Welcome to Wednesday Word, a weekly linkup for everyone, not just health and fitness bloggers. Each Wednesday you will have a single word prompt to write about. Let your imagination run free and share with your readers your interpretation of that word, or simply use it as inspiration for your post. Today’s word is adjust and was suggested by my friend Erin. I’d love to have you link up, and if you do, please remember to follow my six simple rules.
Adjust – to change (something) in a minor way so that it works better;
to change the position of (something);
to change in order to work or do better in a new situation
~ Merriam-Webster
What works during one training cycle might not work the following season, and successful runners need to have the ability to adjust. I should know…
After years of running marathons almost exclusively, I had a minor back injury that sidelined me for several months in 2011. I was devastated. The first adjustment necessary – an attitude adjustment!
It took a little while for me to wrap my mind around the fact that I probably wouldn’t be able to run another marathon, but as soon as I did, I put my energy in finding shorter races to run, and mixing my training up a little bit more.
My comeback was slow and steady, and my Cruiser friends were amazing! A couple of them even ran/walked my first two post-injury races with me! I was so grateful.
It was the ability to adjust that kept me sane during those comeback months. It wasn’t necessarily easy, but I knew it had to be done if I were to be able to meet my long-term dream of running and staying active forever.
Some of the adjustments I made and need to be made by anyone looking to make a post-injury comeback include:
- Cutting back on mileage
- Being willing to run/walk until stronger
- Allowing for an extra day or two of rest
- Focusing on core strength
- Strength training
- Cross-training
- Focusing on form and quality runs when starting to run again
Yes, my toughest adjustment was my attitude adjustment, but other adjustments in my training allowed for me to get back on the trails. I constantly have to make little adjustments and tweaks to my training, but listening to my body and being willing to adjust, keeps me going strong.
What areas of your life do you see the occasional need for an adjustment?
Grab My Button!
Next Wednesday’s Word: Deprivation
Great word! Way to adjust to still be able to enjoy what you love doing!
I have had to adjust my trainings due to injury also, adjust my attitude to not being able to run longer distances due to my knee, adjust to becoming a morning workout person, adjust expectations….
Sounds like lots of adjustments on your part, too…
I am adjusting at this very moment. Knee has been a little tweaky, so I’m resting it today, hoping to get through MCM. I know just from knowing you that your back injury didn’t slow you down in the least! Making any change is a big leap of faith, and it helps to see someone make that change and be better for it.
anne recently posted…What Can You Adjust?
Thanks, Anne! I guess I sort of reinvented myself after that injury. Hope your cranky knee holds improves for your fall marathons!
Confucius & Aristotle — smart guys, eh?
I have to constantly adjust my nutrition! Since I”m not running this week, I don’t need so many carbs. In fact, I adjust that throughout the week: more carbs before/after a run, more protein & less carbs on a strength training/non-run day (although of course you always need protein!).
And mental attitude? Yeah, I need to adjust my attitude to the hills at the end of halfs. Because they’re almost always there! Gotta work on that.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails (Dolly Parton)
Why is it that almost ALL races seem to end on an uphill? Very good point about adjusting nutrition according to your workouts!
This is interesting. I just changed coaches after 2 seasons because I was hitting the same roadblocks both times. I am re-starting a run focus and my new coach is kicking my butt with strength and also increasing my run frequency but not distance – and he is using walk/run with pace by feel. I am enjoying it so far…will be interested to see if this approach helps me break through.
Kelli recently posted…Woman Crush Wednesday – Barbara Harl
Good luck with your new coach and training plan. Hope it helps you break through those roadblocks!
Adjusting is not one of my strengths! I like my routines and I am pretty set in my ways. Good topic!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Zengo Cycle- A sweaty good ride
I like routine, too, but try not to be set in my ways. I’m noticing that’s harder as I get older, though! 😀
I think a sign of maturity as an athlete is being able to let go of your ego and adjusting your training, your goals as needed. It’s not always easy but you have to do the right thing.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Chicago Marathon Race Recap: No Giving Up
Exactly!
I’m not so good at adjusting for myself – like my own goals or fitness, etc. But I find that as a mom, I’m really good at adjusting to my daughter’s new phase or wants/needs. Like when all of a sudden she doesn’t like a certain food anymore. Ok, let’s roll with it. Time to start liking a new food then!
Alison recently posted…Wednesday Word: Adjust
Sometimes as moms of little ones if WE don’t adjust, life can be very difficult! 😉
This was an easy word for me this week since adjusting is about all I’ve been doing. I think as a runner you must be willing and be able to handle adjustments. You are very right just because one training season went well it does not mean another will be the same. We must be in tune with our bodies and adjust as needed. Thanks so much for this link up, I feel like a broken record, but I’ll say it again how much I love this and look forward to it each week! 🙂
Tricia@MissSippipiddlin recently posted…Adjusting to Morning Workouts
So glad you love the linkup, Tricia! That means a lot to me. 🙂
Great word! I’m trying to adjust to not running right now, and you’re so right, it all starts with your attitude!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Recovery – Week 1 Done!
Runners not being able to run probably need the biggest attitude adjustment of all types of people. At least I know that’s true with me! Hope you can get back on the running trail soon.
I constantly have to adjust my thoughts. I have a tendency to think negatively and I hate it. Positive thinking is where I need to stay . I think that adjusting things is necessary in every aspect of life
thanks
bakingrunner.blogspot.com
I think that by realizing that you tend to dwell on negativity is half the battle, and it sounds like you’re working on adjusting that. Good for you!
Did you write this specifically for me? LOL! It’s pretty easy to adjust your training with different non-weight bearing activities, etc. when you are injured. But, adjusting the attitude is definitely the HARD part. You’ve got to convince your mind you will get through it and come out stronger on the other side. Sorry I didn’t link this week. I’m just so far behind.
HoHo Runs recently posted…Plan B (WW # 10)
Yeah, I think my mention of the need for an attitude adjustment hit home with a lot of runners!
No worries about not linking up. I barely had time to get my own Wednesday Word post written with all the work I’ve been doing on my Ragnar DC recaps. 😉
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