Sunday, October 10, 2021

Can I Start Running Again?

That was the question on my mind this week. It's been over 3 months since my injury and I've been feeling pretty good as I continue to increase my activity towards my usual level. The only thing that I'm not doing is running. Do I dare start easing back into running again?

I know there are readers who are shaking their heads, maybe even shouting NO! at the screen. Hear me out. I used the word ease when I talk about running again and that is exactly what I intend to do. No way am I planning on jeopardizing the healing process nor am I looking at developing a compensatory injury from overdoing it. Remember, my ortho didn't tell me I couldn't run when I last saw him but he did caution me that too much activity can delay healing. For the past month, I've put running on the back burner again. I'm feeling good. So I figured, why not try?


Weekly Rundown
Sunday: trail hike 8.7 miles
Monday: pool running/strength training
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: trail hike/run 5 miles
Thursday: pool running/strength training
Friday:walk/run intervals, 4:1; 5.25 miles
Saturday: rest

Running/Walking

On Sunday, I kicked off the Mammoth Hiking Challenge by completing almost nine miles on the entire Gibraltar Segment of the IAT. The hike was hilly as expected and the views were amazing. The seasonal changes are happening and I found plenty of colors, which I shared on my IG. There is a 1 mile connecting road between the two portions of the segment; I tested out my running legs on about 1/2 mile of that road each way. It was boring...I wanted to get back to the woods...the cars go really fast on the road...you feel me? I felt good after this and it was encouraging!


Wednesday's trail hike/run took me into the forest preserve, both on the main trail and the single track along the creek. I jogged on the main trail, intermittently stopping for walk breaks. It was quiet, almost eerie in the woods and I scared myself a few times when I heard strange sounds--was it Jason? Michael Myers?

Signs of fall are everywhere, even if the temperatures aren't very fall-like

On Friday, I woke up to thick fog, so when I headed out for my walk/run, I wore my Noxgear vest, dialing into the pink color because...October. I made the decision to do walk/run intervals, using the one minute to run and focus on form. This worked out really well. Going forward, I will gradually increase the run intervals as my leg allows. 

In October, we wear pink

Strength Training

I wrapped up the 4 week hypertrophy cycle on Monday, completing the same movements from the previous 3 weeks, only at heavier weights and fewer reps. On Thursday, Sammy Jo started me back on some heavy lifting with back squats. The goal was to lift as heavy as possible without disturbing the ankle or foot. She had me do 4 sets of 8 at 105#. The key was focusing on pushing my thighs out when I come back up from the squat. She also corrected my grip. Both adjustments made this challenging but did not bother my leg at all. After that I did hip/glute bridges with the barbell, 3 sets of 10 at 75# alternating with banded strict pull-ups. I was able to do 3 without assistance and SJ helped me get over the bar on the last 2. I ended with single-leg v-ups.


Pool Running

Pool running continues to be a big part of my rehab. On Monday, I did Fluid Running's "Max Out", a level 3 run/endurance/sprint class. Woo, this was a tough but awesome class. On Thursday, I warmed up for my strength cycle with the first 30 minutes of "10 Years Running", which was more running and sprinting. I love the variety these classes offer. But to the guy who decided to do laps diagonally across the dive well, hey guy, there's a lap pool right over there...

end of class stretch on the wall

Marathon Weekend

Yes, I'm talking about the Chicago Marathon! There are a few marathons happening this weekend and Boston is taking place on Monday. Today is the Chicago Marathon and I know quite a few people--local and distant--who are running today. We are having record warmth this weekend and I hope they all stay safe. I've run a few warm Chicago Marathons myself. Indulge me for a brief moment while I throw it back to 2014, my redemption race where I had a huge PR! Nothing will ever compare to the magic of that day, where almost everything went right and I smiled the whole time. Proper training will do that for you. I'm so grateful to have had that experience. I always feel a little FOMO this time of year and would give anything to be able to run those streets one more time. The sidelines are not my favorite place to be!

Chinatown

How was your week? Is it still summer by you? What's the hottest race you've ever run?

I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown. 


44 comments :

  1. Fingers crossed that everything will turn out ok Wendy. I've done a lot of really hot races, but no marathons, obviously. I can't even imagine how difficult that is!

    We do have Fall temps. It's great for running!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are still having summer here. I'm enjoying the warmth, but it is a little odd.

      Delete
  2. I hope your return to running goes well. I had a minor set-back this week, but today the miloxicam seems to have done its job. It’s hard to wrap my head around Chicago and Boston being the same weekend, LOL. I hope it’s a great weekend for all the runners.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I took meloxicam for my RA and it did nothing for me. Glad it's helping you. I hope you continue to heal!

      Delete
  3. Um yeah the hottest race was the 93 degree Chi 07. That was a total treat. It did lead to a 45 minute PR at my next marathon though so there's that. Finishing was totally winning at that one!
    Fingers and toes crossed your bones are healing as they should!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I continue to have good weeks - ran a solo half marathon yesterday with zero walk breaks and a negative split. I sprained my ankle more than three years ago and I finally feel like I'm back. We are having Fall weather here, which is quite surprising. We got a little rain on Monday and it's suppose to drop into the 40s this week. Hottest race was a 25k on Oahu.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I always get a little FOMO (actually a lot) when the Quad Cities Marathon rolls around (late September). Despite the weather starting to cool off, somehow the temps usually revert back to summer for marathon weekend (at least in the years that it's been on my radar). Hoping things continue to heal for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chicago always seems to be warm too, although they did have snow one year.

