Whine warning: The quitter. Or not Born to Run.

[tuggyruns]

I have settled myself to the fact that maybe I am not supposed to be a runner. I keep getting hurt no matter all the cross training and sports massages and orb and foam rolling and yoga I do (ok, I haven't been to yoga since Jan..) I get hurt. First it was a stress fracture in my shin last year, then a stress fracture in my calcaneous in January- now, shin splints.

I love running. Well, I did. I do, I just don't like hurting the whole time I run. I have no problem running through pain (see two stress fractures in 18 months) but I just wonder, maybe I wasn't "Born to Run"?  

Ok, whine over. No need to respond. I know I am being whiny. I am just so sad and needed to get that out somewhere before I tried to start this day. 

[Wines Not Whines]

I'm sorry, that sucks. Shin splints are usually temporary though. You're just starting to rebuild your mileage, right? I got shin splints a couple of years ago when I started running again after some time off. I iced my shins for 10-15 minutes after every run, stretched my legs really well, and took ibuprofen. Oh, and I didn't increase my mileage during that time; I just maintained my current mileage. They went away after about 2 weeks. I don't know if that's typical or not, but I'm trying to say hang in there, and hopefully this is just a temporary setback.

I understand being frustrated by injuries; I've had a stress fracture in my foot, aforementioned shin splints, and two bouts of plantar fasciitis. That damn PF is my nemesis now... it seems to come back when I increase my mileage.

[joenali]

Don't run through pain?

[al320]

What joenali said.

Also, have you considered getting a gait analysis done? Not at a running store but thriugh a sports meds place or physical therapist. All these injuries are caused by something, maybe a muscle imbalance somehwere. Or something that yoga and foam rolling wont help, necessarily.

[ebeth]

I'm sorry that you're injured.

I don't think that all of this means you weren't born to run. I think that maybe you shouldn't keep trying to go from injured to marathon. this seems to be the pattern that keeps getting you injured.

[tuggyruns]

Jul 16, 2013 7:52:49 GMT -5 al320 said:

What joenali said.

Also, have you considered getting a gait analysis done? Not at a running store but thriugh a sports meds place or physical therapist. All these injuries are caused by something, maybe a muscle imbalance somehwere. Or something that yoga and foam rolling wont help, necessarily.

Yep, I think that may be my next step. Has anyone just called a PT on their own w/o a referral? I don't think I need a referral with my insurance. 

[tuggyruns]

Jul 16, 2013 7:43:50 GMT -5 joenali said:

Don't run through pain?

You're very right. I think I FINALLY learned that.I stopped about .5 miles in this morning after I realized I didn't just need to "warm up" and walked(pouted) my whole way home. It's a good thing it was dark because as hard as I was pouting I would have looked like a toddler who got her Wiggles taken away to passers-by. 

[tuggyruns]

Jul 16, 2013 7:53:18 GMT -5 ebeth said:

I'm sorry that you're injured.

I don't think that all of this means you weren't born to run. I think that maybe you shouldn't keep trying to go from injured to marathon. this seems to be the pattern that keeps getting you injured.

Yes. This time, I did everything "right" super slow return to running and building mileage by less than 10% per week. The marathon just was a pipe dream in case the training worked out (since I had to defer last year). 

[ebeth]

Jul 16, 2013 8:00:29 GMT -5 tuggyruns said:

Jul 16, 2013 7:53:18 GMT -5 ebeth said:

I'm sorry that you're injured.

I don't think that all of this means you weren't born to run. I think that maybe you shouldn't keep trying to go from injured to marathon. this seems to be the pattern that keeps getting you injured.

Yes. This time, I did everything "right" super slow return to running and building mileage by less than 10% per week. The marathon just was a pipe dream in case the training worked out (since I had to defer last year). 

OK.  do it even more slowly. don't try to build the mileage every week.  I know it sucks and I know you want to get back to where you were but you will need to be patient if you want to keep running for the long haul.  you can still keep marathon as your goal; just put it in the five  year plan.

[Wines Not Whines]

Jul 16, 2013 8:13:33 GMT -5 ebeth said:

Jul 16, 2013 8:00:29 GMT -5 tuggyruns said:

Yes. This time, I did everything "right" super slow return to running and building mileage by less than 10% per week. The marathon just was a pipe dream in case the training worked out (since I had to defer last year). 

OK.  do it even more slowly. don't try to build the mileage every week.  I know it sucks and I know you want to get back to where you were but you will need to be patient if you want to keep running for the long haul.  you can still keep marathon as your goal; just put it in the five  year plan.

