Walking Away From The Running

So I've almost completed week two of the couch to 5k program, and I don't know if I'll go further.

I wonder if there will ever come a day when I'm not battling an injury, using a foam roller, icing a sore spot or begging for a massage from my favorite masseuse? (seriously, if you are a local, ask for Doreen - she gives an AMAZING sports massage.) I ended up just walking for an hour today and doing the mountain steps for three tours, but I badly wanted to run.

The crappy piriformis injury is still progressing - it's gotten better, but I'm still in an awful lot of pain if I run for more than a minute or two at a time. Cap that with the fact that my damned calf cramps if I run for longer than two minutes, and, well, you can see why I'm pretty much stuck at two minutes, can't you?

Sigh.

Guess this is what it's like to be on the very peak of turning 40...

Comments

[Headless Mom]

I know that you love to run but get a really quick set for your ipod, a neighborhood with some modest hills, and embrace walking. It's my favorite exercise, as you know, and if you're also doing all of your other stuff you'll be fine. And you'll have less injuries. Take it from one who's already 41!

(Miss you btw!)

[Joanna]

PLEASE don't give up!
Although I have to agree with Headless Mom - walking is pretty good as well.
Back to my not giving up...maybe your body is just asking for you to slow down a tiny bit. Take the steps (no pun intended) from walking, to speed walking, to running a little slower. It took me almost 6 months to go from walking to running regularly. I'm now heading to France (I know!) this Thursday to run in a 1/2 marathon and have several more races (Nike - San Francisco, Las Vegas - December) scheduled for the rest of the year.
I'm sure you know this, but make sure you've got good shoes and keep up the strength training - it's certainly saved my 40 yr old knees. :)

[Nicki]

I'm just starting the second week and my knee is already starting to bother me. For some odd reason, I can't fully embrace only walking as exercise, so I continue to try to run. I'm not sure why my brain insists running is the only way, but I suspect I may have to start changing my goals a wee bit. Also, I'm only 37 and falling apart, does that make me an overachiever? :)Here's to healing and your body doing what you want it to do.

[Lizzy]

Try walking a half or one mile first then running. It really helps me to do this. It must warm up those calves. Or else try a new or different pair of shoes. Not an expert just passing on what workes for me.

[lc]

I'm 50 next Sunday. How did that happen?

Anyway, my only comment will be some encouragement. Keep walking. Keep moving. Keep doing what makes the injuries feel better. This too shall pass.

Ask me how I know. I've been re-creating this journey every day for 50 yrs now. Every.freaking.day.

It does get old, but so do we, and we can't let inertia win!

Have a great walk.

[Amy]

okay okay you win! Cold fall air be damned! it will be a wonderful walk. I may even take my camera to get a picture of my Sound of Music Moment where on a clear day you can see the peak of Mt. Washington.

My dog thanks you.

Amy

[Tracey]

It sounds like you need to let your injuries fully heal....keep it to walking until it does, then continue on with your program...keep going! I NEED you to keep going, so I will keep going! ;-) I am going to be 44 in February, but I will be darned if that is going to stop me from being FABULOUS! I haven't started 'the program' yet as I am going to start it at Spa Lady when I join, it's just gotten too cold this last week to walk outdoors, so time to move inside...hoping to be running regularily by spring, when I'll move it back outside...can't wait!!! Goal is the Mother's Day road race....I know I can do it! I know you can too!

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