I had a bad fall off a ladder that was up 15’ in the air and have been off running since early August 2023. Stitches in a few spots, bruises and a sore knee. Knee pain in one knee that has never gone away. I totally understand what it’s like not being able to do something that was part of your regular routine. Your frustrated at first and than reality sets in. I am finally getting into see a knee specialist next week and hopefully I can get back to what my wife and I enjoy doing. In Canada it takes longer to see specialist We have already deferred a bunch of runs from 2024 to 2025.
Awww, man -- Scott, that really is a bummer, I hope you're able to get some rest for the time being and feel better soon. This is what patience is all about, I guess, though. It's not easy!
This post speaks to me. Exactly what I've been going through. Everyone asks about my next race and I'm recovering from an overuse injury that I ignored because it would stop hurting after a while. My post race recovery got longer and longer. Patience is a virtue. I can finally attest to the benefits of stretching and strength training!
It's taken me a while to embrace strength training and stretching. I had to go to physical therapy just for the accountability aspect. When I was laid off late last year, I decided to make strength and stretching a part of my new and improved daily habits. They are on my habit tracker now. For strength I'm doing a minimum 5 minutes a day. I bought posters that illustrate free weight exercises. I follow those simple exercises just to get me to do it. I'm starting to appreciate the act of doing the work mostly because I see and feel progress. As far as stretch, I set a timer for minimum of 10 minutes. I do the physical therapy stretches I learned plus others I learned over the years to stretch the hip, glute, sciatica, groin area. Turns out 20 minutes or so is the sweet spot and I no longer look at is boring and a waste of time mainly because I feel the progress. The healing and recovery has taken over a year, but in the long run (pun intended) I now see and ultimately FEEL the value. 🙌
I could! Actually I also have a mountain bike, so I'm going to try to get in some (more) regular cycling. That won't aggravate the plantar fasciitis, though I'll need to get in quite a few more miles on the bike than I do on my feet to get the same degree of exercise in. We shall see... what do you do, if you do something in addition to running?
Lots of walking in Nature. Climbing steps in our 6 story condo. Pickle ball… You should recover faster than I did at 65 years old. But don’t let your “stir-crazy” mind dictate your rest & healing.
I like to research different stretches or go back to old reliables and trust when my body feels loose enough to get back on that (slow) horse. Sometimes you can’t just wait.
Man, I went through the exact same thing a couple of years ago. I always wore these pearl izumi running shoes that were just perfect for my feet...and then they suddenly stopped making them. I never quite found a good shoe to replace them and just kept on running. Over the course of about a year, I could feel the PF start to creep into my right foot. You tell yourself you're going to run slow - but its so incredibly hard to run slow enough to keep yourself under a reasonable pace and to do it for a long enough time that it ultimately cures the issue.
I wish I had the answer - ultimately I got COVID and it took me out of running for almost a solid month - and THAT effectively cured it. It stills creeps in on occasion - I wake up with stiff feet or something - but I keep my pace extremely slow and do my strength work and just keep on pluggin' along. I wish had something more positive to say, but solidarity nonetheless!
I hate it when the shoe companies do that -- they come out with new variations every year, and I'm like, "wait -- the old one was perfect for me!" I imagine this will be something that will flare up from time to time, you're right -- hopefully I can find a solution that will keep it at bay. The price of getting older, right?
Your post this week really spoke to me. I started running in my 30s. Just turning 50, my knees started bothering me which forced me to turn to strength training, yoga and PT. For an activity that I could lose myself in, I am now focused on my knees. The body throws us disappointments but, after all, we are only human and I am optimistic we will get it back. Hang in there Terrell!
Oh Terrell. Sending positive thoughts your way. When I had to lay off running for awhile I started swimming more and reading books about running. For a mostly dry January 🥴 I drank tea from my wine glass. I don't know about No Sweets February, maybe I'll try eating more fruits...
Good description, Terrell, of something I've already been through! :) Who would think a tiny little incline up to some daffodils blooming in early February could cause such pain! Silly me. . . off the road for a few days, no loosen-ups, just an impromptu run! Like I tell my daughter all the time,"don't show off" usually means you (yes, You!) will get hurt!
Take it for what it is, usually means some down-time and reflection.
I've been rowing since the beginning of the year--some may think it is cheating, but it sure takes strength--little to no impact yet builds muscle and joints that usually don't get used doing high impact training as in running or on the treadmill. Finally was able to calculate how many miles I've gone. . . 67 miles all told! I do 45 minutes rowing every day!
