Think I might be done.

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Hey Everyone,

How are y'all doing? I haven't posted much lately, but I have been keeping an eye on everyone

So I think my running "career" may be over. In January I ran Goofy for the second time - it was a personal kind of hell for many reasons, and I told myself if I finished I would never run it again. When I completed it my sister (who had just completed her first 1/2) told me I had to do it again so we could do the full together next year. I half agreed, and continued on to complete 3 more halfs this spring. But the thing is I have no desire to go out and run anymore whatsoever.

To give a tiny bit of backstory here, I was an avid horse rider in England, when I came to the US I couldn't find anywhere to ride so I took up running to fill in the exercise gap, and quickly became addicted. A couple of months ago I resumed my riding "career" and am happily getting my endorphin fix that way.

I don't know if it is the fact that I am back doing *my* sport, or the fact that Goofy just about killed me this year, but I don't even want to think about running. Plus, to top it all off the Dr says I may have hip degeneration from all the running I have been doing (I went for my xrays today) he has told me I cannot run until we have a conclusive answer, which made me unusually relieved.

You see my real dilemma here is that I do want to do the full with my sister, it will be her only time (and her 37th birthday) and I want to share that experience with her, but the thing is that I really don't want to run! I know that is a contradiction!

Anyway, I know you guys can't help me make this decision, but I really just wanted to vent to you all because you have helped me through so many other issues

Thanks,
Kirsty

 

[cewait]

Hey Everyone,

How are y'all doing? I haven't posted much lately, but I have been keeping an eye on everyone

So I think my running "career" may be over. In January I ran Goofy for the second time - it was a personal kind of hell for many reasons, and I told myself if I finished I would never run it again. When I completed it my sister (who had just completed her first 1/2) told me I had to do it again so we could do the full together next year. I half agreed, and continued on to complete 3 more halfs this spring. But the thing is I have no desire to go out and run anymore whatsoever.

To give a tiny bit of backstory here, I was an avid horse rider in England, when I came to the US I couldn't find anywhere to ride so I took up running to fill in the exercise gap, and quickly became addicted. A couple of months ago I resumed my riding "career" and am happily getting my endorphin fix that way.

I don't know if it is the fact that I am back doing *my* sport, or the fact that Goofy just about killed me this year, but I don't even want to think about running. Plus, to top it all off the Dr says I may have hip degeneration from all the running I have been doing (I went for my xrays today) he has told me I cannot run until we have a conclusive answer, which made me unusually relieved.

You see my real dilemma here is that I do want to do the full with my sister, it will be her only time (and her 37th birthday) and I want to share that experience with her, but the thing is that I really don't want to run! I know that is a contradiction!

Anyway, I know you guys can't help me make this decision, but I really just wanted to vent to you all because you have helped me through so many other issues

Thanks,
Kirsty

Hang in there and hopefully you will get a good response from the radiographs.

As far as motivation to get out and run... this can be a hard nut to crack at times. Frankly, there are times that the only reason I seem to get out the door is that I dropped money on an entry fee and hate to give the money away. Some negative motivation can come from burn out. It is so easy to feel like one is over committed as a result of a training season. I always tell my rookies to not make a let's do it again decision for a week or so.

I am sure that you will make the best decision for you after you work through the immediate medical concern. Once that is past you may feel the spark again.

 

[MouseDogMom]

Kirsty -

I feel your pain, literally.

I had hip surgery in December for a tear in the cartilage, apparently caused by degeneration from running. The ortho told me I'd be fine to resume running once I healed and did my PT, and I'm registered for MCM in October. I was so excited to get back to it, even though my group of running friends had left me far behind over the winter, and I'm the "poky little puppy" of the group now. But I'm having good and bad days now, and there have been several times when I feel exactly like you said - I want to just throw in the towel and call it quits. Then I'll have a good run and figure I'll keep on going until my body just stops.

But there are plenty of days where I'm in pain, and I wonder if my body is really okay with this running thing. And yet, I can't vent to my coworkers, since their answer to it is that I should quit, because they don't understand why I do it in the first place. Without the WISH team, I couldn't continue, so I completely understand why you choose to vent here!

It's wonderful that you have another outlet for your exercise high. I hope you can find a balance that makes you happy. Maybe the hip damage isn't as bad as the doctor thinks, and you can train just enough to finish the full with your sister and then make a decision about your running future. I was able to get a cortisone shot last year that enabled me to finish my marathon and hold off on surgery - he assured me I wouldn't do any more damage by continuing to run, and the pain would go away enough that I could train and finish. Then I quit running for 5 months, and I missed it terribly!

