After a frustrating week I almost decided not to even post a recap. Then I remembered how helpful it is to be able to look back on this journey and see the progress I have made. Also, I always end up feeling better when I share the tough stuff and get feedback from you guys.
The week started out well. I had run 4 miles on Sunday and did a strength workout on Monday. Tuesday was when things fell apart. I went out to do about 2-3 miles and about 15 minutes in I felt my ankle get really tight and then it even felt like my whole left leg through my hip was tight. I stopped and walked home. The rest of the day my foot was extremely stiff and it hurt to walk.
I hobbled into my chiropractor’s offices that afternoon because he has walk-in hours. (I was scheduled to go to PT on Thursday). I described this issue to my chiro and told him it felt like something was really jammed. When he moved my ankle we could hear a clicking that didn’t happen on the other side. He was like, yup, that’s pretty jammed. He was able to mobilize it and also my hips. I mentioned that my low back had felt sort of off since the plane ride so he also adjusted that and said that all of those areas were really out. We discussed that it would probably be good for me to go in every 3 weeks or so and just make sure everything in aligned properly.
I had a bit of a pity party about all of this on Tuesday and decided I wasn’t going to work out on Wednesday. Gradually throughout the day on Wednesday my ankle and foot felt significantly better. On Thursday after work I saw my PT and by then it was feeling probably 90% better.
My regular PT wasn’t there but I saw someone else who is also familiar with my injury. He was impressed with how strong my feet and ankles looked. As we talked and he looked at me he proclaimed that I was a “hip person” rather than a “foot person”. Meaning that some people come in with issues like mine with weak feet, others with weak hips. I was like uh yeah, I have had issues with my hips forever and ever.
This doesn’t change my course of action at all, because all the exercises I have been doing have been focused on both the feet and the hips and try to make everything work functionally. We decided that next time I go in I will run on the gym’s treadmill before my appointment and one of the PTs will check out my form 20-25 minutes into the run when it is more likely to break down. I was also advised to stop running every .5-1 mile to reset everything and make sure I am still using good form.
On Friday I did a short workout with the TRX and some of my PT exercises, and was feeling good. So on Saturday I headed out for a run. I have to admit, I was really nervous that the same feeling from Tuesday would happen again. I ran 3 miles while stopping every half of a mile to walk for a minute and reset my form. I felt good throughout the run, which makes me think that my adjustments on Tuesday really made a difference.
So the theme lately is “just go with the flow”. There are some days when my body just doesn’t want to run and I need to accept that, figure out what the problem is, and move on. One of these days my hips will actually get strong enough to let me run more- I hope.
[Tweet “Sometimes you just have to go with the flow…@runningoutowine #weeklywrap”]
Thanks to Holly and Tricia for hosting the Weekly Wrap!
Would you describe yourself as a “hip person” or a “foot person”? (Or neither- lucky you!)
What is the longest amount of time it’s ever taken you to recover from an injury?
Are you able to accept a “go with the flow” mentality or do you like to be able to do exactly what you want each day?
I am glad you decided to post about this. I think it’s good for you mentally to get it out and it’s also so helpful to be able to look back on what you were thinking and feeling should things pop up randomly again later on! I love looking back at my workout stuff for this reason. I hope things sort themselves out soon, I know you have been battling these things for months now. but, be proud you are doing everything you can and not being dumb by ignoring it or trying to do more than you should.
Yes it’s definitely something I couldnt ignore, so I am glad I stopped as early as I did. And I agree its helpful to be able to look back on our past workouts!
Oh man, how frustrating. I’m glad you seem to be taking all this in stride, pardon the pun. ; )
I’m definitely a hip person, with problems on and off and sometimes they seem to bother me more when I’m working on them. It’s a never ending battle. Pausing for form checks sounds like a good idea!
Hips really do cause trouble for so many of us. I know it will always be something I have to work on!
Our bodies have a way, don’t they? Just when you think you are on the straight and narrow. With my back, I’ve learned that a training week will just about NEVER be just as I planned… and I have to be ok with that. I’m glad that you have such good practitioners who were able to fit you in!
