Speed Bumps: Injuries getting in the Way of Your Big Goals

Well, it's been awhile since I wrote my last post on managing peaks and valleys of training. In my recent training block leading up to Boston, I had many peaks and valleys. About 4 weeks ago, I had one of my highest peaks with a huge benchmark training run. Then, soon after, I had one of my biggest valleys with a weird injury sustained on a fun run in the snow. It created a rollercoaster of emotions and uncertainty, and ultimately changed my whole outlook on the upcoming race. So, the next few paragraphs are an account of my last 4 weeks of training leading up to the Boston Marathon. I wrap it up then with some general thoughts.

I was doing everything right to set me up for an amazing Boston Marathon. I had built up my training mileage smarter and better than I had ever done before. I was stronger and fitter than ever. It wasn't always easy or smooth, but it was working. I had experienced a lot of mental peaks and valleys as I focused a lot of energy on training for specificity - just running. I'll be honest...I didn't always love it. It was working though.

At 4 weeks out, I ran my biggest long run ever leading up the marathon. I rarely worry about training runs and workouts, but I couldn't get this one out of my mind. I ended up nailing the run and my confidence was super high. In the middle of that next week, we got another snow storm. I love running in the snow, and headed out during the storm. I felt great and the run was going fine. With a couple miles to go, my calf cramped up. That's it. No major pain, no migrating tightness. I stretched it out and finished my run. That tightness though just never went away. After a few attempts at running more that week, I realized I needed to shut it down for a few days. I was confident after a couple days, I'd be good to go.

Days went on, and the tightness in my calf spread and never got better. It never felt worse unless I tried to run so I took 2 weeks completely off. This was obviously not ideal for my huge goals leading into Boston. I ended up only running about 22 miles total in the 3.5 weeks leading up to the marathon. I still wasn't sure I was going to line up to run the marathon as late as Saturday before the race. The calf would feel better, thanks to Centre For Healing Arts, but at times it seemed like it would regress. It never felt great and the pain migrated down into my ankle. I decided after walking around Boston on Saturday with minimal tightness that I would give it go.

As I prepared mentally for Monday's race, I had to come to terms with the fact that I would not run anywhere near my goal, the calf/ankle may not hold up, I may not finish, and the weather was going to be horrific. I had decided about a week after the injury that if I did run, I'd line up and run every step possible with my wife, Tiff. At that point though, I didn't know what was going to happen. So, when Monday morning came, I had accepted the reality that my big plan for this race had completely changed. A fellow Gator had commented on one of my posts that everything happens for a reason. I struggled to believe it this time. I selfishly felt like I deserved a good race because I did everything right and put in so much work. Well, you never know what's going to hit you in life and in endurance training.

Now that the race is over, I truly do believe that this injury happened for a reason. I still hate that it happened and wonder what I could have done even in those weather conditions, but I embraced the new challenge. On Monday morning, I was actually super excited. I couldn't wait to run with Tiff. This odd injury gave Tiff and I the opportunity, which we wouldn't have had, to run the Boston Marathon together. In the week leading up to the race, she was excited and hopeful that I would be able to run with her. I really wasn't sure if it would happen, and deep down, I didn't think it was a smart idea to run it all, and I really wasn't sure if I would finish if I did start.

Well, we started and finished together. It was an epic day with insane weather, but Tiff and I did it together. The experience and memories are completely worth it, and I have no regrets. I'm grateful to come out of the race as a finisher and no more injured than I was before the race (except for some serious chaffing).

What can you take from this? First, when I knew I was actually injured, I truly did listen to my body. At first, this weird calf tightness just didn't feel like a real injury. As soon as I tried to run again, I knew something wasn't right so I shut it down. I didn't try to run through it or just tough it out. I rested completely. Something I should have done right away is to go see a doctor. Being just calf tightness, I didn't think it was anything major. I just thought it would go away. Why not go get it checked out? Do it early and get it taken care of.

Once I did get it checked out, I did what I could to take care of the injury while still resting. It was mentally tough and hard to keep my patience. I knew with each week that went by, my goals and expectations were dropping more and more. With this though, I maintained hope. I kept my expectations fluid and just stayed realistic. Don't try to be a hero when you know your injured, but you should also remain hopeful. Don't just give up on everything. It's REALLY hard to stay positive, but in reality, it's one event/race/moment in your life.

I'm still not sure if I'm cleared of this injury as I still have ankle tightness. I'm in no rush to get back to regular training as I know that I still have big goals for my future as an endurance athlete. It's hard to see beyond your upcoming races. You want and expect things to go right. We all tend to get super focused on the upcoming outcome. It sometimes becomes a singular focus and we get tunnel vision. It's important to see into the horizon. I still have doubts that I'll get back to the fitness I was at 4 weeks ago. I have doubts that I'll successfully race longer ultra races. I regularly struggle with the thought that running regularly might be slipping away. I will not give up on my goals.

I have huge, stupid plans for my endurance sports future. I'm going to continue to go after them. If you get injured leading up to your big race or get injured or something goes wrong during your big race, don't give up. Yes, take time to be angry, upset and frustrated. After you allow yourself time with those thoughts and feelings, get back up and go after the next big goal. Age is just a number. If your body is no longer able to do one discipline in the endurance world, look for other opportunities. Always remember to surround yourself with people who embrace your ambitions and people that will lift you higher.