Well, I was really hoping to be able to write a post tonight about my triumphant return to running following all the ankle pain I’ve been experiencing the past week or so.
This isn’t that post.
I headed out tonight for week 3 day 3 of C25K, feeling better than I have in days. I thought I was recovered at this point, that I was ready to hit the road again. It turns out I was wrong. Things started off well enough, but part way into the 2nd running interval, my leg started cramping up again, and not long after that, the pain in my left ankle was back.
I managed to finish my run, which looking back, probably wasn’t the best decision on my part. I didn’t feel too bad while I was out there, but once I got home, things began to tighten up and I was hurting pretty badly. A few Motrin and a couple icepacks later, and I’m well on the road to recovery.
All in all I’m very disappointed by all this. I really want to be a runner, but at this point, my body is holding me back. The hardest part is being patient and giving my body the time it needs to heal itself. As much as I want to be able to just run out the door and do a 5k, I know that’s not a wise choice for me right now.
This whole situation has me bummed, really for the first time since I began this journey. Up until this point, I’ve had a lot of success with my weight loss and exercise. This is the first time when I’ve run into a road block, and it sucks. Especially because I feel pretty helpless about the whole thing. I can’t will my body to heal itself. I can’t will myself to go out there and run pain free. I just have to let these things happen in their own due time.
Isn’t it an old Tom Petty song that goes “waiting is the hardest part”?
[…] has an awesome blog and he is having running woes. Click here for his article. Here is what I would do Brandon, good […]
You’re right about the Tom Petty song. I believe the second chorus goes like this….
The waiting is the hardest part
everyday you get one more yard
you take it on faith, you take it to the heart
yeah the waiting is the hardest part
Your journey so far has given you a lot of success so far. Many of your days have gotten you one more yard closer to your goals. Now you have yet another challenge that will only make you stronger, and the waiting to get better is the hardest part. Maybe these lyrics to Kanye West’s Stronger say what your mind is trying to tell your body.
Now that don’t kill me
Can only make me stronger
I need you hurry up now
Cause I can’t wait much longer
I know I got to leave right now
Cause I can’t get much stronger
It sounds like your body is telling you something different. Your mind wants the pain to leave right now, cause you can’t get much stronger if your not running. Your body keeps nagging away with the ankle pain………..
This challenge that we are all facing is both a physical and mental one. When both side are in sync, things sail along at a good clip. But when things get tough on one side, the other side suffers too. Right now your body needs something extra, rest maybe, or did someone say doctor? Only you know what is best. Hard as it is, try not to let the emotions of the setback control this situation. In the long run, you need the body to rule this situation. You have made such great strides since the beginning of the year. This will not hold you down.
.-= Scott´s last blog… Status Report – Week #7 =-.
I love running and I completely understand how you feel. There was one point when I started to get pains in my knees. I recall having a breakdown about the equivalent of a 5 year old’s age in maturity. I was so frustrated because I knew that I needed to rest but I didn’t want to. Fortunately only my husband was there to witness it. So I understand a bit of what you’re going through. Gees… I agree with Scott that this is mental as well as physical. Maybe you should see a Dr. And have you ever run before or had any formal running trainer? I know I sure haven’t before but maybe there’s something in the way you are running that’s causing injury. Or maybe you need a different pair of shoes? When I had my knee pain I was running in crappy Payless brand shoes. I went to a store and was fitted for a good pair of running shoes and now I have virtually no pain.
.-= Lynne Garcia´s last blog… I Like Mel Gibson in a Kilt =-.
You ARE a runner. Sure, you’re not the fastest runner or the runner with the most endurance. But you’re a runner.
You’re also a tank. Nearly 50 pounds since the 1st of the year? I wish I could claim that. Keep plugging away!
Andrew
.-= 100 Pounds in a Year´s last blog… Weigh-In Results =-.
I feel you man. Week 4 is kicking my ass! I want so badly to be a runner but my body just gives out on me. 🙁 But I’m going to suck it up and get back to the gym tomorrow and so should you! Also, I agree with Lynn, getting fitted for proper running shoes was a big deal for me as well.