I agree with this. Maybe not 5 years, but at least 2 years. What's your weekly mileage now? I would try to cap it at something reasonably low for a while, like 15 mpw, and see how it goes for a few weeks. If you're having problems at 15 mpw, then lower it even more.

[tuggyruns]

Update: doctor wants to do a bone scan to rule out stress fracture...

[naldridge]

I realize I am the exception, not the norm here but I think it IS possible to not be "born to run." There seems to be a thought that if you are active or in shape, you need to be a runner, but it's just not true. i hate running. Hate, hate, hate it. But there are a LOT of other great cardio activities to partake in, and weight training is severely underrated - it's not just for gym meatheads. Maybe try something else out for awhile and see what else you like.

[sadlebred]

I feel so bad for you, Tuggy!! I know you much you love running!

I'd ask Dr. Youknowwho for a referral to someone that does gait analysis. If anyone knows the best around, he does.

Let's GTG for a ride soon!

[Deleted]

I'm so sorry, tuggy. Injuries are horrible. I've started back with only being allowed 2 intervals of 2 min jog/1 min walk twice a week (which included the first time I did it in PT). Slower is better, for sure.

If it does come back as a stress fracture, it may be time to inquire about a bone density scan/bloodwork to rule out other issues.

[ebeth]

Jul 16, 2013 9:49:16 GMT -5 naldridge said:

There seems to be a thought that if you are active or in shape, you need to be a runner, but it's just not true. i hate running. Hate, hate, hate it. But there are a LOT of other great cardio activities to partake in, and weight training is severely underrated - it's not just for gym meatheads. Maybe try something else out for awhile and see what else you like.

I don't think you need to be a runner to be active or in shape.  and I agree that there's a lot of other cardio you can take part in.  but some of us actually like running and would like to keep doing it as long as possible.  I personally hate, hate, hate weight training. 

[lifetaketwo]

I don't have any advice but I'm really sorry and completely understand.

[tuggyruns]

Thanks y'all for understanding and supporting me! It means so much, my poor DH had no words when I started crying this morning (I know I am a wuss) but I told him my internet friends made me feel better! So grateful!

sadlebred I was totally planning on the women's ride tonight, even had the bike in the car, but I know I am going to be stuck at work way to late upside- I got DH and sis-in law to go on a ride around our area last night

[katinthehat]

I second the advice about getting a bone scan done - I'd think you need to check that out for sure.

Other than that, I'm sorry

[tuggyruns]

Jul 16, 2013 12:41:18 GMT -5 katinthehat said:

I second the advice about getting a bone scan done - I'd think you need to check that out for sure.

Other than that, I'm sorry

Thanks Kat! come back and ride with me! 

[katinthehat]

Jul 16, 2013 12:57:25 GMT -5 tuggyruns said:

Jul 16, 2013 12:41:18 GMT -5 katinthehat said:

I second the advice about getting a bone scan done - I'd think you need to check that out for sure.

Other than that, I'm sorry

Thanks Kat! come back and ride with me! 

I KNOW!!!!!!  I'm all like, let's go back to see your family for thanksgiving honey!  And he's like, whaaaaaaaaaaaat?  Really, it's just because I want to ride with y'all and ride at the velodrome with sadlebred

[gumi]

I think everyone was born to run.
But NOT everyone was born to be distance runner.

If anything, most of us are not cut out to do distance running. Like 75% of runners are injured at any given time. A successful marathoner in the exception, not the norm. And don't get me wrong - I know plenty of them - but for everyone 1 of them, there are 5 of us.

For me, success has been balance. You will find your balance. And, maybe that will include a marathon every once in awhile. And if that is really the direction you want to go, it may require re-training your body. I have not seen you run so it's hard to say why this is happening to you.

Are you doing yoga? Stretching?

[jene]

I can relate, I had a lot of injuries in 2012 and it gets really tough to not get discouraged and not start back where you left off. I found out that a lot of my injuries came from running in the wrong pair of shoes (that I was fit for at a LRS), and I was in and out of PT for 8 months before we finally fixed all the issues that resulted from that. Hugs, tuggy! Hang in there!

[sadlebred]

Jul 16, 2013 11:25:55 GMT -5 tuggyruns said:

sadlebred I was totally planning on the women's ride tonight, even had the bike in the car, but I know I am going to be stuck at work way to late upside- I got DH and sis-in law to go on a ride around our area last night

Try to make it! I am going to be there!! If not, I will be there again in 2 weeks.

[kams]

I don't have any advice, I'm just sorry. I know how emotionally draining injuries can be.

[tuggyruns]

y'all are making a sad, injured runner feel a lot better. thank you.

[tuggyruns]

Bone scan scheduled for Friday...we'll see what happens.