After the Walt Disney World Half Marathon last month, my brand new running career hit a bit of a roadblock.
The niggling injuries I fought through the end of half marathon training reared their angry head, and a week after the marathon, I found myself in a serious amount of pain with a tendonitis flare up. Yeah, no one talks about tendonitis in your lower leg until you have it, and then runners seem to be coming out of the woodwork with it! Who knew?
Although my PT told me I could just run through it, I made the very difficult decision to take some time off. Those two weeks were pretty tortuous, since it seems I’ve caught the running bug! I wasn’t prepared for the mental strain of an injury. I know that sounds silly, but once you get into something like running, stepping away can be really, really hard.
After two weeks, I cautiously headed back out, taking it easy and slow. I became best friends with my new trigger point foam roller. And I checked in with my doctor, and after getting the all clear, some tendonitis exercises, and advice on using the magic ice cup(!!) I’m now happy to report I’m fully back at it.
So much in fact, that I’m currently training for two spring races!
The first is Kelly’s St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Race, which looks like a fun and fast 5k through downtown Baltimore. The race is on the parade route, and after the race there’s a beer garden where you can watch the parade. Pretty good way to kick of the birthday festivities early, I think.
The second is the National Half Marathon Relay, which I’m running with my old running buddy Carlos (wonder if he’ll be more than a bird, less than a cow after this race too–that was his song after the Veterans Day 10k!), and our friend, and hardcore runner, Lee. We’re running as FudtilaDHon, a name which captures our love of food and Baltimore. I’m not gonna lie, I’m pretty excited to see how fast we can finish the race!
And now for the wildcard…I’m dangerously close to pulling the trigger on a third spring race–my second half! The timing is slightly tricky with our long trip to France, but I think I can swing it. The only problem is picking a race. My two preferred (ie the flattest races I could find) races are too soon after my return from France. But I found two races on May 15th that may just work–the Maryland Half in Columbia or the Marine Corps Historic Half in Fredericksburg, VA. Both races have advantages, but I’m still pondering. Has anyone ever run either of these races? Any great spring races I’m missing?
I just can’t wait to get back out there and race!
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Eek, so glad your tendonitis is manageable now Beth! yeah the ice cup was something I used alot the months after my surgery. I can’t wait to get back into running now too! As long as this weather stays manageable, I should be able to start next week! hooray!
So I’m taking it, that your trip to France includes the day of May 7th? cause thats when the frederick running festival is in town! I’m going to do the 5k!
and one last thing, I am so excited to see you and everyone tomorrow night! It has been wayyyy too long!
Elizabeth–I hope you can get back out there soon! I actually enjoy cooler weather running, so I hope it doesn’t warm up too fast!
We’re back from France in mid April, but I don’t want to commit to long run while I’m there. Short run, sure. But long run may cut into my vacay and wine drinking too much!
I’m excited for tomorrow too!
Beth, glad to hear those sneakers are laced up again. I want to hear more about this France trip.
Beth, I feel your pain (or your former pain) – injuries suck. I hurt my ankle last year and was out for a few weeks. It was really hard. But that’s great that you signed up for two other races! I just signed up for a half on March 19th. But if you’re looking for a half in May, there’s one in Delaware on the 15th and another in Frederick on the 7th. I think the Frederick one sounds fun. Good luck deciding!
I contemplated a half for this spring but I have other obligations the day of the Frederick race and couldn’t decide on another one.. Then I signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon so I decided I didn’t need a spring half. :) Good luck!