Well, it’s the last Friday of 2023 and what a year it has been. I sure could use a fresh start for 2024, so I am making my way over to Marcia’s Healthy Slice to share my hamstrung runfessions and cleanse my souls soles before the new year.
You also may be joining the Fit Five Friday Link-Up with Darlene, Michelle, Renée, Jenn, and Zenaida.
Hamstrung Runfessions
I runfess that when I first read the MRI report finding a 50% thickness tear in my hamstring, I did a lot of soul-searching (sole-searching?) to try to identify how/when it could have happened and how long it might have been this bad. When I had my first ortho appointment in August, it nagged when I ran but was barely noticeable otherwise. Last week, my pain level was at an 8 out of 10–until I took some meloxicam. I runfess that when one dose took it down to a level 3, it made me wonder if my occasional meloxicam use this summer was masking more serious symptoms.
I runfess I was beating myself up for doing “too much” until my (new) orthopedist said she would not place any restrictions on my activity. But I realize now that “letting pain be my guide” doesn’t mean loading up on anti-inflammatories and then seeing what I can tolerate. 😉
I runfess that the only fitness goal I’ll reach this year is logging > 20K minutes of Peloton classes. I did the math back in September to make sure I was on track, but runfess I forgot to monitor my progress towards a much more important goal—my billable hours requirement for work! 🤦♀️ I’ve always been over my target, but realized last week that I’ll be cutting it close this year. At least our fiscal year doesn’t end until 1/31, so I have a few more weeks to catch up. Next year I’ll have to pay as much attention to my work hours as I do to my Peloton minutes!
I runfess that when I took my Garmin off to shower yesterday, I noticed a rash on my wrist—and then black gunk on my Garmin strap. 😳 Like my hamstring, I don’t understand when/how it could have gotten this bad. I take it off every day to shower (and usually rinse it off), and I’ve been showering every day! I’ve scrubbed my Garmin and put ointment on my wrist, so hopefully it will clear up before the new year!
Do you have any final runfessions for 2023?
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When I ruptured my hamstring there was an audible, dull “pop”. It happened in yoga during a wide legged standing bend. I do think I already compromised it while running and that was just the last straw.
Funny about your Pelo hours vs billable hours. I guess we have our priorities! Haha! Happy New Year!
No “pop” for me — but maybe that’s because I only have a partial tear?
That’s a lot of Peloton minutes! I think it’s easy to get used to a low level of pain and feel that’s our normal. Have you started the shockwave yet? Seems like you are always working so it’s hard to believe you are behind in your hours!
I get redness from my watch occasionally in the summer months although I don’t wear mine all day. Maybe it’s time to just replace the band. Happy new year!
I do a lot of non-billable work that counts, but counts differently. 😉
Beating yourself up really does absolutely nothing. And it can be just one of those things, too. But yes, no anti inflammatories before the run might be a wise idea. 😉 I’m so sorry it’s been such a struggle. 🙁
That is so weird on the Garmin band, because I only take mine off to charge it and to shower — that is something, knock on wood, I haven’t encountered. I hope the rash clears up soon!
Hmm, I’ve never gotten a Garmin rash! Maybe, as Deborah said, it’s time for a new band.
These injuries are so mysterious. I don’t think I’ve ever had one where I could actually pinpoint when it started, or what really caused it. I was just listening to a Trail Runner Nation podcast episode where they were saying you should look at pain as your friend- it’s warning you that something is wrong, so you can make changes before it gets worse. So yes, probably not the best thing to mask it. I’m sorry you’re still going through this- long-term issues like this are the worst (I’ve had PLENTY in my day!)
I know you get what I’m going through! I hope I recover as fully as you seem to have, although I’ll be happy to run 5 miles, let alone 50K!
So sorry for the hammie pains & annoyances. I’m very guarded in taking pain meds for that very reason… they mask the pain, but (often times) give a false sense of comfort. I have no idea on my Pelo minutes; I seldom ever check that. I hope the Garmin rash dissipates… I have crazy sensitive skin, and (surprisingly) haven’t had that happen. Knock wood!!!!
I rarely wear my Garmin so there’s that.
Hmmm… I’ve been loading up on anti inflammatories for my ankle. No one likes to be in pain. But I fell so at least I know what I did. How serious??? How long will it take to heal???
Injuries suck!!!
Hope your hammy heals soon!!!
If you’re injured and in pain, there’s nothing wrong with taking them! It’s when you are supposed to let pain be your guide and you’re taking them that can be a problem!
I will sometime get a mild Garmin rash in the summer. It’s never bad, and it’s never long-lasting, but it is annoying.
Injuries are so upsetting. I know sometimes we just keep pushing through discomfort and before we know it, we can’t push anymore. I imagine that’s probably what happened. I am hopeful you can get healed up soon!
Ugh I’m so sorry about your hammy. I’m guilty of pushing through until I reached a point where I really couldn’t 🙁 I hope you heal quickly!
27’000 minutes! That’s 74 minutes every day of the year! Well done, Coco!
I’m sure you will reach your billable hours target as well. I guess all those conferences and all that travelling is taking up a lot of your billable time.
I get a rash under my Garmin sometimes. I then fit it a little more loosely on my wrist so that the skin can breathe a bit better. There’s always something, right?
Yes, I do spend a lot of time with Peloton. At least one 20 min walk with Scooby and then 60+ minutes of classes most days. 😉
I know my wrist will recover, it was just odd it came on so suddenly.
One of my friends has a fully separated hammy and her doctor says she can keep moving as long as the pain isn’t there. It’s pretty wild how we compensate but it’s always tough to pinpoint the “why” of these overuse injuries.
I’ve had a rash from my watch but never quite as bad. I usually catch it on the milder side.
I hope your rehab is swift and that you get the work hours in! 😉