I have no idea what week of Boston training this nor do I wanna know. I am also clueless as to my total mileage and want to keep it that way.
It’s been a wild and crazy week to say the least. I’d be lying if I said evil, cynical thoughts aren’t seeping in. How the hell am I going to pull off a Boston marathon performance when my training resembles that of a donut with a big, fat, month-long hole devoid of running right in the middle? Take that Pollyana.
The Good: I made a triumphant return to running on terre firma. I logged 3 easy miles on the mill with a few walk intervals. Saturday I busted out my new running skirt for 10.25 easy miles, with some walk breaks (in case Dr. Miracle Worker is reading). It felt utterly amazing.
The Bad: The Bubonic plague I whined about last week decided to hang around, forcing me to the doc (Doogie Hauser MD, not Dr Miracle Worker). Compliments of the almighty Z-pac, I am on the express train to wellsville at last.
The Ugly: I was all Suzy Sunshine for the whole damn month I wasn’t running. I did everything I could to stay fit. I did speed intervals in the pool, subjected myself to public ridicule in cycling class.
But now NOW that I’m running again, I realize that it’s not like I can just flip a switch and bang out 20 miles at marathon pace. I have to take it slow. Half mileage to start. With walk breaks. Build slowly. Who has time for slow? Hello? I’ve got a marathon to run on April 19!
My patience with this recovery process is wearing thin. Yes the 10 miler went great. I was amazed at my cardiovascular fitness, bubonic plague and all.
But oh the next day. In my delusional mind I planned on doing a recovery 5 miler. I did my best to ignore the tiny voice of sense deep within me that reminded me I was pressing my luck by doing too much too soon. My muscles ached like I ran 20+. Only when Modern Caveman threatened me with a straight jacket did I finally snap out of my maniacally overdriven state and bag the run for more cycling. How did it get this way?
The reality: I will build back and do what I can on race day. And in the meantime, I’ll try my best to keep my attitude out of the crapper. Easier said than done.
If you must know, here’s how it went:
Monday: SRD
Tuesday: Kettleworx core, legs, hips DVDs
Wednesday: 3 miles run/walk on the mill!! 1 hr cycling
Thursday: No clue what I did, probably nothing
Friday: appt with Doogie Hauser
Saturday: 10.25 miles
Sunday: 90 minute group cycle class.
I snagged my usual spot behind Dick Cheney, put my head down and hoped for the best. The instructor lugged in a megaphonish contraption. Can’t be good. I eyed the exit longingly but made myself stay. No laser lightshow today darnit. Instead the instructor aimed his megaphone thingy at us randomly, one by one, snapped a band attached to it and it emitted a puff of air. When we felt the air, we were to come out of the saddle and sprint on our bike. Seriously who dreams this crap up? Is there a no-frills class somewhere where I can just ride in peace?
I totally hear you on the loss of sanity when we are injured. I am not good at sitting still and it shows. I am freaking out about Boston too, because I have the cold from hell! that is keeping me down! You are going to do awesome at Boston, and the way I see it, if I have to walk, at least for the first time in a race I will enjoy the sights I am passing!
It sucks to be injured don't lose hope though I know you will still rock at Boston, you still have time!
It really is very easy to go over the edge…but hang in there. You are definitely staying fit with all those workouts! You are obviously doing the best that you can…which, is pretty freaking impressive 🙂
You are doing such a great job staying active! You will get back there. You will! Keep taking it easy and I know you'll be back before you know it. And you'll have a great run in Boston – you are so right. You'll do what you can. Good luck!
I believe that too much intensity with one goal can cause some form of mental breakdown. Hang in there. Stay focused on the prize.
It is so easy to get focused on all goal and forget everything else. I do it ALL the time. You have over a month to get ready for the marathon – your legs will remember! Be careful.
Be smart, my friend! I think you did everything you could to stay in shape, and no way could you run 10 miles right now if you became a couch potato for the month. Stick with it and increase slowly… I'm sure you'll be back to your pre-injury fitness in no time!
It sounds like you're doing everything right – now you just have to convince yourself. It's way better to keep taking it slow than to do too much too soon and aggravate your injury.
Hi Marcia,
You are going to do great! You have been all Suzy Sunshine throughout this challenging injury time…it is one of the things that I like about you:) Continue to play it smart and everything will be just fine!!
