But that's how it seems to be going, isn't it?
Let's be honest: For the most part, the training has been going really well this year. Sure, I still haven't ridden outside, and I'm not getting huge miles in the saddle, but I'm at least holding steady on bike strength, and probably a little ahead of last year. And even with the kidlet, I'm dragging my sorry butt to swimming more often than not, and definitely getting faster there. 1:40/100m isn't comfortable, but it's doable, and that's a marked improvement. On foot, things are generally moving up. Easy pace continues to pick up, and the last few times I've done fast running I've hit my paces pretty easily.
I know I'm not writing about it, but things are good. Moving in the right direction.
Looking at my last few posts, though, all I'm writing about is the setbacks from some minor-ish injuries. I guess the reason is that they seem to be affecting my running, and with that as the primary focus of the year, it has the greatest impact on my psyche. And I end up doing the brain-dump here, subjecting the few readers to my "woe is me" whining.
And I'm about to do it again. That soleus/Achilles thing is now definitely an Achilles thing. Since I don't want this to become a chronic issue, I'm trying to nip it in the bud. And by that, I mean: drastic reduction in volume/intensity for the next two weeks, trying to build up what I can do pain-free; retiring all the questionable shoes from the rotation; using an eccentric-loading protocol (along with ice and NSAIDs) to strengthen/heal the surrounding calf muscles; rewriting the entire summer's plan, looking at lower mileage, more days off, and more restrained intensity work. Does this mean I won't run as fast in my fall races as I would otherwise? Probably, unless the argument is whether running at all is faster than not.
I'm in this for the long haul. I've got a little fan I need to be a good example for, so neither quitting nor pushing into disability (the extreme choices here) are really options. Be smart, get faster. I'll do my 3k tonight and be glad I can do do even that. And with a little planning and little luck, I'll be right as rain and going full steam in a few weeks.
I guess I'm really just upset I won't get to eat as much ice cream this summer.
Sorry to hear about the heel -- I find injuries immensely frustrating for two reasons:
ReplyDelete1) they're one of the few things that you can't fix by just working harder.
2) they screw up existing plans.
I have no problem working harder, and I like to plan my training as much as possible. Once the plan starts to get derailed, I get anxious.
You're doing the right thing though. After a year of PT, my TOS is worse than ever... to the point now that biking exacerbates it too. Doctors orders are to mostly run (which is fine, since that was my focus this year) and limit swimming/biking to once per week. And that's not "swimming once per week" and "biking once per week". That's: either swim, or bike, once per week.
Crappy choice. I've been swimming to maintain my upper body strength, but I feel a pang of jealous hatred whenever someone rides by on their bike while I'm running. I miss it.
And there's other fallout too. The pain is so bad, and so constant, that there are nights where I simply don't sleep.
The point is: I wish I'd done the smart thing and got my diagnosis and treatment sorted out about 10 years ago. So I'm 100% with you on the backing off and setting a good example for the kids thing.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Ugh, I feel you pain :( Sorry to hear the achillies/heel has taken another victim.
ReplyDeleteI haven't past read - sorry. Have you seen a PT or a podiatrist about your pain? I highly recommend it. I suffered with achillies tendonitis for 5ish months before I was diagnosed. I got to the point of it being chronic and need cortisone injections and graston therapy. I've also missed out on one IM this year and my whole summer racing season.
Have you tried aqua running? When you swim don't slip turn and lightly push off the wall in open turning as this will aggravate the achillies. Swimming with a pull buoy and your legs tied together with a tire tube is great for fixing swim position, upper body strength and keeping your legs from kicking ;p
Good luck and I wish you a quick recovery or at least to keep your sanity in the process.