Elite Jogging For Dummies

Back off the intensity, then you may find you do not need to back off on volume. Many if not most injuries are caused by some kind of a drastic change in stress. If you stress a tendon lightly time and again, and allow for proper recovery, it frequently adapts and becomes stronger instead of tearing.

If your volume is where it should be, you lose no more than a minute or two in the marathon by not having the intensity.

I am also having ankle trouble for the first time ever. I rolled it hard coming down Dry Creek last week. It is still swollen and several colors. I'm now starting to get some side effects in other places from maybe favoring it a bit. Good news is these tendons will heal and you don't use them that much for running. I will need to strengthen them as it feels better. Anyway, being careful and listening to our body is key, but with that being said I think we can baby things a little to much and use it as an excuse to slip in our training. I had a stress fracture in my femur 2 years ago and Demetrio kept saying is okay keep going it will heal at the same rate as if you stopped running. I kept going and it did heal up fine. I had to back off a little and do some different types of workouts but he was right. I plan to protect my ankle the best I can by staying on good surfaces. I've seen two doctors for it already this week because I want it to go away quickly and both said the same thing keep moving and work on its range of motion. So anyway keep going if possible and your fitness for the season will not drop off and a little less mileage might even make you fresher later inthe season for an even stronger finish to a great year. You are a great runner and have good things ahead.

Thanks for the comments, guys. I want to do everything that I can to continue to run at a high level for as long as possible. It's a fine balance and one I need to find. In 10 years of running, I have never had a year where I was bouncing from one injury to the next this way. It's unusual and disconcerting.

I read your comments carefully, Bill, and I wonder if we don't have a bit of a difference in philosophy about managing injuries. Mostly, I think there is a difference between running through normal aches and pains and dealing with an actual injury. Like most of the fit runners we know, I have run through more than my share of aches and pains without batting an eye. It comes with the territory. I also think it's unfortunate when these kinds of aches and pains are used as a reason or excuse to stop training. But I actually think that happens when athletes are looking for an excuse to stop training and I can't really relate to that.

I think it's different with an actual injury. That is, I want to run more and faster. However, I also want to run more and faster free of consistent pain that goes on for weeks and weeks like this ankle problem. I run because I enjoy the experience of feeling physically strong and mentally free. Running injured, I don't feel strong and I don't feel free because I'm preoccupied with what's going on with the injury.

Bill, you are fortunate to have the physical and mental make-up to run through just about anything. Personally, I would never run through a stress fracture, and I wouldn't advise others to do it. But it worked for you and that's great. (I worry for those East high kids, though!!)

Anyway, I don't plan to change a whole lot about my running right now. I'll stick to the mobility and strengthening exercises as prescribed, back off mileage a bit. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for the input.

Chad,

Maybe I miss stated the point I was trying to convey. In short, Changing workouts to do things that wouldn't cause the injury to worsen is what I was talking about ie slower runs on better surfaces, swimming, pool jogging, eliptical trainer or even spinning are changes that we can make and keep our fittness at a good level without making things worse. So when we come back we are not totally gone at a start over point.

It's interesting you bring up the EH kids, I always will error on the side of being to conservative with the kids. I want them to have good experiences and love the sport. In fact, during the track season I had a couple of times that I wouldn't let kids race that wanted to. I felt by watching them in workouts that their injuries wouldn't be helped. Injuries come on for many reasons most I would say, and I'm no expert, are from over use. Repeatedly, aggrevating an area that might need a break or some attention, massage, ice or down time.

Anyway, The main reason for my comment was from the sound of your last sentence on your blog, you seemed down and thought the season was on a downward cycle. All I wanted to express was it's not over just treat your injury in a way to keep you going. Backing off can be a good thing like I said in my ealier comment. You may come back even stronger. Good luck