My lateral what? Timeline of an injury

Google tells me:

"Cuneiform fractures are quite rare"

"Nondisplaced fractures with a stable tarsometarsal joint can be treated closed with a short leg walking cast for 6 weeks."

"This bone works to support the body while also playing an important role in movement."


"Cuneiform stress fractures - These injuries seem to occur from a similar manner as do those at the base of the metatarsals. Vertical forces are a potential contributor to this injury and may be caused by too much speedwork, hill running (not as often as the speed work), or running on the ball of your foot."

"The 2 forces responsible for cuneiform stress fractures are bending and compression. Bending forces are applied across the cuneiforms due to their location in the midfoot. The medial cuneiform lies in the axis of the first metatarsal and is susceptible to compression-type stress fractures. Body weight passes through this axis, and muscular insertions on each side of the first cuneiform exert strong opposing forces across a small area. The lateral cuneiform is the keystone of the arch with 6 articulations leading to several force vectors across this bone."

x-ray that shows nothing (of course, the
bone I brokeisn't in focus)

On November 14th after months of no diagnosis, pain and no running I finally learned what was broke. I had to have the nurse reread the report because in my extensive pre-diagnosis googling I never suspected a fractured cuneiform. I fell to the ground and started to cry. My biggest fear was that the MRI would show nothing wrong. I finally had a diagnosis!!! After weeks, months of waiting my doctor wanted me to be seen by the orthopedist ASAP. 

Nondisplaced fracture of the lateral cuneiform tarsal bone with mild patchy bone marrow edema at the second and third tarsometatarsal joints. 


Translating my report, it means I have a fracture-fracture (not a stress fracture) and I have a stress reaction at the metatarsal joints that articulate with the lateral cuneiform. 

Knee scooter is a game-changer

Timeline of an Injury

August 9th--during my weekly tempo run, my foot started to hurt. By the time I finished I couldn't walk without limping. (10 miles total)
August 10--urgent care visit. x-rays show nothing.
September 15--urgent care visit. Repeat x-rays show nothing.
October 2nd--primary care doctor, referral to orthopedics and MRI
November 7--MRI
November 14--MRI results indicate fracture
November 15--ortho appt short leg cast for one month
December 14--ortho appointment (hopefully cast will come off! fingers crossed)

I've spent a lot of time thinking about how my injury occurred; if I could have prevented it. I strength trained, I yoga'd,rolled and stretched. I spent time before every run activating my glutes, core, calves. I warmed up. I took my recovery days like a champ. I had regular massages and still went to physical therapy. I had regular appointments with my sports chiropractor for ART. I felt like I did everything right. I didn't have niggles that I ran through and my right foot didn't start to hurt until that fateful run on August 9th.

I don't think it was the amount of miles or my goal. I think, and this is just a guess, it has to do with using a local high school's hard dirt track for all my tempo runs. Regularly running on that hard track for 10+mile runs was not smart. I also think nutrition issues played a role. I was slightly amenorrheic for the past few years and its only recently that everything has gotten back on track. Last month I had a blood test which showed that I'm deficient in Vitamin D and at-risk for injury. I'm also low in Vitamin B12, DHEAS, ferritin, and iron (though, those levels are only "needs work"; some do play a role in bone health). 

I've made changes to my diet and I have started to take Vitamin D supplements. I'm hoping I get good news on Thursday and my cast comes off. I hope I'm cleared to start physical therapy and cross-training. I hope to be able to start running again in January. I love running and I love running lots of miles. 

I have big goals for 2018 and will work closely with my running coach, my strength coach, my physical therapist, my nutritionist and my doctors to have a healthy year. :)

The curse of the 4th marathon...

When injured, cheer your friend during
 her international debut

It seems every time I train to take my marathon game to the next level, my body decides to hit the brakes and my season ends. This works out to be every 4th marathon. I can run 3 marathons without injury, but it's that 4th one that gets me. 

It happened in 2015 when I was training for CIM with a goal of a sub-4 hour finish. I was feeling strong, feeling like I could actually do it and *boom*, major quad/IT injury.

I came back from that injury with stronger glutes and a stronger determination and trained for and ran two sub-4 marathons. I followed both of those with a third marathon in which I paced a friend for her first marathon finish. 

