A Crooked Path to the Top
The runner’s path is never straight. Or flat for that matter.
My own BQ journey has been derailed — though hopefully only in the short term — by a hamstring injury. Or maybe it’s a glute injury. Or probably both. Who knew that stepping on your own shoelaces could mess up a leg so badly?
I’ve been trying to heal the back of my leg by my own methods, mostly by resting it, though I’ve also tried rolling it on a softball and trigger-point roller to loosen it up.
It doesn’t seem to be working.
In fact, the injury seems to be getting worse. Initially, it was very tender in the belly of the hammy with some deep soreness at the attachment with the glute. But now the glute is more sore and even tighter than usual, and it seems to pull at the hamstring, keeping that spot from healing. So, not good.
The injury is a problem, of course, but the follow-on issue of losing fitness is one that I’m also getting anxious about. Aside from a 3-ish-mile walk a couple days ago, I have done no exercise for two weeks. My Garmin has my daily goal down below 3,000 steps. And while it was beautiful, taken under a canopy of trees with leaves turning all sorts of vibrant colors, the walk on Monday exacerbated my injury too. It seems any extension of my leg pulls on the injured tissue and sets back my recovery. Which further delays my return to the trails. And the gym.
I’ve been injured a lot during my 20 years of running. And I have consistently tried to resume exercise too quickly. (Just like every other runner out there!) I like feeling fit. Having a workout plan with a goal race at the end is motivating for me. I’m a cheapskate too, and I detest spending money on something I don’t get to use, so I push to make my races. And I’m stubborn; I have a hard time letting go of my ambitions for those races.
Add all that up and you get a guy who resents injuries and tries to overpower them with will and wishful thinking instead of with patience and perspective. (Just like every other runner out there!) I guess the personal attributes — striving, perseverance, focus, day-in-and-day-out discipline — that explain the successes I’ve enjoyed in running might explain much of the failures I’ve earned as well.
I swear this time it will be different.
But to be completely honest that’s only because I have a lot of time between now and my marathon. I should be able to heal my leg and get a workout plan to strengthen the injured tissue so it’s less likely to be hurt again, and still get my runs in to finish the Ventura Marathon in late February. The BQ goal might be in jeopardy though — everything needs to go right to achieve that one, and this injury is Exhibit A of what’s not going right. Still, since I do know myself, if the injury lingers I might start testing it sooner than would be prudent. I don’t know that I’ll be able to help myself.
I might need some professional intervention on this one. Or at least a good talking to from my non-runner self.
Will I listen? Only time will tell the tale. As it always does.
