I love running, if you haven’t noticed. And I’m a bit of a purist when it comes to the sport. Not an ipod user, not a Garmin user, heck, I even like my shoes simple. I just want to be out there, period.
Isn't it supposed to be easy?
Most of the time, running is pretty straightforward; one foot in front of the other. But then you get a little tweak like I did last week and suddenly, it’s all so complicated. Trying to figure out why something hurts, and how to fix it, can be a like a 1,000-piece puzzle.
Was it:
- The hill repeats?
- The overall mileage I was running?
- The massage I had right after the hill repeats?
- Too much swimming? (actually, probably not that one!)
- My shoes?
- My form?
- My glutes not firing?
- Something I’m eating or not eating?
It is enough to drive a person crazy!
Here’s what I’ve come up with in response to my hunches about my achilles, however. For the time being, I’m going to try to keep my runs as flat as I can, which isn’t the easiest thing to do around here. No speedwork for a while. I’m rotating in a different pair of minimalist shoes. They have the same 4 mm heel to toe drop, but are a bit more substantial than those I’ve been in. I’m icing after every run. I’m wearing compression socks when I can. Ok, when I remember.
Today I’m taking a test run, my first in a week. If all goes well, I’ll work my way back to somewhat close to on track for Boston. Wish me luck.
If you entered my ViewSport giveaway, the winner is number 10–HikerMom. Shoot me an email at misszippy1@gmail.com and we’ll get you all settled. Congrats!
Good luck!
Laura recently posted..Paperwork
Yay, so excited I won! Thanks! Just shot you an email:)
Hikermom recently posted..On The Road To Interlaken
P.s. I hope your Achilles feels better. I found out I have Achilles tendonitis so I have been trying to ice it and and take it easy. No fun:(
Hikermom recently posted..On The Road To Interlaken
We all know the feeling, I just want to run again… OK I can run, so lets enter a race, OK that was slow, I want to run faster… Then we push to much and we get injured!!! then it starts again.
So Miss Zippy with you it’s: I want to be able to run the marathon, just get to the end… then as the weeks go by we all hope you can start upping the pace and saying, Finishing no problem, lets set our sights on a time…
Here hoping your Achilles feels good enough to get you to the race with a good other than just finishing.
Good Luck
Coach Dion recently posted..TRAIL SERIES
Hope you get sorted soon Miss Z – read Coach Dion’s post though.. She’s insightful. Back off for a little while Miss Z…
Petra recently posted..half ironman half shmironman. Or no comfort zones.
Good luck, hopefully it was just a test to make sure you don’t overdo anything!
abbi recently posted..January Miles
I have been having some pains when I run (and after) and have been doing some of the same mind games. I’m absolutely terrified that if I end up injured that will be the end of my journey as I’m not sure I’m in love with it enough to fight my way back. I want to continue to build up some kind of base, but am always balancing that with protecting the ability to keep trying. It is terribly frustrating.
Christina recently posted..Hump Day Run/Abs
Good luck. The wanderings of your mind sound very similar to those that consume my head. Best of luck – will be waiting to read how things develop.
I have some recurring ankle tendonitis issues and I’ve found that RICE after a run is well worth the time – get an ankle compression brace, might do the trick!
Its enough to make ya crazy isnt it?! I try and make the healing process simple-doing what you think is best and being kind to what hurts. Not science, but the best we can do!
GWS!!:)
I hate when you can’t figure out why you hurt, but you HURT!
Hope taking it easy helps! Feel better.
kari @ Running Ricig recently posted..Yesterday I…
Just read your twitter post- run success!! Hope your achilles is super good soon
I am a purist when it comes to running soon. Took me years to use a garmin but I figured I have to start looking at pace if I actually want to run a faster half!
Josie @ happycorrdora.com recently posted..February and Kinder Surprises.
I hear you on the crazy jig-saw-like nature of trying to figure out what’s going on when things aren’t going right. I was so glad to see on twitter that your run today was a success! I hope you are back on track in no time!