It's scary even when you're not injured and have ran every mile on your plan. You'll feel different next wk. Try not to panic too much.
hey girl! keep your head up. it's so hard to be injured but i'm a firm believer that a sunny outlook makes for a speedy recovery. i'm sending positive vibes your way. youve been so great at keeping fit and active during this time that, while it might take longer than you want, youll be in top form soon 🙂
keep taking care of yourself. Sounds like you're doing everything right. Hang in there!!!!
As I've read your posts over the past month, while wallowing in my own cloud of self-pity, I couldn't believe how positive you were and so courageous with your fight to get back out there! I know I couldn't do it, you are a true inspiration to me! You and I may not run the race of our lives out there but we're running it, dang it, and we're going to have a blast no matter what! Hang in there, Suzy!! You've got tons of support and love to help you along the way!!
You still have enough time to get back into the swing of things smartly. I have every confidence that you will do it!
It's crazy how training can change my mindset to be obsessive about getting runs in. At one point last cycle, I actually had to tell myself, "Stop stressing about missing this day's run- it's not as though I'm a professional, or anything- it is supposed to be fun!"
hard as it is to resist the urge to do too much too quickly, you really do need to go slow because you have a marathon to do on april 19th!
I'm hoping you and Jill meet up before the race;-) Actually all the bloggy marathon runners I hope meet up under a tent or something.You all just got to and take a big bloggy picture!
anyways, I'm sorry to hear the sickness lingered…but i'm excited for you and the next 6 weeks. a lot can happy but w/baby steps right?
I am actually super impressed that you were able to do 10 so easy after a month off! Of course, I can say that, but also understand how frustrating to know you could be doing more. It will come back. Give it time! 🙂
Injuries just make us mentally stronger. You're so tough for continuing on despite adversity.
You spent a month working out instead of giving up. That's impressive and inspiring. You're a great example for all of us injured runners. Hang in there! You're gonna do great! (You already qualified for Boston, all you really have to do now is enjoy it!!)
Hang in there and try to remain sane with your comeback. The main thing is to "get to the starting line." You will do it for sure. I am getting excited. My training hasn't been exactly as planned either, but it's Boston. It's going to be GREAT.
the freaking bubonic plague nearly took me out last week!! ahaha ok well I had a sinus infection but the Famous and highly over used z-pack did the trick feel better soon and take it easy girl! On your mind and your body you will get there, and in the mean time we still totally think your a complete ROCKSTAR!
You still have time. Don't push yourself too hard and you'll do fine.
Uh… I'd remove my hairtie and snap it right back at him, "accidentally" hitting him, of course.
You're right to take it easy and listen to your body, but that it's also easier said than done. I've continued to pound pavement despite injuries and sometimes I got through ok, other times my "no pain no gain" mentality bit me in the ass.
Your strong and will bounce right back. You are going to do great!
Injuries are so frustrating. It sounds like you're making the right decisions in your recovery. I bet you'll feel a lot better this week.
The puff of air machine is hilarious. Is that the machine's sole function?
You are doing such a great job cross training and staying active! I wish I had the disipline to do all that!
Thanks for the encouragement for my race. It really helped!
Being injured just sucks! It's so hard to be patient, but you have to give your body time to heal. You're doing so great! Just keep doing what you're doing and you'll be back to normal in no time!
You run a marathon on months of fitness. I once heard you run a marathon on your last four years of training. So the last month will soon be a memory, and Boston will be on! I really admire your perseverance throught the injury.
Hmm, don't think I've ever been that obsessed with a goal. I'm what you call a lazy runner. I set goals that are easily attainable so I don't have to push too hard. Ha ha!
You are almost there! Running again = good! Don't get greedy. Be patient!
After a solid 10 days of no-running before this half mary I have on Sunday … I feel your pain. This is going to be a rough 13 miles … I can just tell.
What the heck is up with that spin class??? Puffs of air? Whaaaaaat?
I promise you it will all come back. Your body just needs to get oriented again. You'll be watching the miles drift by in no time at all.
If my spin instructor singled me out like that I would probably get up and walk out … or throw up on myself. I have a no frills class, you just have to make it over to SC to attend.