Stages of Injury

on November 10, 2009
in All Posts

Today was the first day I felt really frustrated by my calf injury.  I know that staying off of it is my only shot of running the races this weekend, but it’s just… annoying.  I grappled with similar emotions when I screwed up my knees, and I know I just have to ride it out.

 

I think the stages of running-induced injuries are:  Disbelief, Anger, Acceptance, Annoyance, Healed.  :)  That means I’m almost cured, right?

 

I had a lovely breakfast to soothe my soul:

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I cannot even explain to you how wonderful the weather in Central Florida is right now.  The summer heat has finally broken, and it’s been cool and crisp every morning.

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My oatmeal contained:

 

  • 1/2 cup oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 a banana
  • Several chopped dates
  • Toppings: granola and fax

 IMG_0784
Plus, a half serving or so of POM Wonderful Cherry juice.  I think the Blueberry one is better.

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Time to hit the ground running (metaphorically, of course!).  I am getting my hair cut (finally) at 10 AM, and while I’m downtown, I’m going to buy some camera supplies and new orthotics for my shoes. I REALLY need to get my hair cut (please ignore ponytail bump).

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Before I go…. The winners of The Holistic Doctor Is In! giveaway are:

 

  • Laura: Okay, I’ll fess up… I first was excited about trying the Max Stress B for myself, but then I noticed the Bone & Joint Complex Quantum. My husband has awful knees. Had lap surgery a year ago to clean out the floating pieces of cartilage that were just broken off & floating around. He had hoped this would help the sudden sharp pains that would nearly drop him to the ground. However, the surgeon told him there was not much cartilage left & he would have to just see how the pain was. A year later he is in constant pain, somedays worse than others. We have both often thought of beginning a glucosamine supplement to see that might help the regrowth of at least some cartilage. We’ve heard great things from others and then average reports from some as well. Would be great to win this product and jump start him into a consistent program.

 

  • PostCollegeCook: I would be interested in massage therapy. I wonder if it would help with my motley crew of running injuries. Also, the Glucosamine Synergy stuff sounds like it was made for me and my knees right now!

 

Have a wonderful day!

{ 50 comments }

 

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is November 10, 2009, 7:55 am

    The weather sounds gorgeous there. Sometimes I wish I lived in the south!

  • Madeline @ GreensAndJeans November 10, 2009, 8:10 am

    I hope you get to feeling better! Sometime a week off is all the body needs!

  • Emily Eats and Exercises November 10, 2009, 8:14 am

    I hope your achilles/calf feels better asap. I am looking forward to reading your race recaps! (But of course take it easy if you have to – no long term injuries please!)

  • megan November 10, 2009, 8:17 am

    Your weather sounds so nice. I miss being able to run in the mornings. Well, i guess I still could. I’m just not dedicated enough to run in the dark in 30 degree weather. something about safety and warmth just appeals to me a little too much. 🙂

  • Jenna November 10, 2009, 8:18 am

    You’ll feel better in no time. You are doing the right thing staying off with it and sharing your frustration. It is hard to go from super active to nothing, especially when it is against your will.

    Hang in there!

  • Nicole November 10, 2009, 8:19 am

    I hope you feel better! I’m pretty much out of commission as well, so I feel your pain.

  • Danny G @ Beer in Shape November 10, 2009, 8:20 am

    Hey. Probably the most annoying thing in this world is when you get injured, especially when preparing for a sport season or running (like you have been). The most important thing to do right now is try to ISOLATE the injury. The less weight you put on it and the less you use it, the faster it will heal!! HOPE YOU GET BETTER!!! and one more random q, can you buy POM in bulk like at Costco or BJs??

    • Caitlin November 10, 2009, 8:32 am

      hmmm i dont think i’ve seen it at costco, but i don’t know about BJs. i doubt it. i do know they sell the larger jugs at my publix (like 32 oz or 48 oz) and they are $11. that sounds expensive, but i find it hard to drink more than 4 oz at a time.

  • Diana November 10, 2009, 8:25 am

    Yep, the weather here is like that too. I was so tired of the heat! 🙂
    I hope you get better soon.
    Have a great day!

