The Marathon Metaphor

I've often heard many a comparison between the marathon and arduous struggles. It has always made sense to me as I have experienced the physical and psychological speed bumps discovered through 26 miles of running. During my run this weekend I was thinking through the joys and pains of running and thought I'd take this autumn running season to reflect. If this post doesn't receive many views so be it, if you are the future me, your welcome, you've been here before and you will be here again, this too shall pass.

Running during this time of year is exhilarating! There is a crisp fresh air that cools the nostrils, there is a fresh dew on the ground that blankets the dust, and there is the fresh smell of leaves on the ground. Sometimes I have to stop as I notice a wonderful view that was obscured through the summer by a large Maple tree. Sometimes I stop to observe the fungi taking over a patch of decomposing mulch. Sometimes I think back at all the runs I have enjoyed and the injuries I've had. Here come the metaphors! One step at a time, never stop trying, keep moving forward, even running backwards gets you to the finish ( I use this one when I'm cramping bad and need to transfer fatigue to other muscles) and it's the journey not the destination, etc....

So I think back at some of these times as I work through another strained lower back injury and remember all the other times I've had to throttle myself after trying to hard an injuring myself.

I'm not alone in this and some other runners will nod in agreement and have their own stories. Here are the times I was broken and out of commission.

Sprained Ankle ( too many to count, maybe 20 or more?) recovery (2-8 weeks)
Hamstring ( both legs, different years both from Kenpo not running) recovery (3-4 months)
Lower Back Muscle ( one of the worst so far, during a 10k no less) recovery ( 6 months and outright terror during rehabilitation)
Foot Muscle (somewhere between mile 18 and 24, I think I was crying at the finish line) recovery (3 months and tender for much longer)
Fractured Metatarsal ( again a freaking 10k, fell on my face the next morning trying to get out of bed ) recovery (8 weeks and mostly only walking for awhile)

All in all it's been a roller coaster of highs and lows but nevertheless I always feel the most alive out on there kicking some trail. There are many a metaphor but to wrap this up, YOU'LL BE FINE, find another hobby in the meantime, and soon, sooner than you can imagine, RUN!!!!!

Marathon Training Week 1, Damn Sprained Ankle

So if running has ever been a paralleled metaphor for life this just had to happen. The first week of training started off and sure enough I caught the edge of an office chair and rolled my left ankle again. I can't recall how many this makes it, but my left ankle has taken more than two dozen rolls and sprains. With that said I thought I'd reflect on my approach to training with a sprained ankle and offer some insight on what or what not to do. This is according to me with the DISCLAIMER: damn it I'm a runner not a doctor!

But................Luckily I know someone who is! Dr. Kotarski is a Naturopathic Doctor in Seattle's Ballard District. The first course of action was of course Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Having been down this path before I carry (2) ace bandages, (2) Mueller ankle braces, (1) Mueller knee brace, and several ibuprofen.  The second course was a combination of three prescriptions that I can't pronounce so you'll have to check out her website.

The sprained ankle occurred on Friday with a scheduled 6 miler for Saturday. Nope, no go, I was hobbled. So I set in motion my plans for cross training and core work that did not involve pounding my feet against the pavement. Simple sit-ups, leg lifts from the floor, push-ups, and alot of stretches. I will most likely be adding Yoga which will also be a first for me, but that might have to be another post. I started looking for a new bicycle as well so I could continue working on my leg condition and anaerobic conditioning.

Sunday I actually had full movement of my ankle so all wrapped up we went for a hike up in the hills. Surprisingly I made the 4 mile hike with no problem and was able to enjoy the views I normally pass by on my runs. So by Tuesday I had schemed that I was all patched up and ready to go. I decided after work I would try my regular after work run and see how I could do. I have been using Queen Anne for hill training and I figure two or three miles with those hills will be worthy of a workout and keep the pounding on my ankle to a minimum. I was able to complete my runs but they were short, two on Tuesday and my ankle was sore, four on Wednesday and I felt ok, three on Thursday and felt great so I completed an eight miler on Saturday around Lake Youngs.

This was probably not a recommended approach but I do not sit still very well. This ankle sprain recovery was the fastest I have ever experienced and I thought I should put that out there for anyone trying to recover from that blast of defeat you feel when you fall on your ass in pain hearing ligaments tearing apart in your ankle.