My Week of Cross Training
Today marks the eighth day since I’ve run. Yes, you read that right. Eight. Whole. Days.
I actually broke down in tears yesterday. The thought that I might not be at the start line of the Divas Half Marathon at the end of April resulted in a can’t-catch-my-breath sob fest. Yes, I know. If this is my biggest problem in life, I have a LOT to be thankful for. And that is so true. But when you’ve been working so hard and running so strong to accomplish big goals, it is natural to be disappointed when a potential injury rears its ugly head.
If you stopped by the blog last week, you know I felt some pain on the outer side of my left foot after an awesome 10-mile run in Orlando last Saturday. The pain was unusual and made it hard to walk immediately after the run. Even the teensiest-weensiest notion that it could be a stress fracture has sent me into obsessive compulsive conservative and over-analyzing mode. I have made the decision to not run until I have a bone scan confirming it is not a stress fracture … or if it is … then I will at least know and can move forward with the prescribed recovery so I can start running again sooner.
I do not have any pain when I’m walking. Even hopping and jumping around doesn’t hurt. But when I touch the top of my 5th metatarsal (pinky toe bone) about mid-way down on my foot, I can feel a tender spot. Is it inflammation? Some tendonitis? Or is it the dreaded stress fracture? I am hoping to get in to see the doctor first thing this week, because I really need to put my Google-searching, self-diagnosing self out of my misery!
In an effort to maintain my endurance, I had a full week of cross training this past week. Here is what my workouts looked like:
- Monday: Rest
- Tuesday: Flywheel: 45 minutes, 20.1 miles, 28 mph (I got first place on the Torq board for females. If you’ve never done Flywheel before, it is awesome. Here is a review I posted about it last year.)
- Wednesday: Swim: 1,650 meters (4 x 400 at 8:15 pace)
- Thursday: Boot camp (1 hour) and 45 minutes on the stationary spin bike (15.8 miles)
- Friday: Boot camp (1 hour)
- Saturday: Bike (1 hour and 3 minutes on a stationary spin bike: 24.8 miles)
- Sunday: Deep stretch yoga (75 minutes)
Time will tell what this next week will hold. Will it be the second full week of cross training, or will I be able to start running again? Stay tuned this week. I hope we’ll both get that answer!
[Want to read about the last time I was struck by an injury? Check out my 11 day rest period back in October.]
What is your favorite cross training activity to do when you are injured and can’t run? If you swim, what is your favorite swim workout?
Comments
I had tendonitis last summer, I let it heal for 4 weeks, my dr said a stress fracture could put me out for 3-4 months.
I did a lot of spinning and outside biking, and some open water swimming. Not drowning is my favorite swimming workout!
Glad you didn’t have a stress fracture! Thanks for sharing your experience. And I LOVE your favorite swim workout!!! LOL!
Wow. Way to go ahead and be conservative. It takes a lot of patience, especially if you are in training-mode! I ran for the first time today in 8 days (due mainly to respiratory issues and a forced break so I do not burn out) and it felt great.
Glad to hear you are feeling better Amy and were able to run today. Patience is an understatement right now as I’m in the height of my training cycle. Grrr 🙂 Let’s hope it is nothing serious.
Ugh I feel like you stressing over a possible stress fracture is my fault. The best advice I can give you is to get to a doc ASAP. I let mine go for 5 weeks before getting to my doc! But the good news is, 4 weeks in a boot, and I’m back to limited running. You HAVE to listen to your body. I didn’t, and probably worsened my injury. Best of luck to you! I’m seriously praying for the best for you 🙂
Thank you so much Cecilia! You are one of the reasons I’m being conservative, but I decided to do that even before you shared your story with me. I hope I can get into the doc on Monday (Tuesday at the latest) so hopefully we’ll know for sure asap! Thanks so much for all your support, and I’m so glad you are on the mend!
Oh no, thinking of you – hang in there! I like barre classes and body pump for cross training.
I’ve experienced a similar pain a while ago. I was the same way-googled WAY too much and scared myself. Luckily, it was tendonitis. I ended up taking some time off-about two weeks, and then I was back to normal. Good for you keeping up the cross training. That is definitely the key to keeping your fitness! I hope all turns out well for you 🙂
Oh lordy I hope it’s just rest that you need and nothing serious! I love bootcamp and spin. I’m going to have to google and see if they have a Flywheel class near me. You’re the second person I’ve seen post about it today. 🙂 *crossing my fingers and toes for your appt to be all smiles!*
Thanks, Beka! I keep wavering back and forth between “OMG it is the worst” and “I don’t think it is serious.” We shall soon see. Thanks for the kind words. I don’t think there is a Flywheel in Tampa, but there should be similar spin studios like it that play off the competition. There are lots of similar kinds of studios popping up these days (e.g. Soul Cycle, Spinsanity, etc.). Let me know if you find one!
I had a Fifth Metatarsal fracture last summer (mid-NYC Marathon) training. I was out for about 5-6 weeks. I did spin classes and used the Nike Training Club app like it was my job (with certain modifications of course). To be honest, I came back stronger than ever!! I hope it isn’t a fracture for you!!! Best of luck at the doctor and feel better!!!
Thanks for sharing your experience Ashley. It helps to know that even if I do end up having a fracture, the fact that you feel you came back even stronger gives me some extra hope. I’ll keep you posted. Congrats on your recent PR!!!