It happened again this past August as I was training for the Chicago Marathon with a goal of a 3h:48m finish time. Similar to 2015, it happened as I was feeling strong, fit and believing that I could actually run 26 x 1 mile @ 8:40 pace. Boom. Stress fracture/reaction in my foot. 

This injury didn't happen because of weak glutes/hips. I believe it happened because I was running all of my tempos and pace work on a hard dirt track (10+miles!). I was deathly scared of the pancake flat Chicago Marathon course and not being able to handle the "boredom" of using the same muscles. It also happened because training that takes me to the next level is also going to take me  to the edge.  

Going forward, I will train hard. I will skate the edge. I will run my pace work on the rolling hills of my town and be stronger for it. And I will be very mindful when I start training for that 4th marathon. 

In the meantime, I've tentatively decided to race LA Marathon in March. I've run it 3 1/2 times. I love the course. I like its hills. I love the crowds. I'm not back to running yet, which is why I haven't committed to it. As a back up, I've registered for Mountains 2 Beach in May. In the fall, I will run the Great North Run (deferred this year's entry) in England and most likely the Chicago Marathon (deferred this year's entry). 

A freak foot injury results in a training intermission

I last ran two weeks ago today. On that day, during my workout (alternating pace progressive tempo, total of 10 miles) the top of my right foot started to hurt. By the time I finished, I couldn't walk. 

Since then, I've been to a medical doctor, my physical therapist and my sports chiropractor. A stress fracture has been mostly ruled out. The theory now is that my shoes--Brooks PureCadence--were too tight and I also tied my shoelaces too tight the morning of my injury. I've learned that the latest PureCadence model has been running about 1/2 too small. I love my Brooks and have worn PureCadence for years. It now seems I will have to give them up. 

I'm working with my coach and we are maintaining my aerobic fitness using the elliptical machine and cycle. And because 90 minutes on an elliptical machine is boring as heck, I'm working on my mental strength. Bonus!

I tried running this past Monday, but stopped less than a minute in because my foot hurt. I'm trying to be positive and not letting go of my goals.
I know I can run a half-marathon (race day=Sept 10) and a marathon (Oct 8) with sub-optimal training and do well. I'm strong, aerobically fit and my mental strength is a lot better than it was last year. Hitting my paces and having awesome workouts that I never believed I could do has helped that. 

This injury seemingly came out of nowhere. I was feeling fine, no nagging pains or niggles before my foot started hurting. To achieve big goals, you have to take risks and sometimes you get too close to the sun. 

We leave for England soon and that has been a magical place for me to come back from injury in the past.  As Kara Goucher says, "Always believe". 

Los Angeles Marathon Training Recap, Week 5

Phoenix Flyers!

If I'm going to DNF (did not finish) a race, is there no better place to do it than surrounded by 80+ friends and teammates? This past weekend I traveled to Phoenix, AZ for a Oiselle Volée weekend filled with sunshine, friends and a bit of running. I also experienced my first unplanned DNF at the 2nd Annual Phoenix Women's 1/2 Marathon. *whomp, whomp*

Races don't always go by plan and though I felt ready at the start, about 7 miles into the race my {semi-injured} right leg started to bother me. I decided to be smart and cut the race short at 15k (9.3 miles) instead of finishing the half-marathon.  The race course passed the start/finish line at 15k and it made perfect sense to stop at that point. Even though I was surrounded by people who told me that I made a smart decision, I still feel guilty about quitting and feel like I should have just powered through to the end. 

Coach Becki reminded me that there was no expectation for the race. I wasn't trying to PR or race fast and "having the setback [in my training earlier in the month] made the race a lot more of a mental (and physical) challenge than it otherwise would have been". Both Coach and my husband reminded me of my long term goal: become a stronger runner and PR at the Chicago Marathon.

Otherwise, the weekend was fun and it was great catching up with friends and meeting other friends that I've only met online. There were a lot of different opportunities for meet-ups and I attended them all. Even with a DNF, all the #runlove and heart made the weekend worth it.

Phoenix roommates:
Idaho Birdcamp Reunion!

