Another thing he said to me last night was that I needed to set new goals. I thought about that a lot this morning in the pool. He's right. I can't think about races I want to run next year or times I want to beat. To be honest, those things are not even remotely on my radar. I just want to be able to run and move PAIN FREE. Plain and simple. That doesn't seem like a lot to ask, right? I can't even do my regular strength training workout because of my left knee. So no only am I not able to run, I'm not able to really push myself in the gym which is what I generally do in my off season. It's killing me. When I think about the mountain of things that are functionally wrong with me and how long it may take to fix them, I feel so overwhelmed it's discouraging. I'm not the most patient person so being faced with a potentially long rehab process sucks.
As usual, G really hit the nail on the head. I need to set new goal and, like any goal, I have to put in the work and the work has to be done regularly. I guess it's just like training for a marathon really. You don't just go out and run 26.2 miles. You have to put in the work and train for it. You can't rush it and you can't think about all the things you're up against. It may not be as exciting as chasing a finish line but unfortunately it's my new reality.
I do know that things could be much worse and I'm grateful that they're not. It's not like I'm not able to do anything. I can still swim. Kicking bothers me sometimes so I have to wear a patella strap on my left knee. I can still ride my bike, for the most part. I am on my road bike these days so I can take the load off my quads. There are days where maybe I've done too much so even riding isn't comfortable. Those are days where I either take it easy or not do anything at all. I can do pilates. I still go to the gym, I'm just not doing leg heavy work. I'm focusing more on balance & core work as well as doing my phsyio exercises.
I have to look at this as a rebuilding phase. Yes, I'm losing speed and endurance. But all those things come back eventually. I can't worry about any of that now. None of those things really matter if I'm not running efficiently and pain free. I have to concentrate on building a better, stronger, healthier me. In a way that's kind of exciting. If I can get my body to do all the things that it wasn't doing before, I can only imagine what it will be capable of when it's firing on all cylinders.
Look out world....it may take me a while, but I'm going to be back with a vengeance.
3 comments:
It's like you wrote this for me. I could have said the same thing word for word. You are not alone, I am in the exact same boat. I did register for 1 race next year, just so I give myself a goal, any goal. Day by day... it's all we can do. I dread the day when I'll try running again and I'll hurt within 20 minutes. I can sense that will be the case. My knees hurt whatever I do, even biking. Squeeshy hug for you!! Wanna come ride with us this weekend?
Gosh I feel like we're in the same boat. I tore my calf back in August and it's still not healed. And in an effort to squeeze in my to half marathons I started running too soon and now I'm teetering on a calf strain in my other leg. Running is painful for me and I'm frustrated because I'm slow, I've put on weight, I'm not in good shape like I normally am, and I'm just not patient at all, hence the running while injured. Just hang in there and know that you're not alone. Sending you some virtual hugs
I am so sorry that you are having to go through this. Injuries, especially those that are lingering and really restrict what you can do, are just no fun at all. I wouldn't worry to much about losing your fitness or speed. Your body will quickly remember what you were capable of this past season. Hopefully with some TLC to your knee, you will come back even stronger. I'm glad you are setting new goals and are listening to your body. That's great that you can still swim (some) and ride your bike. Wishing you a fast recovery!!
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