need encouragement

riley0003 · Nov 25, 2007

Hi all, 
I'm in desperate need of encouragement. It's been about 8 or 9 weeks from my calf injury and I've been working hard with the physical therapist and getting back to running form. Prior to the injury, I was running about 3 miles (without walk breaks) four times per week. Now, I'm running 1 mile, walking a couple of minutes, running 1 mile, walking a couple of minutes, etc. It's so hard -- my whole body is frequently achey and tired -- I've been doing lots of cross training but I'm not seeming to make much improvement. 
I should backtrack a little and mention that I had the same injury last Christmas. Prior to that (summer/fall 2006), I was running 5-7 miles about 3 times a week. I underwent 4 months of PT and had gotten back to the point of running 3 miles four times a week, when WHAM, I ripped my calf again (Sept 29th). 
Anyway, I'm really discouraged that it's just so da** hard to get back to what I feel like I'm capable of doing regularly. I'd like to get back to running 5 miles a couple of times per week without feeling like I'm going to die. And it doesn't help that I'm hitting 50 in December; it feels like just another obstacle to overcome. So I'm asking for encouragement from all of you, and if you have some suggestions, they would be welcome. 
Thanks, 
Susan

millbot · Nov 25, 2007

Susan, I am glad you have stuck around during your rehab. A lot of people disappear when they are injured, which I can understand, but having you here, reporting the details of your recovery (including the frustration and discouragement) is a huge help to other runners. 
Like most runners, I have had some down time due to injury, and regaining my fitness always seems to take longer than I want or expect. But from this observer's perspective, you're doing great. Some parts of your fitness (aerobic) will return more quickly than others (joints and tendons). The soreness and sluggishness will not last. At some point you will turn a corner and begin to feel much more comfortable in your running. 
An injury is also an opportunity to learn something about your body. I'm sure your PT has suggested some long-term exercises to keep your calves strong and flexible. This is important, even once you feel like you're back to 100%. 
Good luck in your continued recovery!

choovie · Nov 25, 2007

Susan, I've never had a serious injury before but did want to offer my support and encouragement. Hang in there.. it's bound to start getting easier if you give your body a chance to adapt. Just becareful not to overdo things during this period of rehab. Also, are you getting enough sleep (says me who is averaging 11 hrs per night)?

Tamster · Nov 25, 2007

Susan - I agree with Millbot that it's wonderful you've stuck around and perservered on your cross training during your rehab time. So many people disappear and feel like they no longer belong on a running forum, which in turn I think, leads to even more depression about the injury and then lack of motivation to keep going. When I had ITBS for about 4-5 months last year, it was frustrating to only be able to run 1-2 miles, very slowly, just a few times a week. Some weeks no running at all. It just seemed like such a long time to build back up and then even as I was building back up, there was always this lingering fear that the ITBS would come back. I was scared to hit the 5 mile mark, then the 7-8 mile mark, then the 10 mile mark and even now, I still have fears when I get my mileage up to the 12, 13, or 14 mile mark, Wondering when or if the IT pain will reappear. 
Going through an injury and the rehab necessary certainly gives one an appreciation for our body, makes up more in tune with our body and a different kind of respect for running. I think your patience and perserverance will pay off Susan. It takes longer to recover from an injury at our age, and it takes longer to build back up the running stamina. You'll get there. Have faith.

TheProFromDover · Nov 25, 2007

riley, 
I have had every injury known to man (and most know to women), including both calves. The worst was months coming back. Time to heal, time for PT, time for very tenuous and cautious testing, more ART, it's maddening. 
So advice is patience. Then caution. Then building. Then ongoing and extra stretching of the calves (they are so finicky!). 
Hope this helps, 
CRAi 
g

JJJessee · Nov 25, 2007

I'm with millbot, Susan, You're a real trooper for hanging here with us and cross-training through a rough patch. It takes some mental adaptation I'm sure. 
Keep the faith 
jjj

