i’m not calling it a comeback
So, the back. I’ve avoided talking about it for at least a week. I hope you enjoyed the nursing posts last week! But back to the running talk since it’s my favorite thing to talk about, even if I can’t do it.
It’s been three months since I’ve done a long run. I ran 16 miles on February 12th and that was the first time I had back pain (it was on Cat Hill for all you NYCers). I’ve been trying to be patient with this injury and have gotten really good at resting. And drinking beer. Not related at all. Anyway.
I RAN TODAY.
Sorry, I was going to have some sort of eloquent writing to lead into that fact, but I just had to say it. I’ve been doing physical therapy for about two months, started acupuncture a couple weeks ago (more on that at some point), took enough Naproxen that my gums started bleeding when I brushed my teeth, and pondered throwing all (twelve pairs) of my running shoes out the window.
I’ve spent a lot of time talking with Meggie about injury (and sending her my new random ideas at 2am when I’m at work, thanks for reading my ramblings and not thinking I’m totally nuts) since she is finally getting back to normal after her IT band took over during her last training run for the NYC Marathon. And that was in October. See? This recovery thing is a long process. I’ve (almost) let go of goal races for the moment since I don’t know when I’ll back fully back in action, which is better for my mindset.
But basically, Meggie told me about how she started back with a run/walk program in order to get back into running again. And by that, I mean it started with six minutes of running with walk breaks mixed in.
Six minutes.
To anyone who has run a marathon (or ten…) or has been running for fifteen years or thinks that an hour of running is an easy run, six minutes seems like nothing. I mean, I can run a mile in less than that (…not often). But to someone who hasn’t been able to run for three months, six minutes is amazing.
As in, I want to shout from the mountain tops that I RAN FOR SIX MINUTES. AND IT DIDN’T HURT. And I could bend over to take my shoes off after I ran.
As I got dressed to run, a downpour started outside. I thought maybe it was a sign, but I’m not totally sure I believe in so-called signs, so I waited for the rain to die down a bit. It toned down to more of a drizzle, and I decided to go for it. If you haven’t been around too long, you might not know that I love running in the rain. Short shorts, a tshirt, and a visor/hat and you’re golden. You’re getting sweaty anyway. I wore what I wore when I ran my final marathon pace run before Twin Cities last fall. It’s a good rain outfit and it helped me channel the speedy days, although today was anything but speedy. (And it’s not crazy at all that I can remember my exact outfit from that workout. Totally normal.)
So I walked for a minute. Ran for a minute. Walked for 30 seconds. Ran for a minute. Repeat the run one minute/walk thirty seconds six times.
Needless to say, I didn’t get far. Because you can’t get too far when you only run for six minutes. SIX MINUTES, WOOHOO. But it’s a start. We all have to start somewhere. I’ll back there soon enough with an “easy loop of the park” as my run. (That’s eight miles, including to/from the park…and one of my favorite runs.) I can’t wait for mile repeats on the west side. But for now, I’ll take what I can get.
Look how happy I when I got back:
I RAN I RAN I RAN.
I’m not calling it a comeback yet. But we’ll get there. Baby steps and a few more rambling emails to Meggie, I think we’ll be golden.
Basically, let me know if you want to run/walk with me. We’ll go for another five minutes tomorrow.
Six minutes sounds like about how much I run during the week? If I were around, I’d totally go with you. As long as we could “carb load” for the six minutes with beer and “refuel” with 16 Handles, of course.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am genuinely excited for you
I’m glad emailing me is helping – ha! Anyways, here’s a link to what Lauren did coming back from her IT band and what I did was very similar, if not identical http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=25600&PageNum=5
Having a plan like “ok today I am going to do this” even if it was 10 min total of running made me feel much better and proactive.
I even kept the walk breaks in for a while, even when I was over 20 min because my form would start to deteriorate and that would lead to pain.
Hope the run-walk method and walk break is ok method works and you’ll be back soon!
See you were there from the beginning — Oct 22 was the date of injury, fyi…
I’m doing the run/walk thing after coming back from a stress fracture – I’ll definitely run/walk with you!
Yay!!! Keep taking the recovery slowly and smartly and soon you’ll be running many sub-6:00 miles IN A ROW. Excited for you!!
That sounds like exactly where I am on my “come back” haha I’ll run with you!
Woo hoo!
Happy for you!
GOOD. so happy.
Yay! One run will lead to another and another and soon you’ll be back in the game!
I haven’t been following for long, but congrats on the return to running with no pain!
Yay Susan! That’s an important step! I remember coming back from IT band injuries and running for 2 minutes, then 4, then 6… etc. It made me so happy! I hope this means good things for your back and you keep making steady progress
ALSO, we need to get on this hanging out thing! I miss you!
YAY!! That’s so exciting! I ran yesterday for the first time in awhile too…also by embracing the run/walk method. It wasn’t exciting to stop and walk, but I was happy that it at least allowed me to be out there. Those minutes I spent running were blissful!!
I hope that you continue to be able to run a little more each day. One step at a time.
Run/walk to stage a comeback totally works. I am so delighted that you got to RUN! and yes…look how happy you look!
Good for you for starting small and feeling so good! I was just finding an old post of mine where I ran a half mile after a few months of injury and I was on Cloud 9! It’s so awesome! I hope your back continues to cooperate!
That’s awesome! Congrats and way to be patient (:
I’m doing the run walk thing myself, as I attempt to come back from my stress fracture. I’m up to 3 miles…woohoo! I’m currently doing a walk 5 min run 10 min repeat x3 now. I had to take today off after getting a cortisone injection in my heel yesterday for my plantar fasciitis that flared with my increased running. Praying that it helps. The running feels great, but the short distance is messing with my head! But I keep telling myself to take it slow or I’ll be back to no running at all. Next week, I’m bumping it up to 4 miles, and so on. I’m with u in this!
WOOOOOOO!!!
little baby steps!!
PS I loved your nurse posts from last week.
Loved seeing how our shifts are different. I can’t imagine doing all that wound care, I would wilt.
Welcome back to running!
Yay Susan! I check your blog frequently to see how you are progressing with your back issue. I am glad to see you are on your way back!
Susan,
I found your blog typing in Psoas injuries while running. I literally feel your pain!! Knowing what it feels like just wanted to pass on the great success i have had through ART Active Release…i still have to stretch like crazy but i have been back to my hard core training ever since. I also got some great stretches through mobilitywod.com as well. I have dealt with this for over a month now so any questions lmk. Speedy recovery!!