Its late, and I should be sleeping.
But the fact is, I have to record this. I’ve just completed two weeks of training, and today was a very special day (more on that below).
It is an inexact science, figuring out the threshold of how much to push the body after four months off with nationals right around the corner. For two weeks, I’ve run entirely based on how I’ve felt. No iron-clad training plan. No goals. No preconceptions about what might be too little (or even too much) to do on my foot. Just me and Dr. Ball and Coach Row, doing the best we can with what my body will allow day to day.
Turns out this body has allowed two weeks of 6 day training, and mileage totals of 45 and 54.
I sit here with mixed emotions. I’m thrilled as can be, of course, and I’d like to say I am filled only with gratitude, now that I’m able to do what I love most, but a few other emotions swell and subside within me:
- Determination to get out and kick my own ass for the next 8 weeks to give myself a chance to make the World team.
- melancholy because I know it is a far reach to turn this season around, and I just might not be able to pull it off.
- excitement because no matter what the future holds, I get to run a hard workout in the morning because I’m healthy enough to do it
- scared because my foot still isn’t perfect but there is no more time to waste.
But all of that is just stuff. I know that now. It will continue to flow through me and I will continue to acknowledge it and let it pass. The only stuff worth hanging on to is the good feelings, and finally I am getting to feel those again.
So where am I now?
My foot sits in an ice bucket but my mind is elsewhere. After two weeks of awkward limb-flailing and lung spasms, a miracle happened. Four short hours ago, I was running free. My body floated across the grass path as twilight set in over a pond-studded Phoenix greenway. As I passed behind two fishermen, I suddenly noticed that my feet hardly made a sound, and my breath was nearly inaudible. My body was moving like music, with the grass as my percussion. A child peaked over his fence to watch me fly past, and from his expression I knew that I looked different somehow through his eyes.
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Here is a interview done with Flotrack where I talk about what I’ve been going through, and share some perspective and lessons learned. Please share your thoughts.
Watch more video of Flotrack’s Spring Trip To Arizona on flotrack.org
Because clearly I think Nastia Liukin is awesome (and because you may not be a gymnastics freak like myself), I will remind you that Nastia barely had enough time to train for [gymnastics] Nationals in 2007, where she didn’t do so hot and a lot of people wrote her off (and moved onto Shawn Johnson as the “it” girl). She was the 2x defending champ going in and had several falls/mistakes. FYI, it was a foot injury that she had, too (ok, maybe ankle, but close enough). So, I think you’re destined to be like Nastia in 2012. Or at least you’re in good company.
Also, I think some wise person once wrote somewhere that “the way you look at your situation is more important than what the situation actually is.” Or something like that. So I say look at this to be a great opportunity to become comeback queen 2 years in a row.
Good luck!
You are such an inspiration!!! I have battled injuries since high school and was forced to give up running in college because of them. However, knowing there are people out there like me who fight through it makes it feel like a worthy cause. When I see what you accomplish after all you’ve been through, it keeps me motivated that I can some day reach my goals too! (Hopefully one will be my first half marathon on May 1st!!) Congrats on the workout…I love that feeling!! I can’t wait to watch you tear it up this summer! We believe in you!
I just have to say that I love your post and your video. You are truly inspiring. I do not have much in common athletically, but I do share a strong internal determination to accomplish things in my life. It is what drives me. I enjoy running and as an English/Special Ed teacher I love your poetic description. I do not aspire to run fast, but to run and enjoy it completely even when it hurts. I pray the best for your 2012 and beyond. Keep inspiring others!!!
I loved this post Lauren and after watching your video interview with flotrack its nice to know I’m not the only one with a problematic left foot. My problem has been plantar issues which have plaqued me off an on since February and wrecked my race schedule. I seemed to be on the same schedule as you. I’ve been just trying to string to together some 30 minute runs to get my feet wet. Funny how 30 minutes is so rewarding when you haven’t been able to run for a while. I love your guts, your attitude, your visualization, and your candor. I know you’ll rise from the ashes once again to show the world whose the 5k queen once again! I’m also glad to see that were able to experience “running free” again on your recent run! It totally is the best feeling in the world! Wishing you continued success in your return from injury.
I, too, enjoyed your Flotrack interview (actually saw it before you posted it here).
FYI – You’re #32 of US Women on the Association of Road Running Statisticians’ Competitive Rankings. I’m sure you want that higher and that your current injury layoff is partly to blame. But I still think its pretty cool, and I am definitely following your story as inspiration for my own running story.
Great stuff Lauren!
I really hope you get a shot at accomplishing all of your running goals injury free, because you have certainly earned it.
Hey,
You are seriously an inspiration. I haven’t been running for a very long time but after my first 50k last December I suffered an IT Band injury and then several mystery injuries and it has been incredibly frustrating. I’m only now am able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and with race season picking up I feel helpless thinking that I will not perform as well as I wanted to because I’ve been injured for so long. It’s been really inspirational and has lifted my spirits seeing how you came out and won Nationals last year and now are able to head back out there after being injured. I don’t know, for regular joes like me its something to aspire to/gives us hope.
Every week for like two months now, I’ve tried to come up w/ something to put in this little box that’d express how awesome and inspirational and thought-provoking and encouraging and educational I think your blog is — especially this series of posts re: your injury and your journey back from it. But the only thing I’ve got is: It’s so awesome; it makes my head explode; it is like a mental companion to me; thanks so much.
I’m so glad that you are training again!! I hope you continue to make progress toward your goals!