Runners rarely get injured.
- We cross-train.
- We stretch after every run.
- We foam roll regularly.
- We always ice our sore muscles.
- We stay well hydrated.
- Most importantly, we listen to our bodies and stop running immediately when we feel something isn’t right.
Um, not really.
We have the best of intentions. Really we do. But despite those good intentions to do everything right and keep those dreaded injuries at bay, we slip, and injuries happen.
Let’s face it, we’re always in a hurry. So after our run, we skip our stretches and foam rolling and hit the shower instead. We head off to work where we’re in meetings all day and don’t have time to drink enough water, or more importantly, don’t have time to relieve ourselves after drinking all that water.
We’re a hard-headed bunch, and logic isn’t always as clear to us as it is to others. If we’re three miles short of hitting 50 for the week, we’ll run those extra miles even though we’re tired and know our bodies would benefit more from the extra rest.
We’re runners, we don’t know moderation. So what do we do, we get injured…..
On the bright side, there are many benefits to being an injured runner!
Next time you’re injured, revel in the positives, and stop complaining! Because runners never talk about their injuries…..
- Questions:
- What other “benefits” can you think of for being an injured runner?
- What’s the longest you’ve been injured, and had to take time off from running?
- Who raced this past weekend?
You nailed it with this post! I try my best to refuel (eat) while stretching, but tend to get distracted. I’m never in a hurry to hit the shower but usually have someplace to be 🙁 That being said, my favorite is the weekend when I can lounge around post-run or workout and really get in a deep stretch and utilize that foam roller.
Best of luck in your recovery!
-Kristen
Thanks, Kristen. I’m planning to head out tomorrow to see how it goes. Fingers crossed for a pain-free run.
ugh I don;t know! I miss my running friends and it’s only been a week. Other benefits: I’ve taken up swimming again and I have lots more time to search online and register for other races to replace the one I am missing 🙂
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Lasagna Soup-Meatless Monday
I know exactly how you feel. I miss my running friends more than the running itself. Here’s to both of us getting past these little problems quickly, and back on the running trail.
Swimming is good for you though, and if you have a heated pool you get to enjoy the cold and hot at the same time.
Jetsers recently posted…New years new post
I hope that this post does not describe you! But yes, we’re all guilty of those shortcuts, aren’t we? My only benefit to injury is that your feet can get back to normal: perhaps a full set of ten toenails, and way fewer calluses. I hope you’re back on your feet soon.
Anne recently posted…Janathon Day #5: No Pics Because It’s Dark Out
Thanks, Anne. I try to practice what I preach, but it’s easy to get busy and skip something. Foam rolling tends to be the one that I fail to make time for the most.
I like the full set of non-black toenails as being a benefit of being sidelined from the running trail. Good one!
I’m glad you can take a positive outlook on injury–I am never very good at that! I will say that for me, the best thing about injuries has been that it has given me a much better appreciation for the days when I am running healthy. Raining out? I don’t care–I GET to run. Snowing, icing, etc? I GET to go out. You get the idea…
misszippy1 recently posted…What I did on winter break
Excellent point about injuries making you appreciate when you’re healthy again and able to run.
Well shoot….maybe I shouldn’t be a runner…there are a lot of those things on that list that I would love 😉
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…2015 Goals: Time to refocus
HaHa, I know, right? I’m not sure if my attempt at humor came across in my post or not, but I was being just a wee bit sarcastic with my list. 😉
10 weeks out right now, and about 3 more before I can start running again.
Its killing me, but you know what I have gotten lots and lots of swimming in.
Was just cleared to bike about 3 weeks ago on the trainer with mild intensity, so there is that.
Missing 2 marathons from this stupid injury.
I will recover and come back strong!
Good luck with your own healing.
Nice light-hearted spin on being injured 🙂 But I still often wear my hair in a ponytail, even when I’m injured. Hope you feel better soon!
Meagan recently posted…Weekend Trail Run – It looked like the mountain was on fire
I hadn’t had my hair in a ponytail for a week or more, and I put it up in one for a very short attempted run outside today, and kept it up for the rest of the day. My head hurts now! 🙂
I like your positive spin on injuries – always hard to stay positive when running is out.
I think the longest I’ve ever had to take off is 6 months – stress fracture in my hip.
Kim recently posted…Not Goodbye After all
Six months is a long time, and a stress fracture in your hip sounds awfully painful. I had to take about three months off for my lower back injury three years ago, and that seemed like forever!
Several years ago, I had a stress fracture in my ankle and was forced to take 6 weeks off. I tried to start again and realized it still had not healed. I added another month of rest. I hate to hear you are having issues. I hope you will recover in no time! It sounds as if you’ve got a sense of humor about it. Nobody can stand to be around me when I’m injured. 😉
HoHo Runs recently posted…Foggy and Slow
I plan to spend more time on my spin bike until I feel back to normal. I bought a treadmill in December since it sounded like we were going to have a worse than usual winter. How ironic that I first felt this injury rear its ugly head during my very first run on my treadmill. 🙂
I picked up on your humor, Debbie – even though I’m not a runner, I could sense your sarcasm! I hope you don’t have to experience these “benefits” this year. I just read your goals for 2015 and your grades for 2014 – you need to stay injury free!
Dana recently posted…Fake it till you make it: My January Love List
Unfortunately, Dana, I wrote this post because I’m experiencing a little injury at the moment. Here’s to it being short lived, and I’m back on the running trail very soon! In the meantime, I’m cross training on my spin bike…
Injuries make running that much sweeter when I’m healthy!
Laura King Edwards recently posted…Running for Taylor in 50 States: 2015 Preview
Isn’t that the truth, Laura! Thanks for the positive reminder! 🙂
Great job looking at the positive side of things! That is hard to do w/ an injury. Injuries have definitely made me appreciate when I CAN run even more!
Amen to that!