hard being a grownup and making mature decisions! Fortunately, I wasn’t out that kind of money, but the financial hit stings, too. Running is a fickle sport, and really, you can never count on what’s going to happen next.
runswithpugs recently posted…rundisney princess half marathon weekend: expo & pre-race
Best wishes for a fast recovery! Take the time you need to heal.
Thanks, Shannon! I’m doing pretty well, so we will see what happens!
runswithpugs recently posted…rundisney princess half marathon weekend: expo & pre-race