taking a detour

I consider myself to be a pretty dedicated runner. I aim to log 30-35 miles per week, and feel like I am always in training for something.  I was clipping along at a good pace this spring, when out of nowhere – BOOM! A trifecta of things happened that completely derailed my training.

Not to jinx myself, but I have been lucky enough not to suffer serious running injuries over the 16 years I’ve been doing distance running. Recently I started having hip pain after doing a weight workout, and then aggravated it by doing a long run the next day.  I don’t sit on the sidelines well.  I eat a lot, so I feel like I have to run a a lot, too, in order to stay in shape.  When I realized I couldn’t run for a few days without pain, I was crushed.  I have a half marathon coming up next month, and can’t afford to miss out on mileage. So I cut back on running and attempted to be patient. 

Then I started having cold symptoms, which didn’t help matters. I felt like I had lost all of my mojo between the hip problems and the cold. I just didn’t feel like myself.  Feeling a bit crummy, I started a 10 day business trip with only a weekend at home in between. My cold managed to turn into bronchitis, and even though the hip had improved and I was getting some small runs in, I just felt behind.

Now the dust has settled, the trips are over, injury has healed, and my health is back.  I’m 5 weeks from my next half marathon and feel like I have lost months of fitness.   I’m trying to be patient and slowly get the miles back in.  I participated in my first triathlon relay with friends, and it sparked my competitive spirit. I may have taken a detour, but I’m on my way back!

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