I started running about a year ago. No specific goals just for fun, was making good progress till I got up to being able to run about 7 km 5 days a week no problem.
Unfortunately a series of health problems lead to getting really out of condition and I’m dealing with some knee tendonitis due to irresponsibility when doing strength training.
Now I’m gasping after 3 km and having to carefully pace myself to avoid aggravating the knee while I build it back up.
On one hand I know that a lot of the long term adaption isn’t totally gone, that I’m not starting from zero. When I started I would throw up after running a block.
On the other hand it’s demotivating as fuck putting in so much effort to hobble through stuff that recently was relaxing.
I’m obviously not the first person or the last to deal with this so I’m asking if you could share times when you’ve dealt with recovering and what kept you going.
Hey! Long distance runner here with over a decade of experience in the sport! I’ve dealt with several injuries throughout; most recently I spent about two years dealing with pretty debilitating long Covid, having gotten Covid in 2020 before a vaccine existed.
For me, what has helped me push through to finally running real mileage has been assessing exactly what it was that I liked about the sport, and what the sport did for me mentally, physically, emotionally. I then focused on those things I loved about it and have focused on them every run. Instead of thinking about how much farther and faster I could run in 2020, I think about how I get smaller versions of those things I love about the sport in my current runs. I know that the only way to get them is to keep going and trying to get back in shape.
Slowly but surely I’ve gotten back on my feet and it has given me a new appreciation for running, and a new view on the sport and lifestyle thag accompanies it.
I hope this helps in some way, I know it was long winded.
That is helpful! thanks, you’re right. I was never running because line goes up, I was running because it just feels good to be out in the bush moving quickly rinsing the cares of the day out of my head.
That’s a healthy attitude to have and I’ll try to cultivate it in myself.
All the best with your recovery!
I’m glad to hear it! You’re very welcome.
It sounds like you’ve already got a pretty good outlook on the sport and your recovery at this point, judging by your responses to mine and other comments!
Thank you for the encouragement, I hope you have a speedy climb back to where you want to be, and that you enjoy every step of it as much as you can! (Recognizing how unpleasant running can be even when you love it!)