Hello friends!
I haven’t been blogging since I posted about my injury, which was four weeks ago…
This injury has been a frustrating one- they all are, though, aren’t they? Ha!
I took two weeks completely off of running. I went to a spin class every day (just 45 minutes) and often a pilates class (as I normally would.) (Spin fitness did NOT translate to running fitness for me.)
I was cleared to run, but it still hurt, so my coach set up a run/walk “return to running” type plan to gradually load the tendon again. Finally, after a week of that, the pain was close to a zero on a scale of 1-10, so I started running continuously without planned walk breaks, but very slowly.
I am now running mostly normally, but with a cutback in overall mileage and intensity at this time.
I haven’t had a lot of injuries (fortunately) other than of course the major one when I broke my tibia/fibula in 2018 ahead of the Antarctica marathon. I have had plenty of little niggles, but they are usually cured with a few days of rest, some physio and maybe some shockwave therapy or dry needling. This time, I did ALL those things, plus more- collagen, tart cherry juice, sports massage every week, and two different physios with two slightly different diagnosis- one said it was a strained peroneal tendon, one said it was the soleus tendon. The treatment for both injuries is pretty similar, so I have continued to see both doctors. They gave me slightly different exercises, so I did them all- religiously!
7 weeks out from Paris: 0 miles of running
6 weeks out from Paris: maybe 6 miles total of running
5 weeks out from Paris: Less than 30 miles of running
Now I am 4 weeks out from Paris. Ideally, I’ll have one more week of building mileage before a 10-12 day taper. I have considered running Paris with my sister Erin; her goal is between 5 hr and 5 hr 30 min. I may also just run easy on my own. TBD. I’m definitely not going to race it. I’m hoping I can just get to a point where I can safely cover the marathon distance and potentially have some fun.
Monday: No running, 45 minute spin class at Psycle, pilates at Heartcore after work. Physio at Nordic Balance over lunch.
Tuesday: Run commute (it’s been awhile) + office run for 7 miles.
Also had a colour analysis for a women in finance event; I loved it! I’m a “cool summer.” Time to clean out my wardrobe and keep clothes that are in my palette!
Wednesday: Lunch run, 5 miles. Gorgeous day in Hyde/Green/St. James parks.
Thursday: Ruth run! 7.5 miles, physio at Purus Active Health after work
Friday: Easy run with Tina and Kelly, 5.8 miles with a stop at “It’s Bagels” on the way home (via Primrose where this decorated telephone booth is located.)
Saturday: I managed 14 miles, but there was a lot of walking and the running was quite slow for me. It’s frustrating just how much endurance I lost in just 2-3 weeks.
All taped up…
After the long run and a quick shower, I took a Heartcore pilates class. I wouldn’t recommend pilates immediately after a long run…my body was already too tired so I didn’t get the most out of it. But my goal is always twice a week if possible, so I took the class anyways.
Saturday evening, Dustin and I went to a 60 minute session at the Hackney Rooftop Saunas. You book a private sauna room and there are also cold plunge tubs. It was fun!
We followed it up with a lovely dinner at Sesta in Hackney.
Sunday: Heading out shortly for a short run with Ruth.
Summary: About 40 miles of running, 2 pilates classes (though I do have another booked for this evening), lots of physio and core exercises throughout the week.
One highlight of the past few weeks was a hike of Seven Sisters on the southern coast- it’s totally accessible as a day trip from London, and we will definitely do it again with guests.
(If you’re interested in the logistics of how we did the hike from London, let me know!)
That’s a wrap! I’m linking up with Running on the Fly and Confessions of a Mother Runner; check out their blogs to connect with other fitness bloggers for workout ideas and inspiration!
I’m glad to hear you’re on the mend from your injury! Did you adjust your goals for the Paris marathon in light of your recovery?
That hike looks beautiful! How far was it from London?
Yep! I discussed it above, whether I’ll run with my sister or run it solo but goal now is just the distance, which I assume could be around 4:30-4:45…maybe slower. Hard to say if I can even do the distance when 14 felt very long. Just 2-3 weeks off and I’m in a much different place physically, even with spin. Seven Sisters is a 90 min train ride from London. There was a bus back to the train station (to go back to London) afterwards and it was about 9 miles for us (there are various ways to do it,… Read more »
I missed your original post about your injury but I’m glad to hear you are on the mend. I developed an angry achilles running every day at the start of the Covid shutdown and it took shockwave therapy to fix it, The rehab plan that includes some load while it’s still healing reminds me of my hamstring rehab. It sounds like you’ve had good access to physios and doctors. I struggle with that here. I am glad you will be able to run Paris and hope you really do enjoy it! Someone at work just got their colors done and… Read more »
Glad to read that you are slowly on the mend.Those sauna and cold plunge places are all the rage here too right now. It’s relaxing to go! Hope you feel good this week
Sorry for this roadblock (or, rather more of a hurdle?) to your training. Sounds like you’re on the mend, so I hope that continues to go well. BTW, I used to do image consulting and color analysis was a major component
Ouch, I’m so sorry you’ve been so sidelined by your injury. But glad to hear you’re better and can run again. Those distances are quite decent (to me) after an injury like that. I hope the rest of your training plan goes well.
Those cliffs look majestic! What an unusual white colour! It’s another kind of rock than what we have here, I guess?
Glad to hear you are making your way back to running! Now you are running as many miles as I do (which seems like a lot for me right now, haha!). But for your regular mileage, I know this is a big cut for you. How did the Harry Styles sighting not make the post this week?? Did you pass him, which is how you recognized him?
The PT did think my husband’s injury was his soleus, but our doctor thinks it’s the much smaller plantaris muscle. He ran 2 slow miles today, pain free. Yay!
Sorry to hear that your Paris goals have changed, but I’m glad you’re feeling somewhat better! And running with your sister could be fun? Beautiful hike and lovely pictures!
Pain-free running is a huge win! But I get it- slowing your pace and feeling tired after 14 miles is frustrating for you. Sounds like your aggressive rehab program has been effective. The good news is you’re running and you’ll be able to go to Paris and experience the race- much better than watching from the sidelines. Good luck!!!
so happy to read that you are feeling better.
You are a great patient… obviously you did all the right things.
Good luck with the rest of training and the race.
‘I mean, it’s Paris. It will be awesome. Of course I’m biased. it’s my favorite city.
I’m so glad you are feeling a little bit better heading into Paris. I hope you still enjoy the experience even though I’m sure your goals have changed a little.
That hike is so gorgeous! You and Dustin are really having the most amazing time!