.-= Lauren´s last blog… I’m So Excited! I Just Can’t Hide It! =-.
Brandon,
I sent you a ping. Follow it back for an article I wrote for you that may help.
Keep it up.
If you run, your a runner. There are peolpe like me who can barely walk and could only hope to be like you one day.
– Lisa
http://inweighovermyhead.blogspot.com/
.-= Lisa´s last blog… Weigh In Results! =-.
Brandon: Let your body recover. Wait for it to tell you that it’s 100% and then wait another week or two. Keep walking. Fast. But walking, not jogging, not running.
If you really like running, then little setbacks will not derail your program, only delay them. Delays are OK, they are part of the process. You’ll be fine!
mac
.-= mac´s last blog… Feelin’ Antsy =-.
Dude, that definitely sucks, and I definitely feel your pain. There have been SO many times that I’ve wanted to run, and I just haven’t been able to. I’d just suggest to keep doing the cardio to keep strengthening your heart and lungs, and maybe add some leg strengthening work to help in that department. The best thing to do at times is listen to your body; the last thing you want is a serious injury that could really bench you for a while.
.-= Jeremy Logsdon´s last blog… Aurorae Yoga Mat Giveaway! =-.
I meant every word on dailymile last night. I was a MISERABLE CRABBY B***H while recooping from my stress fracture. I never want to be injured like that again. Listen to your body. It will tell you when you are ready to run like the wind!
Recover fully before trying to run again. You are already a runner – you’ve got nothing to prove.
.-= AndrewENZ´s last blog… Who’s worried about cholesterol? =-.
I have nothing new to add. Just this: recovery recovery recovery. Injuries that I didn’t let heal still bother me now and then. The ones I did let heal properly? Gone for good. Hang in there – you’ll be running soon! In the meantime, do other stuff and call it cross-training – every runner’s best friend!
.-= SeattleRunnerGirl´s last blog… Health and Weight, Weight and Health =-.
Brandon, take a step back and look at everything you’ve done. None of it happened over night. We don’t become runners in the same fashion. It takes weeks and months just to build up an endurance to run and make it look like we know what we’re doing.
This is a foreign movement your body is attempting to make. It’s going to have it’s road blocks. The awesome thing is you get to keep trying until you kick that road block’s ass and stomp it in the face with your bad ass running shoes!
.-= Tara´s last blog… Change / Run / No Gym declaration update =-.
I totally feel you…I’m sore and achey this week and am struggling to run at all. I feel it’s mental, with physical added in. I dunno what to do but my 4 day break has left me struggling to get back on the treadmill at the pace I was last week…but hopefully each day will get better. I thought some days off would help, but it’s made my breathing worse so I’m back to fast walking. :/
.-= Craig´s last blog… Week 33 Weigh-In Results =-.
Hey buddy, I sent you that video for strengthening your ankles. Take a bit off from running, get some walks in and do some ankle and calf/leg exercises. My hips are being sore today, which from what I learned from a marathoner could be symptoms of a stressed IT band (which means I need to STRETCH and REST).
I really, really stress the midfoot striking rather than the heel striking. Your arch is a great shock absorber, and when you don’t use it, you transfer the impact to other joints. Start with a small jog barefoot, get used to how your feet lands, and then mimic it with shoes.
But most importantly, be patient and rest. Don’t stress yourself to the point of injury because then you really will be out for awhile. You ARE a runner. You know how I know? Because you’re dealing with a runner’s roadblocks (mental AND physical). I mean, if you weren’t, why would you be complaining about a sore ankle? Exactly.
So be patient. Let yourself heal. And remember that being new to running means you have to train your muscles. Baby steps.
.-= Jess´s last blog… Day 86: For the Love of Bosu =-.
I hope you get better soon Brandon!!! Maybe your body is telling you that it wants you to take it easy for a while. Walking is still great for exercise and you get your fresh air too!
.-= Carla´s last blog… Outdoor running vs. indoor running =-.
I think the best word I can think of is betrayal. It feels like your body has given up on you and even when you have all the heart to go out and try, which is supposed to be the hardest part right?