  • Amelia November 10, 2009, 8:25 am

    Hope you feel better soon! I’m sure you’ll hit the “healed” stage soon enough! 🙂

  • Morgan @ Life After Bagels November 10, 2009, 8:29 am

    I totally understand your emotions. Don’t worry, just enjoy all of your other activities for the next couple days 😀

  • Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries November 10, 2009, 8:31 am

    Definitely agree with those stages! Hope youre reeeaaallly close to healed 🙂

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) November 10, 2009, 8:54 am

    I hope that you are fast on your way to being healed. I’m excited to see what you are going to do with your hair – I’m getting mine cut on Saturday and keep wavering about what I want to do with it – I know I want something slightly different, but not too different.

  • Sara November 10, 2009, 8:57 am

    I hope you start to feel better soon! My boyfriend just ran two marathon’s back to back and now is suffering from a pain in his knee. I think it’s “Runner’s Knee.” It is killing him from taking time off because he wants to train and become faster for his next marathon in a month. I know how frustrating it can be but hang in there and you will do great! good luck with your haircut!!

  • Lindsey @ eatreadrun.com November 10, 2009, 9:00 am

    I’m sending healing vibes your way for a quick recovery. I’d add “frustration” into my stages of running-induced injuries. I think it would come right after anger. It’s slightly different from annoyance because it’s a frustration which stems from feeling helpless.

  • Jessie (Vegan-minded) November 10, 2009, 9:01 am

    I hope you feel better soon! Getting a hair cut always makes me feel good about myself, so hopefully it will serve to lift your spirits a bit. By the way, how is the new camera working out so far?

    • Caitlin November 10, 2009, 11:43 am

      it is AWESOME! highly recommend rebels.

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite November 10, 2009, 9:08 am

    Hope you’re close to healing soon! Running injuries are very frustrating!

  • Lu November 10, 2009, 9:09 am

    Hope you have a good day. You’ll be running in no time. Your dinner from last night looks really good.

  • Matt November 10, 2009, 9:25 am

    Hang in there! Patience is key.

  • Stacey November 10, 2009, 9:47 am

    Glad the weather is good your way! It’s rainy and cloudy here up in NC 🙁 I LOVE getting my haircut! It makes me feel so relaxed, like I could almost fall asleep in the chair lol..Have a good day 😀

  • boomette1 November 10, 2009, 9:55 am

    Your oatmeal looks good. Do you cook it on the stove-top or microwave? I rarely eat oatmeal. I may try the way you made it.

    • Caitlin November 10, 2009, 11:44 am

      stove-top and NOT instant. instant is yucky.

  • Reenie November 10, 2009, 10:18 am

    Thanx for teaching me how to jazz up my oatmeal. I don’t use the instant anymore….cooking it on the stove is sooo much better. I add cinnamon, walnuts, sweetened shredded coconut, and flax seeds. Oh, and I’ve added POM seeds to it too! I LOVE it ~ I even eat it for dinner!! =)

    • Caitlin November 10, 2009, 11:44 am

      oh man… oatmeal for dinner is awesome!

  • Sara November 10, 2009, 10:21 am

    I would add self-pity between anger and acceptance

    • Caitlin November 10, 2009, 11:44 am

      oh yes, i forgot about self pity 🙁 hopefully that stage doesn’t last long! i try to remember that my situation could always be worse.

  • Anna November 10, 2009, 10:27 am

    I think this week off is just what you need and I think it will serve as the perfect tapering for your two big races this weekend!

    This sounds really silly but if I flex my foot when I run my achilles doesn’t hurt as bad maybe its a mind game…also avoid speed and hills because those both really irritate my achilles.

    I also believe you need to put denial in the process of an injury I know even with repeat injuries I never think anything is wrong!

  • Katy November 10, 2009, 10:37 am

    I’m in the same boat — I’ve been sidelined with a groin injury since that Olympic triathlon a few weeks ago…and it.is.killing.me.

    I can’t believe how much I miss running — I just wrote an Ode to my old friend on my blog. 🙂 I’m trying to rest, but it’s hard and frustrating.

  • Anne Marie@ New Weigh of Life November 10, 2009, 10:42 am

    Your hair is so pretty!

  • Sammi November 10, 2009, 10:43 am

    I hope your haircut went well! or depending on how long it takes the hairdresser to cut it… I hope it’s going well! lol. Your hair looks really pretty in that picture! The ponytail bump isn’t nearly as bad as how mine always looks! lol.

    Keep up the good work on taking care of your calf! Hopefully it’ll be better soon!

  • skinnyrunner November 10, 2009, 10:45 am

    hope you have a great time getting your hair cut! i always like to go get my hair done bc i feel so much better afterwards.