Raquelita recently posted..February Goals
A little post post note–ran 5 today and all was well!
Awesome on the running! All last year I was a flat magnet! My achilles and IT Bands were horrible. So no hills and only did speed work at races, which was just enough to cause more flaring up of the issues.
Just be smart.
You are totally missing out w/out the garmin and IPod!!!
I run way better w/ tunes, always have. However that is how I get free when I run, the tunes help me drift away into my happy place.
Matt Oravec recently posted..My hill workouts
it is supposed to be simple! i’m often bogged down by all the different workouts and when to get them in and running on tired legs, etc, etc.
i also don’t listen to music when i run but i love my garmin!
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR TEST RUN!
Good luck w/ those achilles! I’m similar: no garmin, no ipod….just me and my shoes (and 16 layers during a normal winter). That’s what I love about it. I’m not into anything that’s too overcomplicated.
hope it falls into place soon
hang in there!
marissa recently posted..It’s 24 Days and I’m EXCITED…
So glad it went well! Yay!!
I know exactly how you feel. FOot pain for three months over here!!! It’s finally starting to settle though. I really hope it heals up super fast so you can get back out there. Ice, ice, ice!! I’m so bad at that but mannnnnn it works!
Christina @ the athletarian recently posted..Now that’s Strawesome! {GIVEAWAY}
Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!!!
Holly recently posted..A Few Things….
I love that you’re a purist! I feel like sometime, people are taking a simple sport like running and making it waaaaaay too complicated (myself included!)
Heather@Just a Colorado Gal recently posted..A Whole Lotta Nothing (Eleven To Be Precise)
Congrats on a great run! Good luck on the next one…hopefully you’ll continue to get back on track!
Chicken recently posted..Racing and Appreciation-ing
Thursday night and all day Friday is compression day for me. Pants and socks no matter what meetings are going on. It helps me recover from the week and preps me for the weekend or at least that is what I tell myself.
Recover wisely as you have been and you will be back on track in no time.
Jason @ Cook Train Eat Race recently posted..What Happens On My Run
hoping to hear good news !!
feener recently posted..running and friendships
i hope the test run goes well!! whenever something is “off” there are always 94,205 different things it could be… argh. hopefully it’s nothing serious in your case and just a slight tweak that was being a drama queen for a few days!
lindsay recently posted..january 2012
Glad that your run went well.
Those are my same thoughts and my same questions. Today is my 4th days off to understand why and how.
Good luck for the next runs.
Black Knight recently posted..Maratonina dei 3 Comuni
It is definitely enough to drive a person crazy. There are a million different reasons for pain or injury and figuring out what it is can be stressful and overwhelming. I am convinced my last injury was due to a sudden change in shoes, from regular neutral shoes to minimal brooks shoes without a transition period. Dumb, I know.
I hope you’re able to ease back into running soon. And one thing I always read (and I’m sure you know) is to not try to play catch-up for any time missed. I know you know better, but just a reminder. I need to meet you in Boston. My reasons are purely selfish.
Kate @ Run with Kate recently posted..Run-Fit Classes and Choosing a Race
Good luck and I hope that you that your achilles issues resolve quickly, not being able to run, when you want is tough. Hope it is wasn’t the shoes, but at least you have a different pair to try out.
VetRunnah recently posted..Stay Connected to Running-Even When Injured
Sounds like you have a good plan in place. I live in compression. That and icing really are things that works for me…at least so far. I like the thought of not “needing” so much “stuff” to enjoy my runs.
I hope the rest worked out the issues!
shelly recently posted..How’d January Go?
I hate when running gets complicated….I just like to throw on my shoes and go. All this training is giving me a headache. I try to just do what I can. I love that you’re a pro and so relaxed about it
and glad the achilles is feeling better 
YAY!
Ali Mc recently posted..Need someone for our relay team!!
Was going to wish you luck but looks like your feeling better. Whew.
