As I was writing my January month in review post it really got me thinking about how I can be so critical of myself not only with running but in other areas of my life as well. I spent some time this week writing in my Believe Journal and also filled out the personality quiz. In case you couldn’t already tell, I’m a worrier.
Worriers vs Warriors Personality Quiz
There are pros and cons to being either a worrier or a warrior, I think you just need to utilize your strengths and be aware of your weaknesses. If I want to grow as a runner I need to be more willing to step out of my comfort zone and stray from the plan once in awhile.
Foot Frustrations
I think I am also feeling frustrated about my foot. After almost 3 months of zero pain, it’s been noticeable again. Running feels ok, it’s just at the end of the day I notice any accumulation of running, walking, standing, and wearing certain shoes. Around the holidays I was wearing whatever shoes I wanted (even booties with a little heel!) and running more and my foot felt 100% fine. The pain is really only like a 1-2, but that’s enough to be concerning to this worrier (see above).
Bad Luck Running Routes
Last week I ran a route that I haven’t done since June 9th. The day is memorable because it was the day my foot starting hurting. I had been superstitious about running that specific route again because it brought back memories of the foot problem. Finally, I got brave enough to do it again, and initially I was really proud, thinking about how that was an indicator that I had really put the injury behind me.
Then, the next day, I stand at work for a long time and it starts hurting again. Coincidence? Or is that route really bad luck?
I keep telling myself I had 3 months without any pain, and I can get back to that point, just don’t be stupid. Easier said that done, right? Sitting at work all day is bad for my back and hips, but I stand for awhile and my foot rebels. I guess I can’t win.
[Tweet “Worriers vs warriors and back luck running route @milebymilerun #thinkingoutloud”]
Would you rather sit all day or stand all day?
Do you have any running routes that have brought you bad luck?
How do you deal with flare-ups of a previous injury?
Linking up with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud!
Injuries are so tough because they do make us worriers! I like the word concerned. And it’s funny, I talk a little about worry in my TOLT too.
I had never really considered whether or not a route was bad luck, but truth be told, there’s one place I dislike running — for multiple reasons — one being it was the very first time IT pain hurt. I do run there sometimes, though, and so far, knock on wood, nothing bad has happened again.
I like a combination of sitting & standing — I did many jobs that I had to stand all day — it’s really tiring. I also think that’s why I have such large feet — size 8 for a 5’1″ body.
I think any job I had that involved alot of standing also involved some walking (like department store retail) which I feel like is a little better than just standing still. I agree that a combo of sitting and standing is probably best.
So frustrating that your foot is bothering you again. I definitely understand as I went a few weeks where my calves didn’t really bother me at all and now they are acting up again. I think my issue is exasperated by sitting all day at work so I am inclined to want to stand all day, although that’s not an option for me.
Hopefully your foot and my calves fall back into line soon!
Sometimes these issues just pop up so randomly! Its frustrating when you feel like you are doing everything right and still have problems.
I would be superstitious too like that! even though I’m sure it’s not really bad luck, I would definitely give it a second thought as well. i hope your foot is ok! maybe it’s just going to be that sensitive spot for you that you notice sometimes? let’s hope for that rather than an injury flare up situation.
I know, I was trying to think about anything specific about that route that could logically cause me to change my gait or something, but I do think it’s totally random! I’m sure it will be a sensitive spot for me, unfortunately.
I don’t have bad luck routes but I used to have bad luck clothes and such, especially when I was riding and showing. That is when you give away those pieces of clothing, lol. Now, Mr/Ms. Foot, LOCK IT UP
Haha I think I would do the same thing. If I noticed my foot hurt whenever I wore certain running clothes I would probably stop wearing them!
Shoot! That damn foot! It’s been so good for so long. Hopefully it’s just a whisper that doesn’t get any louder. I’m totally a worrier, but I’m also a warrior too. I love taking personality quizzes! I’m not sure if I have a bad luck route. Oh, well I can think of one ten mile route that feels way longer than my usual ten mile route, and it shouldn’t feel longer at all, especially because it’s a flat out and back. I haaaate doing that route. I haven’t done it in a long time because each time I do it I have a really bad run.
Isn’t it weird how some routes make a distance feel so much longer than others? And the foot has kept quiet for the past 2 days, we will see how it does tomorrow!
I avoided a running route for the longest time because it’s where I got hit with ITBS. I know it was silly, and that a lot of issues lead up to the injury, but I was blaming that route. And some songs… I haven’t run to the song I was listening to when my leg unraveled during my third half. Superstitious and silly.
I could definitely see how a certain song could remind you on an injury! Hopefully you took that song off your playlist:)
I am so super sticious when it comes to bad luck things. I was like that all the time when I played volleyball. If I wore a certain sports bra and we lost I wouldnt wear it again for like a month! I wish I could be the type of person who could stand all day but I think my feet would hate me for it.
Ive been superstitious about clothes too! Its hard to ignore when a certain item reminds you of something not going well.
Big take away for me is stepping outside our comfort zone. I keep telling myself, it’s easy to do the things I’m good at, it’s much harder to do the things I’m not good at. Focus on my weaknesses. Outside my comfort zone lol.
So sorry your foot is bothering you. I don’t get flare ups but I feel tightness in my ITB and PF all the time. I’m pretty good about massaging my ITB and sleeping so my PF doesn’t compress. Since I’ve been intentional about these treatments, I’ve been injury free.
I should also work on stepping outside my comfort zone! But then my thoughts go back to how I am so injury prone and always nervous that Ill hurt myself. Its great you figured out how to keep those injuries at bay!
Oh no, not your foot! Mine flared recently also and I found that mobilizing my heel (sooo random) helped significantly. I’m hypomobile though. I hope you can find a way to fix yours easily! I’m wary of the hike that sprained my foot (like, we will never do that one again!) so I completely understand be superstitious of that route!