      Delete
  6. Yayyyyyy! Yay for running. I think you're doing it sensibly and safely. You would know if it were harming your leg. I hope it continues to go well.
    Chicago was my very first marathon in 1988! The course was different then. Yes, it would be so fun to go back and run it again. Just finished watching this year's race- yay for the American women, 2,3 and 4! So excited for them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was hiking this morning--such a difficult decision to miss the marathon--so i have to catch up!

      Delete
  7. I am sure you will run again very soon because you are strong and you are working hard to recover.
    Shortly my story: after the femur fracture in September 2007 I got a surgery and the medical equipe put inside my leg a prosthesis. They said: it will stay there for all your life. Well ..... I removed such prosthesis one year later! But after this, a very famous surgeon said: you will not be able to run again.
    In few days I will be 65 y.o. and I run every other day!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Definitely autumn here now, though it was quite warm and sunny today. Hard to know what to wear.

    ReplyDelete
  9. It sounds like you have been super smart with your rehab. I am glad to read that you were able to start easing back into running again. Your hike photos are gorgeous! I have serious FOMO when I see all the marathons this week too. Have a good week ahead

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Today's hike was pretty, but not as pretty as the trails up by the cabin! I'm spoiled!

      Delete
  10. I hope your ease back into running continues to go smoothly. It's warm here in Boston too - I feel for all the runners this weekend. And, yes FOMO has definitely creeped in!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm anxious to see how Shalane does tomorrow after running Chicago today!

      Delete
  11. It definitely was toasty for a marathon! I have only run Chicago once in 2007 when it was so stinkin' hot and technically was cancelled. I want to go back and have a better experience there! Something like your magical day :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd like another magical day--I tried to repeat it the following year and nope, it wasn't to be.

      Delete
  12. Glad to hear you are starting to run... of course, that makes me nervous.

    It looks like fall here but it's deceiving, it's still pretty warm out there but not summer warm. Too warm for a marathon though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's always interesting how some people do really well on these toasty days. I was never that runner.

      Delete
  13. It's so hard when you have to ease back into running, especially when you've been out for a while! I hope you can get back into it shortly.

    Both my marathons were miserable. First one started out in the 50s but it got up to the high 80s by midday so the last 10k was ridiculous. The second race started in the high 60s and was in the high 80s by the time I hit mile 17. I swore off southern marathons after that.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I hear you on missing marathoning. I always get sad during both the Boston and Marine Corps marathons, wishing I could run them just one more time.

    It sounds like Sammy Jo is pushing you hard again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She is! After my trail hike yesterday, I realized that hard work definitely is paying off.

      Delete
  15. Best Socks Ever - So Dig The Water Play - Sending Positive Vibes

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You like those? I'm loving all of my trail socks from Swiftwick. Kind of fun!

      Delete
  16. Is that first photo from your cabin in Wisconsin? So beautiful!
    The Mammoth Hiking Challenge sounds like such a great thing to do when coming back from an injury.
    And yay on 1/2 mile!!! That's the beginning of your return to running! Just in time for the cooler months.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, that's Gibraltar Rock in Wisconsin. Part of the Ice Age Trail.

      Delete
  17. It's getting cold here. Glad you're able to run again!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm so glad you're easing into running again! You're such a sensible person and good at listening to your body so I say trust yourself and go with what feels right. I was thinking about you and the post you did for me as my social media feed was full of the Chicago marathon this weekend!

    The hottest race I've done has to be the Soweto Half Marathon held in Johannesburg in November (which is summer proper). So many marathoners had to pull out mid-race, it was just too hot. So that's a Full Marathon I won't be doing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you get humidity? We don't have the extreme heat like you do, but our heat is amplified by moisture. Yesterday was very humid!

      Delete
  19. Glad you were able to start back to running! You have been so diligent with your rehab. The trails are so beautiful this time of year. Love the crunchy leaves the best (except when I trip on tree roots..).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No crunchy leaves yet! But there were leaves on the trails, so yes, i had to step cautiously!

      Delete
  20. Happy that you were able to ease back into running. I have no doubt that you will continue to take it slow and listen to your body.

    I'm so jealous of the tree with the beautiful colors! The leaves aren't turning at all here which is very odd but hopefully they start turning soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That tree stands alone--most of our trees haven't turned yet. It's supposed to cool off later this week, so i imagine the trees will get it together as well.

      Delete
  21. Easing back is the best way to handle it when you feel ready. It's a scary thing and hard to determine when you're ready. I think I cried after my first run back. Sending love and support.

    That tree is like flame! I love it!

    So I've probably run races in the high 80s/low 90s with 100% humidity, because... Florida. I hate to say I'm used to it, but this is our reality. I remember running one half marathon in Jacksonville where I was crying on the side of the course because I was so salt-depleted that I could barely stand to move the last mile. It's hard to fight that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've run a few races in Florida and yeah, they always kick my butt. But those Florida runners are fast! I guess you just eventually acclimate...

      Delete
  22. My hottest race has been a July one, with a segment of the race course being on the beach. Ugh.

    Love the Chicago Marathon photo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really struggle with the heat--my hottest race wasn't my worse tho. That would have been the Mercedes half marathon in Birmingham in Alabama in February a few years ago. Brutal humidity...

      Delete