35 Comments
Jan 31Liked by Terrell Johnson

Thank you for the article, it’s encouraging. I’m experiencing a slight injury in my gluteus. First time ever, I have never experienced that before and it not totally Debilitating. But it’s enough to, kind of, slow me down. Your article was spot on, right now everything‘s all over I’m done and I need to stop running. It’s the end of my training. My head spin wildly.

Well the article was encouraging. My body is 62

But I think I’m 22. My body doesn’t let me forget my age. Lol.

Heal fast and well.

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Jan 31Liked by Terrell Johnson

Yes! Running injuries suck, and they happen to most runners at some point. I literally decided to go to physical therapy school to help runners deal with the inevitable. Running brings such joy to my life and my goal is to help people get back to running and stay as health as they can be. I like to think of an injury as just a time to shift your focus on rehabilitation. Physical Therapy as a field needs to get better at rehabing runners, and I am trying to be that person!

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Jan 31Liked by Terrell Johnson

I’m dealing with these same thoughts myself today. I saw a doctor and then a physical therapist about my hamstring injury and am finally facing the reality that I have to stop running for a while as I work to strengthen this muscle and let it heal properly so it doesn’t become a chronic injury that plagues me for a long time to come. But not being allowed to run so soon after discovering a passion for running is really bothering me. My psyche on this subject is a delicate thing, to be honest. Part of me worries I’ll lose this so-recently gained ability. My conditioning is already not what it was a few weeks ago because nothing conditions like running.

I’m going to try the other things the PT recommended - stationary bike, swimming - but I’d really rather be running. Perhaps I need a workout shirt with that phrase for when I’m doing these activities.

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Terrell this is exactly what I needed to read right now, as I'm battling some bronchitis — last year, I kept running through a similar illness (I felt okay! Why not run!!!) and ended up with a cough that didn't leave me for a month (and also ended up coughing so hard I sprained a rib muscle, which made running absolutely impossible). I learned a lot (and had to drop down from my plans for a 50k trail race to the Eugene Marathon) and am desperately trying to give myself some grace as I recover. It's good to remember that it's not weird that we feel bad when we can't do one of the things we like to do the most, but we have to think in the long term if we want to keep being able to do that thing.

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I read what you wrote and in front of my desk, on a cork board, is a picture taken years ago at a Relay For Life Event of me and my wife. On my shirt were the names of 34 individuals who had died of cancer. The article stated that I was doing this for my dad and my wife's father who had died the year before from cancer. I clocked 62 miles that day. My wife still asks me if I'll ever do it again. I just respond, been there, done that, and I'm sorry to say my body would pay me back ten-fold if I ever tried it again. I now know my limits... but I can still dream.

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Jan 31Liked by Terrell Johnson

GA Terrell -- I slipped on the ice and injured my right wrist 13 days ago --- between Heather and Indigo but it hasn't impacted my running. Traveling to Jacksonville on Friday to run the Donna Foundation marathon, believe we will be running in the rain, to honor my friend's daughter who died of breast cancer last August. Thanks for the support you have given us.

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Jan 31Liked by Terrell Johnson

Healing takes time...I'm practicing patience...one step at a time.

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Jan 31Liked by Terrell Johnson

Great post and perspective!

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Jan 31Liked by Terrell Johnson

So helpful to read, and these comments, too. I was dying to get back to running after having a baby in Dec. So I finally did, and my first run was great, but my next one I had gnarly knee pain on one side and foot pain on the other. It scared the crap out of me. I def catastrophized — I’ll never run again! It’s all over for me! What will I do!? etc — and it’s helpful to learn others do too. Just have to take it slower.

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Jan 31Liked by Terrell Johnson

Right on target for me. I'm nursing a strained inglenol ligament. Planning to walk Eugene! See you there.

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This is relatable! ...plantar fasciitis and all

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Feb 1Liked by Terrell Johnson

Terrell, thanks for posting a springtime picture of Eugene. Much more inviting! I have 2 older runners who live here signed up for the 5K.

Looked up your heel problem in ChiRunning. . . PF starts on page 237 in the trouble-shooting section. Please take to heart what Cheryl told you about running technique. She in absolutely right! You do have some great instructors in Georgia. I can look them up if need be. The book is wonderful. . .an instructor is even better--hard to learn from a book. . .and you are so close to Asheville. Oh well. . . it is up to you.

I've been using Chi Techniques for running hills that I learned back in WA at Discovery Park. in 2015. Once hill-running came back to me, it was a real eye opener.

Started a virtual run today. . . Birds vs Bees. I only have to cover 90 miles in a 2 month span, then it's on to preparing for Eugene.

Beautiful day here. Sun is shining. 51 degrees. I'll be out in the hills and in the yard pruning trees. Take care of yourself! :)

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Feb 1Liked by Terrell Johnson

Great article and so encouraging. Like most runners, I lose perspective on injuries both minor and not so minor, and this is a wonderful reminder to take a step back.

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Jan 31Liked by Terrell Johnson

PF can be a lifelong struggle. Please don’t give up on possible solutions. Terrell you may remember my post here from a few weeks ago about ChiRunning. Changing your running technique to shift the workload of running to your core muscles and away from your lower legs is the key to avoiding injury. I would urge you to read up on ChiRunning - get the book, find an instructor. Rehab is needed but imo your technique needs to change. (How do I know this without seeing you run? Because most people push off instead of falling forward. That’s what causes PF and a whole lot of other injuries.!) Running does not have to end with injury. The source of the injury is the issue and usually its technique. My two cents!

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Thank you for this post! I run scared. Scared of getting hurt -- an almost obsessive attention to the slightest tweaks or nibbles of pain. It stops me from pushing myself faster or further, but it doesn't stop me entirely. I've embraced a back-of-the-pack-and-smile attitude to make up for my seriously slow pace. I 'get to run,' and I'm grateful. It doesn't work for everyone, but it works for me. I hope you recover well and soon!

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founding
Jan 31Liked by Terrell Johnson

Give it time to heal or you be more likely to have it again.

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