• Monday: Cycle class + weight-lifting (upper body)
• Tuesday: 6 miles, easy. I also did a new Jasyoga video before the run - How to Activate Your Glutes and one after my run -How to Kickstart Recovery.
• Wednesday: Cycle class (am) + Physical Therapy appointment (pm). Oh, my glutes. We're working on building strength. 
• Thursday: Race week workout-2 mile warm-up, 8 x 1 min @ half-marathon effort /2 minutes recovery, 1 mile cool-down. I did this on the treadmill because it was cold outside (SoCal wimp). 
• Friday: Tabata using BOSU and weights. Drove to Phoenix, right leg was feeling stiff/sore.
• Saturday: Oiselle shake out run. 4 miles. Leg felt good. 
• Sunday: DNF race. The plan was to run the first 8 miles at a moderate pace (marathon effort) and after 8 if I was feeling great fly fast to the finish. My pacing for the race was spot-on. My first mile was a bit too fast (8:15/mile), but then I dialed in the pace to 8:3x's/mile for the remainder of race and finished my own personal 15k with an 8:31/mile average. My average heart rate was 153 beats per minute (i.e. maintained a moderate effort and didn't race too hard).

How do I feel now? My leg feels great/no pain. I think I've finally turned the corner and have recovered (both physically and mentally) from CIM. Today I had a good run and felt like my old runner self. I made a hard but smart decision on Sunday. I just need to keep reminding myself about my goal. Eye on the prize! The run police will not come after me if I don't finish a run (race, work out , whatever). Peace. 

10 feet before I DNF'd

See the training link up on Eat Pray Run DC HERE. (Very excited that I met Courtney in person this past weekend!)

Los Angeles Marathon Training Recap, Week 2

As of this writing, I'm on the edge of riding the injury train again. In the past, I would power through pain and get my runs in. This led to missing races and not being able to run and once able to run, building up my base again.

My big goal for the year is to run 3:48 at the Chicago Marathon in October. That's what I have my sight set on and that is what is guiding my decisions and reacting more on the conservative side. All my other races and runs are to help me become stronger, fitter and a better racer. I want to slowly build my base to 60 miles per week.

My goal for the LA Marathon, which is to run a strong race, has not changed. I believe I will be back to running by the end of this week. Coach Becki has provided me with cross-training work outs and alternatives to running.

• Monday: Cycle class + glute exercises as a warm-up to weight-lifing. Squats, deadlifts and box jumps. Today marked 1-year of heavy lifting! This has all helped my running economy, power and strength. In the evening, I went to the gym with Paul and walked steep hills on the treadmill while he did his workout.
• Tuesday: Workout Tuesday. The planned workout was a 2 mile warm-up + drills and strides; 4 x800m with 2 minute recovery + 1 x 1-mile; 1 mile cool-down. Dani joined me for the workout. We ran the 2 mile warm-up outside and then went into the gym to do the work-out on the treadmill. I hit the prescribed paces for the four 800's, but by the time I got to the 1x1-mile I had to work up to the prescribed pace (8:00/mi) so overall it was a little slow (8:16/mi). Coach Becki said that was great because it was within the range.
• Wednesday: 5 miles easy run + drills and strides before weight-lifting. Shoulder press + chest press. My right leg at my old 2015 injury site started to bug me more. Earlier in the week it was 'just' twinges. 
• Thursday: 30 minutes easy treadmill miles (3.5 miles) + yoga class.
• Friday: 30 minute tabata class + 30 minutes easy run and drills/strides. At this point in the week, my right leg was bothering me enough that I decided not to run the rest of the week.
• Saturday: The plan was to do a speed workout (5x1000m) and then do a long run on Sunday. This ended up being a rest day with no activity other than rolling and stretching.
• Sunday: Plan was to run for 1hr40min. Instead I cross-trained on the elliptical, bike and steep hill walking on treadmill for an hour total.

Week 2 miles: 19.6 miles
2017 miles: 25 miles

I have appointments with my physical therapist and with my chiropractor for ART and I hope by this time next week I'm back to running! If not, I have my eyes set on my bigger goal and will make sure I do everything to NOT sabotage it.

See the training link up on Eat Pray Run DC HERE.

Work In Progress

With teammate Chelsea. We were both very
happy to just FINISH. 

The road to success is never a straight line. Yep. That's me. The OC 1/2 Marathon on May 1 was going to be my comeback race. A relatively easy course where PRs are shattered and dreams are achieved. A race that can lift spirits and reduce doubts. The best laid plans...

