A lesson from Abby Normally
August 15, 2010 I’m glad things are slowly returning to normal. We could use normal for awhile!
Today
- stayed in bed for 10hrs
- made Scottish Oats
- sat on the couch
- worked on the blog [still working on all of this]
- new header
- cleaner arrangement of things
- new social media buttons
- made sure Chris was eating + drinking enough
- took a 3 mile walk
- 20min yogadownload
- dinner
- Sunday TV [entourage + true blood]
I’m so glad the oats are back! Hospital breakfasts were getting o.l.d.
Scottish Oat morning
peaches + homemade pnut butter + cacao nibs
….
I’m still wiped out from this past week. I figured that I should take a much needed break and throw in a few more guest posts throughout this week. Luckily I have some amazing blog friends that are willing to help out!
The next post, is from one of my good friends, Abby of Abby Normally. If you are not familiar with Abby, you need to be. I love the wide variety of her posts. She writes about everything from food, to exercise, to life struggles, to family, to barefoot running, to setting her kitchen on fire and breaking appliances, etc. etc. Her writing style is fabulous + she is hilarious. Abby and I were lucky enough to meet and hang out a few months back. We had a blast together!
Take it away Abbyyyyyyyyy :)
…
Hi everyone! I'm Abby and I blog over at Abby Normally. I am so honored to be able to guest post on Ashley's blog. I am also so happy to hear that Chris has returned home and is feeling much better. Welcome back, Chris. :D
-->love this girl!!!
When Ashley asked me about writing for her I wondered what I had to offer. I'm not an excellent cook like Ashley, and I certainly can't write anything like, "How to Run Your Fastest Marathon". What do I know? What have I learned that I can share?
-->um, Abby, you have SO MUCH to offer
Then it hit me. I'm a runner. Not a great runner. Not a speedy runner. But I run and I have run for many years, therefore I consider myself a runner. This past year I have learned so much about myself not through running, but through NOT running.
I've learned to listen to my body.
About a year ago I was training for a half marathon. I was set on a PR, and was pushing myself to achieve that. But in addition to training, I was working full time, traveling for said job, tutoring a student in Latin (yea, I'm a nerd), studying for the GRE, and still maintaining my responsibilities as a wife and dog-mom.
That, my friends, is a recipe for disaster. Because I was so busy, things like nutrition and adequate rest took a back seat. I remember waking up every morning and almost be in tears because I was so tired. All of my joints hurt. I couldn't finish long runs, and so I kept trying and trying...
I just thought I was lazy, but no, I was over trained. And I didn't realize it until I had 8 weeks of absolutely no weight bearing activity thanks to stress fractures that sidelined me during the half marathon which I had sacrificed so much for. My metatarsals were the final sacrifice that was demanded of me in order that I finally learn to turn my pride off and listen to warnings my body had been shouting at me for weeks.
I have learned that pain can be your friend. It's an important signal that we're meant to listen to. If we don't have pain, we'd never know something is wrong. When something is hurting, or just not right, STOP. Take a minute (or a week) to evaluate the pain. Try to figure out what could be causing it. Don't believe the lie that it is best to push through all pain, because I promise you, it's not.
I have learned to think about the big picture. Maybe I can push through this pain and finish this race, but how much will that set me back in the long run? I want to run for a very long time, finishing one race in pain, and consequently suffering from serious injuries, is not worth it to me. There will always be races to sign up for, but I only have one body. I better take care of it now, not later.
I have learned that I am unique. I've found that through reading blogs I am tempted to think that what is right for one person is also right for me. It's not. I run in my own way at my own pace. And I eat the foods that fuel my body the best to give me the energy to run my races. Other people's standards should not affect my performance. Respect yourself enough to recognize that your needs are different than someone else's.
I have learned that nature knows best. Our bodies function best in their natural state. It seems that mankind is good at messing up the beauty of the natural by trying to improve it (all with the best intentions, I'm sure). When it comes to running, technology isn't always your friend. Beware of trying to improve your running by adding things to it. If there's a pain, if there's a limp, if there's anything that shouldn't be there, try subtracting what is man-made and get back to your roots. Years ago I started having knee pain when I ran so I added a knee brace. Recently I have started running in Vibram FiveFingers and have not once needed that brace. So now I don't need either the expensive brace or expensive shoes. Imagine that?!
So there you have it, friends. Sidelined for 8 weeks isn't always a bad thing, and the lessons are valuable. This isn't all that I learned, actually, but I won't bore you with tips on how to catch up on Google Reader while on a stationary bicycle. The lessons that I have shared here are lessons that have changed the way I view myself and running in a very positive way. I hope they can benefit you as well!
Ashley, thanks for this opportunity! You rock!
