The aphorism "know thyself" should be tattooed on an obvious body part for anyone crazy enought to consider training for endurance sports events. In this blog I'm attempting to understand my psyche in an effort to not only be able to get through the exhaustive training elements required but also the psychological, physical, and emotional stress that a person puts on their bodies when attempting such a grueling endeavor like a marathon or other ultra-endurance event.
Here are my status updates regarding what should be week 5, with a 10 miler yesterday. Instead, I've spent the last two weeks nursing a pulled right calf muscle. Now I am learning that when one body part fails, especially a leg, runners can change their gait to protect the injured muscle. Doing this comes at a price, though. About 5 days ago I woke up to a swollen, stiff kneecap (the same one that I shattered in 1992 but that has been surgery free since 1997). Walking has become an orchestrated attempt at not bending my knee enough to cause a popping sensation right behind the patella. Thanks to a knee brace (found for $10 at Giant!), I can walk just fine, but bearing any significant weight is impossible.
Obviously this has had an effect on my mental state: trying to prepare for a marathon and then having to wait for an orthopedic consult in three weeks before resuming any training is a lesson in patience, stress-management, and boredom (I've gotten so used to running that not running has left me in a foul temper).
Until I can run again, all I can do it eat right, get rest, and nurse my herniated, post-surgical husband, which means chasing down a wild 16-month-old daughter when she tries to jump on my husband's surgery site. Without running, of course. Idling my time, sure, but I can spend the hours that I would have been running finding a good physical therapist and diatician?
Here are my status updates regarding what should be week 5, with a 10 miler yesterday. Instead, I've spent the last two weeks nursing a pulled right calf muscle. Now I am learning that when one body part fails, especially a leg, runners can change their gait to protect the injured muscle. Doing this comes at a price, though. About 5 days ago I woke up to a swollen, stiff kneecap (the same one that I shattered in 1992 but that has been surgery free since 1997). Walking has become an orchestrated attempt at not bending my knee enough to cause a popping sensation right behind the patella. Thanks to a knee brace (found for $10 at Giant!), I can walk just fine, but bearing any significant weight is impossible.
Obviously this has had an effect on my mental state: trying to prepare for a marathon and then having to wait for an orthopedic consult in three weeks before resuming any training is a lesson in patience, stress-management, and boredom (I've gotten so used to running that not running has left me in a foul temper).
Until I can run again, all I can do it eat right, get rest, and nurse my herniated, post-surgical husband, which means chasing down a wild 16-month-old daughter when she tries to jump on my husband's surgery site. Without running, of course. Idling my time, sure, but I can spend the hours that I would have been running finding a good physical therapist and diatician?
1 comment:
I totally agree with the concept of "Know Thyself". I find that I am constantly trying to push myself beyond the limits. I was doing a cardio workout on my girlfriend's daughters' trampoline and hurt my neck while trying to do stunts that I know are beyond my ability. Now I am unable to get out and do the thing I love, and that is running.
I have never felt as confident both mentally and physically as I do now that I am running, and find myself constantly trying to push beyond the limits. I am going to have to acknowledge my limits and stick to some of them at some point.
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