FIVE WAYS OF COPING WITH INJURY
1) THROW THE PITY PARTY
I got completely through marathon training and was at the end of taper week #1 when my foot injury occurred. The goal of running my first marathon quickly died. I had just spent the entire summer training in oppressive humidity and heat. And for what?I sadly mourned the loss of my monumental Chicago marathon goal. There simply wasn't a switch to flip in my brain to suddenly make me feel wonderful.
Throw the party! Yes, even if it's an extravagant gala that lasts a whole week. Then put it behind you and concentrate your energy on moving forward. And please, reach out to others for support!
2) DO WHATEVER YOU CAN
Find things you can do to stay active, even if it is out of your comfort zone. For me, it is cycling -- which I've used during prior injuries -- and pool running (new and waaayyy out of the zone here). I took a long overdue opportunity to upgrade my bike. Make a plan. Set goals. One of mine is slowly increasing my pool running time each week. Mark your training days on your calendar and stick to it. Focus on your plan and achieving your goals as if you were training for something important!
3) GET PLENTY OF SLEEP AND REST
This one is a struggle, but I try. I purposefully limit my steps each day to help my foot heal. I get in my bed earlier and snuggle with my dogs to watch TV too, even if I don't fall asleep any quicker. Ask for help. My kids and husband have done grocery shopping and other chores for me. Maybe I should limp around a little longer...
4) FOCUS ON NUTRITIONOur bodies need proper nutrition to heal quickly and properly. Don't sit around eating Oreos...well not for very long anyway. (I confess I had a few too many peanut M&Ms.) Adequate protein, calcium and vitamin D are essential. Read your food labels. Remember your body needs extra calories for healing purposes. This is not the time to diet or skimp on calories.
TruMoo low sugar chocolate milk has always been a favorite. But look at what I found this week in individual serving boxes. Vanilla! It tastes like my Mother's homemade ice cream before freezing it while still warm and on the stove. So yummy and comforting too.
5) DON'T START BACK TOO SOON
In 2011, I had an ankle stress fracture. I waited X amount of weeks as directed by the orthopedist before trying to run. After a few tries, it didn't feel right. I took another month off and was then able to run without pain. Listen to your body. If you start back too soon, the insanity will only begin again. This time I may just wait a couple of extra weeks for good measure, or for the general bad-assery that I can make myself do that.
How do you stay sane while injured?
I'd love to hear from you!
I'm linking up with the lovely ladies of the DC Trifecta.
Please visit their blogs and other participating bloggers!
Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC,
Cynthia from You Signed Up For What?!
Mar from Mar on the Run!.
I'm so sorry about your injury but you have the right plan for recovery. Spinning saved my sanity and strength training helped me get stronger to prevent injury when I was able to run again.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Coco. You seemed to handle your injury with such grace! I definitely can learn a huge lesson from you.
DeleteI missed the party!!!!! I feel the same way, every time I think I am back something starts hurting, but I am not going to let it keep me down. I have spent many hours spinning!!!! You will get there
ReplyDeleteBakingrunner.blogspot.com
Your invitation must have been lost in the mail! LOL. It's just a little blip in the big scheme of things, right?
DeleteThe timing of this post is insane. It's like we are in total sync. First of all, I am seriously so sorry to hear about your foot injury. At least you still have all that training under your belt and when you are healed you will still get to see some payoff. I am sorry you missed the marathon. I'd be super pissed too - hard not to be. I applaud your get-to-work-in the-right-direction attitude. Even though we know that injury is always a possibility and we see it all around us, it's still so frustrating! I am trying with all my might to heal my leg right now. The frustrations are endless! I will definitely take your advice above. If I don't heal before next week's trail running camp (such a wonderful opportunity) I will die! Thank you and happy healing to you!!!
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, I feel your frustrations and hope your leg heals quickly. Most every runner at some point will deal with injury. That doesn't make it any easier, though. I so hope you can attend the camp! Regardless, you'll make it through this. And so will I.
DeleteSo sorry to hear that you are on a running hiatus. I think the most challenging part would be watching what you eat. Because us runners run so we can eat:)
ReplyDeleteMy first inclination was to scale back on food! But I quickly realized that wasn't a good idea. I'm burning a good amount with cycling and pool running that I need to replace. I also read somewhere your body needs something crazy like 6000 calories to heal bone. What? Hard to believe.
DeleteInjuries suck, but we can't change them, so you gotta get through them somehow. I love that your kids & husband are pitching in! Mine isn't great about that sort of thing. He's fine for a day or two & then forgets (or feels inconvenienced).
ReplyDeleteI wonder if massage is good for a stress fracture? Because I could totally get behind that.
I'd definitely be working on arm/core strength, although with all that water skiing yours must be really good.