It’s terribly hard I made a hip/ IT band injury last about 2 month longer than it had too because I was too stubborn and ignorant to listen to my body. They do heal up real nice when you let them though.
Hang in there running man.
.-= Rita´s last blog… Fake Food, Cravings and the Overeating =-.
I know it sounds trite – but this too shall pass. I had a back injury a couple of months ago, and then I reinjured it when I tried to jump back into the game too quickly and too hard. I really think my body was trying to tell me it needed some time to heal and recover from all the stuff I’d been putting it through. When I finally healed, I still was able to train for my 5K, and although my exercise program now isn’t quite as intense as it was before the injury, I feel like I’m moving at the appropriate pace for my body as it adjusts to this new state of being fit (or at least more fit than it used to be!).
Hang in there! You’ll be back to new soon.
.-= Chad´s last blog… Nutrition Monday: My New Favorite Place, Trader Joe’s! =-.
I just want to give a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has commented and left me words of encouragement and/or advice. You people are AWESOME!
I was feeling pretty low last night after my run when I wrote this post, but reading all these wonderful comments has definitely helped turn me around. You all helped put things into perspective for me, and realize that this is just a temporary road block. I just need to give my body the time to rest that it needs so it can recover fully before I set out again. In the meantime, I’m going to find other ways to exercise, and try to find things that will help strengthen my ankles.
Thanks again to all of you, I truly don’t think I could do this without you! 🙂
Looks like comments are pretty much wrapped up on this, but I will comment anyway. 🙂 I just wrote a post about limitations yesterday with some of the very same sentiments…there is NOTHING I want more right now than to run every day. But, I simply can’t. My feet are the problem for me…muscles all locked down. Will be couple of months before I can be out there every day. And, with so many folks doing the C25K thing, its soooo hard to accept this limitation right now.
Anyway, just sayin’ I know how you feel! But, you’ll get there soon enough. And, wow, 50# since the beginning of the year??!! Amazing! Soooooo jealous!
.-= Cheryl´s last blog… Limitations =-.
Brandon, I hope your ankle woes heal soon. Injuries suck, especially when they get in the way of our goals. The people above me have given some really great advice (that I’m going to remember for me, as well) about listening to your body and how important recovery is. You’ll get through this and probably be a stronger, faster runner because of it!
.-= josie´s last blog… Week 30 – Weigh-In =-.
Hey Brandon, look what I just read:
http://enduranceisntonlyphysical.blogspot.com/2010/04/slow-slow-slow.html
Thought that might be helpful to you as well 🙂
.-= josie´s last blog… Week 30 – Weigh-In =-.
Brandon, you will get there don’t push yourself I would rather take a voluntary detour with other work outs than be sidelined by an injury. I say walk walk walk and maybe take it back a bit with the C25k. pay attention to your form too is your stride too long that can cause problems also how are your feet landing?
Good luck you will get there all in due time. if we didn’t do this at our own pace then we wouldn’t be successfull at all.
.-= marissa´s last blog… My popcorn addiction, I am a warrior and a quinoa review =-.
You totally have the “I’m a runner” part down. Even the most seasoned runners hit road blocks, you just give yourself time to recover before heading back out there.
Don’t get too discouraged by this, the 5k is still within reach. Just rest up 🙂
.-= Steve´s last blog… #amerryworkoutpledge is back! =-.
Hi Brandon,
My name is Christina and I am Sean Willson’s sister-in-law. I came across our blog while I was reading his. You are such an inspiration. I am really enjoying your blog and look forward to watching you achieve all of your goals. Best of luck!!! Your going to have one hell of a crowd cheering you on during your next 5K!!!
[…] been a slow week exercise-wise due to my bum ankle. I want to give everyone who commented on my running post earlier this week a BIG thank you! I was pretty down when I wrote that post, but reading the […]
Brandon, yeha, everyone else has given you great advice! I’d agree with them that you should listen to your body. Don’t push it too hard. But really, it’ll get used to the motions, so walking (and fast walking) sounds liek the best plan.
Oh, and yeah, you ARE a runner!!