Sans Souci · Nov 25, 2007

Susan, look at the 50 milestone this way: a new AG and a chance to go against new competition and see what you can achieve. I should add, it's not about the competition against other people (well, it can be that too), but what you accomplish personally. 
millbot, great post. (ETA: Great posts everyone. I'm slow with the thought process and keyboard.) 
What you see as your slow return to what was may just be your body's way of telling you that this needs to be a very slow and steady build-up. 
I hope your PT has given you exercises to strengthen your calves. If not, I have a bunch I'd be happy to pass along. I know you've been rowing and ellipticalling and the rest of it; that's great and will help build your aerobic capacity with less weight-bearing on the calf. 
I'm only 4 weeks along since my tear, and with the exception of part of the first week (the anger and denial stage, I figure), I've stayed fairly positive by doing the pool running (thanks, perch!) and, now, rowing. There are so many people I can think of here and at CR that have been such positive influences while on the DL. I want to be just like them! I've also concentrated on my nutrition; a welcome distraction. 
Finally, and I'm afraid this may come across as preachy, so forgive that bit, but I have to look at the Big Picture. I've travelled a fair bit and heard firsthand some traumatic stories of others' day-to-day existence; I am so lucky in the scheme of things and realize that this is just one minor obstacle in my very cushy life. 
You'll get there. Hang in there. You had a great w/o today. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

ksrunr · Nov 26, 2007

Riley - just hang in there baby! We've all suffered some sort of injury. Sadly we are more prone to injury I think as we 'mature'. My first and only injury that kept me from running was last year. Cost me a San Diego Marathon and 3 months no exercise. I came back 1/4 mile at a time. Then 1/2 mile, then 1 mile some weeks 5-6 miles total. It will come back with patience and care. 
And turning 50? Just another opportunity to kick some younger runners butts! 
Now repeat after me: "They like me, they really like me"<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/banana.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="banana"> 
ksrunr

Pie Jones · Nov 26, 2007

All this crazy encouragement stuff......blah. I say....just quit. Running is silly anyway. Take up a respectable sport for old people....like.....checkers...........or maybe shuffleboard if you really feel frisky. Learn to knit for x-training. Do aerobic work in the rocking chair.

Nettie · Nov 26, 2007

Your patience is remarkable. Over on the 30s, we have a guy (ScratchType1) that slowly came back from a stress fracture and just completed his first half; he stayed on the boards the whole time and has been a great example to us on how to not lose our heads when we get injured. 
Best of luck in your continued recovery!

Johnny · Nov 26, 2007

Hang in there Riley, I don't have any words of advice, especially after millbot said it so well. I am impressed by the fact you've hung around and continued to post throughout your injury. Know that it will get better. I didn't even start running until I was a couple of years older than you and I've suffered through all manner of injuries, each one I'm certain is going to be the one that means I'll never run again. 
Keep the faith Riley, we all support and admire you. 
{{{{{{{{ riley }}}}}}}} 
BTW -Ya know Pie is kidding you, doncha?? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> 
Johnny

tomwhite · Nov 26, 2007

......riley//.........as you have seen, we've ALL been there....... 
....once, I slid a Neophrene Knee Brace over my calf when it started to cramp, and the combination pressure and warmth helped.... 
......at this point, ANYTHING'S worth a shot...........hope it helps...... when you've tried 
Everything You Can Think Of, 
---try SomeThing Else

tomwhite · Nov 26, 2007

...yeah, Johnny//....I Think he was kidding.......

riley0003 · Nov 26, 2007

Yeah, I got the jist of it! LOL 
Thanks to everyone. I'm just going to continue putting one foot in front of the other, with lots of cross-training to help build up my strength. It's just taking so long, with such minimal progress and lots of aches & pains & setbacks, that it's been awfully discouraging. Plus my mom & other family members (not DH) keep telling me that running isn't for me. Sigh. 
Susan

Mustang Sally · Nov 26, 2007

Riley, you're doing fine. I admire your determination and readiness to keep plugging on with this. I think the XT is a very good thing in the long run. I made a lot of progress when I stopped thinking of it as "Instead of Running" and started thinking of it as "Alongside Running." 
Congratulations on your impending age-group upgrade. When you get back into good nick, you're going to blow the doors off all those old broads.

