The year was 2013. My training for my spring half was going great.
Right up until the taper. It’s always the taper with me!
Then the knee pain started out of the blue. No really, it often does start out of the blue (although since then, I have learned some of my triggers).
I skipped runs. I rested. Race day dawned with glorious weather. Probably the most perfect weather I’ve ever had for a half. My husband and the dogs saw me off.
The first 6 miles were fine. And then the pain set in. Let’s just say it’s the only half I’ve ever called my husband during and had to walk the last 3 miles. Yes, it was a disaster and my very worst half memory.
What’s worse is that knee pain continued to plague me for months afterwards. The first few weeks I couldn’t walk the dogs without pain.
I was already signed up for my second year with USAFit Albany, though. What I wasn’t signed up for was a fall half.
I started doing the training though. I began to wear a knee brace. And yet that pain would continue to creep in in the last mile of every long run. I seriously considered not running a fall half at all.
And then it happened: I ran 7 miles pain free and I knew I could do a half. I signed up for Smuttynose Rockfest.
It was my triumphant return to running a half, a PR at the time, and I had a marvelous time.
Nelson Mandela was not only wise, he was eloquent. Yes, I am still afraid of injuring myself. But I continue to run halfs and conquer that fear. I hope you can be triumphant over your fears, too.
Have you had a triumphant return to something in your life?
I love those quotes! So often we think our heroes are fearless, but really they are brave. And overcoming a running injury really does make one feel triumphant!
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I just wish I didn’t have to keep overcoming them!
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You always have the best quotes. Running injury free is always my goal too…as i sit here with an ice pack on my foot:)
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I just look up the quotes! There are lots of quote sites that you can search by a word.
Any injured runner can relate (unfortunately).
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I feel triumphant each time I return from injury. There’s always that thought I may never run again. Now let’s talk about those beautiful sparkly nails!
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They’re nail stickers. You can buy them at Sephora, at most drugstores, at Target … I’m always so surprised more people don’t know about them. You just stick then on, but they’re actually real nail polish & you remove them with nail polish remover.
I don’t do my nails too often, as they just come undone quickly with housework. But those are really fun and when I’m traveling I’m not doing housework!
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Great post! I love the quote from Mandela.
Did you know I live minutes from Blackstone Valley? (I assume that is Rhode Island). I was raised in Blackstone Valley, specifically, Central Falls.
As you know, I am experiencing knee problems right now. Hopefully, the visit to the orthopedic physician on Friday will get me on track to triumph. 😉
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Yes, I remember that you said you were near Blackstone. Of course in RI, everything is near!
I am sure you will get back on track much quicker than I did, Connie!
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Running has helped me triumph over fears both on and off the road. It truly has been life changing for me.
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I think it’s life changing for anyone that sticks it out!
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It certainly does feel so scary and amazingly triumphant to return after an injury doesn’t it? Nice!
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Thanks! I swear it’s always scary, always worrying about the next one . . .
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Nice!! Any running after an injury feels like a triumph.
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I love reading about awesome comebacks! I have always been scared of injury. It took me most of my adult life to figure out that I could run. I don’t want to overdo it and have my running taken away. I have taken on bigger challenges than 13.1’s, but I have always done them with conservative mileage in my training.
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Hey, I was almost 50 before I started to run!
I wasn’t really scared of injury until I was injured.
My mom, OTOH, was constantly reminding me running is bad for your knees. Except now she’s decided running is pretty good for me.
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I am glad things worked out well for you 🙂
I hope I can make a triumphant return soon!
I am the same way, after my stress fracture, I worried all the time about injury, and still got hurt again…I am sure I may be a little crazy when I start running again.
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Unfortunately I continue to struggle with my IT band, but last year was mostly good.
Any luck yet with the doc?
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I love races with post-race food that’s different than the expected bagels and bananas! I’ve done a few races that had chili or beef stew for after the race. Yum!
Thanks for linking up!
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I haven’t done too many with great post race food, but that lobster roll & chowder sure hit the spot!
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I agree. Triumphing over injury is a great feeling. I hope we both have to have that feeling again, though.
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Well, hopefully not the injury part!
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No, the triumphant part LOL.
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Indeed a great reason to feel triumphant !
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Oh what a great story!! But were you doing something to build strength in your knee or physical therapy of sorts? What a great comeback for you!!
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Oh yes, I didn’t do formal PT but I did do a lot of stuff & continue to!
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It’s the yoga, isn’t it!!
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No, I don’t think so. I did a lot of stuff; and I think it was more the strength training.
Not that yoga hurts . . .
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Strength training! Okay then! But really, I think I need to make time for both before I get an owie too.
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Different people have different issues. But I don’t think you can go wrong with both.
Except I’ve been such a sloth the last couple of weeks. I don’t want to change into exercise clothes right now but I need to!
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Sloth! Hahahaha! What a great word! 😀 Better get to it! That half is coming up soon! 😀
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Great quotes!!!
The triumph over injury is the best isn’t it?
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great quotes! and a great story! You have kept after it and that is triumph!
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Thank you, Mary Beth!
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