Wednesday, July 20, 2016

A Runner's Gotta Do...

I came home from work Monday and told my husband I was "this close" to a nervous breakdown.

Life 1, Wendy 0.

How do non-runners deal with stress?

I'm pretty sure I have some ideas about that. All of them tempting. None of them healthy.



I've been dealing with this latest flare of PF by taking time off the road. This latest break has lasted 3 weeks. I did run that 10k a few weeks ago, but other than that, I've behaved myself.

Normally when I take time off from running for injury, I'm ok. But this go round? I'm struggling. Probably because this injury has lasted so long. On Monday, I hit critical mass.



I had a horrible day at work. After work, I drank more wine than I should have. Ok, it wasn't all my fault. The waitress kept refilling my glass. Not that I was saying no...

But in my wine-induced fog, I made a decision.

Damn you, PF. I would put on my shoes and run in the morning.

I didn't set my alarm, but I woke up at 5:45. I would not go to the pool to run. I would stick to my resolve and run for real. This was all about therapy. A mental image of Green Speedo helped me stay strong.

I decided to run 3 miles. Maybe 4 if I felt ok. I promised myself to go slow. And bonus points--I would stop at the playground to do my upper body work.

I started out slow but the legs soon settled into my normal pattern. I checked my watch and I was running at a nice easy pace. I felt good. A tiny bit of heel pain but nothing more than that. I stopped twice to swing like a monkey from the bar at the playground. And then I came home.

4 miles. 8:55/mile. Best of all, I felt like myself again. All day. On my game. Kickin' ass and taking names.

Today's Wednesday Word is pragmatic. And I think this run completely fits.

I knew what I needed to do.

I ran.

Do you ever buck advice and just do what you know is the best thing to do? 

I'm linking up with DebRuns for Wednesday Word which is pragmatic. I didn't think I'd have a post for today. Life is funny like that...











Also with Wild Workout Wednesday! Nicole, Annmarie, Jen, and Michelle host the best linkup around!

86 comments :

  1. Girl, I feel you. I think ages one through 40 were me bucking every single grain of advice I received. It's only been the past seven years I have slowly learned and I needed to break myself first :-)

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  2. Plans. Advice. Schedules. If my body and mind tell me otherwise all that goes out the window. I was so happy to read that the run went well. Feels good to kick ass again doesn't it.

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    1. It sure did feel good. But I also realized that if I want to continue to have my stress reliever in my life, I need to take it easy for now.

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  3. I ran when O shouldn't have last summer - when I was in Philly and Denver. It probably set my full recovery back but I had to do it! Glad your run went well!

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    1. It could have gone so badly, right? The fact that I can walk pain free this morning is a really reassuring sign. I promise to take it easy.

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  4. Ha! I totally get you on this!! I, on the other hand, want to run...but know I have to let my body recover...pragmatically speaking. And, it actually feels kind of good to not have "mileage" and "potential injury" laughing at me (this week) LOL Stay strong!!

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    1. Well, after running 36 miles in one day I think you deserve a break!

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  5. You know best what you need to do for you! Sometimes you just have to do it. I am sorry that you are having such a rough time right now. Wish I lived close enough to bike with you. Your event coming up sounds really fun. Hang in there girlfriend!

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  6. I can TOTALLY relate to having lots of those days lately. So happy you were able to go back out for a run and it felt okay- makes such a difference for your mental mindset!

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    1. I was like a new woman all day. It felt good to feel like myself again. Way to reset the brain.

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  7. Glad you had a good run. Yes, I've ignored advice and it's always a gamble if my choice is the "best" way or not. :)

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  8. Glad you were able to run. I did the same thing last night (only 2 miles, but still) and was so excited to post on my fb that I actually RAN. LOL. I too, was nearing my breaking point. And ahhhhh to the wine induced fog. Welcome to my life, lol

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    1. It's kind of bad, the wine thing. But I can't say no...

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    2. Oh gosh, you aren't alone. I had thought about giving it up while my husband is deployed. That thought passed VERY quickly, LOL!!!

