First, thank you all for the awesome comments on yesterday’s post Lose 100 Pounds, Lose Friends. It seems that I really touched a nerve with my readers and a lot of people could relate to my story. Even though I debated with myself whether or not to post it (for months actually) I’m glad I did.
It turned out that a lot more people have experienced what I have than I thought! I loved all the comments but a few really stood out.
My friend Leslie (also my Hood to Coast Captain!) said: “true friends and family are the ones that know the real you and love you in spite of it.”
Rob said: “I was *hooked* when you were posting all your Hood to Coast updates. Anyone who wasn’t impressed with that wasn’t reading your blog.”
And Nicki said: “You’ve gained so much more than you lost!”
I hope that my post helped some people. And I hope that it helped me, as well. Maybe I will find some closure and move on completely after “baring it all.” I really have gained a lot with losing my weight (insight, friends, health, fitness).
Wednesday’s Workout
Wednesday during lunch I went to the gym in my office instead of running. It was a bummer and I tried to shake off the feeling of being sad and depressed and just focus on my workout.
I warmed up on the elliptical machine for about 10 minutes. I pushed it as hard as my body would allow. I admit, I was mad at my body for being injured.
I did the Hill Intervals. When I was trying to lose my 100 pounds I spent a lot of time in the pool–and on the elliptical machine. It was my favorite machine. I could spend over an hour, zoning out listening to talk radio or music and suddenly I burned 700 calories or more.
For Wednesday’s workout, I did intervals:
- 5-10 minutes on the elliptical machine then
- 3 solid minutes of continual jump rope then
- 1 minute of ab work on the Ab Ball then
- A few sets of weights (arms only) then
- Back to the elliptical.
Doing the jump rope for 3 minutes without stopping is a lot harder than you might think! I was able to do it for a few interval sets but by the time my workout was drawing to a close, my knee started to hurt. I guess the impact is what is hurting it (like running). So no more jump rope I guess…
It was good workout, despite not being able to run. I didn’t even attempt to run on the treadmill. I want to heal for real and be able to run for real.
In retrospect, the jump rope probably wasn’t the best thing for my knee. Stupid, I know. I picked up a knee brace on the way home from work.
I’m frustrated and depressed about my injury and not being able to run. I never thought Hood to Coast would be the CONCLUSION to my story…I always thought it would just be another goal that I achieved.
The truth is… I am scared.
I’m scared that my knee/IT Band injury is permanent.
I’m scared that I may never be able to run again.
I’m scared to lose my fitness level that I’ve worked so hard to achieve.
I’m scared that if I CAN ever run again, I’ll be starting from scratch.
I’m scared that I might fall off the “fitness wagon” and gain back my weight.
Michael is a very logical, unemotional person and for him the solution is easy: Stop exercising completely for a week and stop running for awhile until I heal. Of course that’s rational and logical, but I have tons of emotions and baggage and internal “BS” wrapped around the idea of doing that. It’s not a simple solution for me–it’s an emotional reaction.
I never said that this post would about RATIONAL fears. But there they are. I’m trying really hard to be upbeat and positive. To look at the positives:
- Changing your workout routine is a good thing and can help break plateaus.
- Taking a long break from running after the “Running Season” is over is never a bad thing.
- Resting after spending over a year training for Hood to Coast is clearly what my body is needing.
- I wanted to switch to cycling for awhile to start working towards my cycling goals.
As you can see, there are a ton of reasons to look at the bright side and take a break. It still sucks.
I’m TRYING really hard to be good. RICE = REST, ICE, COMPRESSION, ELEVATE. I’m going to take a few weeks off from running and hope that it heals on it’s own.
Wednesday’s Stats:
Time: 35 minutes
Calories Burned: 371
QUESTION: What are you scared of? And are your fears holding you back at all?
RunToTheFinish
it’s ok to be scared. I think especially as someone who lost weight working out, when I get injured it brings up a lot of emotions. Now the only thing you can do is step back and look at the heck of a workout you did any ways and start to evaluate the ways you can recover to keep working out!
Lisa Eirene
Thanks for understand. I think since Michael hasn’t lost a significant amount of weight, he can’t understand the emotional aspect behind this. I knew bloggy people would understand!
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
I totally understand feeling frustrated with an injury. After I was running for several months, I started training for a half marathon and ended up spraining my ankle realllly bad during my 7.5 mile run (my longest run ever at that point). Before the injury I was feeling invisible and loving running, but afterwards I had to stop for a long time while my ankle healed. It sucked, but it forced me to focus on other forms of exercise and it really ended up improving my fitness level because I became more balanced in my routine and started doing yoga, biking, walking, and swimming.
Lisa Eirene
That’s good news…I KNOW in my brain it’s not the end of the world. But it feels like it right now. 🙁
Kathy
IT band is not a death sentence for your running; no worries there. However, it does take some time to heal and that is the hardest part. Did your doctor confirm it was your IT band that is bothering you? Does it hurt more when you are walking down hill or down stairs? That is a definitely indication of an IT band problem.
Take care of yourself and relish & savor your accomplishments!
Lisa Eirene
It hurts when running. I can do stairs okay I think.
Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place
have you seen a doctor yet? If not, I’d recommend going in right away. Self diagnosis of injuries isn’t always accurate…I thought I had pulled a muscle and it turns out I have a stress fracture.
I recently had to stop running for at least 2 months due to my injury, and it’s forced me to explore other areas of exercise that I haven’t tried and/or thought I didn’t like. I’d rather take a 2 month break from running now, than push myself too far and never be able to run again.
Sabrina
I am always scared to fail. But I believe it is a natural human feeling, something that can push us harder to succeed. Your injuries will heal in time, maybe see a doctor. Keep doing what you are doing, hold your head high, and celebrate all your accomplishments!
Lisa Eirene
Thank you Sabrina! I’m trying!
Diane
Give your body a chance to rest and heal. On running? I had a bunch of injuries this summer than kept me from running and I even took a week or two off from everything. If we don’t allow for time to the heal, the alternative is to make the injury worse and really not be able to run anymore.
It is a little tough to get going again, I found mostly because of fear of re-injury, but you do get back on track a whole lot faster than the first time.
You know what to do to keep from gaining too much weight back. You’ll be back to running and doing what you love before you know it!
Julie
I SO feel for you. I’m facing the fear of never running again as well. I’ve been down from tibial and achilles tendonitis for going on FIFTEEN months and it’s so depressing. The problem with leg trouble is that it keeps you from so many other things (hiking, jump roping, even walking the dog 🙁
My legs used to be my pride and joy and gifted me with so much happiness, and now I’m afraid I hate them. I feel old 🙁
I’m attempting physical therapy again and made an appt for a consult tomorrow. Maybe you should try a sports injury consult as well???
Lisa Eirene
If I could EVER reach my doctor, I will.
Julie
I just noticed I put two frowny faces into your comments. Boy, that’s not very encouraging is it? Sorry! I HAVE FAITH that we will both be up and running again soon!
Ashley
I would be scared too, but I think it helps to imagine the worst scenario — if you can’t run again, like you said, you could still cycle and do other things to maintain your weight.
That said I can’t imagine how frustrating that would be. 🙁
Lori (Finding Radiance)
It’s understandable to be scared. But it isn’t the end of the world. I was running a ton at the beginning of the year. I had a goal of running 750 miles during the course of 2010 and was well on my way to that.
Then in April I herniated a disk in my back. No running. I physically *could not* run, so that took the choice component out of the equation. I did not run for 6 weeks! I was worried I would wake up 100 pound heavier or that I would never run again.
My body healed, and although I still have some residual effects from the disk, I am pretty much back to normal.
Healing a lesser injury by giving your body a full and complete short-term rest is the better thing than to push on because of fear and then end up with a nasty long-term injury.
Lisa Eirene
Thanks Lori. I guess I just needed to hear from someone else that lost 100+ pounds tell me that they did not gain it all back. 🙂
Sarah
Lori did great this Spring managing her injury and training. Lyn from Lyn’s Weigh has recently be going through some surgery recovery and was worried about the same thing, also doing great. I’ve just come across you via FitBlog more anecdotal evidence… I”ve had 5 knee surgeries at goal out of 11 total. I’m still down 185 pounds +/-a few.
It forces you to think a bit more about your food, but you can do it. Let yourself heal so you can run once again.
Oh and if it is IT Band, may I suggest a foam roller if you aren’t already using one. Often something a PT will use, I have one for home. Once you get used to it… best thing ever.
Good luck, wishing you a speedy recovery!
Sarah
Lisa Eirene
Sarah thanks for making it over to my blog. I am VERY happy to hear about other people in the same boat as me who did not gain weight. I would love to hear about your 185 pounds loss. That sounds spectacular! And yes, I do have a foam roller. I need to be more diligent.
Chantal
Hello!ok, here it is: i’m a nurse and i can tell you that ..michael is right! (i will be happy of this…lol) You have to stop training for a while because you will injure yourself more. Otherwise, you are doing te right thing by doing the RICE technique. You also have to reach a doctor as soon as you can, and if you can a physiotherapist specialised in sports injuries. He will help you recover, he will also find with you a training program that best fits you. Here in Canada, we have a specialist name osteopath, i don’t know if it’s a speciality who exist in america? This person is specialised in the body in a holistic way, and help a lot skeleton and muscular injury.A runner i know had a IT band injury and recover with the treatment of her osteopath. I hope i have helped you like you inspire me every day… (excuse my poor english i am a french speaker 🙂 )
Lisa Eirene
I have an appointment on Monday with my doc. Thanks for the tips. I do have a physical therapist too.
Alan (Pounds Off Playoff)
Lisa, sorry to hear you are going through this. Very tough. But you will get through it. Don’t force it. Do alternatives. I know you love biking from your previous posts.
I joined a softball team this spring when I was just starting to get in shape. On the first night, I partially tore my hamstring. There was a softball sized red spot on the back of my thigh. I’ve heard of how hammys can persist and at that very moment I wondered if ever get full function back. I took two weeks completely off, even from biking, which seemed really wrong, but I was told it was necessary. Then, I learned more about stretching, tried not to push past what I could handle, and it wasn’t long before I felt as if it’d never happened. Seems like a permanent condition. It’s not.