Getting Back On Track Running

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Coco

I woke up at 5:00 am, but didn’t get up right away. Not because I was still tired, but because it was the day I had been waiting for, the day I would test out my foot’s recovery, and see if I could get my running back on track.Track RunningSince I wasn’t sure my foot was fully healed knew my foot wasn’t fully healed, I was afraid of what would happen, and how I would take it. Yes, I’ve gotten used to my new routine of cycling and strength training, but I want to run. My fall race calendar is nagging at me, especially after this Ragnar post came across my Facebook newsfeed.

Ragnar

I wish! 

So I got out of bed at 5:30, put on some running clothes, and … took Tiger Lilly for a walk. Then I strapped on my Garmin, filled my water bottle, grabbed my phone to document this momentous event, and headed out for some track running. 

Track Running

I started out s-l-o-w-l-y. My foot felt OK, but everything else ached. My quads reminded me of all the strength training I did last week. My shins scared me by making their presence known–really?!–but thankfully they quieted down after a few minutes. 

I ran carefully, tentatively, trying to pay attention to my foot strike and make sure my foot wasn’t hurting. I felt it, but it didn’t hurt. My breathing was easy even though my running felt hard–confirmation that I was being careful. After a while I didn’t notice my foot, but then I wondered if it really wasn’t aching or if I just had gotten used to it. 

As I ran, I made plans for running Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the track, and then meeting my friend for a run on Saturday if she can put up with my slower-than-usual pace. But then I realized that going from zero to 18 miles in one week probably was not the best way to ease back into running without getting injured again.  

Running At The Track

Happy to be sweating at the track!

I am grateful to have been able to run my planned 4 miles (1/2 mile to the track, 3 miles at the track, 1/2 mile home) without my foot telling me not too. Still, as I write this, I’m icing my foot for good measure and crossing my fingers that it doesn’t hurt more later.

I think I will keep to track running this week. It’s close to home, and the flat, forgiving surface should help me baby my foot for a little while longer. If all goes well, I will run the same 4 miles Tuesday and Thursday, and hopefully be up for an easy 5-6 mile run with my friend on Saturday.

[Tweet “Getting Back On Track With My #Running”]

I’m linking up with Jill for Fitness Friday!

Have you used the track for easy running?

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31 Responses to Getting Back On Track Running

  1. Carla says:
    July 20, 2015 at 6:10 am

    I think this post captures why I don’t mind aging. Even with all the indignities 🙂 we possess the wisdom to know the small steps will eventually lead us to longer distances

    xo

  2. Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says:
    July 20, 2015 at 6:11 am

    I’ve never used the track for a comeback..only for speed work! Glad you got out there, pain free. I hope this is the start of a good training cycle for you.

  3. AmyC says:
    July 20, 2015 at 8:25 am

    Yay to a good 4 miles!

  4. Chaitali says:
    July 20, 2015 at 10:03 am

    That great news that you were able to do the 4 miles without too much pain! I love using the track 🙂

  5. Mary Beth Jackson says:
    July 20, 2015 at 11:36 am

    I don’t have a track nearby but great job on jumping out there on 4 miles! that is a strong start-congrats! I hope the next one goes well too!

  6. Karen says:
    July 20, 2015 at 12:32 pm

    I am glad you had some pain free miles!
    I had to ease back into it and still am several months later. Along the way I would take a few steps forward then have to drop back down, because of aches, pinches pulses, etc…take it easy and listen to your body 🙂
    The track seems like a great option, more kind for sure than pavement.

  7. Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says:
    July 20, 2015 at 1:52 pm

    try to come back slowly! As you know I didn’t run for 3 months and started running 5 weeks before Ragnar Cape Cod it was fine. You will be good. Plenty of time

    • Coco says:
      July 20, 2015 at 8:39 pm

      Thanks for the reminder about your experience. I know I’m on a no-pressure team, but still …. really I just want to get back to it for my own sanity.

  8. Karen - Fit in France says:
    July 20, 2015 at 4:20 pm

    Crossing my fingers for you that all goes well…

  9. Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says:
    July 20, 2015 at 6:21 pm

    Here’s hoping that foot continues to cooperate! And you’re right, 0 to 18 isn’t the greatest idea.

    I only use the track for speed work with my running group.

    • Coco says:
      July 20, 2015 at 8:42 pm

      Before I’ve used the treadmill for recovery runs, but I so want to be outside — although I may change my mind with this humidity!

  10. HoHo Runs says:
    July 20, 2015 at 8:39 pm

    That is such great news! You are very smart to hold back and not do too much too soon. I have never even run on a track. I’m not sure where the closest one is that I could access. Good luck Tuesday.

  11. Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers says:
    July 20, 2015 at 10:04 pm

    I’ve used the track for easy running, speedwork, and probably most often – in the winter when it’s safer to use a cleared track than the icy sidewalks! I once did a 14 miler on a track…not something I recommend, haha.

  12. shewhodaresrunss says:
    July 21, 2015 at 5:29 am

    So pleased for you – I rarely use the track but love it if the opportunity ever arises 🙂 I did a 1500m on the track last year, taking me back to my school days, it was very very tough! 🙂

  13. Yum Yucky says:
    July 21, 2015 at 2:41 pm

    This was a momentous event indeed! I would suggest we stop everything to celebrate with cake, but I’m sure you just want to get in another run to mark the occasion. ((winks))

  14. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says:
    July 21, 2015 at 2:59 pm

    So glad to hear you are back at it!! Take it slow my friend!!

  15. Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says:
    July 21, 2015 at 9:35 pm

    Woohoo!
    But yes, don’t jump from 0 to 18, ease back in.

  16. April @ RunTheGreatWideSomewhere says:
    July 22, 2015 at 8:18 pm

    Yay, so glad you had a great run without any pain!

    • Coco says:
      July 22, 2015 at 9:27 pm

      Thanks. My foot is still iffy, but I am taking it easy. Today I skipped spinning to rest my foot so I can run again tomorrow. 😉

  17. Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama says:
    July 22, 2015 at 9:53 pm

    Happy that your track run went well!! I generally train on the track because these streets are crazy!! Other than that I go to the park. I hope your scheduled run goes well too, smart idea icing just in case!

  18. Debbie @ Coach Debbie Runs says:
    July 24, 2015 at 9:52 am

    I’m happy you can run pain free but be very careful about jumping up to 18 miles the first week. Not something I’d recommend.

  19. jill conyers says:
    July 25, 2015 at 4:24 am

    I was hoping this story would end well! The first run after recovering is so tough mentally. And for several runs after that you’re hyper aware of every little twinge and the exact positioning of your foot strike. Or is that just me 🙂

    Have a fantastic weekend Coco!

  20. Pam and Christine says:
    July 27, 2015 at 9:15 am

    So glad you are back to running even if it is slower paces. Recovering from injury is so difficult and learning to embrace biking and swimming this summer was hard for me. But I managed to enjoy the biking and love the swimming, so next year my cross training will be more fun. And now I am back to running just like you! 🙂

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