Monday is that you again? Dang. I tell you to beat it every week and you just keep coming back. Like an STD. (Hm. Was that too far over the line?)
So today the ankle is still wonky. I have been R.I.C.E.-ing it like a mo-fo and am thinking about my work out this evening. No, I won’t be running but I will get in some quality cross training. I guess the running gods are forcing me to do some strength training. (See that Tammy?)
I have a nice little pilates DVD that I may dust off. I also have a pretty decent gym at my apartment complex (AKA East Compton). I also have a pool for some laps and can play some apartment fetch with the Attack Terrier Lloyd. It seems that I am all set for some non-running work outs.
That’s all well and good, but what about my mental training? What do you all do during injuries to stay mentally focused? How do you make it through the rest breaks without going postal?
My roomie, the Attack Terrier Lloyd, and my co-workers would appreciate your help before I eat their faces off. (Not really, but I would like some advice.)
Personally, I have not handled injury-induced running hiatus' well in the past. :/ Try to stay focused by keeping busy. Take advantage of the time to get some quality x-training/strengthening/stretching in. Good luck!
When you figure it out let me know! It is tough enought to stay focused when I *know* I have a run on the calendar. When I have to start pitching them (has become a more frequent event the last coupe of weeks) about all I can do is focus on the package of oreos….
When I tore my ACL my senior year I basketball I was going CRAZY!! Felt so worthless and like I could not do the one thing I was put on this planet to do. Instead of dwelling I worked on things that I could do. I toned my stomach and my arms. I swam and biked.. It was not the same, but I felt like I was keeping myself in shape best I could under the circumstances.
It WILL be frustrating, but think of all the things you CAN do and you will be GREAT!!
Bad runs – especially the long ones can be mentally debilitating, especially if one is training for their first marathon. Most people would recommend moving on, but I disagree. Not to say that you should dwell on it, of course. Take the time to analyze what went well (perhaps hydration) along with what could be improved so you do not put yourself in that same position again (tell Jen not to point out every single hot guy). Sometimes it's not whether or not we complete a training run, but what we learn from it. Now go give Lloyd a meaty bone.
Great advice from Jamoosh… except that whole refraining from pointing out hot guys. You need some motivation after all… 🙂 The week I had to take off running a few months back drove me insane, you know this, but getting out there everyday and doing something, anything helped keep what little was left of my sanity intact. Just focus on the xtraining and recovery and try not to let circumstances eat away at you. It's not like you don't have a solid base! You've already ran two of these, you know what's expected of your body and you've already performed it, TWICE! You are more than ready for this marathon and a few days off the plan is not going to hurt the progress you've made since the undertrained days of Disney. You are training smart by taking a few days off to recover. I want to see you come back strong and pound that pavement not get all over aggressive and end up putting yourself out completely. I may not always practice what I preach but you know I am but a phone call/text/IM away from complete and total support, encouragement and vent listener. Love ya girl! Don't let the injury blues get you down!
Everyone here has much better advice than me, but I wanted to wish you the very best of luck. Keep taking it easy and mo fo RICEing. :o)
I guess I'm that person who will cotradict everyone's advice but… I run thru almost every injury… good solid warm-up… quick little run… nice cool down… then RICE it up
Well, Bob, I'm going to let you off the hook. What did I just say?? Haha, I have to be completely honest and tell you that I have not been a very good cross trainer lately! In fact, I probably haven't cross trained in more than 3 weeks (gasp)! My race is Saturday, and then I vow to be a cross training machine when I make up my new training plan! Happy cross training, and I hope your ankle feels better.
sometimes a hiatus is exactly what the body AND mind need. spend some quality time with lloyd. drink an extra glass of wine with dinner. read a book. and remember that taking a few days off training isn't going to undo all the hard work you've already done! i'll see you out there soon!
Nuts! I hope you don't need to RICE it for yoo long. It's such a drag. I usually turn into a crazy cleaning machine when I have to take a break from running. Good luck!!!
BoB, my advice to you is shy away from STDs! Oh, that wasn't the question. I drink heavy to maintain my sanity……..
Don't focus on the "here and now". Focus on the long term. You are still weeks out from your race, and will be healed, rested, and ready to go by then. As I mentioned to you Saturday with the Becs story, you could lose some time now and still run a kick-a## marathon in October. (And you will).
I know it's tough, but patience is the key.
First of all, I give the injury time to disappear. You can usually tell by the kind of injury how much time you need. Then, I revise my training plan accordingly.
In the meantime, I focus on what I can do and not on what I cannot do. Like, if I can't run, I get really excited about catching up on other things, like swimming, biking, yoga-ing. You name it! You can still keep yourself pretty darn busy not to lose your endurance. You'll be okay!
