As much as I hate the term “comeback”, there really is no better way to describe the arduous process of reintroducing running and rebuilding fitness after a long injury. This is a process that I know all too well..I’ve had my fair share of injuries, and I learn something new every time. From my first injury, I learned how to cross train. From my latest injury, I learned the importance of balancing stressors in order to heal.
This injury began with just a little ache, which I thought would go away after a few days. However, a few days turned into a week turned into a month and a half. All of a sudden, it wasn’t just a little ache, it was a full blown injury that took me out of two races and left me starting over in my running fitness. I think a big reason why this injury took so long to heal was because I did underestimate it. Seeing it as “only an ache” made me feel like I could cross train big hours and do a “test run” every 5-6 days. Not giving myself enough rest or extended time off of running elongated the recovery, and cross training intensely for hours every day made it difficult to have any energy left to rebuild my strength.
As I said, each injury teaches me something new, and this one certainly did. Even after all of my blunders, I am finally back to running and feeling so appreciative to be able to do it! Watch the video below to see what my training looks like during this comeback.