I went to my chiropractor and I think that helped. Even though I ma hypermobile I think that certain joints get stuck in the wrong places…some areas have too much mobility, others not enough. Glad Im not the only one who get superstitious about the route where we got hurt!
I don’t think I’d like to stand all day, but I would definitely like to include more standing in my day to day, although that’s hard when I’m meeting with nutrition clients. I’m hoping it was just an off day/week for your foot, and it’s not getting any worse!
I always say I am going to incorporate more standing into my day but its so hard when I get focused on work!
injuries suck… that is all… i mostly sit all day so i think id prefer to stand although when I used to stand all day i wished i could sit… why cant we have a mix of both?
Yes, a mix of both would be great!!
Oh sit or stand all day that’s such a good question. I’m a teacher so my feet are CONSTANTLY hurting. But on days that we have inservices and we have to sit all day I get ansy and want to move. I would love a little of both I guess. Hope your feet start feeling better, that’s the worst when you’re afraid of an injury.
Yes I know exactly what you mean- standing all day is exhausting but sitting all day makes me so antsy. I really dont like sitting in PDs or conferences all day!
Is that bad luck route graded weird or something? I can’t believe that it’s just a coincidence your foot started hurting again!!! Hoping this is just a fluke.
Not sure, there is nothing I noticed about it! And before that run in June I used to run that way all the time.
My annoying PF foot issue is here again trying to manage it. I have a route I won’t run again bc it is the route that I ran when I got my stress fracture a few years ago. I don’t see myself ever running there again. superstitious? Maybe!
Sorry that you are also dealing with a foot issue! Makes total sense to me not wanting to run where you got a stress fracture.
I totally have bad luck routes! Either I got spooked or injured or something. One trail I get injured every darn time.
I hate when that happens and then you have one less running route! But its not worth risking another injury.
We’re all our own worst critics, aren’t we? I’d much rather stand than sit. But in my job, I feel like I do nothing but RUN! Is there a happy medium?
I totally wish there was a happy medium! Too much of anything is never good.
Darn my comment got erased! Trying again. I have bad luck routes. One of them I always get injured. It’s no good!
I can see both comments! Not sure why it seemed to get erased.
Oh bummer! I’m sorry about your foot. It’s hard not to worry. Hang in there!
Thanks! It seems to be doing better so hopefully it was a super minor flare-up.
I have a recurring piriformis/glute/hammy “thing.” It’s never out-of-control, but it does rear its ugly head at times…and my first thought (after a reprieve of discomfort) is always, “Oh, yeah. There is it again.” Usually, I get over-confidant that’s it’s “healed” and slack off on the self care (not rolling as much-or at all, sloppy warm-ups, brief cool-downs, etc.). I feel your frustration(s)!
I dealt with a piriformis issues for years! Now that area will flare up, but its more in my SI joint. Im sure its related though. In fact, I also think all that time with the piriformis issue has made that hip weaker.
I don’t blame you one bit for being paranoid about your foot. Sorry to hear it’s bugging you again, however slight. After my ITB injury I worried so much about it flaring up again. I wore an ITB strap for literally years.
I dont think I will ever stop buying KT Tape just so I can tape my foot whenever I notice the slightest twinge!
Injuries can be annoying because just when you think its over, you can still have some pain.
I’m also dealing with foot pain, and like you, it comes and goes. IT’s so weird!
Exactly! Sorry you are dealing with foot pain too. Its so annoying!
My triathlon training is intense right now – most days two a day workouts. I have an old stress fracture in the head of my femur from running (overtraining actually). It’s a decade plus old injury, but I worry about it alot especially when I feel my hips getting tight.
I could see that a stress fracture would definitely be one of those injuries that you notice, even years later. Im sure you are fully recovered but its still good to be mindful of it!
I have this one intersection where I’ve tripped 3 times (not on any particular thing.) I totally avoid it now, even though I’ve run it plenty of times without tripping. And I’m totally a worrier too.
It really makes you wonder what it is about those areas that make us more prone to getting hurt! I would also avoid that intersection if I were you- no one wants to risks a fall while running!
I have been wanting to get one of those believe journals. Now that it is February I’m sure I could find one on sale. I never wanted a job that I sat at a desk all day, but after having several jobs where I stand for hours on end, I’m beginning to think the desk job doesn’t sound half bad..haha.
I used to be on my feet much more at work, I used to wish I could sit at a desk! I guess the grass is always greener…
Sitting all day hurts my back. So I take lots of breaks; and I don’t have a proper standing desk yet but I’ve kind of created a place where I can stand and use my laptop. I wouldn’t want to stand all day, but varying positions helps.
Thats great that you figured out a way to stand and use your laptop! I have that at home, but not at work.
Ugggg, hope you feel better soon. I have an angry calf and it’s driving me nuts, I hate resting…
Thank you! I hope you calf feels better too. Injuries are the worst!
Gosh I feel ya it really is a double edge sword isn’t it. I work at a desk all day my husband is on his feet all day. I get stove up so easy and his feet hurt most of the time. Some balance would be nice.
Great job on tackling that bad luck route. Now that it’s past you, I bet you enjoy it once again! Thanks for linking up Lisa!
Thank you for posting this. I have been struggling so much in my running routine and this really made me think. I haven’t been able to turn my thoughts off lately, and this reminded me that I have to remember to let go. My run this morning was so much better with a good Playlist blaring in my ear.
And I wanted to say I definitely have a bad luck route. There’s a street near me where I rolled my ankle twice (the last time I could barely walk after) and smashed my toe, breaking my nail. I haven’t been able to run there since September. I can’t bring myself to do it!