Patience Joey...Patience

Each week for the past 2 months I have been increasing my workouts, or the shots I take on the court, or the miles I log on the road.  In that time I've logged 138 miles of running that consists of interval runs, easy runs, long runs, and one race (Shamrock Shuffle).  This past Sunday, I hit my high mileage in one run for Mother's Day - 12 miles.  The most I had run up to Sunday was 10 miles (which I had run twice).  I felt like I was ready for the 12 miles.  I had my carbs the night before and slept a full 8 hours.  I wanted to approach it like it was a race.  I woke up on time, had a banana and bagel, and let it all digest for an hour.  And then off I went.

 

First mile was horrific as usual.  Second mile was a little better.  Then something odd happened.  I had this very sudden wave of confidence.  Like I could push it a little bit.  Mile 3 was fast (for me) at around 10:40.  I still felt good after that, then I logged another sub 11-minute mile.  I stopped and walked because I know I needed it even though I wasn't tired.  Mile after mile I was hitting 11 minute (or less) miles.  I was loving it! Then I finished mile 10, with two left going toward home.  Oh dear. The proverbial wall! The legs started to cramp slightly and I felt like stopping.  I was able to put my head down and push through this wall.  I realized I was tense so I kept telling myself to relax my muscles.  I was good to go.  11th mile done in 11 minutes, and the 12th done once again under 11 minutes.  My final time - 2:17...I was ecstatic!

 

I walked home pounding my chest knowing I had achieved something I had never done before.  I got home ready all ready to do my stretching.  Jaz made me eggs so I scarfed those down with some chocolate milk.  Started stretching and hurting in spots I didn't know existed.  But one spot hurt a tad more than the rest.  The tendon behind my right ankle up to my calf felt like it was spasming.  It wasn't super sharp pain, but very uncomfortable and unnerving.

 

I instantly went to the experts.  My running friends on Twitter! Probably the best explanation was from @MarathonBrian: "...you probably hurt your Achilles; a common injury for runners, especially when you increase your workload (pace, distance) in a short period of time before your body is used to it." DAMN! I knew I was going to fast! (I normally average a 12min/mi pace).  I continued on with Mother's Day walking VERY slowly everywhere I went.  My victory run was over-shadowed by this new injury.  Part of me was devastated because I felt like I was on such a roll, but part of me feels blessed.  Let's be honest, I could have gotten hurt much worse!  Hopefully something like this with proper rest will pass.

 

I should have displayed more patience on my last run.  Now that I know I CAN get under an 11 minute mile, I don't need to hit that again.  Not anytime soon.  So the next couple days, I will just rest and relax.  Let my body heal itself, drink lots of water, and just wait it out.  Now that I can't run, I just want to run.  My ankle and achilles don't feel right.  Maybe I need to see a doctor, but I will have to be patient with whatever I do.

 

Patience, Joey.  Just breathe and rest...