And I’m finally back to it.
Last Wednesday morning, I got up veeeeeeeeeery early to drive down to Springfield to run with a bunch of my 5 a.m. mama runners. I knew I wanted to be with them for my first run back. They’ve been such treasured friends over the past year, I knew I wanted to celebrate my return from injury with them.
And if it didn’t go well-if the stress fracture site flared up-well, I’d need them there for Mental Health Watch.
It’s been a long 12 weeks.
Thankfully, everything went fine and I’ve run twice since then. Half a mile each time, plus about a mile of walking, with a day of rest in between each workout.
I’ve got all this pent-up energy (and I’m soooo sick of the pool and the bike) that I want to go full-out. I’m eager to get back to my previous fitness level. It’s humbling to go from 120 miles a month to maybe 10.
Plus the fall has been gorgeous.
View from my back patio
When I was researching how to train safely following a stress fracture, I ran across an article with a typo in the title. It should have said “returning to running” but it said “retuning.” That seemed right though. Like a musical instrument that’s fallen out of tune, or a car in need of some TLC.
In theory, the body mends a stress fracture stronger than before. Assuming you’re healed, you shouldn’t get re-injured in the same spot. But the rest of the body compensates for the hurt place, and that can cause its own problems. Whatever precipitated your injury in the first place needs to be tended to as well.
So I’m returning, and retuning. For me that means continuing to cross train, incorporating more strength work, and at least for now, not running more than three days a week.
What are you retuning these days?
hip: not actually mine - my role is “coach” - about 12 days ago, total joint replacement (hip) surgery - on the hip that was probably compensating for the even earlier “bad” hip (lack of cartel- something - that stuff which protects from bone against bone). The retune (for recipient) from first follow-up with the doctor ./ surgeon since leaving 2 days hospital - would be (instread of running) - doing indoor walking out without cane and without walker - as much as feasible. Doing great!
Bob, please tell Beth I’m pulling for her and wish her the best in her recovery! Blessings in the retuning!
Not recovering from anything but starting to build. Retuning my attitude perhaps.
Just downloaded couch to 5k onto my phone. Tomorrow the kiddo starts after school soccer practice 4 days a week and I think that’s a perfect time for me to start to do something - I’ve been slacking for way too long other than refereeing soccer games on Saturday. Time to do something serious.
I tend to get shin splints though so I’m going to see how it goes. I’ll try to mostly stay on grass if I can.
Judy that’s great! The journey of a thousand miles, etc. etc. Good luck to you.
Retuning my eyes. Cataract surgery #2 on 11/10. First eye done on 10/13. First eye seeks ok intermediate - brain still adjusting. So vision in general is stressful (although better uncorrected than before surgery for eye #1). Have no doubt will be similar for eye #2, but the thought of driving “fuzzy eyed” esp. in dusk and dark, and rain, is a little daunting. Retuning expectations for sight, and back up plans for my 12 mile communte.
Sarah, prayers for you.
Be Thou My Vision has special meaning right now, I bet. <3