Saturday, November 9, 2013

My First Run (since that IT band injury 9 weeks ago)!

Hi!
 
I am so excited to share this news with you.  I officially went for a run this morning!  I haven't posted about running in ages because (1) I got injured on my last long (18 miler) before the marathon and (2) well, I haven't been running.  I had no plans to run this morning, but I woke up and just wanted to run so bad.
 
 
It was such a happy thing putting on running clothes.  I had half a Cliff mocha gel, some water, and then I took off running!  My pace was 8:45; I was beyond happy to be out there.  I only ran 1.5 miles, but when you've had to take off from running for months due to an injury, 1.5 miles is fantastic.  This run was really special for me as I think most runs post injury are for runners.  I felt lucky to be running.  It wasn't a chore; I wasn't in the middle of training and I had to get that long run in; it was purely because I wanted (with a passion!) to be running.
 
I stopped at 1.5 miles because I didn't want to push it.  I felt no pain, but I didn't want to run until I felt pain.  So I figured one lap around my neighborhood was perfect for today.  I immediately came back and did my rolling and IT band exercises.
 
I've actually been doing really OK without running lately so I kind of forgot how much it means to me.  It was like seeing an old friend and catching up, and realizing how much that old friend meant to me.  Running is like that for me.  She's like a best friend that I go through times where we hangout every week for months and then we go periods without seeing each other.  Hope this is making sense ;)
 
So what have I been doing since I haven't been running?
 
Walking my wonderful dogs.  That's it.  When I say I've been healing my injury, I truly mean it.  I've been doing a lot of reading (on Macrobiotics and a Vegan Lifestyle) and just enjoying autumn.   I've been focusing on clean eating and I've been feeling really good from it.  I adore the cooler weather that comes this time of year.  Call me crazy, but I'm just not the biggest fan of summer. 
 
I've realized over the last two months that I do not need running to be me.  However, running makes me a better me.  So I'm not sure when my next run will be, but I'll catch up with running again soon.  I've been keeping up with writing down my something I'm thankful for each day.  Today I wrote:  A 1.5 mile run and Jax.  Before I went running this morning I was just laying in bed, but Jax (our German Shepherd/Border Collie) knew I was awake.  He immediately jumped on top of me and laid down.  Talk about such a loving dog.  He is ridiculous sweet and I am so thankful to have awoken to his happy face this morning.
 
I hope you have a nice weekend.
 
Have you ever taken a break from running? 
Did you learn more about yourself from it?

16 comments:

  1. I really miss going out for a mind clearing after work lazy run. SInce taking my new job I always feel rushed. I am thankful that its been awhile since I've had to take a break from running. I really miss it when I don't run at least once a week.

    I'm glad your IT band is doing better. You should enter the NYC Marathon lottery next year. Lots of time for your legs to get better!

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    1. Thanks Reba! I can relate to missing those lazy runs. I hope you get the time for more of those in the near future. And that's a great idea - I'm going to check it out entering the lottery right now :) Have a great weekend!

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  2. Really, really awesome to hear! Remember to take it slow coming back - it is easy to get wrapped up in the enthusiasm!

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    1. Great tip and one that I will definitely be sticking to!

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  3. Great to hear, Em! I've been sidelined since last October & walking quickly became my go to workout. It's peaceful & you truly do get to enjoy what life has to offer outdoors. I'm happy you felt no pain, but are continuing to be smart about recovery<3 <3

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    1. I agree! Walking is sooo peaceful. And thanks Jessie! =)

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  4. That's great news! This actually makes me feel very nostalgic because I haven't been running lately and I literally feel like I can *taste* a run like a really bad craving haha! I'm so happy you got out there and it was successful!

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    1. I understand that! I hope you get that run in soon because I'm sure you'll really enjoy it. Hope all is going awesome with your new home!!! :)

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  5. So good to hear! Time off to heal is important...and coming back can be so, so sweet!

    When I've taken time off in the past, I was often a basket case until I found a substitute activity that got me similarly sweaty. :)

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    1. Thanks Holly! Yes I totally agree with that. Walking my dogs has been very good for me :)

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  6. I'm so so soooo happy for you Em! And good for you for not pushing yourself too soon. You have been such an inspiration to me when it comes to injuries. My IT band and hip pain kept coming back because I wouldn't give my body the rest it needed to recover. Seeing someone like you who can run double digit miles no problem take a break really struck a cord with me and has allowed me to be okay with my break. So thank you :)

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    1. Aw thank you so much Davida. You inspire me as well! I know it's really tough not to get back out there, but sometimes I think the body is telling us when we need to rest. I still don't think I'm fully healed, but it was a nice to do a short run. How's your hip/IT band? Thanks again and hope your injuries are feeling better :)

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  7. i'm currently experiencing a IT-band related injury that is affecting my left knee and it totally bummed me out when it first starting hurting me.

    since then, i've revamped my workout routine and stopped all high impact activity include my beloved trail runs :( that really made me sad because i love them so much. i now stick to low impact activity, continue to lift and instead of running the trails, i still go out there but hike them instead. i am giving myself 3 full months to recover while continuing to stay active in other ways.

    although my knee/IT band isn't bothering me anymore, i know it's trying to fool me into running again (which i SO BADLY WANT TO DO) but i told myself that i would give it 3 months and i will stick to that. better to fully heal an injury than prolong it, amirite??

    glad to see that you're back to running! it must've been the best feeling in the world!

    -kathy
    Vodka and Soda

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  8. Welcome back! So, so happy that you got in 1.5 and you felt great. You're definitely doing the right thing. Taking it slow and steady. High five!

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