I'm sure many runners and athletes would agree that in any given month, week or day, there can be good experiences and bad experiences in sports...., especially when the rollercoaster sport of running is concerned. I think I've had both over the last 2 months. Unfortunately, my last update ends with a tough one to swallow!:(
I had 2 races in the month of May, one in Spokane, Washington called Lilac Bloomsday 12k, and the other was the Rite aid Cleveland 10k later in the month. Lilac was a descent race where I finished 14th overall, and 4th American but the Rite aid 10k performance was probably the better of the 2, finishing 3rd Overall and first American on yet another hilly course. Moving on to June, ... I had the pleasure of racing in the very historical Litchfield Hills Road race. A 7.1 mile race with a hill towards the end that made most runners come to a standstill! It was another unusually hot race that I've had to run in this year with the temps in the high 80's and a 1pm start. But it was a good effort and I was really starting to come around and get excited for the 10k National championships on the 4th of July in Atlanta. I was, and still am very happy that we have kept moving forward since my "Purpose and Plugging" blog back in March. I am pleased how the rest of my season went since then as I think it was very good for Pete to get me back to some challenging shorter races and hill work over the last few months. BUT that is where the "good" experience of this running season come to an end. The "bad" experience part is something that I haven't had to deal with in a very long time.
I found out a little over 2 weeks ago that I have a pretty serious foot injury that will keep me out of training for awhile. I had a feeling something was going on, but did not know for sure until we saw the images. The news definitely put a dent in the rest of my summer racing schedule, and will change the game plan of some things for sure. It is definitely NOT a pleasant thing to hear that your foot is torn, especially when running is one of your main jobs.
But in all honesty, and probably for a few different reasons, the reality of this injury has not shot my spirit down as much as it could have, or used to in the past. A complete break of no running/exercise for more than a week is something I have not had since the ankle surgery I had back in 2007 due to a fall in the 3k Steeplechase. As hard as it is to do, I think sometimes an athlete needs to refocus on more than just the body, and needs a break from everything that comes along with intense training. It could help in the long run of your career. But more importantly than any of that, there are way bigger issues in this world and in my life that compete to kill my spirit more than a torn foot, ....and this just isn't the one. I promise you that!!
I think most serious runners could come up with a million reasons why they just want to be healthy. We read about all the reasons why injuries can be such a detriment to our lives in magazines and blogs,:.... "I miss my running buddies, miss the endorphins, puts a damper on goals, feel out of shape, miss the outdoors, miss my "me" time, etc., etc., etc.
But I can honestly say, there are some benefits of not working out that I have noticed these last 2 weeks. Yes, there are some benefits that even I can see as a professional runner:)!
Here are a few....
1) WAY LESS laundry
2) Not having to shower as much, if ever!!
3)More time for menial tasks like going to appointments, cleaning your apartment and keeping up with the WORLD CUP! (haven't gotten to car yet)
4) Spending less money on food and drink,....especially gatorade
5) MORE energy. A lot more energy. No need for naps. Want to say yes to EVERYTHING
6) More time to focus on future plans and goals when competitive running is over
7) More time for other people ....helping, providing, listening, being there for others
Sure, most of these are trivial, but some are not. Some of these benefits are the reasons why I have been able to do things over the last 2 weeks that I never would have been able to had I been all over the country training and racing,.. and for that I am thankful.
So I do hope all of us injured runners out there can embrace the time off when you do have it. On my end, the "party" is almost over:)...I will be hitting the gym very soon with cross training, rehab, P.T. , and a host of other things to try to recover quickly. And in all reality, these activities will probably take up even more time out of my days than if I were healthy! But I know this is a time in my life where I am willing to be disciplined and give it all I got to be the best runner I can be. Living on the edge is the only way to live for now,.... so bring on the bike, the pool and the stupid arm ergometer thingy.
Because like a famous coach once said:
"Most runners deal with injury at one time or another. Most successful
runners know that its how you plug through and manage them that determines the overall
affect you will have in the sport."
Pete Rea
I had 2 races in the month of May, one in Spokane, Washington called Lilac Bloomsday 12k, and the other was the Rite aid Cleveland 10k later in the month. Lilac was a descent race where I finished 14th overall, and 4th American but the Rite aid 10k performance was probably the better of the 2, finishing 3rd Overall and first American on yet another hilly course. Moving on to June, ... I had the pleasure of racing in the very historical Litchfield Hills Road race. A 7.1 mile race with a hill towards the end that made most runners come to a standstill! It was another unusually hot race that I've had to run in this year with the temps in the high 80's and a 1pm start. But it was a good effort and I was really starting to come around and get excited for the 10k National championships on the 4th of July in Atlanta. I was, and still am very happy that we have kept moving forward since my "Purpose and Plugging" blog back in March. I am pleased how the rest of my season went since then as I think it was very good for Pete to get me back to some challenging shorter races and hill work over the last few months. BUT that is where the "good" experience of this running season come to an end. The "bad" experience part is something that I haven't had to deal with in a very long time.
I found out a little over 2 weeks ago that I have a pretty serious foot injury that will keep me out of training for awhile. I had a feeling something was going on, but did not know for sure until we saw the images. The news definitely put a dent in the rest of my summer racing schedule, and will change the game plan of some things for sure. It is definitely NOT a pleasant thing to hear that your foot is torn, especially when running is one of your main jobs.
But in all honesty, and probably for a few different reasons, the reality of this injury has not shot my spirit down as much as it could have, or used to in the past. A complete break of no running/exercise for more than a week is something I have not had since the ankle surgery I had back in 2007 due to a fall in the 3k Steeplechase. As hard as it is to do, I think sometimes an athlete needs to refocus on more than just the body, and needs a break from everything that comes along with intense training. It could help in the long run of your career. But more importantly than any of that, there are way bigger issues in this world and in my life that compete to kill my spirit more than a torn foot, ....and this just isn't the one. I promise you that!!
I think most serious runners could come up with a million reasons why they just want to be healthy. We read about all the reasons why injuries can be such a detriment to our lives in magazines and blogs,:.... "I miss my running buddies, miss the endorphins, puts a damper on goals, feel out of shape, miss the outdoors, miss my "me" time, etc., etc., etc.
But I can honestly say, there are some benefits of not working out that I have noticed these last 2 weeks. Yes, there are some benefits that even I can see as a professional runner:)!
Here are a few....
1) WAY LESS laundry
2) Not having to shower as much, if ever!!
3)More time for menial tasks like going to appointments, cleaning your apartment and keeping up with the WORLD CUP! (haven't gotten to car yet)
4) Spending less money on food and drink,....especially gatorade
5) MORE energy. A lot more energy. No need for naps. Want to say yes to EVERYTHING
6) More time to focus on future plans and goals when competitive running is over
7) More time for other people ....helping, providing, listening, being there for others
Sure, most of these are trivial, but some are not. Some of these benefits are the reasons why I have been able to do things over the last 2 weeks that I never would have been able to had I been all over the country training and racing,.. and for that I am thankful.
So I do hope all of us injured runners out there can embrace the time off when you do have it. On my end, the "party" is almost over:)...I will be hitting the gym very soon with cross training, rehab, P.T. , and a host of other things to try to recover quickly. And in all reality, these activities will probably take up even more time out of my days than if I were healthy! But I know this is a time in my life where I am willing to be disciplined and give it all I got to be the best runner I can be. Living on the edge is the only way to live for now,.... so bring on the bike, the pool and the stupid arm ergometer thingy.
Because like a famous coach once said:
"Most runners deal with injury at one time or another. Most successful
runners know that its how you plug through and manage them that determines the overall
affect you will have in the sport."
Pete Rea