  • Linzi November 10, 2009, 10:48 am

    Oooh can’t wait to see how the hair cut goes! And I am sending the healing fairies your way to help in a speedy recovery!

  • Beth @ DiningAndDishing November 10, 2009, 11:12 am

    Hope your injury gets much better soon! I know it’s annoying but you are so doing the right thing by staying off it for now. It will pay off in the end!

  • RhodeyGirl November 10, 2009, 11:14 am

    Caitlin I need that stopwatch. For the last 20 minutes I haven’t even LOOKED at my work computer. I am going to work… NOW!

  • Gina November 10, 2009, 11:15 am

    I totally feel for you with your calf pain. My sister and I call them the littlemen that bite your achilles when you up your mileage or just are running so much. One thing that helps me is walking on an incline on the treadmill for a little bit when you feel up to it.

  • Laura Smith November 10, 2009, 11:17 am

    what does your calf pain feel like? I have been upping my milage lately, and today my calves are so tight, it feels like they need stretched 24-7. I took the day off running today, but don’t know if they are just sore, of if they are injured?

    • Caitlin November 10, 2009, 11:45 am

      mine feels SUPER tight. and it aches. and it hurts when i run. i dont know if that helps?

  • Adam November 10, 2009, 11:46 am

    Injuries are the worst, but getting back out there after the injury feels really good – you know provided you don’t aggravate it. No matter what my injury is I always try and do some sort of exercise to keep active while I am sidelined. It’s not easy, but I try.

    Get well soon!!

    – Adam @ http://www.turnupmyworkout.com

  • Ana November 10, 2009, 11:55 am

    hi Caitlin,
    i had issues with my calf/achilles about 3 weeks ago..lots of tightness/stiffness. anyhow, i used icyhot in the morning because that’s when it was the stiffest, ice bags at night,and i massaged my calves twice a day, and i did all these things whether i felt like i needed it or not.

    i was only unable to run for 5 days, which was tough, but i haven’t had a problem since, so this routine might help you

  • Chrysta November 10, 2009, 11:57 am

    Sounds gorgeous in FL right now! I love when the hot weather breaks and that chilly fall air sets in. So comforting! I hear ya about the calf pain. I have really tight hamstrings which sometimes really bother me when i work out. It is frusterating. Yoga actually seems to help me out though which is nice. I really hope you feel better soon!! Have you tried stretching with a foam roller? I heard that helps some people..Have a super day!

    • Caitlin November 10, 2009, 12:11 pm

      i have a foam roller, but it doesnt seem to help? ah.

  • Joelle (The Pancake Girl) November 10, 2009, 12:00 pm

    Oh love the new camera!

    I hear ya, it is way frustrating having to sit on your hands and not run or get in the amount of movement you need to.. the thing is, if you push it, you’ll end up hurting yourself even more (as you already know). You are the most composed injured person I know, though- I’m usually a frantic, annoyed mess!

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat November 10, 2009, 12:03 pm

    I’d say you are almost healed 🙂 Good luck with the rest of the week and the races this weekend. I need a haircut too!

  • chandra November 10, 2009, 1:09 pm

    I’m pretty sure I’ve been roating through anger, acceptance, and annoyance… I’m ready to be healed. 🙂

  • Kelly November 10, 2009, 2:01 pm

    I have been in the annoyance stage for awhile with my knees haha

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) November 10, 2009, 2:47 pm

    Those stages are perfect. With my hip it was totally that way. I tried to ignore it until I had to go to the doc. Then I was angry that I had to take a week off and eventually miss my race because I needed PT (bad for not believing it for so long) and now I’ve accepted it and doing the PT and just annoyed that I can’t run the full thing.

  • Stephanie November 10, 2009, 4:38 pm

    I completely understand the anxiety of taking time off from training. Last year I had MTSS (fancy word for shin splints) and I had to take 6 full weeks off running during the height of training plus some modified weeks and I stayed in great shape by using the Arc Trainer. I was able to run the marathon in a decent time (not fastest but still good). So do not be too quick to return to running or racing this weekend if it hurts because even if you take another week or more off, you can maintain your fitness. IN fact, you may return stronger than before as your body gets a break from the pounding.

  • maria November 10, 2009, 9:33 pm

    My foot injury is annoying the piss out of me right now. I’m sick of not being able to run, but I know if I don’t let it heal it will only continue to get worse and worse and potentially prevent me from running for a really long time. Gah! So annoying!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) November 11, 2009, 2:01 am

    I think your hair looks good! Even with the ponytail bump 🙂

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