It is the Second week of September.... The leaves are starting to turn and some starting to fall.
Before we know it, October will be here and we will be seeing the first signs of winter. While I am not ready for snow just yet, I will welcome ski season with opens arms.
I am a month and a half away from toeing the start line of my first ultra marathon.
I'm experiencing so many mixed emotions and anxieties.
The biggest one for me has been mileage.
Have I been running enough?, spending enough time on my feet?, you know, just getting those kilometres in!
To date my longest run is about 4.5 hours... Id like to go for 6 before the ultra.
I have been following a training plan since May but have certainly altered it a bit to best suit my skills and free time.
This past weekend I had a plan..... lets just say that the weekend didn't go as planned.
I had hoped to get in about a 15-16 km run on Saturday and head out on Sunday for upwards of 30+ kilometres of trail in the Blow Me Downs.
I fell.
I fell HARD.
I was 6- ish kilometres into my climbing run on Saturday when my body came crashing into the earth. I felt my ankle roll and the ligaments cry out.
I lay there debating whether or not I was able to stand. My dog quickly returned to my side knowing something was up, he waited for me to finish assessing the situation and make a move.
I stood after a few minutes, waited and then started hobbling down off the cliff. Within a few minutes I was able to walk normally and then get back to a slow run. At this point I figured I had just rolled my ankle, nothing serious!
I finished my run but cut it short at a little over 10 kms. Once I stopped running and loosened my shoe, the pain set in.
Before we know it, October will be here and we will be seeing the first signs of winter. While I am not ready for snow just yet, I will welcome ski season with opens arms.
I am a month and a half away from toeing the start line of my first ultra marathon.
I'm experiencing so many mixed emotions and anxieties.
The biggest one for me has been mileage.
Have I been running enough?, spending enough time on my feet?, you know, just getting those kilometres in!
To date my longest run is about 4.5 hours... Id like to go for 6 before the ultra.
I have been following a training plan since May but have certainly altered it a bit to best suit my skills and free time.
This past weekend I had a plan..... lets just say that the weekend didn't go as planned.
I had hoped to get in about a 15-16 km run on Saturday and head out on Sunday for upwards of 30+ kilometres of trail in the Blow Me Downs.
I fell.
I fell HARD.
I was 6- ish kilometres into my climbing run on Saturday when my body came crashing into the earth. I felt my ankle roll and the ligaments cry out.
I lay there debating whether or not I was able to stand. My dog quickly returned to my side knowing something was up, he waited for me to finish assessing the situation and make a move.
I stood after a few minutes, waited and then started hobbling down off the cliff. Within a few minutes I was able to walk normally and then get back to a slow run. At this point I figured I had just rolled my ankle, nothing serious!
I finished my run but cut it short at a little over 10 kms. Once I stopped running and loosened my shoe, the pain set in.
Accidents happen.
Is there ever an ideal time to hurt oneself, No! let alone a little over a month away from the biggest race you will have ever completed.
A week from today is the Gros Morne Trail Run Weekend Ultra, 43 kms over two days, three races.
Will I be able to run... At this point I am not sure.
Fast forward two days at massage therapy, I got the OK to run next weekend and was told that my ankle was going to heal just fine.
THANK GOD!
Little did I know.... 4 weeks later I would still be having trouble with this damn ankle
So, the plan
This upcoming week will consist of Rest, Recovery & Cycling....
staying "off" my Ankle.
GMTRW - The Mountains are calling
I will be ready, my ankle will do just fine
or at least this is what I kept telling myself.
Do you know how hard it is to stay off an injury? I cant sit still
I cant not clean the house, walk the dog, go for a slow run, stay off my bike.
I tried.
E for effort right?
Is there ever an ideal time to hurt oneself, No! let alone a little over a month away from the biggest race you will have ever completed.
A week from today is the Gros Morne Trail Run Weekend Ultra, 43 kms over two days, three races.
Will I be able to run... At this point I am not sure.
Fast forward two days at massage therapy, I got the OK to run next weekend and was told that my ankle was going to heal just fine.
THANK GOD!
Little did I know.... 4 weeks later I would still be having trouble with this damn ankle
So, the plan
This upcoming week will consist of Rest, Recovery & Cycling....
staying "off" my Ankle.
GMTRW - The Mountains are calling
I will be ready, my ankle will do just fine
or at least this is what I kept telling myself.
Do you know how hard it is to stay off an injury? I cant sit still
I cant not clean the house, walk the dog, go for a slow run, stay off my bike.
I tried.
E for effort right?
As a Trail Runner it is almost inevitable that you are going to trip and fall at some point. You may as well accept that fate. Would I have rathered just get a few cuts and bruises, Yes!
Despite my anxieties and insecurities of not being ready for this race, I have taken my fall as a sign. My body needed the rest,my ankles are weaker than I thought and I will take this time to let my body heal and become stronger.
ECT 50, Im comin' for ya!
E