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  9. The hill repeats I ran Tuesday? They came after a night of 5 hours sleep and a previous day filled with incredible stress.

    And I know conventional wisdom is to skip your run in those conditions. But I needed it. So I feel ya. Hope it doesn't set you back, either.

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    1. Nope. I feel good this morning. Hitting the yoga mat as we speak.

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  10. Running really is the best cure for a bad day or days. Glad you were able to work out some stress.

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  11. Ooooh I'm glad you ran and that it felt good and was just what you needed! I always override the "rules" where I see fit. You know your body (mental and physical) best.

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    1. I'm so glad I went too. Actually, my doc told me I could try it out if it felt better. Not pain free, but better. I guess it's the new norm for me...

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  12. No I don't buck advice, but neither would you have if you didn't feel completely confident that you were physically up to it. Not too far at a relatively easy pace (for you !) did the trick. You'd have stopped if your foot was causing you pain. I'm so happy for you.
    (On my four mile walk last Sunday I just had to break into a brief---1/4 mile---run, but my sabbatical is self-imposed. Yet I know to a much smaller degree how you felt).
    Yippee!!

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    1. I was going to say, "You have no idea," but of course, you do. :(
      I'm still considering starting all over again from day 1 once I complete my walking half marathon. S/B in September. Crossing my fingers.
      Words can't express how I miss being a real part of the running community and not sitting on the sidelines long term.
      We'll see.....

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  13. Oh man, I have BEEN THERE where all I needed was a run just to feel like myself!! I totally understand your decision.

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    1. I've had to take time off from running but I've never needed a run as badly as I did on Tuesday! I'm going to try it again today...

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  14. :hug: So I am decidedly NOT a doctor, but I don't think it's the worst to run on PF. To be honest, my PF never hurt during the actual running, probably because the fascia was getting nice and stretched out. Obviously, you have to listen to your body and be smart, but I found that rolling, stretching and icing, combined with activity, was the thing that got me better. It is completely healed in my left foot and only slightly nags in my right, depending on what's going on. I hope that you find the same.

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    1. I love that you posted this comment. The sports medicine doctor I'm seeing said the exact same thing. I had to stop because of the severe pain that fall on the rock caused. Now I"m back to just plain old PF. We'll see how things go.

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  15. I would have done what you did . Glad it turned out well.

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  16. I get stressed and in a mental fog when I can't run, and knowing the only thing that will help is running doesn't make it better. I'm so glad you were able to go for a pain-free run and clear away a bit of life's stupidness haha

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    1. Oh man, the stupidness has been getting to me. I need to develop a thicker skin. Until that happens, I'll just keep running.

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  17. I'm glad you had a strong run...it sounds like it was just what you needed. I've been realizing more that I need to run when I'm having a bad day. I always feel better when it's done.

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  18. Sometimes, you just NEED your normal. Glad the run went so well for you in all ways!

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    1. Running has always worked well for me, and this run really proved that it's still the best medicine.

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  19. Simply awesome that your run worked wonders for you. Every run I've ever done has improved my mood. Anyway that's how I've dealt with my PF - just run.

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    1. I was shocked at how well the run helped. It's been a long time since I've had a run that made me feel that good. And it was only 4 miles!

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  20. I am glad your run went well!

    Last night I did a group run that stopped at 3 breweries. It made me think of you! Most of the group had a beer at the first stop at 1.5 miles, then we went to the next brewery. It made me think of you having a beer after races!

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  21. I had a meltdown yesterday myself. My knee is not coming around. Thankfully I've been biking a lot, but I just want to run. Last week I tried a little and it went okay then all of a sudden my knee is back to super painful. I just cried and cried yesterday! I know how you feel. I just need to run. run without pain and risk of further injury.

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    1. Oh, Marsha, I'm so sorry to hear this. Sending hugs and healing vibes your way.

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  22. Sometimes a run is just what you need! Glad you were able to get a few miles in without hurting yourself. I totally understand where you are coming from!

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  23. So glad you got a great run in! But sorry you were losing your marbles beforehand... injury is tough!!