Pie Jones · Nov 26, 2007

Why'd you have to tell her I was joking? Party Poopers. 
Riley, one of the best reasons to run, other than the fact that it's just so enjoyable, is that other people don't "get it." The family and friends that discourage running just don't know what they are missing. They usually think it's too hard, and too rough on the body. That means it's just too hard for THEM. If it was easy, everybody would do it. But, you're not just anybody. You're a RUNNER. 
You've done a great job of staying positive and being enthusiastic about the x-training while off from running. Just remember that all the other work doesn't always show immediate results either. If you had just run 10 miles, you might find a gym workout to be pretty intimidating. So, running isn't necessarily easier just because you have been working out. Sure, it'll help you in the long run, but it takes time and a lot of achy joints, tendons, and muscles. The only real way to strengthen the running muscles is to run. Injuries are part and parcel of what makes it such a challenge. But, the reward is when you can endure, adapt, show some patience, and wind up with a new appreciation of what running means to you. 
Remember to enjoy the journey. A mile run is a mile run. Enjoy that single mile and be glad you could. My suggestion is start with that mile and devise your own program to extend it out. Do that mile 2 or 3 times in the first week, then do an extra five minutes on the weekend. Same thing week after week, just extending things bit by bit. Just work your way slowly to the point where you feel content and comfortable. And when you get to that point, just make sure and poke some good fun at those of us that will be injured and on the sidelines. Rub it in good. 
Some of the runners I admire the most aren't necessarily fast or running a great deal of mileage. They are the runners that truly embrace the challenge, the freedom, the sheer childlike joy, that comes from running. You think 50 is even close to over the hill in terms of running? I can send you plenty of race results from runners I know that are in their 70's, 80's, and yes, 90's. Try telling them that your family thinks running might be unhealthy. You'll really draw a chuckle.

FlyingFinn · Nov 26, 2007

Well said, Pie. Riley, you have grace. I can't add to what others have said about your determination. You have a lifetime of running to look forward to and in the big picture these weeks are just a blink. And 50 is still young! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink">

Rindaroo · Nov 26, 2007

I really like your style. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> Being here on the running boards for support is really a great thing. I certain someone here helped me through one injury & helped me understand how the boards can be supportive through injury, not just running. 
Don't listen to those people who tell you not to run. If you enjoy it, then that's all that matters!! Believe me tons of people have told me not to, except the smart people..hehe 
Hang in there! Just keep doing what you can do. You will be rewarded in the end for being nice to your body. 
Here are my mottos, maybe they can help (a couple of which might have been borrowed <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">) 
Remember the Important Things 
Persistence not Perfection 
Persistence pays off 
Enjoy your runs!

Patrick · Nov 26, 2007

Susan, 
It has already been very well said that the sharing of your experience through this injury has been invaluable to us. I admire the patience of you and others that persist through long term injuries. In my first year of running I would hurt my hamstring every 4 to 6 weeks and even though it would clear up in a week or so it became very frustrating and I probably would have stopped running if it were not for my running group and the encouragement that I received from my coach and the more seasoned runners. So you are right to ask for the encouragement from your fellow runners. Most of us have been through our downtimes when things looked bleak but things do get better. And as others have said you can use this downtime to expand your Xtraining interests. 
I hope that your recovery goes well and that you will soon get back to your 5 mile runs. 
patrick

Hippo · Nov 26, 2007

I don't know if it will help but I'll pass along what helps me. 
I have the great good fortune of getting to rub shoulders with people who are far better athletes than I am and manage to do amazing things, running. Most of them have an incredibly competitive spirit that drives them to do whatever it takes. They're also all old enough that they've outlived the stupids. 
So every time I hear their life stories, or little pieces of them, I take every bit of inspiration I can. Every one of them has a slightly different message to give to me, but put them all together and it is a powerful motivator. One of my local heroes, Annie, won a bunch of marathons in these parts a couple of years ago and then was horribly injured. It took her nearly a year until she could run again, but she's back, and almost as fast, and smiling like she always has. She threw herself into rehab the way she did running: not overdoing anything but constantly asking the question "what more can I be doing to bring myself back successfully?" 
When I find myself struggling to have the patience to persevere, it sometimes helps me to view it as "mental or emotional training." I tell myself that each day I'm able to suck it up and smile anyway is a day I get a little better at the suck-up-and-smile thing. 
Sometimes when I tell myself that, I actually believe myself! Other times I'm not so delusional. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

need encouragement

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