"resting" is not my stong point–I am in a bad mood and all I talk about is "when" (aka I feel like its going to be never) I'll get back to running–I can't even tapper right~! Wish I had better advice. Keep up the cross training!
i said the same thing today. Monday ? again? geez.
i hit the cross training harder when dealing with a running problem. frees up more time to get in the pool.
I'm sorry about your ankle. I just recently got diagnosed with tendonitis and had to stop running completely for over a week, and even now, my running is scaled down a lot. What has helped me mentally is strength training. Something about lifting those heavy weights and grunting it out makes me feel strong and capable, even though I might not be able to run at the moment. To me, when my mind starts to feel like "I'm weak, I'm incapable," it all goes downhill from there. Swimming has also been really nice, to just feel the cool water on my face, and tell myself that I WILL get better. Try not to think about missing out on your runs, and remind yourself it is just temporary. If you want any strength training ideas, let me know!
Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon!
When I can't run it's all Spin Classes and maybe a swim (although I really only swim when training for some stupid Triathlon). I also tend to watch my favorite running DVD's and catch up on reading one of the many running books I've been reading for the last 6-months. Oh, and I try to avoid my family and Ben & Jerry's ice cream.
Oh, and so sorry about the STD.
Enjoy the day.
Oh, injuries SUCK! While I was off for 6 weeks due to a foot injury; it was hard for me to stay focused. I did a lot of cross training such as the elliptical and the bike. I love cycling, so it was easy for me. Just keep telling yourself that it is only temporary; that you WILL be back. Just gotta take care of yourself first.
Good luck mending. You'll be back in short order without losing much in fitness. It'll be frustrating, but soon forgotten. Heal up and do what cross training you can. Cheers!
B.o.B., When I am preoccupied with something big, I find reading up on it helps. And not just the Internet. Treat yourself to a book at Barnes & Noble. Or get any book about something you've been wanting to read about, or just a good novel. Sure, you can go to the library, but it's nice to buy a brand-new book sometimes, and being that you're injured, you deserve a treat, right?
Sure, the cross-training is helpful and I say do it up, lady! But for the mental part, try a book. 🙂
Hope you heal super-fast!!!!
Sorry about the injury! I think your idea of doing some strength training is probably better than what I would do, which is sit on the couch, watch TV, and eat cookies!
I've been off my workout game on a mental injury and I am having a hard time making myself get back into the groove!
Have you tried drinking to numb the pain? Can't do that during the day? Any good running books you've been meaning to read?
are you supposed to get through rest breaks without going postal? uh oh. I've been doing it all wrong…
heheheheh
I don't have advice that is necessarily specific to your situation, however, in general to keep from going postal… dance. No, I'm sorry… DANCE. In your bathroom, with the hairbrush and some Fergi or Lady Gaga. Just be careful on that ankle. Pilates is good too. 🙂
don't do what I did and beat yourself up too much. I had nearly convinced myself that I wasn't a runner and that my body wasn't built for this kind of stuff. But I perservered and so I haven't felt that way in a while 🙂
dude, hit the gym, stare at hotties at the gym and pretend you're way hotter then the stupid college chick on the treadmill (which you are, no pretending there … )
Pilates baby. I just ordered a new DVD to complement my Shred! I also find that a nice SATC marathon is good for the soul!
Wish I had some advice. Pilates should help though. Hope your ankle gets better soon.
I think I'm going mental, so I'm of no help 🙁
Pardon my language, but injuries suck balls. Sorry about your ankle. 🙁 But, your STD comment made me laugh out loud at work, if that makes you feel better. 🙂
OK – 2 thoughts. If this is going to a medium-term or longer thing, then it is . . . gulp . . . time for Deep Water Running (DWR)! Without putting strain on your legs (and ankle) you can get about a 90% effort for the same time of workout – just "run" in the pool for the same amount of time you would be running for your workout . . . I will warn you – it can get boring though. I can lend you my waist floatee if you want to try it out. Just ask Mattie about DWR!
Second thought for the mental part and if it is going to be a shorter term injury, and since you are a swimmer and have a pool. Get out there and swim hard. Let's say you have 8 hills scheduled – hmm . . about 75 minutes – don't have your exact plan in front of me. Let's see – 1:40 per 100 yards for you – with :20 second rest – that is about 35 or so 100s! Ok – maybe do a 200 warmup – and then 10 100s, take a break – some kicking for 200, and then 10 more. 200 cool down. That will help your mental state and keep your cardio up!
3rd option (ok – I lied there are 3 options) – is to mix the first two a bit! (especially since you are at the pool already)
You do need to use protection on Mondays, they can be very hazardous to your health! Sorry to hear the ankle is still bum :-/ I go mental all the time so I don't think I have any words of wisdom unfortunately. Get into the xt-ing and work up some endorphins there-swimming, biking, pilates are all good. Hang in there!