Thursday, April 7, 2011

What now?

"Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul."
Douglas MacArthur

The back-story: When my body cooled down after my 23K run last Sunday, I felt a new pain on the right side of my right ankle. Shit...so I did the smart thing and got on the bike trainer instead of running on Tuesday and Wednesday. I also iced and even took some ibuprofen since I had a cold and a headache too. It all "seemed" to be working perfectly.

Today: Beautiful sunny day, no wind, groin all better, no more cold and the ankle seems fine. I was SO EXCITED about getting out there for my run. However, the minute I started running I felt a little twinge in the ankle and excitement quickly turned to caution. The pain remained relatively mild until a little after 4K, at that point there were little stabs of pain and they were growing more intense. Damn. I walked the last 2.5K until Uber H came to get me with the car...and yes, I cried a few tears.


What now: On Tuesday, PT so at least I'll know what I'm dealing with. Lots of sunshine expected tomorrow and Saturday, so this evening I took the bike off the trainer and it is ready for the road. Lots of biking this weekend!

Here is what was going through my mind while I was walking today... “It's not age because lots of older people run”... “The corticosteroids have made me more vulnerable to injury, but I seem to be healing well from all the injuries I’ve sustained so far”... “Apart from my ankle, I felt no other pain after my 23K”... “What if the minute this injury is healed, another one occurs”... “When will I know whether I should forget about marathon training and stick to half-marathons and perhaps duathlons”. Sigh...I watch the videos and I know that I am NEVER NEVER NEVER supposed to give up and I’m definitely not about to.

The plan: Do everything I can to be ready for my marathon on May 29th and unless I can’t run at all, or can barely walk, I will be at the starting line. There are walkers at this marathon, so although I won’t do it if I can’t run at all, at least I know that if I must walk more than expected, the finish line will still be there.

Once again, I’ll keep you posted.
If it is in any way possible, I will run my marathon in May.
Cheers!

17 comments:

Kate Geisen said...

Ugh. I feel your pain...literally. My dr. said mine was probable achilles tendinitis and advised rest, ice, stretching. BUT, she said that I could still run the marathon and still run...it just may hurt some. If I can do the marathon, I'm happy, because then I can let it get better more gradually afterwards since I'll be spending more time on the bike. But I've MISSED running. And it's not age. 38 isn't old. Right?

Amy said...

Wow, what a bummer. I think you have the right attitude though - cautiously positive! Keeping my fingers crossed that it all works out okay...

RockStarTri said...

Keep positioning yourself for success and see what happens!

Johann said...

Sorry to hear this but you are right to stay positive. If this was me I would revisit the whole shoe thing. I know people don’t want to hear this but if I were you I’d get another opinion on what shoes to run in. Even with everyone trying to push the barefoot/minimalist theory I still believe for marathon and longer training you need more support in your shoes. Just my honest opinion.:) All the best with this Anne, I really want you to run this marathon.

Nitmos said...

Yes, press on. Lots can happen and you can still enjoy the experience. The most fun I ever had at a marathon was the slowest one I ever ran!

Jennifer said...

Stay positive! (But of course you will!) Your back pretty much full force and it probably is your body just doing some mumbling as it gets used to all that wrok again. Keep an eye on it and I bet you'll do fine!

Steel Springs said...

Good luck with the ankle! I hope you get good news from the PT.

Marlene said...

Oh no, I hope it is nothing to worry about! Good luck at PT and keep us posted. {{HUGS}}

I am dealing with a brutal cold and staring longingly at the gorgeous weather outside... boo!

Paul said...

Nitmos has the right attitude, IMHO. Don't feel like you have to do XYZ. The real goal is to have fun and keep healthy for the long term.

So, carry on and see how it goes. If you have to walk your first marathon, so be it. There will be others...

Perhaps the PT might recommend some strengthening exercises for your feet for the long term...

Jill said...

As one side-lined by injury for a year...listen to your voice. I think the PTs are good for these types of things and fingers crossed it helps!! Hang in there ...and happy weekend!!

kilax said...

I hope it is just a temporary twinge!!!

Char said...

How disappointing! Sometimes it's hard not to feel that the universe is against us but my fingers are crossed for you. I hope this is just a temporary set-back.

Claire said...

Tant que c'est possible, je suis tout à fait d'accord avec ton plan!!! Tu prends soin de toi, vas-y comme tu peux et la ligne de départ du marathon t'attend! Bonne chance!!!!

ajh said...

You have a good attitude but man I don't blame you for those few tears. Why do our bodies betray us when we are trying to help them? I just don't get it. Good luck and huge hugs.

Black Knight said...

Don't give up, you will run that marathon, I am sure!
You are smart, if you don't run, you bike; in this way you stay always in shape and ready for the toughest workouts.
Good luck.

Abby @ Have Dental Floss, Will Travel said...

Please do keep us posted. Hopefully it's just a minor blip, a little tweak, and you'll be fine with that little bit of rest!

Darlene said...

Too bad about the injury! You have a realistic outlook and I bet you will finish this marathon.