This morning, I woke up at 8AM set and ready to run 10 miles as part of my training for my upcoming half marathon in a few weeks. However, I had been carrying around with me a slight pain in my right calf, much like the injury I had last year during the OC Half Marathon.
I tried to ignore it all this past week, running no more than 4 miles at a time by splitting up my longer runs and, quite frankly, just bearing through the pain. I think I knew, though, that I wouldn’t be able to run 10 miles without stopping.
There is a 5 mile loop close to my house and also close to Trader Joes, so I thought I would drive over, run the loop 2x, and hit the store to stock up on food for the week. I made sure to wear my compression socks, warm up, and even eat an Accel Gel before the run to give me a little extra energy and stamina. Yet still, once I hit mile 4, my calf was screaming at me to stop.
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As runners, I think we all go through something like this. The moment when your body says “STOP!” but your heart says “Keep going! You can do this!” Normally, I am the type of runner who pushes herself in such a way that I end up regretting it come race day. This time, however, I made myself stop mid run and visualize my race 3 weeks from now.
Letting myself think in advance for how I would feel on the day of my half made me realize- I need to be preparing myself for that race, not pushing myself through this training run. There will be other days, other runs, and less tight calves that will yield a better situation then what was today.
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I still cried in the car while driving to TJs. I am a dramatic one when it comes to running. 
While driving home, I got really mad at myself. Not because I stopped and only ran 4 miles. I was angry because I know how to train properly with my muscular imbalances, but am just lazy to do so. I have stopped going to yoga, haven’t been foam rolling after every run, and did not do my own weight training at all this or last week. ( I have been weight lifting with the members at my internship, here and there, but it has not been as focused and tailored as it should be) I am qualified enough to help teach others how to properly train, so why am I not doing it for myself?
Today, to finish off the time I would have spent running, I am going to practice weight lifting techniques and do my corrective exercises so that, 3 weeks from now, I will be ready to kick some butt!
Have an awesome day, and I will talk to you guys tomorrow!
See ya~ Kay
oh girl, I think you can still bounce back BUT it takes you resting now. I know that is hard to hear but I know my injury could have been prevented if I had not ignored those little pains two years ago when this happened. I swear a few rest days will do wonders. and hey, we all need a cry like that sometimes
Alex @ therunwithin recently posted..Another One Bites the Dust
Thank you SOO much for the words of encouragement! I know, if I take it easy and heal up, I can run strong in my race. I agree- crying is good for the soul:)
Go easy on yourself, love. You said it yourself…as runners, we ALL have those times when there’s a part of us that knows we should stop for whatever reason and we don’t and end up hurting ourselves…you LISTENED and did what you needed to do, which is all that matters. You’ve had a lot on your plate, adjusting to a new schedule and internship, so it only makes sense that it’ll take some time to adjust so that you can do what you need to do for yourself. I know you’ll get there AND rock that half in three weeks
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You are so awesome! Thanks for the loving support- I love blogging friends!
Oh hunnie, I am so sorry to hear about your calf problem, but I am very happy you decided to listen to your body. Try not to be so hard on yourself though. You’ll get through this, I promise! Keep your head up high & just reassure yourself that you WILL dominate your half in a few weeks. <3
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Thank you so much, girlie!!!