Yesterday, was able to actually Run uphill from our drive to the street above. . . something I feared doing without puffing and panting--and something I've been putting off since we move here in July. It was an
accomplishment for me. . . also means I may be fit enough already to run the 5K at the Eugene Marathon--as for the Half, I'm sure going to try!
Rainy and cold here today. I swept out the garage of the never ending fir needles. The primroses are still blooming, the buds are coming out on the fruit trees.
Hope all goes well at the podiatrist tomorrow. Take care and slow down to a stop if necessary. :)
Thanks, Terrell. This was on Hollie's newsletter a few weeks ago! It's weird, but it does work for running. https://runtrimag.com/boost-your-running-performance I don't know how your heel is doing after visiting a doctor. I kept on chugging along and eventually came out of it. Clark's suggestion of swimming is good, and I swim well, but I don't gravitate toward being wet, so I don't swim.
Take it easy on the bike. . .I'm a good biker,too, (since I was 18, so you can imagine the advancements!), but they can be treacherous.
More rain today, but the rest of the week is nice. Just picture yourself going across the Willamette in Eugene. I've been across the same bridge you showed!. . . it is exciting with all the other runners and the finish line in sight! )
I've successfully integrated running into my life, and I feel a lot better. I got stronger and lost a bit of weight (while adding muscle). I say this because, I really need to eat better. I eat healthy meals, but it's the snacks, snacks, snacks. I know I need to adjust my relationship with them, but I get sad thinking about saying goodbye to my Ritz crackers hahaha.
I understand what you’re saying. My wife and I did dry January (no wine etc) we did it. Now it’s no sweets February. It’s even harder. I love a sweet at night. Giving up snacks is not easy
2 months ago, suffered similar foot/heel injury and been resting since then. Recently I did a short test walk and the heel pain came back. Yesterday, my Podiatrist diagnosed the injury and determined that pain in heel is caused by lack of natural heel cushion (provided by skin/muscles) which caused the heel bone bruising. Dr suggestion is to use extra shoe padding to provide more cushioning and recommend to use HOKA shoes for better heel support. I use Brooks. going to shoe store today to buy Hoka and shoe pads snd test them out.
Terrell, so sorry to hear the news. It's a real bummer to be sidelined from something that we all enjoy so much. I've had to do it a few times (plantar fasciitis, broken toe, meniscus tear), but each time I've come back stronger. Just watch out for mental traps and keep yourself calm, focused, and grateful for the things you do have. Be sure to maintain all other aspects of your health until you can come back into the game. Wishing you a speedy and complete recovery.
T-Do you ever ask yourself (using running as perhaps a bigger, existential metaphor)--what would it mean if I could never run again? I think about these things (clearly, too much time on my hands)--about how both the "little things" and the bigger things serve to define how we think about ourselves.
I get it! This is such a great question, Diana... let me think about it a little. I do sometimes think about that, as I remember (this is like 20 years ago) when then-President Bush, who'd been a big runner for many years, finally had enough of the knee pain he'd been experiencing and gave up running for cycling. I haven't experienced that kind of pain yet, but it's always a possibility, you know?
And so, what would it mean to give up something that had been a big part of your life for such a long time? I suppose we should always try to stay curious and look for things that might invigorate us or interest us in new ways, because you're right, there's always that possibility that one day, we might not be able to do anymore the thing we've loved, and so we'll need to find new ground to explore, new things to engage ourselves with.
I'm probably just rambling here -- but it's a great, great question. I'm going to do some more noodling on this...
So sorry, friend. I know that sinking feeling, that short burst of stubborn persistence because "it'll work itself out" followed by the need to stop because it's not feeling better.
As I age, I'm realizing that I've had it backwards. I used to say that I run and that keeps me healthy. Certainly there's some of that, but I'm more and more aware that I have the luck and good fortune of having a healthy body--genetically, economically (I can afford good healthcare, good nutrition, good equipment), etc.--and *thus I'm able to* run more easily. It sucks when that goes away, temporarily in your case (fingers crossed!).
I had a bad fall off a ladder that was up 15’ in the air and have been off running since early August 2023. Stitches in a few spots, bruises and a sore knee. Knee pain in one knee that has never gone away. I totally understand what it’s like not being able to do something that was part of your regular routine. Your frustrated at first and than reality sets in. I am finally getting into see a knee specialist next week and hopefully I can get back to what my wife and I enjoy doing. In Canada it takes longer to see specialist We have already deferred a bunch of runs from 2024 to 2025.
Awww, man -- Scott, that really is a bummer, I hope you're able to get some rest for the time being and feel better soon. This is what patience is all about, I guess, though. It's not easy!