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    1. I think it was more life than the injury itself that was making me lose my marbles! Running's always helped smooth out the rough edges for me. Whew.

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  24. Like my first run back. My back had hurt all weekend, then got a little better, and I just decided Fuck it. I'm going. I need this. I was terrified the whole time, but it was everything.

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    1. I totally thought of you when I wrote these last 2 posts. Anxiety needs running, right?

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  25. I'm constantly running races when I shouldn't, but I do it anyway. But I do it fully aware it could cause problems :)

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  26. I'm glad you got a good run in! Injuries on top of regular life drama can just be too much.

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  27. At this point, I can't imagine going 3 weeks without running... there really is nothing else like it.... I don't have to do long runs, but I need a good 5 -6 mile run regularly to be ok. I think the longest I've gone in the last couple of years without a run due to minor injury was 5 - 6 days, and it was hard. Hopefully you continue to be ok as you ease back into it.

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    1. I'm going to try to hold back and just keep running now. Ease back into it is the key.

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  28. Therapy for our mental state is so necessary. Glad to hear it went well! Hopefully you'll be back to running full time soon.

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    1. I think it's going to be easy runs until I start training for PCB!

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  29. Glad you made the decision to just run and that you felt like yourself after! You know your body and what it can handle.

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  30. I so understand how you are feeling Wendy. Yesterday I ran after taking 2 days off and it felt like an eternity. I'm always thinking about how non-runners are dealing with their stress. I run to clear my head and calm my system - running is so therapeutic. I always need to run 5 or 6 miles. Those are my favorite distances. BTW my PF was acting up during yesterday's run as well. I got a bit nervous - I don't want it to come back!I feel bad that you are still struggling with it. So painful! Great Running Post as usual Wendy! So much food for thought!

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    1. For now, I"m going to stick to 4-5 miles. Fortunately (really!) it's super hot, so I can't go fast anyways.

      Hope your PF stays away! I wouldn't wish this on any of my runner buddies.

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  31. Good for you and so glad the run was pain free!!! Running, cycling, swimming - it's definitely my anti-anxiety and life coping medication and sometimes, you just need a good dose :-) Hope you can be out there on the regular soon!

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  32. Glad it went well. I have absolutely bucked advice and done what I need to do, like you said a runners gotto do.....

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    1. My doctor told me runners are the worst to treat and this is why!

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  33. I knew you'd understand! We'll have a lot to talk about when we meet this winter!

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  34. So glad it went well and I'm sure you were happy to get out there and do your thing! Just don't over do it now!

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  35. Good that you trusted your instincts, and still took precautions. Seems like a great compromise. I think that's where the best solutions lie. Not one way totally or the other. You can't sit still any longer - but you can't go out and do what you might be capable of. In the end, nothing's hurt, and you feel better inside.

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    1. It was like someone flipped a switch in my brain and washed away all the bad stuff. Truly amazing.

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  36. Sometimes you just need to bite the bullet and do what you gotta do.
    Wine therapy. Chocolate therapy.... yeah, that works sometimes too for all of us.

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  37. Good girl! I am impressed you got out there and got it done! You still feel ok?

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    1. I do! I ran again today. Not perfect, but at least I can walk without pain. I'm going to take it easy.

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  38. I totally agree!! Sometime you just have to do what feels right. I am glad your heel didn't flare up on you, and you were able to complete your run!!!

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  39. I totally relate to this post. I've been having a rough go of it at work in addition to being sick. I would love to be able to just go out there and run! Sometimes you need to follow your instincts!

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    1. I hope you are starting to feel better. Crazy how sick you were.

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  40. Yay!! Such great news to hear! Glad you had a great run!

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  41. I'm so happy you were able to get out and run. The hard part will be easing back into it rather than being tempted to go full speed ahead. You know what you're doing, so I'm sure you'll be smart, and pragmatic, about your approach.

    Thanks for linking up, Wendy!

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    1. The weather is holding me back from going fast or far right now. It's kind of a hidden blessing, I think...

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  42. I also try to run daily to improve my health. Thanks for you sharing in this post.

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