I was feeling pretty good about my recovery -was being the operative word here. All my doctors have been showering me with praise and raving about my speedy rehabilitation, so I was developing a false sense of confidence. I have a few runs under my belt, and my energy levels was generally improving.
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| Happy to be running again...but training is a work in progress |
I could not do a chaturanga push up to save my life. My chest muscles are horribly weak, and definitely still healing. This little chaturanga (or lack there of) sent my mind reeling. The truth is...I have done some running, but I am still no where near a consistent routine. I am still only averaging 2ish workouts a week. And all of my efforts are labored. Running is not the blissful, relaxing, activity it once was. It is hard! My endurance is still craptastic. My muscles are pitiful and weak. And I only have 3 short weeks to correct all of this.
AHHH! What was I thinking? Why did I sign up to do a race exactly 12 weeks post-op? What the heck am I going do? Truthfully, I really have no idea. But I may as well give it a shot, right?!
So I am brushing up on tips from my Runner's World Trail edition. And I am packing my sneakers and heading up to Collingwood tonight with the lovely Allie for trial run and a Crossfit class.
I am hoping this little adventure to the mountain will help calm my nerves, and give me a good butt-kick. But it may just end up showing me how much work I really have to do in the coming weeks. Wish me luck!
Have you ever felt unprepared for a race? Any thoughts, tips, or training tricks I should use to help come back quickly?
Love Your Favourite Darwinian Fail,
Krysten
I can't run anymore (too old, joints shot) so I can't give you advice on coming back to running after BMX, but I can tell you that you *might* need to listen to your body . . . I know that's NOT what you want to hear, b/c your MIND is all ready for this race. But I have been thru the recovery from this surgery and it is lengthy and tough.
ReplyDeleteI guess my advice would be to try doing the race, don't worry about needing to stop/walk/etc. - just benchmark it and aim to do better the next one . . . patience with yourself is just as important as kicking race booty, but it's MUCH harder in so many ways.
I had my 8-month post-surg follow up w plastics today, actually, and she was blown away by what I can do now (pushups galore, my friend, you will too!). But all this explosion in my endurance/fitness has happened in the last 2-3 mos. So that's about 5-6 mos. out!
Sending you strength, endurance, patience and all-around a$$-kicking mojo - no matter how you decide to handle this!
Just focus on how far you have come already. If the race kicks your butt, so be it. At least you try, learn and focus on the next one! But in the meantime, focus on your strengths and how awesome you are, how much you've overcome & how strong you can be.
ReplyDeleteI just ran my 6th Half and had a goal of sub 2. I missed my goal and learned that I just wasnt there yet. All that did was psych me up to keep working... knowing I'll get there. You will too- if not now, eventually. And just getting out there IS reaching a goal- racing again!
Good luck!!!!
Agree with Erica Sara - focus on the positive. Quiet those doubting thoughts. You can only do what you can do! As long as you are trying to your max. You will have the most awesome time!
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to try MetConBlue someday! It looks like outrageous FUN!
Positive thoughts. Enjoy the Crossfit Class!
YES!! But, I just tell myself "I can do anything for 30 minutes". Unless it is painful recovery wise, you can push through. It is all mental. I wish I could take my own advice all of the time but it is true. Don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to your best friend running along side of you. I swear it is 90% mental and 10% training. Ok, maybe that is a bit off. But still...you can do it!!
ReplyDeleteHi Krysten,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, it's okay to feel super unprepared! BUT don't let that freak you out, instead acknowledge your concerns and then move on. Decide to focus on having fun. Decide to focus on your health and how far you've come. Decide to just enjoy the next 3 weeks and the race itself. Decide that life is more than training.
You're doing great babe and honestly it's amazing that you've done so well so quickly after surgery. You're a rock star!
Sending you lots of positive and happy thoughts!
Joyfully,
Erin
Hey there. I often feel overwhelmed by my racing calendar, and I think that blogging can compound this pressure to follow through on one's goals. This, obviously, is both positive and negative. Like other commenters mentioned, I think that if you do the race, you need to lower your expectations -- have fun, walk when necessary, don't wear your watch.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you just aren't feeling up to it, Krysten, that's okay too. You should feel as if the blog world supports you in your major goals of health and fitness. If racing this soon isn't one of them, so be it. You have plenty of time, m'dear, and plenty of other races this year. Do whatever *you* think is best for your mind and body. xo
WOW! 12 weeks post-op and you're running?? Way to go! (but, be good to your body -- stitches and muscles are still healing and the LAST thing you want to do is be back in surgery to repair it!). Be good to yourself! :)
ReplyDelete12 weeks post-op and racing already? Just be good to your body. Your stitches and muscles are still healing and the last thing you want to do is end up in surgery to repair it. BUT, that being said, if it feels good GO FOR IT!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI Definitely hear you girlie! There is part of me that is screaming "what the heck are you doing!"
DeleteBut that being said I did get the all-clear from the docs before I signed up for the race, and started training again. They have said the muscles are still healing, but I can't do any damage at this point. I might just have a harder time than usual ha!