They say activity is excellent for stress fractures because the increased blood flow helps in the healing process. Massage would probably be the same, but my fracture is in the bony top of my foot. I can't imagine there is anything to massage...and it would be painful right now. I can feel that pool running is working my core! There is so much resistance in the water.
DeleteYou are rocking this recovery, my friend. Seriously doing what you CAN do is huge. Injuries suck but they build character and mental tenacity as well. You're going to come out of this stronger and better then before Always a silver lining.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marcia. Mental Tenacity. I should have it by the bucket loads when I'm done. HA.
DeleteYou are taking the right approach. I will confess that I am not very good at coping with injury. I like that you are prioritizing rest and nutrition and staying active in ways that will not interfere with your healing. That's great that your family is helping out with chores and errands!
ReplyDeleteKelli, I'm not good at it either. Some days are better than others! I've just got to keep moving forward and not dwell on what happened.
DeleteI threw a pity party too but I also tried to cheer on my friends for their races. I had to DNS one we were going to run together, but I still went to cheer them on. I could've slept in but I wanted to be their support crew.
ReplyDeleteLesley that was so sweet of you to support your friends. I bet they've been a great support to you too!
Deletei'm so sorry. injuries suck but you have the right attitude. wishing health and healing for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Courtney. They do. But, you've got to move on at some point.
DeleteThese are all great tips! Rest and asking for help definitely seem key. I hope the cycling and pool time is going well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chaitali. My other activities are going well. I feel so much better on the days I am active!
DeleteHolly, I hate to hear that you are injured but very glad to hear that you have a plan; I think that would make things a lot easier for me, as well. When you do your pool running, do you use some kind of belt or device to assist you? I've always wondered how that would work. Thanks so much for sharing these suggestions and things you're focusing on during recovery; hope you have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteTara, I do use a flotation belt. You get in deep water and move all the parts as if you were running. The resistance is insane and it's difficult to keep the same cadence you would on a run. I've heard some people will take the belt off for a short period. Enjoy your weekend.
Deleteas many injuries as I've had through the years, I relate to this whole post - its keeping perspective because we'll make it back on track - & probably back to another injury - haha - #circleoflife
ReplyDeleteI've had a few myself. I think most runners deal with them at some point. You are correct though. There will be another. Hopefully not for a long, long time!
DeleteI'm glad your pity party is over! Way I see it, you have two choices, lay there and waller in your own sorrows or get up and do something, You can't change what happened and no need in over analysing it. You, my friend, are such a strong person and you have a great plan and doing so well in staying active! Maybe getting out of your comfort zone is just what you needed with the pool running! Which I think is just amazing. I had not idea about the floatation belt, guess I never thought about it. I can't imagine the resistance you have with it. Should really help you on the other side of this, huh?
ReplyDeleteI think you have to throw the party in order to move on. I'm glad it's over! I appreciate your support and friendship more than you can know! The hardest part about pool running is driving to the Y in the wee hours of the morning. Thankfully, it's less than 5 minutes away.
DeleteOMG I didn't know you were injured! I'm sorry to hear. What happened? I'm injured, too. It sucks. My determination goes in waves. One minute I'm all, "yeah, bring on the bike!" and then next I'm, "this sucks. running sucks. life sucks." Hahaha.
ReplyDeleteI have a stress fracture on the top of my foot. It is up and down! Some days are much better than others. Good luck with your recovery. Hopefully we'll both be back to running very soon.
DeleteDowntime is the pits but you must make the most of it! I remember recovering from my surgery, I felt pitiful. If it hadn't been for the Serial podcast that I listened to I probably would not have gotten out on my loser walks, I am a runner not a walker- LOL! It will get better! You have the right attitude!
ReplyDeleteThanks MB. I've been here before (a few times actually) and I'll probably be here again, but hopefully not any time soon!
DeleteMy bike kept me sane both times I was in the boot. Being injured is really tough! And once you get to run again, savor those miles!
ReplyDeleteIt's working pretty good so far. I think I may have to switch to weekends only when it gets too cold so I can ride later in the day. I can pool run during the week as the pool opens at 5am.
DeleteI think we've all had these parties...you aren't alone my friend! XOXOXO
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle. Knowing I'm not alone does help a lot!
DeleteI've had my share of injuries the past 2 years and it is so hard to stay sane when everyone else is running. The bike is lifesaver for sure. I also did some hot yoga and lots of weights. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteThank you Deborah! I've been here before, so I know it won't last forever. It just sometimes feels that way.
DeleteSpinning is a great way to get through an injury. I had to do that, along with aqua running, after I sustained a sprain two years ago. I wasn't as far into my training as you are, but I definitely think the bike helped keep me fresh. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThe last time I had a sprain, I think I did used the elliptical and rode my bike. Thankfully, that injury didn't last very long.
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