oh the pain of an injury

Running injuries suck. Okay all injuries suck, but running injuries especially. I never thought I would be so sad to NOT run my longest and hardest run come this Saturday. I was going to do 22 miles with my training friend Lizzie (http://motherrunner.com) where she talks about our fun training sessions HERE and HERE! Running is the type of sport that you love and hate. At first when I was starting to run again after having Charley, I dreaded every single run and I had to drag myself out the door. Then about a month into training something clicks and you feel happy, you feel healthy and like you could run forever. You can't wait to jump out of bed in the morning to go running! I didn't really think twice about running and if I missed a day I just felt off and down and sad and 10 lbs heavier. I was at a good place in my training and was at the peak weeks (this means you are running your hardest and longest runs for training). I was feeling so good!

A few weeks ago when Lizzie and I were running one of our long Saturday runs, I noticed a small pain in my pelvis area. It felt like when I was pregnant and how your bones sort of start opening up down there. I didn't think much of it (I thought for a second if maybe I was pregnant but quickly dismissed that thought!) and we kept running. Then last week, I noticed it again on our long run but this time it was a more distinct hurt especially when we would stop to get drinks and then start back up again. Something about starting back up made it hurt REALLY bad. Still I was able to finish my run and go on with our Saturday adventures. The next day my pelvis area high hamstring was hurting really bad with just walking. I knew my sister Danielle went through something similar and I called her and sure enough our symptoms were the same. It took her a whole YEAR off running to heal. I was devastated and may have cried a little. From everything I have read it's not a speedy recovery and you pretty much just have to wait it out and not run. To say the least, I was crushed, disappointed and sad. I had really been looking forward to training and running the Boston Marathon (which I still might do in 4 weeks). I have a Dr.'s apt on Monday it see exactly what it is, but in researching and talking with my sister it is either my muscles that connect to my high hamstring up by my pelvis are disconnecting OR I have a stress fracture on my pelvis. both very bad and painful!

I found a really good article in Runner's World about depression and grief after an injury. I know I have felt this after my stress fracture the last marathon I ran. 
You really do go through a bit of depression and grief knowing you can't get up in the morning and run. It's so hard right now not to start my day with running. There is something about exercising in the morning that just helps the rest of your day go smooth. I am really going to miss it! Anyway the article is HERE.

I love the beginning how it talks about how running focusses our minds and makes up happier, healthier and saner. It's so true! I am luckily passed most the stages and on to the Acceptance where I have taken the "bull by the horns" and "cowgirled up" as my dad would say and made a plan for the next month.

MY PLAN
I signed up for a monthly gym membership and am going to cross train like crazy. There is a nightly spin class that I am going to do and a few other classes like yoga, water aerobics, and circuit training. I am going to do some stretches and weights that will hopefully strengthen my leg muscles around my hamstring and help it to heal. Spencer also gave me a very special and heartfelt blessing and we have been praying each night for a speedy recovery. I don't know what April 21st will look like on race day.. but I am going to do everything I can till then to continue on my endurance and training.. and who knows! Maybe you will still see me running.. or walking... or limping the marathon.