This post speaks to me. Exactly what I've been going through. Everyone asks about my next race and I'm recovering from an overuse injury that I ignored because it would stop hurting after a while. My post race recovery got longer and longer. Patience is a virtue. I can finally attest to the benefits of stretching and strength training!
Jenall, thank you! What do you do re: stretching and strength training?
It's taken me a while to embrace strength training and stretching. I had to go to physical therapy just for the accountability aspect. When I was laid off late last year, I decided to make strength and stretching a part of my new and improved daily habits. They are on my habit tracker now. For strength I'm doing a minimum 5 minutes a day. I bought posters that illustrate free weight exercises. I follow those simple exercises just to get me to do it. I'm starting to appreciate the act of doing the work mostly because I see and feel progress. As far as stretch, I set a timer for minimum of 10 minutes. I do the physical therapy stretches I learned plus others I learned over the years to stretch the hip, glute, sciatica, groin area. Turns out 20 minutes or so is the sweet spot and I no longer look at is boring and a waste of time mainly because I feel the progress. The healing and recovery has taken over a year, but in the long run (pun intended) I now see and ultimately FEEL the value. 🙌
Besides whatever the podiatrist tells you, time and patience is the mantra. I know, tough to hear, but reality Terrell. Been there, done that. NO FUN…
Yes, the waiting is very difficult but very necessary. If you try and come back too soon, you will regress quickly. Can you swim?
I could! Actually I also have a mountain bike, so I'm going to try to get in some (more) regular cycling. That won't aggravate the plantar fasciitis, though I'll need to get in quite a few more miles on the bike than I do on my feet to get the same degree of exercise in. We shall see... what do you do, if you do something in addition to running?
Lots of walking in Nature. Climbing steps in our 6 story condo. Pickle ball… You should recover faster than I did at 65 years old. But don’t let your “stir-crazy” mind dictate your rest & healing.
Thank you, Clark! It is not, so true... in time it will pass, I know. "The waiting is the hardest part," though!
I like to research different stretches or go back to old reliables and trust when my body feels loose enough to get back on that (slow) horse. Sometimes you can’t just wait.
Even some easy ballroom can help - like a waltz.
Oh no, sorry to hear that, Terrell! Patience is indeed a virtue.
Thanks, Jeanne! (And great to hear from you again! 👋 How are you?)
Sorry Terrel. I meant to also wish you a quick recovery
Man, I went through the exact same thing a couple of years ago. I always wore these pearl izumi running shoes that were just perfect for my feet...and then they suddenly stopped making them. I never quite found a good shoe to replace them and just kept on running. Over the course of about a year, I could feel the PF start to creep into my right foot. You tell yourself you're going to run slow - but its so incredibly hard to run slow enough to keep yourself under a reasonable pace and to do it for a long enough time that it ultimately cures the issue.
I wish I had the answer - ultimately I got COVID and it took me out of running for almost a solid month - and THAT effectively cured it. It stills creeps in on occasion - I wake up with stiff feet or something - but I keep my pace extremely slow and do my strength work and just keep on pluggin' along. I wish had something more positive to say, but solidarity nonetheless!
I hate it when the shoe companies do that -- they come out with new variations every year, and I'm like, "wait -- the old one was perfect for me!" I imagine this will be something that will flare up from time to time, you're right -- hopefully I can find a solution that will keep it at bay. The price of getting older, right?
Your post this week really spoke to me. I started running in my 30s. Just turning 50, my knees started bothering me which forced me to turn to strength training, yoga and PT. For an activity that I could lose myself in, I am now focused on my knees. The body throws us disappointments but, after all, we are only human and I am optimistic we will get it back. Hang in there Terrell!
Thank you, Jen! And these are really good points -- things I need to work on as well.
Oh noooooo :( I hope it’ll be a quick fix.
Me too, Jenna!
Oh Terrell. Sending positive thoughts your way. When I had to lay off running for awhile I started swimming more and reading books about running. For a mostly dry January 🥴 I drank tea from my wine glass. I don't know about No Sweets February, maybe I'll try eating more fruits...
Thank you, Stacy!! I love your dry January trick!
Good description, Terrell, of something I've already been through! :) Who would think a tiny little incline up to some daffodils blooming in early February could cause such pain! Silly me. . . off the road for a few days, no loosen-ups, just an impromptu run! Like I tell my daughter all the time,"don't show off" usually means you (yes, You!) will get hurt!
Take it for what it is, usually means some down-time and reflection.
