We've all been there.
Runner's remorse.
During a run or in a race you feel this sudden pain. Somewhere in your legs/feet. You figure it will go away, and if it doesn't during the run/race, it will be all gone when you've finished this thing. That's how it usually goes. So, that's how it has to go this time. You continue to run/race. And you don't pull the plug.
The pain is still there after the run/race. It did not go away. Annoying. Icing your leg/foot, and resting it for a day will do the trick, right?
It doesn't.
Six days later, you're still in pain. And not able to run - by far not able to run. You're crosstraining to remain your level of fitness. Mentally, you feel awful. Heck, you're freaking out! You're on a training schedule! Bye bye spring marathon, bye bye BQ attempt, bye bye ultra?! You now realize you should have pulled the plug. You've been into running long enough to know what is the difference between 'the pain that will go away' and 'the pain that will still be there in the days after that run'. But somehow you decided to push through it.
Let me just quote TMB (http://racingwithbabes.blogspot.com/) here: Runner first, logical thinker second. She couldn't be more right.
These last couple of 'freaking out over The Foot' days made me realize: sometimes (just sometimes) you need to stop listening to 'the run' and start listening to 'reason'. If you don't, you might find yourself having Runner's remorse. And in my humble opinion...Runner's remorse is right up there on the 'Sucktastic' scale.
Did you ever have 'Runner's remorse'? (I know you have...;))
15 comments:
I'm so sorry it's still giving you pain / frustration.
I'm jealous that TMB is a logical thinker second. I might be logical thinker . . . . fifth. ;)
Uh, yes, I think that might just apply to me right about now!
On no less than three occasions I have run myself into injury but the only one I feel “remorse” over was a painful recovery run after running 2 marathons in 1 week. I knew my foot was on the brink of injury but “needed” to run (three miles later I was on crutches).
Here’s what I do know – If I stopped running every time something hurt or didn’t feel quite right then I would never finish a 10K. This creates a problematic balancing act and (in my opinion) there is no easy answer. I had a DNF in the San Francisco Marathon. My hip was inflamed and at mile 16 I couldn’t take the pain any longer. To this day I regret stopping thinking (incorrectly) that I should have just kept going and pushed through the pain. Is this remorse for not pushing through the pain?
You’ve suffered a minor setback. The good news is your cross training and a badass who will bounce back and return stronger than ever. You will run that ultra and that BQ (I promise).
Truth is I feel the most remorse for the runs that I have missed.
You’re a rock star – Keep sweating!!
All the best,
Ron
Wow I can completely relate to what you're saying. I had my last long run before taper time for Miami last weekend. Mr Half tri-ing http://halftriing.blogspot.com/ was not happy about me doing the run because my foot has been hurting. I probably should have listen but rarely do:) However how could I not run? I needed this run in order to do Miami. I rarely listen to reason. However I have done 0 runs this week in hopes of healing. Good Luck, I hope it heals soon. It's hard not to feel runners remorse.
Thank You! I totally needed this today also! One of my friends read what I posted on your page the other day and called me out and told me she refuses to run our long run this weekend with me. So I guess with her kicking me and your post Ill be getting my "long run" in on the Elliptical! How does one survive 1 hour and 30 minutes on an Elliptical w/out going INSANE?!?!
If it hurts that bad rest it. It's better to rest for a short time than be injured for a long time. That's what I told @Bonnie but like she said she does not listen to me. She's is only with me because I am smoking hot (not for my big brain). (just kidding) :-)
Kevin
HalfTRIing.blogspot.com
Take a break and play your Magical Musical Thing!
Did you see this? I thought you would like it. Kind of scary.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g2by6yQUCg&feature=related
Kevin
HalfTRIing.blogspot.com
So true sister. I often wonder how I can continue to be so stupid after 12 years of racing? It's denial. I know when something is really bad, but I ignore it.
You WILL get through this. Be positive, don't set any athletic goals, take it day by day.
I found myself laying in bed last night, knee throbbing, saying to it "You WILL get better. You WILL heal. The pain WILL go away." Instead of saying "stupid knee" that I have been saying for a while.
only a runner could recognize the stupidity of being a runner some days...maybe it's the endorphins that cloud our judgement?
@ Emz: Ha! You somehow manage to make me laugh out loud every single time! :)
@ MissZippy: I'm so sorry that your leg is still bugging you!
@ Bonnie: I'm just like that: I really need to do those runs! And, well, I can't blame you for not listening to Mr Halftriiing. ;) ;)
@ Ron: Thanks. :) I know what you mean! I actually felt sorry for not pushing through once. Still annoyed about that! But this time I'm kicking myself for not opting for the same option... At this point I feel that I might have to rename this blog 'Injured Girl Running'... :(
@ Kevin: Ha! Smoking hot AND a big brain? Bonnie is a lucky girl! :) ;) And, uhm, thanks for sharing that Youtube-clip. ;)
@ Live, Love, Run: One doesn't survive 1 1/2 hours on the elliptical. ;) But you will! Good call to replace your long run with some quality time on the elliptical!
@ LaVonne: You've been an athlete already for 12 years? Wow!!! Love what you said about 'you WILL get better'! I'm definitely going to try that on The Foot!
@ Amanda: It has to be the endorphins! It's like being in love with the 'bad guy': you just don't realize something's not right till it's too late.
Yep Mr Half Tri-ing is smoking hot:) I really don't listen to anyone. I'm very stubborn.
@ Bonnie: Hahaha! Nothing wrong with being a little stubborn. ;)
@Silly Girl & @Bonnie - You two socializing is not good. I have a feeling you two are going to gang up on me and that's not fair. Bonnie needs to go back to reading the "Healthy Ashley" blog :-) jk
Kevin
HalfTRIing.blogspot.com
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