Frustration

coastrunner

Hi all,

I've been lurking on here for ages and have read some great stories and advice. My story is I have been an occasional runner (the odd 3 mile) for years but started doing more last November and set out on a 1/2 Marathon plan in January. I managed to shake off a bout of shin splints after about 6 weeks but after getting my mileage up to about half marathon level I am now out with IBTS for about a month. Stubbornly I tried doing stretches and exercises to shake it off without success but finally went to a physio last week. Hopefully I will get it sorted.

How do you serious runners cope with injury? I'm finding it really difficult not being able to go out running. The nature of the injury is I'm not in pain or discomfort but I know if I went out I'd break down after a few miles. Its so hard, especially after toughing out the bad weather and now that we have great weather I can't get out. Emotionally I feel really down, running has changed my mood and outlook on life and it hurts like hell not to be able to do it?

Anyone else go through these feelings?

ger664

Going from the odd 3 mile run to a half marathon plan is increasing your mileage too quickly thus leading to this spate of sidelining injuries. Do a few 10K plans, starting with a novice and working up from there slowly but surely.

TheRoadRunner

That's a pain in the ass allright. Hit the gym and try maintain your fitness. With the right treatment and sensible stretching you should be back in a few weeks. Just ease yourself back in very slowly, you have plenty of time. Getting up to 13 miles in 4-5 months is good going and the mileage alone may not be responsible for your injury. Whats a typical weeks training for you? Have a good look at the surface you run on, your running shoes and your stretching routine. Good luck getting back, I feel your pain.

coastrunner

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

That's a pain in the ass allright. Hit the gym and try maintain your fitness. With the right treatment and sensible stretching you should be back in a few weeks. Just ease yourself back in very slowly, you have plenty of time. Getting up to 13 miles in 4-5 months is good going and the mileage alone may not be responsible for your injury. Whats a typical weeks training for you? Have a good look at the surface you run on, your running shoes and your stretching routine. Good luck getting back, I feel your pain.

Thanks Roadrunner. I was using the Micoach site and their training plans on my phone. I just looked back on it there and it actually took me 12 weeks of unbroken training from the start of the year to get to 9.5 miles (not 13)

I started doing 3-6 mile runs in Nov but a head cold and indulgence at Christmas knocked nearly a month out. Was the 12 weeks to 9.5 miles too quick? In fairness I wasn't staring completely from scratch and while my normal run last year was about 3 miles I would do the occasional 6 mile, but without a distinct plan until Nov and then regular training from January onwards.

I was trying to get to a point where I'd do the 1/2 Marathon in 2hrs approx. Maybe that was too ambitious for a first one? I probably should have just trained to complete it?

Anyway my typical week just before I got injured would have

3 days of running.

One day of 35minsapprox,
one day of 45mins approx
and a long run of 1:40

All done slowly at 70-80%HRM and a pace of just over 10min/miles

I run on approx half beach and half tarmac road or path. Some concrete paths but I try and go on the grass verge or tarmac road to avoid them.

After my trip to the physio its fairly clear my core strength is very poor. (My hips buckle after a few one legged squats) :eek:. So that would point to one possible cause. I'm back in the gym and will be concentrating on core work from now on.

Hopefully I'll get back training and be able to make a stab at the Adidas race series in the autumn and see how I get on

airscotty

What sort of footwear are you in? Many people can get through a few miles occasionally with any old trainers but if your upping the distance you should look into getting a pair of trainers fitted from a specilist running store. Its not just about getting the most expensive pair but the correct pair for your running gait. And of course all the previous advice on building up slowly/core/stretching etc is all vital

RubyK

coastrunner wrote: »

Anyone else go through these feelings?

Yep, and it's headwrecking! The days seem very long without running, and every runner you see out on the roads fills you with more frustration. But you will get there, listen to your physio.

When I was out of action before Christmas, my physio mentioned aqua-jogging. It's supposed to be very good for keeping up your fitness levels. I don't know if it's suitable for ITB injury, but it might be worth asking about.

Hope you get sorted, and back on the roads soon.

coastrunner

airscotty wrote: »

What sort of footwear are you in? Many people can get through a few miles occasionally with any old trainers but if your upping the distance you should look into getting a pair of trainers fitted from a specilist running store. Its not just about getting the most expensive pair but the correct pair for your running gait. And of course all the previous advice on building up slowly/core/stretching etc is all vital

I'm in a decent pair of Adidas Supernova shoes (for pronators). They have about 250 miles on them but I'll get a new pair soon, although the physio looked at them and said they're o.k

coastrunner

RubyK wrote: »

Yep, and it's headwrecking! The days seem very long without running, and every runner you see out on the roads fills you with more frustration. But you will get there, listen to your physio.

When I was out of action before Christmas, my physio mentioned aqua-jogging. It's supposed to be very good for keeping up your fitness levels. I don't know if it's suitable for ITB injury, but it might be worth asking about.

Hope you get sorted, and back on the roads soon.

Thanks:)

firemouth

keep your head up coastrunner,youll be back in no time!make sure and get advice on stretching off your physio to try and avoid future problems.Try pilates for the core work,it can make all the difference

coastrunner

firemouth wrote: »

keep your head up coastrunner,youll be back in no time!make sure and get advice on stretching off your physio to try and avoid future problems.Try pilates for the core work,it can make all the difference

Thanks Firemouth

Mr Slow

Get yourself a Grid Roller! I haven't looked back since I started foam rolling my IT Band.