Fueled by Spite recently posted..Tagged!
Hope you figure it out and feel better soon!
Tressa recently posted..Three Things Thursday (Grand Opening)
Glad to hear all went well with your 5 miles:)
Laima recently posted..Three for Thursday
Sounds like a great plan!
When I got injured last year, I noticed that it happened after a few weeks of both hills/speed (Tuesday/Thursday). When I got back into the swing of things, I slowly phased in speedwork but have yet to return to hill repeats. Not that there are any fantastic hills around here, but I was still charging the dinky ones.
Injury free for over 4 months now! Maybe doing both of those things is too much for you right now?
I think rotating shoes has helped tremendously too.
Allison Johnson recently posted..No Rest for the Weary!
Hey girl…
I have been computer-less for the past few days and finally went to the library today to catch up on blogs. Sorry I have missed your latest ache – bleh!!!! I had Achilles issues when I had my PF and when I went to the low-heel drop shoe, I noticed the Achilles issues were still there and would not go away when the PF did. When I put a bit more cushion in my shoes is when I noticed the change and the Achilles started healing up. The Kinvara and Cortana are my shoes of choice….but since I have to run with Brooks for the team I’m running on (at least for races) the Brooks Pure Flow works best because it is a lot more cushioned and has more room in the toebox than the Connect. Just a thought. And, I rotate between 3-4 pairs of shoes, depending on what I run. I use the Cortanas for longer runs.
Hope those dang Achilles are better soon!!!
Been backing off the iPod and it’s been working well. But I may need inpatient therapy for my Garmin addiction.
Feel better, I hate it when this happens and we work ourselves up … and then all is well on the next run. Here’s hoping the same for you!
Kathy R recently posted..Oops, There Went My Birthday and Ambitious Weekend Plans.
Good for you. You’ve got time to get some good training in but remember “good” training is also the kind that doesn’t leave you injured.
Your ideas about keeping it flat and limiting speed work for a while is great.
Hope all goes well in the next few days and you’re back to 100%.
Joanne recently posted..FOFF Broiled and Bold Chicken Wings or Tofu
That’s a little how I’ve been feeling but mine’s more about whether I should exercise or not. Used to be that I’d just get up and do it but now I’m trying to monitor if I’m too tired (what’s too tired anyway?) and remembering that the doctor was reluctant to let me do anything.
Go with your gut for a while and see if that helps.
Char recently posted..Doctor’s Visit #1
Oh, no! I hope it is nothing serious and that the test run went well. And I couldn’t imagine not running with an iPod. I have a serious addiction to mine!
Katie@Will Race for Carbs recently posted..Things- The 11 Random addition
Injuries are maddening. Hang in there. I hope your run goes perfectly and you can get back on track.
Good luck.
Missy recently posted..I did the running man
“Glutes not firing” That just sounds wrong.
Jamoosh recently posted..An Exercise in Randomness
LUCK, LUCK, LUCK….hoping for a great run!!!!!!!
Harmony recently posted..Why Not?
Glad you got 5 in with no trouble – here’s to moving forward!!
Andrea recently posted..Just Here for the Conversation
YES! It is supposed to be simple. I know I often get too wrapped around all the details. Sometimes on runs, I feel like my mind is moving 100 miles an hour b/c I’m calculating splits, pace, goal time…it gets so overwhelming!!!
Glad to hear that the run yesterday went well! =)
Michele @ nycrunningmama recently posted..Nursing and Ultras ?!?!
Hope the run went well! When I had my heel injury over the summer….no one knew what it was or what caused it…and then it went away. That really doesn’t help if it comes back that is for sure!
lots of luck! it sounds like you are being VERY smart.
katie recently posted..random friday facts
Thinking of you and wishing you a lot of good luck!
Sara recently posted..Winner! Winner!
Hi MissZippy… Good luck to your brand new start, hope your tendon of achilles works good now. I don’t usually run, I only do the walking exercises.
Barbara49 recently posted..MMA Routine