Decisions, Decisions...

A few weeks ago, while finishing my track workout, I felt an unfamiliar tightness in my lower calf (soleus & posterior tibialis). As the day progressed, I could barely walk, let alone walk up and down the stairs without being in pain. I tested it out the next morning, but only made it 1/2 mile before the tightness/soreness came back. I rested it all weekend, called my physical therapist Monday morning, & was able to return to short runs on Tuesday. I proceeded slowly, but with my stubborn determination, I decided to try for a longer run on Saturday morning. It felt fine...until 9 miles in when it felt like a strong hand was squeezing my achilles. I would've stopped right there, but I was at least 4 miles away from home :( It didn't hurt running on flat ground, but I was brought to tears when trying to run uphill. I iced it when I got home, but was freaking out because I could barely point or flex my toes without being in extreme pain. I thought I had torn my achilles. It got better over the course of the day, but I was still worried. I biked for about an hour on Monday, stretched, foam rolled, iced...the works....anything to keep my fitness level while also allowing for recovery. The leg felt better and better each day. I saw my PT on Tuesday and he did a thorough evaluation. His diagnosis - a strain in the posterior tibialis and the peroneal tendon. He gave me the green light to run this week, but only 4 times and no longer than 8 miles today for my "long" run. 21 miles feels pitiful to me....I feel anxious and antsy and just want to RUN MORE! But I know that in the long term, this rest/recovery time is crucial. My 8 miles this morning felt fantastic, so I know I'm on the mend. But there's one problem....

Training was going wonderfully until this happened. I felt really, really fit and everything was progressing nicely. I was happily running 40-50 miles/week and really looking forward to crushing my half-marathon on March 17th. I hit a few roadblocks with these "injuries" and feel like I lost some momentum in my training. In looking at the calendar, I realized that I would only have 2-3 good training weeks left once I was able to get back to normal mileage and intensity. This worried me. I know I can obviously complete the Rock n Roll DC half, but I want to kick butt. SO I consulted with my friend, www.runwashington.com, and discovered the Atlantic City (NJ) half-marathon on April 1st. I went back and forth and weighed all the pros and cons. Using the AC 1/2 has my goal race would give me an additional 2 weeks to train and I could use the DC 1/2 in March as a solid training run. Plus, what mother doesn't enjoy a little solo road trip?! A chance to get away and race without the distraction of family. SOLD!! I signed up the other day and am so pleased with my decision :)

Using the DC half as a training run will also allow me to devote more time and energy to supporting my clients and =PR= trainees throughout the morning. I have quite the crew running this race, so it'll be fun to run around the course looking for them! Their training is going so well and I can't wait to see how everyone does :)

It can be hard to deviate from the original plan, but I feel good about these decisions. Long term successful running requires one to step back, evaluate their training and goals, re-organize the details of training plans, learn what works best, and change course if needed. Training plans are flexible - even though I write out my plans several months in advance (for myself & my clients), anything can be changed at any time based on how one is responding to the training load.

Listen to your body, rest when needed, and be flexible!

Run on, friends!