I ran my slowest 1/2 marathon in over 3 years. Actually, 4 years and 3 months. And I'm okay with it. 

As you all know, I was on track with my training and working with my physical therapist to turn my lazy glutes into ass-kicking glutes. I was working on my core, taking pilates classes, strength training and bending my way through the Jasyoga library.

And *BOOM*. I was hit with a series of non-running related injuries that not only prevented me from running but I also had to stop all activity for a bit spending my days icing injured body parts and catching up on House of Cards. 
My total mileage for the whole month of April was 10 miles. My last long run before the race was 15 miles. On March 27. I felt really good after it too. In the week following, I sprained my ankle, injured my rib and hurt my back. 

With Dana (now part of the Oiselle Volée!)
and Dani at the finish line.

My longest run in April was 3.7 miles the Thursday before the race. I didn't experience any pain on that run and some other {shorter} runs during the week.

I'm A-OK with my race result because I ran pain free! My slow time was 100% due to my lack of fitness and I know through past experience that I can build it back up. 

My plan for the next couple of months is to become stronger and fitter through slowly building up my mileage, running for fun (!), continuing with strength training (including core and glutes), taking fitness classes--->all so I'm ready to start training again on June 20th for the Santa Rosa 1/2 Marathon (August 28) and in August for CIM (December 4). 

I've also decided to change my training focus on becoming marathon-strong as opposed to half marathon fast. More on that in the future.

{weeks 7 and 8} at this point I just want to be able to run

At the Foothill 5k finish line

It's now been 9 days and counting since I've been able to run {sad trombone}. I was looking forward to last week because it was a scheduled recovery week with lower mileage and scaled-back hard runs. It has ended up becoming a week on NO RUNNING.

Earlier in the month, I was walking down the stairs at home (in the dark) and missed the last step. I landed hard with my right foot. Although shaken, I didn't feel an injury so I carried on with my activities. As the week progressed, especially after Thursday's 10 mile run with tempo intervals, I really started to feel something (bruised heel? sprained ankle? broken bone?). The pain was localized on the inner part of my side heel. Hmm...

Then Friday, April 1st (joke's on me) happened and my husband tried to pick me up in an awkward way. We heard a CRACK (snap). It didn't hurt at the time, but slowly the pain built and I started suspecting a bruised/broken rib on my left side. I immediately googled "running with a bruised/broken rib" and found out it is possible to continue running as long as your form doesn't change. However, it will be difficult to take deep breaths. Easy running is okay; sprinting/racing will be hard. Hmm...

On to Sunday's Carlsbad 5000. I was looking to this race and meeting up with my Oiselle Volée friends. No way was I missing this. So I raced. I had to stop at the midway water stop to catch my breath. I never stop or even get water during a 5k. Also, my heel/ankle really started bothering me. I finished in 24:29 which is slower than I wanted but it is faster than my most recent 5k a couple of weeks ago. After I finished, it hurt to walk and breathe. 

Carlsbad 5000-the last time
I ran this month

On Monday, I went to the doctor. Both my chest and foot x-rays were negative. It turns out I don't have a broken rib, but have torn rib cartilage. Apparently, it's treated the same as a broken rib. Same pain. Same length of recovery (6 weeks). Same treatment (Motrin and ice). Sigh. But what really bugs me is my "sprained ankle" (for lack of a better diagnosis). I could run easy with my rib thing. Can't run at all with my foot thing. 

View from the Foothill 5k trail

This past Sunday, I joined some Oiselle Volée team mates for the Foothill Challenge 5k. It was meant to be my entry into trail racing, but I ended up walking it in about an hour. Although it was depressing to not be able to run, it was great having my friends wait for me to cheer me in at the finish line. 

To end on a better note, I went to physical therapy last week and my glutes and legs are strong! My single-leg squats on an upside down BOSU are getting closer to perfection! I've also been going to a sports chiropractor for ART on my tight IT bands. My legs have been feeling a lot better. I feel like my legs and glutes are primed and will be ready to go once I can start running again. I need to re-assess my goals for the OC 1/2 marathon, but I'm okay with that. I just want to be able to run. 

