Tuesday, May 3, 2011

The tightrope walk

It's a fine line that we all run. It's a constant challenge to find a way to balance our lives. There's family, work, school, service in church, service in the community, extra activities, your kid's extra activities, and exercise. We try to create balance in our thoughts. Not obsessing about one particular thing. Putting proper priorities first. And then there's the fine line between soreness pain and injury pain. Knowing when we can push and when we need to back off. Lately I've felt like I'm on a tightrope. The line seems very thin. And so far I've been able to keep my balance up there. But with the marathon just a few weeks away I've been in panic mode a little bit more around here. Trying to figure out how to get back into things without re injury.

Last week was shaping up to be very nice. My foot was feeling good. Running actually helped loosen everything up and I felt better after running than I did before. I even had a couple of days where I was completely pain free. It was great. I had hope. I was pretty sure that I could run that marathon, slowly, but still finish. My week was also really busy and I had something going on every single night so that I didn't attend my cycling class or visit the swimming pool.

I did get to meet up with these sweet ladies though!
Heather, Ashley, Janae, and me

The weather sucked so I didn't bike outside either. I just ran. Well, and lifted weights and did the push up challenge. But probably not the smartest thing to do just coming off an injury. I was good until I had a little soreness after Friday's run.

Saturday was a scheduled 20 miler. I already knew I wasn't going to attempt that. It's that tightrope act again where I was trying to balance coming off an injury and still "train" for the marathon. I had planned to do an 8-10 miler and then try for a longer run broken in two the week after and then just do a 2 week taper.

It was a good run. It was a hard run. I chose to do it mostly uphill and ran the mountain by our house and around until I had gone up the canyon and got a ride home.

It was beautiful.

The sun kept coming out from behind the clouds and then back behind. So my gloves kept coming off and going back on.

The pain in my foot had moved upwards and felt different. It never got any worse, but didn't feel like it got loose like before. It wasn't until Sunday night that I was fully paying attention to it and realizing that it felt pretty bad. Different than before and it has me worried. I am not limping. I can not press down on a certain spot and have it hurt. It just hurts to walk on it. I am again taking it easy and will see what happens, but that marathon seems further out of reach. It was a long shot anyway. But that isn't making this any easier. I feel like I'm slipping off that tightrope. It's a fine line. And sometimes you just have to take it one day at a time.

last week:
Week 4 push up challenge
Monday: 3 mile run (1.5 miles barefoot), full body weights, week 4 push ups
Wednesday: 4.5 mile run in socks, full body weights, week 4 push ups
Friday: 5 mile run in socks, week 4 push ups
Saturday: 9 mile run (7 miles trail) in Evo's

27 comments:

A Prelude To... said...

gulp. I'm so sorry :-(
Thinking of you!

Julia said...

oh Jen!! I totally understand how frustrating this is. Your analogy of a tight rope is so perfect (unfortunately)...it really does feel like that. You are fine one day, mostly fine the next, okay and then not okay. SO frustrating. I am thinking about you always and just hoping it feels better with time! Don't give up! Still sad I missed you last week but hope that I can see you soon!

Julia said...

p.s. i love all your pics! what a gorgeous place to run!

The Hungry Runner Girl said...

NOOOOO!!! I am about to cry for you!!I can't believe this is happening. You are so right about taking it one day at a time!! Great job on doing your push up challenge. I forgot I was doing that ha!! Girl, you are SO gorgeous and I can't wait to come on that trail in the summer or fall:) You are such a good example to me of balancing all of the trillions of things that you do! I loved spending time with you so much and wish we could spend 85 hours straight talking. I am always here for you and you are in my prayers!!!

Rachelle Wardle said...

Oh Jenn you are totally in my thoughts and prayers! I just love you and admire your dedication. Your analagy is so perfect and it is so hard to know what to do sometimes. Best of luck to you and I am definitely keeping you in my prayers.

Teamarcia said...