Its frustrating when you cant follow through with your schedule, but I guess when coming back from an injury we just have to try to be grateful for what we can do.
You know I’m right there with you as a hip person. I like that your PT is going to check out your running form after 20 minutes or so. My PT never did that but that seems to make A LOT of sense! If I end up back at the PT I’ll definitely suggest that. I’m in awe of your go with the flow mentality. If I can’t do what I planned for the day I definitely get upset/frustrated and may end up doing nothing!
It’s not easy for me at all. And when it hurt on Tuesday, I didnt want to work out at all on Wed or Thurs (but luckily I dragged myself to PT on Thurs and was feeling better). I guess I have just learned that I have no other choice but to accept what my body is letting me do each day.
Hip person! I had hip issues for months before my marathon training cycle started. I did some stretches, but mostly, it was time off completely that helped me. I was icing it often too – I am hoping yours resolve themselves. It sounds like you’re being really proactive about it with your chiropractor and PT!
I feel like I am ALWAYS in PT and seeing a chiro. Just when one thing gets resolved, something else pops up. I think its all related to my hips so its something I will always have to be diligent about.
I hope things improve soon – it sounds like you have a smart plan! I am a foot person – although all my problems were caused by non-running injuries like sprains, but those definitely have put me off of running and then thrown off other things like my hamstrings for a bit. Also, that’s awesome how your chiro has walk in hours! It’s frustrating when something hurts and you have to wait for an appointment.
I remember years ago I would wait weeks to get in for an appointment- now I make sure to see providers that can get me in quickly. And its so helpful that my chiro has walk in hours, and is really close to my office!
Hmm, I am not a great go with the flow person and it sometimes haunts me. I set my mind on something and although I’m learning, it’s tough when it doesn’t work out, and I totally feel for you with the frustrations of this injury. I have no idea if my feet or hips are weaker but I tend not to have problems unless I overtrain, so I guess I’m luck in that way. I’m glad you posted this as it’s good for other runner’s to see people who deal with setbacks in a healthy way 🙂
Typically I am the same way with wanting to do something I set my mind to but this time I just can’t be. I feel like there are some injuries I could run through but this definitely wasn’t one of them.
Sounds like you and I had a similar week! I’m definitely a “foot” person…weak ankles and flat feet. The longest I’ve ever gone without running due to an injury was 8 months and it was pure torture! I don’t like “going with the flow” but the older I get, the more I realize that it really is out of my control so I might as well accept it and deal with it… not the easiest thing to do though! Good luck!
I think I went about 8 months without running too when I had to have hip surgery. It was such a great feeling to be able to start back up again! I hope that you feel better quickly!
I’m sorry your week started crappy. I’m glad you have a good team that keeps your body ready to run. I have been there… heading out for a run and being scared something will pop up! You have a really good attitude and you are right, having this written out can only help you in the future!
I feel like I am constantly living in fear that something will hurt! I can’t wait for the day I can just go run without any worries.
Dammit. I’m a hip person too. Everything that happens in my legs and feet and my back, everything, all centre around my weak hips. You’re working so hard on rehab and it must be so frustrating for you. I hope this is the start to a complete turnaround for you, so you can leave these hip issues behind <– see what I did there?
I love it! And I hope so too. I am writing more about my messed up hips tomorrow and mentioning one of your posts!
I feel ya and completely empathize, sometimes the set backs are just too much. You are still making progress though, try to hang in there.
It took me almost four months to recover from the tear in my plantar plate and honestly I could have used more time off, I just didn’t want to take it.
The capsulitis I have now doesn’t really heal it is just part of aging and trying to manage it… I go back and forth, I could run less and feel better but if my feet are going on me I really want to do a marathon just once, so I am trying to hang in there.
i did notice my feet felt a lot better running on the trail yesterday (until the end) do you ever trail run?
