Here's the deal. I had my post-op appointment with my Ortho and he said I do not need to wait until my knee is 100% to start running again. He said once I could do low impact cardio that mimics running for a "good" amount of time without pain, I'd be ready to ease back into running. "Ease back in" meaning, 5 minutes, then 7 minutes, then 9 minutes, etc.Well, I had worked myself up to 45 minutes on the arc trainer with no pain. I then took two days off of everything lower body. Friday morning, I went to the gym and did 45 minutes on the arc trainer. (This is what I had worked myself up to.) But this time, my knee hurt the whole rest of the day. It felt weak and it ached- the way it ached BEFORE my surgery. This is the first time it has hurt in the same way it hurt before I had my surgery and I am really sad. I guess I overdid it?
My doctor had assured me at my appointment that cardio would not slow my progress. Even if I overdid it and my knee ended up hurting, it would not "erase" the work he did on my knee. So that is good. I know I didn't mess anything up. I am just mad. I thought taking two days off would make my knee even stronger- not make it hurt for the WHOLE REST OF THE DAY.
I am not ready to run yet. A few days ago, I thought I was. Right now, I don't feel like I am. I'm going to wait another week and reassess. But I'm also not getting my hopes up. In fact, I am wondering how little training I can get away with and still run Boston. What if I can't run for another month?? That leaves me...6 weeks to train. FREAKING A!!!!
I add salt to everything. NO MORE. This is Step 1 in reducing the amount of salt I consume.
I'm NEVER going to stop talking about my runs!! (My runs. Tee-hee.)
Brace yourself. Every post is going to start out, "So I went for a run today...".
Well, not every post. I don't run every day. But I will still talk about running a shit ton!
I know, I already gave up fake sugary drinks. Confession: After my surgery,
when I found myself a wee bit depressed, I'd hit the bottle...
the "lite lemonade" bottle, that is!
Every wonderful sight, sound and smell on every single run... I will not take it for granted!
I can't wait to be able to call up a bunch of friends and invite them on a long, "good for the soul" trail run. I miss the trail so much. My ankles are going to be so sore, but it will be worth it!!!
**Sorry for all the exclamation points and capital letters. I am all hopped up on Diet Coke right now.**
Did ever have to take a long break from running? What were you looking forward to the most when you were able to run again?
I missed over 2 years so I feel your pain, the early stages are the worst too because you want to preserve your fitness and you have races in mind that you want to train for. Play it smart and don't make all the same "back too quick" mistakes I made, you'll appreciate it so much when you can come back healthy!
ReplyDeleteEmmeline, I think you are the little voice in my head that is making me come back the smart way. I haaaate that I feel like I am losing fitness and my legs are losing muscle (I haven't been able to lift lower body even longer than I haven't been running)....buuuut I am trying to tell myself THIS is part of the training too. This resting- it's all part of the process of getting back. But it doesn't mean I have to like it. :)
DeleteWhen I was sidelined from plantar fasciitis after my first half, I used to dream about running ALL the time! That's when you know you've been out for too long! Is there a pool at your gym? Maybe you can do some pool running in the meantime???
ReplyDeletePlantar is the worst!! I had that for a few days this past summer. No pool at Planet Fitness... unless you count my pool of tears as I leave without doing cardio...
DeleteAwwww! :-(
DeleteI can just imagine all these thoughts you're having. It's super tough being sidelined. Matt (my husband) was all signed up for Boston last year but got serious Achilles tendonitis and couldn't run it since he kept 'trying' to run on it. This obviously made the injury worse. He's all recovered now, but rushing recovery didn't work. Clearly you know that...lol....I'm not assuming you don't. I was out for an extended period as well last year during Boston training with a chest infection and I couldn't run two steps if I tried. I used to actually get annoyed when I'd see runners go by my house....LOL...envy? I used to imagine me running and feeling so strong and when I got better so that I could run, it was awesome.
ReplyDeletesorry for the super long comment! Rest up Meg :)
Your poor husband! That must have been so hard to pull out of Boston. I have been preparing myself mentally for that so that if I have to it's not a shock. I will be a pain explaining it to people, though. :( I get running envy too! When I read blogs I get very envious when I see people posting about their runs. Envious sounds mean though.. I am glad they are running, but wish I could. :)
DeleteStay positive girl!!! I can't imagine what you are going through. I have never had an injury. I have read a lot about bloggers who have injuries and I know it is not "pretty." I'm sorry that you feel a little discouraged since your knee started aching. I wish you all the recovery in the world so you can get back out there and write about all your fun runs!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much! :) Your comment made me smile.
DeleteI'm itching for a run but I know it will be a while still even after I get my cast off...so I can't wait to hear about your running adventures and I hope you continue to recover! I hope everything works out for ya. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are my hero! I shouldn't even be complaining about taken a measly month off!
DeleteI can totally understand where you're coming from, although of course I think you have gone through a lot more with your knee. But I really do get how injury can make you feel depressed because you're being robbed of what you love doing. I also know how tempting it is to not ease in slower into cardio again. I hope you don't put too much pressure on yourself though to have to run boston. At first I felt crappy about not running the Austin 10/20 in April because of not enough training time, but when I consider the long term effect of overtraining versus staying healthy, I know at least for me the race didn't seem that important.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, I definitely want long term healthy vs. one race. I think it's too early to make the Boston call right now, and I have been mentally preparing myself to the fact that it might not happen. I was not aiming to PR or anything, I just want to run it, enjoy it, and not be injured after the fact. My cut off is going to be 2.5 weeks before the race. If I am unable to do a 20 mile training run 2.5 weeks before the race, or if I do it and am in pain, no Boston. It will suck A LOT, but would I rather run Boston or rather be healthy and get back to my old running regimen and enjoy the summer running on the trail? The latter, for sure! Thank you for your wise words!
DeleteDaydreaming about running when you're injured is the worst. It's like secret torture but you enjoy it....kind of...even though it makes you sad. You're going to come back stronger than ever. Just keep playing it smart!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ali! I have to FORCE myself to be smart but I can do it.
DeleteI love how you've stayed positive throughout your whole injury, focusing on what you can do rather than what you can't do. You're so close now! So smart that you've decided to dial it back for a couple days. Pretty soon you will be out on those gorgeous trails again!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to be positive. :) I shall drown my sorrows in fake sugar until I can hit the trail again! You're right.. I am close. Closer than I was. Closer every day!
DeleteI had to take time off for running because of a foot injury. I so looked forward to being outside and in the fresh air. So instead of running, I started walking. Not as great as running but at least I could be outside. Then I started doing 5 minute walk, 2 minute run. It was better than nothing !
ReplyDeleteIt's funny as runners, it never really occurs to us to just walk haha. I think I would walk more if the weather was nice. It has been snowing and icing like crazy here, and at first I was actually scared to go outside and walk because with my weak knee and the ice, I just didn't trust it. But now this whole polar vortex thing is letting up and I have no excuse not to get out there for a walk!
Delete