Oh no! I'm so sorry the foot is acting up! You're right it's such a fine line and making the decision to pull back or press on is a tough one.
I'm sending all my miracle, speedy healing thoughts your way.

runs with boxers said...

Loved this post and totally agree with the 'tightrope' Hope you feel better soon!

Cara @ EAT. PRAY. RUN. said...

I hate hearing about your foot! I know how discouraging it is to feel good one day and be back in pain the next. You are already doing what's best by taking it one day at a time - as worrying about the future won't change anything! Just remember, this too shall pass :)

Sam W. said...

oh gosh. what a bummer! i was hoping and praying all your pain would be gone.

Connie said...

Jen, I love that you are friends with Janae from Hungryrunnergirl! I absolutely love her blog!

I totally agree about the tightrope walk. This week I think I dropped the ball on being a good wife :( I think I need to check my priorities again. I need to run, study, bake, work, clean my house but none of these should come before being a wife to my wonderful husband.

Glad I'm not the only one walking this wire :)

Penny said...

So sorry to hear your foot is acting up again. I know not being able to run, plays with your mind. I will keep you in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

I know you must be frustrated with the injury, but just take it one day at a time! You are doing great! Btw I did week 3 of Pushup challenge last week but I am sooo repeating it this week, it was majorly hard for me!

Wendy said...

Oh Jen, I'm so sorry to hear you are still having pain. I hope it gets better soon, and you continue to listen to your body. I know how hard that can be.

Totally agree w/the tightrope walk. Running helps keep me balanced.

Muncher Cruncher said...

When do I get to meet you?!?!? Jealous!! I am so sorry about your foot. :( You are totally right about coming off an injury...the balancing act is so difficult. I am so impressed by how positive you are! You are amazing, and will be back to 100 percent in no time. I have no doubts! xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful run!!! Running through something can play such mind games. You are doing so great Jen!!

Running Ricig said...

I'm so jealous of your guys' blog meet-ups! I mean I do work with three people who blog, but it's not really the same, is it?

Your run looks amazing!

Karl said...

Please go see a sports doctor. Great photos!

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

Well CRAP. This really stinks. I'm so sorry your foot still isn't behaving itself. :(

One heart and mind said...

Sometimes it isn't one day at a time but one hour...or minute at a time. I hope you get some answers soon!

Jess @ Blonde Ponytail said...

You look adorable in your bloggy meet up pic!! Love it!

But...pain in the foot still, and it's moving. You are being so smart with your training Jen, I am praying for you!

Joanne said...

If you're feeling good and have a race coming up, you have to "test the waters" in training.
In the end, you did have a good workout week even though it wasn't pain free.

Unknown said...

Walking the wire... I get it. I know Fargo marathon is just around the bend because I'm always tired, always hungry, and always anxious. This is my pre-marathon rhythm... anxious, hungry, tired. Thank goodness for a supportive family who puts up with my obsessive behaviour... and I use "obsessive" in the clinically. We do obsess, but it's a good obsession. Take care of that foot... remember, a marathon is accomplished one step at a time. Only you know for sure if it's do-able. Mike

Unknown said...

oh I'm am praying the pain doesn't get any worse. You are smart, take more recovery. Love the hair!

Elle said...

Beautiful mountains near you. So nice to have somewhere beautiful to run.

I recall seeing Bethany on CNN after the shark bite and she is an amazing, spirited girl. I often think of her when I am thinking that things are hard. I am looking forward to the movie.

Sending you healing vibes.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful scenery! I love Janae's blog. So cool you could meet up =)

Holley @ Lunges and Lashes said...

way to hang in there... one day at a time is right. :) i love running up by the mountain and in the canyon too! in fact... you just made me decide where my run will be tomorrow morning. ;)

Unknown said...

You really do have the right idea lovely lady, and life is like a tightrope all the time.

Right now are my finals and I feel like I'm hardly training, hardly working and hardly seeing my bf- the balance can be tough!

Hang in there, just a few more steps and before you know it it'll be safe ground on the other side of that rope xx