Fit'n'Food Scoop: DNF!
As I think I've mentioned, I'm training for the NYC Marathon. Saturday I was scheduled for a 19-miler. Even 15 miles in, my legs felt strong. I even considered not stopping at Panera for my Official Long Run Potty Break and Water Bottle Refill.
But I wanted to have enough water for the rest of the run.
And there's nothing wrong with a good potty break.
So I stopped.
Are you guessing where I'm going with this?
Post stop, my body flat-out refused to start up again. Oh, my legs still felt strong, but my back, side, shoulder, and even my stomach were all suddenly in agony. Bouncing was torture. I had to walk in the last four miles, and halfway through I was so woozy I considered calling a cab.
That was Saturday. Sunday after the West Hollywood Book Fair I did the elliptical trainer, and Monday I took my regular Carter Fitness Boot Camp class. Thirty prisoner squats into a set of fifty, I felt my lower back pop out of whack, leaving me in agonized pain I was still moaning about in yesterday's post.
I went to the chiropractor today, and while I'm not 100%, I'm much much better.
I've never claimed to be an athlete, but I've been very happy that my body has generally stepped up to the challenges I present it. Knock wood, this is the worst injury I've had in 11 years of marathoning and three years of crossfit-esque high intensity boot camps. I don't want it to derail me, but I also don't want to be stupid, make things worse, and mess myself up to the point where a doctor is telling me I can't run anymore — an outcome that just happened to a close friend of mine.
My plan is to plow forward: boot camp tomorrow, speed session on the treadmill Thursday, boot camp Friday, runs this weekend… but I'll be vigilant about watching out for pain and taking breaks if I need them.
How about you? Have you been injured during a workout? Have you been injured while striving for a fitness goal? Did you have to stop? Adjust your goals? Or were you able to push forward and keep going without causing further injury? If you did have to stop, were you disappointed, or did you simply give yourself time to heal, then jump right into the next goal?