Treadmill Time (and I'm excited)

Most runners will agree, treadmills suck*. Most runners will also agree that there is a time or place for treadmills, such as during inclement weather or to work on pace. 

As a SoCal resident, the weather that occasionally sends me inside is usually triple-digit heat in the summer. Once, while in New Orleans for work,  I had the genius idea to use a treadmill at the hotel during an unexpected very icy cold front the day AFTER freezing my tail off outside (and ripping my leggings/ scraping my knee after tripping on the uneven sidewalks in the Garden District). 

I've also used the treadmill for speedwork and to work on pacing. It's a great tool to dial in pace and hit targets. The softer surface of the treadmill is also good for recovery days. 

Now that I'm on the injured list and have not been able to run, I've discovered another great reason to use the treadmill. Last week my physical therapist cleared me to speedwalk on steep incline. Yay! Or not, I thought after it took me a very boring 33:14 to walk 2 miles with the incline set to progress to 15%. The second time I climbed on the treadmill, a fuzzy thought crossed my mind. Didn't I read once (or twice) that walking a very steep incline is equivalent to running? 

As soon as I got home, I pulled out the printed version of this CHART from my journal. The chart converts treadmill MPH pace into miles per minute equivalent by incline. Going 5 mph on the treadmill at 10% incline is equivalent to running 8:07 min/mile. Great! Okay, I can't walk that fast but I do walk my hills at an average 4 mph. Unfortunately the chart does not go below 5 mph so I used my fancy math skills (or just swagged it) and guestimated that 4 mph at 10% incline is equivalent to a 9-10 min/mile pace. 

From the competitor.com and Matt Fitzgerald (love him) Workout of the Week article I distantly remember reading in February:

Research has shown that when individuals walk up a steep incline at a brisk pace, their brains use the same motor pattern that they use to run at the same speed on the same grade. In other words, at a given speed, there’s a certain gradient at which the difference between walking and running disappears. That’s significant, because it’s primarily the motor pattern that the brain uses to produce a given type of aerobic activity that determines how much the cardiovascular benefits carry over to running. Therefore, walking briskly on a steep incline stands to improve your running almost as much as running itself. 

Read more at: Workout of the Week: Steep Uphill Treadmill Walking


Reframing steep treadmill walking as a running equivalent has excited me. I'm at the point in my recovery where I am itching to run, but know I shouldn't (getting better, almost there!). 

Have you discovered steep incline treadmill walking? Am I last to the party?


*I once met an Alaskan marathoner who does ALL his training runs on the treadmill. He probably doesn't think they suck.

doubt

The hardest part of my injury is that it hit me when I was in my training groove. I was feeling strong. I was hitting my targets. I even felt my mental game was ON and that I could conquer my nemesis distance--the marathon--and fly. 

Every day I don't run I feel my fitness slowly leave my body. 

I'm struggling with doubt. Doubt that I'll ever heal. Doubt that I'll be able to run strong and fit again. And with doubt comes depression.

Last weekend I captain'd a team for Ragnar Las Vegas. Prior to the race, I was running a little bit--low mileage and only every few days. I shouldn't have been running at all. I was still feeling pain and my running mechanics were off. I was scheduled for 4 legs (we were down a runner) and I didn't want to go into the race unprepared. 

My leg started bothering me during my 2nd leg and I ended up having to walk/run my 3rd leg. I was crying on an isolated trail in the middle of night with an occasional speedy (they're all speedy when you're walking) runner passing me. They would cheer me on saying things like You've got this and You're almost there, only 2 more miles! which only made me feel worse. My 3rd leg was *just* 8 miles. A distance I used to be able to do in my sleep. :( I ended up not running my 4th leg and one of my teammates ended up running a total of 6 legs (!) to cover that one for me. 

Now that Ragnar is over and I've deferred my registration for CIM, I'm finally doing the smart thing and not running again until I feel no pain doing a single-leg squat. I'm continuing with physical therapy...I've added glute strengthening exercises to the glute activation exercises. I'm scheduled for an OMT session with my DO. I'm cross-training like crazy, cycle classes mostly, to keep my cardio fitness.

I feel I'm doing everything right. I feel my glutes getting stronger. I feel less pain in my leg and haven't had to take pain pills in almost a week. 

