Detour from nutrition to talk about dealing with injuries

I ran today for the first time in over a week! I ran 2 miles. Not very much, but at least I was doing something.

I got the results from my MRI back. I have several things going on in my knee. I have a sprained ACL, petella tendonitis, and a problem with my meniscus, which I don't fully understand yet. I'll be starting physical therapy next week, and have to go back to the doctor on Tuesday to hear what he thinks about me starting to run again. Right now, I was told not to do more than a jog around the block.

I talked to Ben, local running store owner and best runner I know, about his thoughts on me running the marathon in April considering my injury. He advised that he didn't think I should run the marathon. He said possibly I could do the half-marathon. During our conversation, Ben asked if I had been doing any cross-training since I haven't been able to run. My answer was "no." I've been having a hard time focusing and getting motivated with my training, as I've had a lot of other things going on lately and have been frustrated with my injury. Cross-training has been very low on the priority list. As a coach and an athlete, I immediately thought to myself how horrible it was that I have not tried to maintain some of my fitness since I got injured.

I think today may have provided me with the motivation that I've been lacking to continue plugging away at my training. Although the marathon may be out of the picture, I still have a bigger goal ahead for this year, and have decided it's time to look at the big picture and get myself back on track.

It's funny how it would be easy to help one of my clients refocus and continue on with their training, but when it's myself who is injured, I did exactly what I would tell everyone they shouldn't do, I basically gave up.

So if you're out there struggling with some portion of your training or perhaps and injury like I am, I would encourage you to examine your goals, refocus, and get back to work! That is what I hope to do tomorrow.