I find it crazy that this injury (which they are just saying is mild post tib tendonitis) can take 4+ months to heal when people heal from stress fractures in less time than that! I really hope you can do a marathon. And I wish I lived closer to trails- there is one thats like a 20-25 minute drive which seems like alot to only be running 3 miles.
Oh girl i’ve struggled with IT band issues for over 18 months. I’m still real worried about it coming back so i’m very careful.
Glad you are seeing some progress!
18 months is SO long so I can totally see how you would be nervous that it would come back! Glad you’re being careful!
Sorry to hear you are having problems. Sounds like your chiropractor helped you out. Hopefully the problem will diminish a little more w each visit. I’d say just go with the flow. Luckily you do not have any big races coming up.
Yea I definitely think seeing the chiro regularly should help. And I was supposed to do a half in November but I’ve already decided I won’t be ready for that.
Geez, sorry to hear this. I think it would be easy to let the frustration get out of hand, so I admire you for just going with the flow and accepting each day (or workout as it comes).
Thanks! I feel like I have no other choice at this point:)
Hang in there lady! I’m totally a “hip” person and have random aches and pains crop up on me once in a while. Although my biggest problem is my achilles tendons – I would pay so much money if someone could just wave a magic wand and fix them for me! Sometimes the runs just don’t happen and our bodies say no; sometimes those mental challenges can be even harder than the physical ones. You are so not alone in this! Hang in there!
I used to have achilles issues…of course on my left side where I have had most of my injures. Switching to a lower drop shoe actually helped alot. I also had some luck with KT tape when it was bothering me for a half-marathon.
I may have to give KT tape another try. I used it years ago, but never got it to really stay stuck to my skin. I think it’s come a long way now though!
Sorry about your injury, Lisa! I try and go with the flow, but I love routine and structure. Therefore it’s kinda hard for me to go with the flow. Times where all order gets thrown out the window are times where I learn to let go of my control-freakishness 😉
Yes, I definitely know what you mean! I can be a control freak as well, but I am learning that I cant control everything!
Way to go for switching your perspective around after a rough week. Every week can’t be the best week ever – and it’s often the not-so-great weeks that we learn from the most!
I’m a fellow hip person thanks to a shoulder disability that I have which throws out my back/hip alignment etc. But apparently my body is so used to my hips being out of alignment that last year when I got orthotics to correct it, I had constant ITB issues and injury after injury until I threw out the crazy expensive orthotics and decided I needed to embrace my wonky hips 😛
Wow thats crazy and must be frustrating! I have slight scoliosis so I am sure that causes all sorts of problems as well. Our bodies are so complicated and one thing can really cause issues everywhere else!
I’m a both feet and hips person, unfortunately. And probably ankles too. The final straw that drove me to seek help from a PT was hip issues. I think my longest break(s) was 10 weeks of no running: ankle stress fracture and foot stress fracture. I’m glad you posted, even if you weren’t really feeling it. The support in the running community is tremendous. We all get it. We’ve all had those frustrating injuries. It will turn around for you! Thanks for linking, Lisa!
I think both hip and feet problems are bad but I feel like the hips are more difficult to manage. Although, its really frustrating to have foot pain when you need to be able to walk around!
I hate you had a bad week Lisa, but I’m so glad you decided to get it all out and join us! It’s not always rainbows and unicorns is it? Sharing the tough stuff is what inspires others. How you deal with things does affect the outcome I believe.
I think most of my knee problems I’m encountered has to do with weak hips! I’ve been trying to incorporate strengthing exercises and so far so good.
Hang in there sometimes we are forced to just go with the flow! 🙂
I always hear that knee problems stem from the hips, so hopefully those exercises will help you!
I’m glad you made this update – it’s really interesting to see what you’ve been going through and it’s good to be able to look back on your progress. I think my hips are a big part of my problem…they’re so weak! I need to be more diligent about doing PT exercises. You seem to have a good plan and working with the right professionals. Great job on that Saturday run, glad it was pain-free!
I think hip problems are common for SO many of us, especially females. I am learning that I will always have to be very diligent about my PT and strength training!