It’s funny how an injury can quickly turn a goal of running 6 half marathons in a year to hoping for a 5k in a couple of weeks and maybe the half marathon I’d been eyeing in April, originally planned half number 3 of the year.
So far in 2014 I’ve run 5 miles, and not even all at once.
Let me back up a bit. In my last update I’d just gotten the results and recommendations of the chiropractor and started showing diligently 3x a week for adjustments and time on the spinal decompression table in addition to stretches at home, waiting for the ok to do pretty much any kind of exercise that would raise my heart rate (walks, to me, don’t count). Finally, 4 weeks after that fateful run, I was given the ok to bike, walk (oops), and rollerblade (yes, I own and use rollerblades) with a promise that a run would come “soon”.
Last weekend was my first trial run. As excited as I was to have the ok I was a little nervous. This SI injury has caused way more pain and discomfort than my broken toe and the fear of re-injuring it is probably going to be ingrained in the back of my mind. Still, I laced up my shoes in preparation for 1.5 miles, with a promise to really focus on my body and form. It wasn’t long and it wasn’t fast, but it just felt nice to run again.
I still have to take it easy. I’ve run one treadmill mile and 2 outside today and while I don’t feel pain or discomfort, I can still tell that things aren’t back to normal yet, if that makes any sense. The chiropractor says my lower back is adjusting very well and even made mention of spacing out visits soon. Frankly, I’m just happy to feel almost back to normal again.
To be continued, and until then, one mile at a time.
** I want to add that while I haven’t acknowledged it yet, I have been nominated for a couple of blog awards that I very much appreciate and plan to post about soon! That, and a new toy/language post, once I can decide on a toy 😉
February 15, 2014 at 7:28 pm
I have enjoyed reading your blog. I would love for you to follow my running challenge run100run.wordpress.com
February 16, 2014 at 2:47 pm
Good luck, mama! Getting back into running post-kids was WAY harder than I expected…my first half marathon turned into an expensive 5K after a back injury forced me to change my registration. It sounds like you are on the right track! Be kind to yourself and try not to compare yourself to the runner you were pre-kids. 🙂
February 16, 2014 at 2:53 pm
It’s definitely hard not to even though I know logically it can’t be the same. I felt great till this joint issue. Ugh. Do you still run?
February 16, 2014 at 7:04 pm
Yes! My girls just turned two, and just today I ran farther than a 10K distance for the first time since before I was pregnant. It took me a while to build back up, and I kept having back trouble because my abs were in such poor shape after carrying twins. Lots of my runs in the past year and a half were with my giant jogging stroller! I am signed up for a May half marathon, and I think I gave myself plenty of time to slowly, slowly get back in shape. I can’t let myself watch the clock too much, though…it is a little depressing to be so much slower, but I have to remember it’s better to be running at all even if it’s not as fast as it used to be. What kind of joint issues are you having? Hope some rest, ice and ibuprofen will do the trick for you!
February 17, 2014 at 9:16 am
Did your abs split as well? Mine still are but not nearly as bad. I ended up injuring my SI joint and my whole right side of my pelvis was tilted and out of place. I thought at first it was a pulled muscle and did a 9 mile run and couldn’t walk without limping for a week. 4 weeks into adjustments and it feels much better. Scary though. I worried I had a stress fracture!
February 17, 2014 at 10:53 pm
Yes–I have dealt with split abs and super weak ab muscles, too. My split is almost improved, but I’m not sure if it will ever go away completely. I didn’t realize how much of a difference strong abs make when you run until I no longer had them! It sounds like your injury was so painful! I hope it continues to improve. Definitely good news that it wasn’t a stress fracture. Those have always been a big fear of mine as a runner…
February 16, 2014 at 8:23 pm
So glad that you can get out and start running – even if it’s not much at all, it’s better than nothing!
February 16, 2014 at 8:23 pm
Agreed!
February 17, 2014 at 2:55 pm
Take it slow! Glad you’re able to get back out there!
February 19, 2014 at 1:42 am
Yay for getting back to it! I understand the fear, but just feel how your body is moving and focus on the joy your body feels running again! Oh I have rollerblades too!