…
No Abby, thank YOU!
<3
Ashley
oats
Reader Comments (30)
Great post. I was a runner too, but I "quit" in fear of future injuries. I had tendonitis of the hip, patella and foot (at the same time, on the same leg) and try and stick to no impact sports/activities.
What a great guest post!
Thanks!
what an awesome posT!
And glad to hear that things are returning to normal for you :)
How ridiculous would the Vibrams look in Disneyland. I'm seriously considering it.
So glad Chris is home and life is resuming some sense of normality.
<3 you!
S
This is a great post! I have tried to continue training through an injury and it didn't lead to anything good. Learning to listen to our bodies is one of the most important things!
This post came at a perfect time for me and I felt like it was written directly AT me. As a new runner (who has never faced any injuries in all the years I've worked out), I have been injuring myself with runner far to frequently lately. I've decided to switch to my Vibrams and slow the heck down :) Most of my injuries occurred when I tried to sprint and my form feel through.
Thank you Abby and Ashley - I can't wait to read more from this blog!
Great post, Abby! I agree that when something stops you from running you find much clarity. And I think you appreciate your ability to run so much more once you're off the sidelines.
It is so nice to have you home and even better to hear that Chris is doing well. I can only imagine oats were not only delicious but heart warming! :) Enjoy today, get some rest, and take care love!
Love the new header :D
And so glad to hear everything is well at home! Sounds like a relaxing kind of day :)
Great post, Abby!
xo
Kris
I love the new header, the peaches have such vibrant colors! (Not to mention they're delicious.)
For the guest poster, Abby, did you have any troubles working back up to where you were before your injury (fitness wise) and did you have any problems not being able to workout while yoyu were recovering? (Feeling restless or wanting to do some kind of workout that wasn't running.)
Ashley, I am so sorry to hear about Chris. I was away and not blog reading last week, so just found out. I hope everything is on the mend.
I'm so glad someone else can see these important points, especially the one about being an individual, and listening to YOUR body, and no one else's. I spent years on a sports team in college - I'd see people get injured and push through it, only to be rewarded with starter positions (and more inevitable injuries). I however, took the time I needed to heal when we trained too hard, and was subsequently held back until I wasn't having fun anymore - which is the whole point of college club sports.
But the important thing is I listened to my body, and never ended up with permanent injuries or (gasp) surgery. At one point I was diagnosed with stress fractures after a particularly grueling semester; it was an eye-opener. Thanks Abby for encouraging others to listen to what your body tells you instead of a demanding coach, or worse, a demanding ego.
You're SO welcome. Sometimes slowing down is exactly what the body needs. I took the same approach and now have been incorporating swimming + biking into my routine for cardio. I'm loving it!
Thanks girlie. Yours will be coming to you soon! Life has delayed things. xo
Hi Daniel, I have experience with this as well. With many injuries, there is still the option to swim without harming yourself further. Definitely get it cleared by your doctor though. Also, if it's not a serious injury, sometimes just slowing down can help. Walk instead of run. Try a hot yoga class. Bike, if the injury allows. If you're totally stuck on the couch, it's not the end of the world. Once healed, you can snap back into shape. 6-8wks of no exercise will not negatively impact your overall health in the long run. Sometimes it's hard to think about the bigger picture, but with things like this, it's SO important!
What a great guest post by Abby! Some very helpful information. Love your new header too!
Great post Abby! I too have learned to listen to my body and not overtrain like I used to. It's hard because you want to do what others are doing, but I know I am unique and my body requires different training techniques and nutrients than others. I finally run the way I can and the distance that I can and have learned not to push myself too hard.
The blog looks awesome, and what a wonderful guest post!
wonderfully written post!!
Glad we could help!
I was definitely restless but I learned patience. When I got the ok to run, i very slowly started again. Then I picked a race and a training plan and got back to a slow normal. But it took several months. Its been about 10 months and I'm still a bit slower than before.
Thank you, Shea! so glad that you have learned the lesson too. It's so important!
I have learned that comparison is the thief of all joy and strength! Thank you for your sweet comment!
Thanks! glad you found it informative! :)
They will look amazing!!
So true! I'm very thankful for it now!
Wow, I can totally relate. I am dealing with a top-of-foot pain right now too. Part of me says "push through, quit being a wimp, it's a beautiful day, get outside" and the other part of me say "chillllllzzzz for a bit". :-) Us overachievers, we have issues with patience at times, eh? Haha. Thanks girls, for an amazing post.
Glad to hear that Chris is doing better too!
I hope you get it checked out girlie!! Muscle soreness is one thing but pain is no good. Feel better!
Got an appt today. ;-)
I hope everything turns out okay!!