Let The Injuries Begin

A few weeks ago I was out for a long run (before I hired a coach). As I was getting ready I thought to myself that maybe I should just do a short one but my competitive side said- buck up baby it's your long run day, just do it. So I grudgingly set out thinking I will be glad I did this. Fast forward to now and I am being treated for a quad injury. An small injury compared to some of the doozy's I've had before but none the less it is an injury. So I confess to my coach that I've had a little twinge for a month or so. He says when did it start? How did it happen? I think back not really remembering a specific time that I thought oh no I just wrecked something. Nope, it was gradual and it all stemmed from that terrible long run. 

What happened? Where did it go wrong? Well I should have listened to my body that day and just do a short run instead of letting my pride get in the way. I was tired and kept pushing. Don't get me wrong, sometimes you need to push yourself and test the limits but that day my body told me today was not the day to push and now I am getting intense treatments so I can keep training. My coach keeps bringing up this advice of listening to your body. Don't push if it's not right. For a while I couldn't figure out why he was babying me so much. Now I realize he was just trying to prevent me for doing something stupid.

So the damage is done. what do you do now? Good news is I'm still a long ways away from my "A" race so an injury now is much better then an injury a few months down the road. I can still run, bike and swim. I just have to take it easy. The other thing that needs to be done? Take care of my body. I am doing yoga 3 times a week, I used to meditate but as of yesterday I will be doing that daily. The other thing which should be a no brainer for a massage therapist is do my stretch and recovery post workouts. We tend to rush through this part and I really do believe it is one of the most important parts of a workout.

I am glad for small injuries. It really makes you come to terms with how you are training and treating your body. I have learned my lesson and will move onward and upward. This is just another reminder to listen to your body.