Let’s start this post off with full honesty here: For the most part, running injuries are the definition of first world problems. The fact that I can’t run in my $120 shoes in my safe neighborhood (or my treadmill while watching Netflix) for a few weeks isn’t exactly the tragedy of the year (especially when that year is 2020), so the word “survive” might be a bit dramatic… But for us runners, it can sometimes feel like the end of the world when we can’t release stress through repeatedly pounding the pavement.
First step: Reminding ourselves that it’s not actually the end of the world. Even though it sucks. We are still full and wonderful human beings with or without running (albeit, a bit crabby at times). Got it? Now that that fact is out there, let’s move on to the nitty gritty of living the injured life.
Forget the all or nothing mentality. Just because you can’t run doesn’t mean you can’t do anything. Other forms of exercise do actually exist, and in all honesty, doing something else for a change might have a bigger positive impact on your body than you may originally expect. Bodies thrive on variety. If you do the same exercise day in and day out, your fitness is going to plateau. Adding variety challenges your body, forcing it out of its comfort zone and leading to stronger, more well-rounded results. And yes, obviously there’s no exercise more fun than running, but there are still options out there that can be enjoyable (and who among us doesn’t secretly enjoy a little running hiatus every now and then?).
Like swimming? Take this opportunity to get yourself a membership to your local pool. Maybe it’s time to try out the other 2/3 of the triathlon life to see if that’s something you may want to pursue once your running injury heals. Have you been meaning to work on your arm and ab strength for the longest time? Do it now! One of our world’s best kept secrets is the overwhelming amount of free workout videos available to stream on YouTube. The revelation honestly seemed too good and pure for this world, but I swear they exist. Two of my favorites are Body Fit by Amy and Fit by Larie (both also have excellent prenatal workouts). I also enjoy Fitness Blender. Whatever you choose to do, make it fun. Create new playlists, find a great book to listen to or a show to watch while speed walking on the treadmill. Make a new training plan with goals that don’t have anything to do with miles or kilometers. Find workouts that feel good and exhausting in ways your body isn’t used to. Instead of punishing your body for what it can’t do right now, celebrate what it’s still capable of achieving. Be the creative and smart self I know you can be!
Take care of yourself. When we’re injured, the first reaction for many of us is to run through it. And that can sometimes work, especially if you’re young and invincible. I’m still young, but not quite as invincible… Besides, if you’ve been running for awhile you can probably tell which injuries are ones you can push through and which ones call for some time off. I feel like sometimes we choose to run through it even when we know we shouldn’t because we want to punish our bodies for letting us down or prove to ourselves that we aren’t weak. Injuries are just the way our bodies tell us to slow down, take a step back, and give ourselves a little TLC. I don’t know about you, but I want to still be going for runs well into my retirement years. I guarantee you I won’t be able to to do that if I keep trying to plow my way through every injury.
RICE is your friend. Still take the time (for your health and sanity) to exercise whenever and however you can (ellipticals can be fun too, guys) and in between, RICE it up. Baby that injury like it’s your full-time job. Take ice and heat therapy seriously. Use tape or wraps or braces. Elevate and soak and do those exercises your physical therapist friend told you about. Take your injury seriously, because you want to be able to run for years and years to come.
Most importantly, just try to stay calm, be patient, and find joy in the change of pace. Being injured doesn’t mean you’re doomed to be in bad shape (take it from an exercise addict. If you want to stay fit, there are always ways to do so). Your body is incredible and it is capable of amazing things… And that amazing thing doesn’t always have to be running. Treat your body with respect in all seasons and *try* to see this injury as an opportunity, not a setback. This change will probably not always be pretty. There are guaranteed to be plenty of highs and lows and the temporary transition away from running may be messy. But I promise you all will be well, my limping friends. All will be well.
