Sad news, folks. I pulled myself out of the Hannover Half Marathon this week. Despite the difficulties I’ve been having during my attempts to recover from the Berlin Half and get ready for Hannover, I had a relatively normal training week last week and had high hopes of at least enjoying the race. But during my run this past Tuesday, I noticed all sorts of alarming aches and pains in my knees, ankles and hips. The kind that are warning signals that something is off kilter. The kind that don’t go away if you just ignore them and keep running (believe me, I tried).
Although I could certainly pull myself through the race if I wanted to, it wouldn’t achieve anything except injury and adding another half marathon to my list. I don’t know how I would feel if Hannover would be the only half marathon I had trained for this season, but since I had a great race here in Berlin, it’s easier to do the smart thing and let this one go. Not easy, mind you, but easier.
I am not the first to fall for a commonly mistaken notion among runners — that running is the end-all-be-all sport, the exercise so perfect that you don’t need anything else. I love running, it’s at the core of me, and it’s how I identify myself. But my body is pretty much yelling at me not to ignore the core strength and leg power needed to be a stronger runner and avoid injury. And this kind of strength doesn’t develop just by running alone.
So, I’m taking a few weeks off of running to give my aches and pains a real chance to heal. In it’s place, I’m spending concentrated time almost every day building up my strength — through focused core and leg workouts, pilates, yoga, and some time on the elliptical (just to make sure I don’t lose my aerobic fitness completely). Heck, I may even pull my poor, neglected bike out of the cellar and go for a ride.
This is all actually pretty close to what I was planning on doing after the Hannover Half anyway — so now it’s just a bit earlier and longer than planned. I am already suffering from a bad case of runner’s envy whenever I even think about other runners out there enjoying the beautiful spring weather without me. But I’ve got to have patience, and keep picturing myself as a stronger, better runner because of this.
Have you ever had to take off time from a favorite sport? How did you stay motivated and patient without going crazy?
After training for the Hamburg Marathon and the Men’s Health Urbanathlon I’ve also finally come to the realization that running is really hard on the body and it’s important to have an excellent level of overall fitness in order for running to be enjoyable. I’m only running three times a week to train for my half marathon in June and using the other days to focus on strength and flexibility. Still, I know I’d be disappointed having to pull out of a scheduled half marathon after having a great race experience a couple weeks beforehand. I hope your new focus on strength will allow you to have a strong return to running later in the year. There’s always the Bremen Half Marathon :-)
Yes, exactly. Sounds like you’re training the smart way. :) And you’re right, my plan is to be fit and strong for Bremen in the fall!
Good for you! Pulling out of a race can be so hard, but it sounds like it is the best decision.
I echo, Emily – good for you! Very clever decision.
I think it takes a strong personality to listen and follow the message of one’s own body, and listen to your own instinct. It sounds so very easy but many struggle with it and have to go through a lot of painful mistakes until one reaches the enlightenment you obviously have.
Last year, when I finally began running and not only dreaming about it (August – my first ever 5K), I was very enthusiastic and had a running event each month (in October, 2).
A virus attacked the family immune system in November (the month I ran my first 10K), and did not let up completely until February this year. So between end of November until February I struggled with myself, , lost money on two popular running events (December, January) here in the Netherlands, I registered for (did not cancel because I was hoping insanely that I’ll feel better the last minute!) and lost the confidence I build up in the first months of successful performance.
Now, I feel because of that bad period, I’ve learned a very vital lesson a runner could learn: if you can’t run a much coveted race this year, there is another year to run it with a much stronger healthier body.
Sending you cheers as you train for a stronger body for the Bremean Half! *shakes pom pom* :)
Thanks for the support! It wasn’t easy to watch from the sidelines, but it was definitely the right decision.