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December 18, 2007
Injury Update
So lately there has been nary a mention of my aches/pains/injuries. This is presumably a good thing because that probably means I haven't been thinking about it too often. But I have an appointment with my sports med doc on Thursday so I've been thinking about which aches and which pains to ask him and the PT about. There are so many to choose from. :)
Here's the thing. Just about anyone who has been running for a significant amount of time, and especially those that put in a good number of miles at some point in their lives, just have aches and pains, all the time. Running is rough like that. I'm sure there are those that are exceptionally biomechanically gifted that never suffer from any niggles. But I'm also sure those people are few and far between. And I'm also 100% sure I'm not one of those people. That's why I'm a triathlete now. Trust me, if I could have stuck with running I would have. Shoes cost $80. Bikes cost $8000.
Lest you think I'm lazy and haven't explored all options of staying healthy, trust me when I say, every avenue, street, major expressway and back alley has been explored. I've seen just about every kind of doctor for just about every kind of injury. I've done every strethening exercise, every stretch and every PT induced regimen prescribed. I've worn custom made orthotics for YEARS to try to correct my biomechanical issues. But the fact remains - my body will only take so much running. Simple as that.
And that amount of running goes down in the winter. Whether it be the cold or running on the (much) harder pavement more often (because trails are covered in ice/snow) or whatever it might be, my aches and pains are definitely worse around this time of year.
I am happy to report that my hamstring has been feeling much better. Like most of my injuries, it just needed time (the very LAST thing I wanted to give it).
On my run this morning though, the foot pain that I dealt with last winter around this very same time, was back. It's the tendon that runs along the top of my foot from toe to mid foot. It gets very aggravated with me and then just causes the whole foot to hurt.
But the good news is I pretty much get all the same old injuries (the foot, the hamstring, the IT band, the aching left shin) and because of that I'm very well aware of what they need and how hard I can push. Doesn't mean I always do the right thing to make the injury go away, but I usually do know the right thing to do. :)
So I'll watch this foot and maybe be running in the water some here and there. That's the beauty of triathlon. I only have 4 runs/week, at the very most 5, so I can handle doing half of them and supplementing the other half, all the while continuing my cycling and swimming like nothing is wrong. Contrast that to my former running days when I usually ran 12 times/week and you can see how this is a much better set-up. :)
In other news Christmas is only 1 week away!! Warm South Carolina is only 5 days away!! Did I mention that I still have the Chipmunk Christmas Song in my head?!?!?! (and now my co-workers are REALLY annoyed with me, more so than usual... ;)
Posted by beth at December 18, 2007 7:33 PM
Comments
So, are you running around work singing the Chipmunks out loud? If so, that's hilarious! If I were your coworkers, I'd want to hear more! In fact, as your blog reader, I want to hear this. Up load some audio, eh?
Sorry to hear your foot is bugging you. You're right, there is always a niggle somewhere. At the high mileage I'm at right now, I'm spending so much time stretching, icing, heating, etc, etc, etc, to keep healthy. It's like a whole 'nother workout! :) Good luck with the foot!
Meghan
Posted by: Meghan at December 18, 2007 10:57 PM
BETH!!!! I hope you get all your aches & pains under control and to magically disappear by the start of your new season! I am in awe you used to run 12x a week! I run 3x a week and always wish my coach would give me5x (I love running)BUT I was never a runner like you with 12x a week...you are my new hero!
Posted by: Bree at December 19, 2007 11:09 AM
ps... are those your hot legs in the title photo above?
Posted by: Bree at December 19, 2007 11:10 AM
Hey Beth! I've been checking out your site and I really enjoy it! Congrats at Clearwater!!! As for the aches, pains and ijuries - I can totally sympathize. My left hamstring/it band being the major culprit. It's something that usually when I "think" about it or "feel" something, it means that I'm close to injury. I've also had experience with the pain in the tendon at the top of my foot. One of my doctors suggested that I don't tie my shoes as tightly - I use yankz or a type of lacing system like that that distributes pressure a little more evenly. It helps a little, but my foot will still hurt sometimes. Hang in there - is all I can say. Holy cow - I can't imagine running 12X per week! WOW!!! By the way, I smiled when I read about the "whole nother workout" - sometimes the post run icing/massage/stretching takes longer than the run itself! Aaakkk! Hang in there, and know that you're not alone with this stuff!
Posted by: Marit C-L at December 19, 2007 11:14 AM
i can't stop the chipmunk song in my head... its good that you are taking steps now with your foot... i tend to ignore the pain till it forces me to stop...
Posted by: Kranky C Dale at December 19, 2007 1:25 PM
hi beth!! i hope the visit with the doc provides new insights. (and while some people have x-mas lists...we apparently have injury lists-b/c i know i make one too before the doc! :) it will be good indeed to get a professional opinion.
take care and i am sending soothing healing vibes your way.
Posted by: Audrey at December 19, 2007 1:35 PM
I can't remember the last time I woke up without some sort of pain. Take care of that foot and now is the time for rest and recovery!
Posted by: chad at December 19, 2007 5:09 PM