Friday, August 15, 2008

The Twinge

As runners we all feel it every once in a while. That "twinge" of pain that tells us something just isn't right. The question is, do we stop or run through it and hope it goes away? In the 6 1/2 years I have been running I have been lucky enough to be pretty injury free. I think part of the reason is that I tend to err on the side of caution. Some might call this being a wimp, I call it being afraid of making an injury worse and losing weeks or even months instead of days. Sometimes it is easier said than done. Today's run was supposed to be a pace run. I am training "with" my husband for a 10k and I am enjoying the "fast" days where I get to come home and tell him what my pace was. As I started the warmup part, I felt a pain down the inside of my left shin. I remembered feeling this at the end of my 400 repeats yesterday but then forgot about it. I slowed down even more trying to figure out what to do and ultimately decided not to chance it. I ended up running a mile and here I am, icing my shin, while my car is still at the YMCA. Wish me luck that this is one that just needs a day or 2 of rest. Sometimes 3 days of speedwork just takes its toll and I need to listen to my body. The good news is, I have learned how to crosstrain! I will be in the pool tonight.

So, what is your experience with injury? How do you decide when to take an extra rest day? How do you do with it mentally?

4 comments:

Megan said...

I haven't had much experience with injury either, but would err on the side of caution also. I know my sister had a stress fracture in the months leading up to our Hood to Coast run, and finished her training in the pool using aqua jogger. It was great for her!
I'm struggling with sinus infection goo right now. I was supposed to do my last long run before my 1/2 next Saturday and am trying to decide if I should run or bag it and try to get over the infection....

ps. how do I start a new post?

Lisa said...

So I look at this site regularly, and would love to be more apart of it. I am kind of a beginner with running. I've been running now consistantly for about a year. I have started to train for 2 different marathons and have not quite been able to finish. I have a really hard time doing it on my own. My husbands not much of a runner. And I have people that will go with me, but we all run at different levels and paces. I guess i'm needing a little more support. I would love to do the top of Utah Marathon this year. My goal has been to run a marathon before I have a baby. I am running an average of 4-6 miles right now.

amydear said...

Oooh beware of the inside shin twinge! That one often means a stress fracture. But I'm sure you're a smart runner when it comes to twinges, since you've never had a major injury. I err on the side of caution and rest if needed. I do run through minor stuff, though, and have managed to keep tendinitis in my knee at bay. BTW, what was your pace for that "fast" run? I just struggled through a hot 7-miler, and my pace was slow. Oh well!

Melissa said...

I learned the hard way to listen to pain. Usually I do, but about a year ago I had a small pain in my lower back. I decided to 'run through it' because usually a good run can help the aches and pains. It turned out the day before I had locked my SI joint in my back (carrying a baby and high heels don't mix) and because I ran 3 miles with it locked I made it worse. I came home from my run in pain, and after a few days finally went to a physical therapist. It was about three weeks before I could start doing any excersies, which mostly included strength work for my back, and another month after that before I could run again. So, listen to the pain...it's your body talking to you and letting you know what it needs! Good luck...hopefully it's not something too bad!