In spite of all that, I'm doubting. I'm unsure. I'm scared. One thing I've learned through years of running, is that the sport isn't a check box. It's feeling and passion. It's the joy of finishing a tough long run, of lacing up my shoes to explore new places, of conquering barriers.

I need to believe. 

Five for Friday

Nani, practicing for our midnight run

It's Friday! It's Halloween weekend! Let's hope for lots treats and not too many tricks, unless they are funny. I figured it's about time I write a Friday Five.  

1. Running! I'm easing back into running. Slowly increasing mileage. I'm not 100% and still have some pain. It's getting better AND I'm feeling my butt more during my runs. Which leads to...

2. PT and BANDS OF HELL exercises. I'm still doing these everyday. They still suck...but, butt! I'm feeling my glutes more in everyday activities. The exercises are hard but they are working. 

3. Spooky Halloween Midnight Run tonight! Nani and I are joining a group of local runners for a 6 mile run starting exactly at midnight tonight. Also, joining are some of my Lab Rats Ragnar teammates...

Do you Yeti? Right out the box, over my
work clothes. 

4. Next weekend I'm running Ragnar Las Vegas for the third time. I can't wait for the van stories and highjinks! And I'm excited to wear my...

5. YETI. I finally ordered and received Oiselle's Yeti. So comfy, so warm. Living in Southern California, I haven't felt the need to buy one the last couple years. We're going to England for most of December and I felt our vacation is the perfect excuse. Plus it does get a bit cold here.;) This year's version is not available yet, but I was able to buy one during a pre-holiday Friends and Family sale. It was the ONE item I was hoping they would have available for the sale and they did! Score!

Hitting Reset

After asking my physical therapist for the eleventhy millionest time yesterday for reassurances that I'm not a lost cause, that people with glutes as weak as mine do comeback and do comeback stronger, I'm starting to believe. 

When I can't run, my ever-present but usually latent trolls of self-doubt emerge in full-force. It doesn't help that the stuff I'm not good or natural at--the things I ignored, are the things I'm now starting to forced to address (in a good way!). I sit way too much at work. I have a long commute. Butt and hip strengthening band exercises suck and are hard (but seem to be working!-->I've progressed to the next set of prescribed exercises). Pilates is torture, but great for injury prevention. I never had time for it before injury and now I realize that "not having time" is just an excuse. I always I have time. It's all about priorities. I had that light bulb moment walking into work this morning.

With all this jumble in my head and not having the ability to run loooooong (miss my long runs) to clear my mind, it is perfect timing that this week in my Believe Training Journal I reached the Hit Reset section. The Believe In Rest & Rejuvenation section. 

This section is really about allowing yourself proper recovery from daily and weekly training with proper nutrition, rest and developing a prehab habit and a stretch routine. But it also speaks to me as I recover from injury and helps me focus my efforts. As I mentioned above, I've started taking Pilates. Jill, Movement Coach and owner at The Energy Lab (the fitness studio I attend), has always said that Pilates is great prehab and is her number 1 secret for injury prevention. I finally subscribed to Jasyoga. It rocks. It's a great way to reset and my body feels awesome after finishing a video. 

I'm not a lost cause, because as my PT told me, "You're motivated and you do the work." And that's always been me. I'm consistent and I learn from my mistakes. I was ignorant and/or maybe overly-confident but I've learned my lesson and am working towards a stronger, more well-rounded me. 

Weak-a$$ Glutes!

I thought I had a femoral stress reaction/fracture.
Lazy ass is a better diagnosis. Glad my funny
bone is intact. :)

One week without running, one visit to the doctor, one assessment with a movement coach, one visit to a sports-specialized physical therapist and the verdict for my right leg is severe IT band syndrome caused by weak glutes. To quote my physical therapist, "You have no butt!" or in my interpretation, I have weak-ass glutes. 

I've been prescribed painkillers, a regimen of daily glute-strengthening and targeting exercises (with bands of hell), weekly physical therapy appointments and no running for a bit. And I'm good with that (or I've come to terms with that)...because in spite of my weak-ass glutes I've been getting stronger and faster. I've won races, I've PR'd consistently. My other muscle groups have been picking up the slack of my lazy-ass glutes for years! Slackers! Now,  Imagine the Possibilities--how much stronger and faster I can be--when I have kick-ass glutes (the kind that take names and you don't want to meet in a dark alley)! 