I've been rowing since the beginning of the year--some may think it is cheating, but it sure takes strength--little to no impact yet builds muscle and joints that usually don't get used doing high impact training as in running or on the treadmill. Finally was able to calculate how many miles I've gone. . . 67 miles all told! I do 45 minutes rowing every day!
Yesterday, was able to actually Run uphill from our drive to the street above. . . something I feared doing without puffing and panting--and something I've been putting off since we move here in July. It was an
accomplishment for me. . . also means I may be fit enough already to run the 5K at the Eugene Marathon--as for the Half, I'm sure going to try!
Rainy and cold here today. I swept out the garage of the never ending fir needles. The primroses are still blooming, the buds are coming out on the fruit trees.
Hope all goes well at the podiatrist tomorrow. Take care and slow down to a stop if necessary. :)
Thank you, Nilima! I love the encouragement you always provide -- it goes a long way, it really does.
Thanks, Terrell. This was on Hollie's newsletter a few weeks ago! It's weird, but it does work for running. https://runtrimag.com/boost-your-running-performance I don't know how your heel is doing after visiting a doctor. I kept on chugging along and eventually came out of it. Clark's suggestion of swimming is good, and I swim well, but I don't gravitate toward being wet, so I don't swim.
Take it easy on the bike. . .I'm a good biker,too, (since I was 18, so you can imagine the advancements!), but they can be treacherous.
More rain today, but the rest of the week is nice. Just picture yourself going across the Willamette in Eugene. I've been across the same bridge you showed!. . . it is exciting with all the other runners and the finish line in sight! )
I've successfully integrated running into my life, and I feel a lot better. I got stronger and lost a bit of weight (while adding muscle). I say this because, I really need to eat better. I eat healthy meals, but it's the snacks, snacks, snacks. I know I need to adjust my relationship with them, but I get sad thinking about saying goodbye to my Ritz crackers hahaha.
I understand what you’re saying. My wife and I did dry January (no wine etc) we did it. Now it’s no sweets February. It’s even harder. I love a sweet at night. Giving up snacks is not easy
haha yeah. I stopped drinking completely in September, and snacks have been way harder.
2 months ago, suffered similar foot/heel injury and been resting since then. Recently I did a short test walk and the heel pain came back. Yesterday, my Podiatrist diagnosed the injury and determined that pain in heel is caused by lack of natural heel cushion (provided by skin/muscles) which caused the heel bone bruising. Dr suggestion is to use extra shoe padding to provide more cushioning and recommend to use HOKA shoes for better heel support. I use Brooks. going to shoe store today to buy Hoka and shoe pads snd test them out.
That may be what's going on with me as well -- I hope the Hokas are what you need, JB!
Terrell, so sorry to hear the news. It's a real bummer to be sidelined from something that we all enjoy so much. I've had to do it a few times (plantar fasciitis, broken toe, meniscus tear), but each time I've come back stronger. Just watch out for mental traps and keep yourself calm, focused, and grateful for the things you do have. Be sure to maintain all other aspects of your health until you can come back into the game. Wishing you a speedy and complete recovery.
This is reassuring to hear, Jonathan! (Exactly what I needed, btw!)
T-Do you ever ask yourself (using running as perhaps a bigger, existential metaphor)--what would it mean if I could never run again? I think about these things (clearly, too much time on my hands)--about how both the "little things" and the bigger things serve to define how we think about ourselves.
I get it! This is such a great question, Diana... let me think about it a little. I do sometimes think about that, as I remember (this is like 20 years ago) when then-President Bush, who'd been a big runner for many years, finally had enough of the knee pain he'd been experiencing and gave up running for cycling. I haven't experienced that kind of pain yet, but it's always a possibility, you know?
And so, what would it mean to give up something that had been a big part of your life for such a long time? I suppose we should always try to stay curious and look for things that might invigorate us or interest us in new ways, because you're right, there's always that possibility that one day, we might not be able to do anymore the thing we've loved, and so we'll need to find new ground to explore, new things to engage ourselves with.
I'm probably just rambling here -- but it's a great, great question. I'm going to do some more noodling on this...
So sorry, friend. I know that sinking feeling, that short burst of stubborn persistence because "it'll work itself out" followed by the need to stop because it's not feeling better.
As I age, I'm realizing that I've had it backwards. I used to say that I run and that keeps me healthy. Certainly there's some of that, but I'm more and more aware that I have the luck and good fortune of having a healthy body--genetically, economically (I can afford good healthcare, good nutrition, good equipment), etc.--and *thus I'm able to* run more easily. It sucks when that goes away, temporarily in your case (fingers crossed!).
Thank you, MaryAnn! That's a great, great point -- fingers crossed for sure.