Probably more than you wanted to hear, but know that you're not alone!

Jackie

 

[windwalker]

Ummm you could always take up race walking. When I injured my achillies tendon and running became painful I switched to race walking and I've loved it.

Dave

 

[John VN]

Sorry to read about your running problem but great for you to have resumed your riding fix.

I can second Dave's suggestion regarding walking. The facts show that walking fast produces a greater workout compared to running and is much less destructive on the body.

After my recent ICU and semi-private room stay in the hospital for a C6 fracture and clavicle fracture received from a bicycle crash, I was cleared to start walking the day I left the hospital. Had I been a runner, my return to running would have been delayed for 14 weeks, the length of time I was required to wear a neck collar.

While many people snicker at the thought of walking a marathon, maintaining a 9:30m/m pace is extremely challenging and just as rewarding as doing so if one was running. I would dare say even more rewarding as I pass those who are running slower than me walking.

Good luck

 

[thndrmatt]

For me it goes in phases. Train for a marathon, get utterly sick of running while out doing an 18 or 20 miler, but complete the race. Decide to do a triathlon, thoroughly enjoy hitting the bike again, until I get to the really long rides, and especially the 112 mile bike leg, and swear off riding. Suddenly running becomes more attractive again. So as long as you alternate between active activities, you'll still stay in shape. Could always throw in challenges like P90X, or even fun video games like the Biggest Loser or Jillian Michaels series or Dance Dance revolution.

July tends to be the month of the bike for me, as I ride the trainer in front of the TV watching "Le Tour."

 

[fashionista311]

it sounds like you went from 0 to awful lot of long distance in a fairly short amount of time. why not take a step back and focus on running a fast 5k or 10k for a slightly different goal? it can be very boring to train for the very same distance season after season...maybe mixing it up can help break it up a bit

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Thank you all for your kind comments. I just heard back from the Dr that I have no bone deterioration but I have a lot of soft tissue damage. But he says I am fixable, so good news I guess.

I am still not cleared to run, but can ride and bike. So I think for right now I will just stick to that, and then when it becomes time to sign up for WDW I will figure it out then.

Fashionista: you are totally right, I went from 0-39.3 really fast, but that is kinda my MO

Matt: I think you are right. I have been doing too much running, I think I am burnt out.

Dave/John: I am going to give the walking thing a try. You guys can walk faster than I can run!

Jackie: I am sorry you literally feel my pain. Good luck with the recovery

Coach: Thanks for the sound advice as always

Thanks again everybody

Kirsty

 

[cewait]

Thank you all for your kind comments. I just heard back from the Dr that I have no bone deterioration but I have a lot of soft tissue damage. But he says I am fixable, so good news I guess.

I am still not cleared to run, but can ride and bike. So I think for right now I will just stick to that, and then when it becomes time to sign up for WDW I will figure it out then.

Fashionista: you are totally right, I went from 0-39.3 really fast, but that is kinda my MO

Matt: I think you are right. I have been doing too much running, I think I am burnt out.

Dave/John: I am going to give the walking thing a try. You guys can walk faster than I can run!

Jackie: I am sorry you literally feel my pain. Good luck with the recovery

Coach: Thanks for the sound advice as always

Thanks again everybody

Kirsty

Mixed news. Soft Tissue can heal so that is positive. hang around anyway, we will miss you

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Mixed news. Soft Tissue can heal so that is positive. hang around anyway, we will miss you

Yes! Exactly what he said.

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Thanks guys I will hang around, don't worry. I'm like a bad penny - you'll never get rid of me

 

[Sarah_Rose]

Hey Kirsty.

I'm with you. I started "my" sport again a few months ago - I've been doing a lot of swimming but I just can't seem to get my runs in. The way I see it, just keep doing what makes you happy until it no longer makes you happy... and then switch.

You might be surprised at how your running/walking stamina keeps up, as long as you're active. I went out for a 5 mile run today and was faster than I was when I was still running regularly. Apparently swimming is good for your running!

Just take it one day at a time. Would you and your sister be open to walking the marathon? Or how does your sister feel about the half?

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Sarah

I didn't know you were a swimmer I am happy you have found your way back to it. If it makes you as happy as riding makes me then I am sure you are pretty content right now.

Thanks for letting me know you are in the same boat as me. It's good to know that there is people out there who know how I feel.

The Dr still won't clear me to run, so I guess until he does the question of me running is pretty redundant. So maybe I should just re-assess the situation when it comes time. And like you say, I should still be pretty fit when that time comes.

On a slightly different note, are you doing WDW again next year?

Speak to you soon,

Kirsty

P.S. Did I ever tell you that you should move closer to FL?