This is me making lemonade out of lemons, rolling with punches and reframing some bad news--but I have to admit that this weak-glutes thing threw me for a loop. I've read dozens of articles over the years that the number one reason for injuries in runners is weak glutes. I always assumed that it didn't apply to me because I TRX and circuit train and do lots of squats and lunges. I have a strong core (HA! It's not strong if my glutes are weak!). What I didn't know was that I'm literally a  lazy-butt and let my quads and hamstrings and abs do all the work. A 40+hour a week desk job with a commute doesn't help my lazy ass.  

An awesome thing about running is that it teaches me humility. I get a little cocky (it's how I build myself up!) and something knocks me down--but I do come back stronger and use it to improve. When I'm knocked down, I regain focus and determination. What's life without challenge?

So what does this all mean for my training plan and goals?

1. I'm going to DNS for what was my planned tune-up race for my goal marathon, the Long Beach 1/2 Marathon (I'll still be heading to LBC to cheer on the runners and my brother who is running the full marathon).

2. Although my PT and I agree I will be back to running and capable of running the California International Marathon in December, I won't be able to run it at the level and speed I've been training for and want to run it in. I plan to defer my registration when the deferral window opens up in November and run in 2016. (This also makes sense logistically because we leave for England a couple of days after the race this year and I had been stressing out a bit about travelling up north to Sacramento for the race and then leaving for almost a month and what to do with Nani.)

3. Ease back into running when I've been pain-free for 3 days.

4. Start training for the special-edition Valentine's Day LA Marathon (already registered, pre-injury) in November (12 week training plan).

5. Cross-train with indoor cycling. Strength-train with focus on my glutes (while not forgetting other muscle groups). 

6. With no long runs for awhile and lots of free time, organize and declutter our house. Write a novel. Put away the laundry. Yeah, right. I'll believe it when I see it. 

Rehab: Week 1 (Everyday: prescribed glute band-exercises)

Goal-Mileage: 0 miles

Monday: Tabata + Cycle class 
Tuesday: Cycle class
Wednesday: Cycle class
Thursday: Cycle class + TRX
Friday: Tabata + Pilates + TRX
Saturday: Walk
Sunday: Walk

Intermission

I'm depressed. I'm sad. I feel silly and embarrassed. There are a lot of hard struggles out there in the world and my struggle isn't one of them. I made a hard decision for myself, which was to finally stop ignoring my thigh pain/issue and back off running this week. I'm taking it day-by-day to see how it feels. 

I've had a nagging pain in my right thigh since September 15th. It bugs me at the beginning of my runs but once I get in the groove and hit my stride, it doesn't bother me. It reminded me of a similar pain in my left leg earlier this year that resolved on its own. I thought it would follow a similar path. It hasn't. 

I ran 20 miles on Sunday with a fairly good pace and felt great. Monday, my rest day,  I woke up in pain.  All day Monday, while downing Motrin, I debated continuing my training plan (stubborn) vs to stop for awhile (smart). I talked to my husband. I finally decided, telling him "This is really hard for me to do and it's a hard decision for me to make, but I'm not going run my scheduled run tomorrow and maybe {see, I can't commit...it's hard} the rest of the week and I need your support on this."

I have an appointment with my primary care doctor on October 30th (the earliest they can see me). I'm now debating whether I should go to urgent care to start the diagnostic process (referral to an orthopedist, MRI etc). Google is not a friend (femur stress fracture??). I can't single leg hop on it and I definitely favor it. But the chair/fulcrum test is negative (no pain). Internet, MD. 

I keep reminding myself of the big picture--I will run stronger if I allow my body to heal. I would rather run strong and healthy in the future than continue on a mediocre path. Now, more than ever, the mantra that I've printed on my RoadID--I WANT IT MORE THAN I FEAR IT--means more to me now because the decision to back off training was very scary for me to make. 

Because of my great base and fitness level, I can miss up to 10 days of training without it impacting my marathon goal (per my book/training plan). My leg feels better today and instead of running, I am indoor cycling (no weight bearing).

*Sigh* You want to know what sucks about this? I was feeling strong and confident about my training and my abilities. Maybe even a little cocky. 

I'll get it back. I'll get that feeling back. I've come back from worse.