The bitter taste of injury

"If you're going through hell, keep going."  Winston Churchill


Injury has to the most frustrating and motivation-draining challenge I've encountered so far. Having been out of training for 3 weeks with 2 separately sprained ankles, how can I find the positives and deal with the blow to my best laid plans?


The sinking feeling I got from free-falling headfirst down a muddy, leaf-laden, stony path was bad enough. The humiliating hobble home, past clusters of curiously amused golfers, was chastening. But the waiting, and the lack of control, that's the real killer. 


I had managed 2 miles of the 10 1/2 mile run I was planning that Saturday, when a devious tree root sprung up, flung my ankle aside, and sent the ground hurtling towards my face. I've twisted ankles before, but this really hurt. I spent a good 5 minutes groaning away (à la Peter Griffin from Family Guy), grabbing my ankle, wondering when my Mum was going to turn up and make it all better. Realising eventually that I'm 32-year-old man and should be able to handle this on my own, I picked myself up and made a hopeful effort to continue the run. No chance. I got about 500 metres up a hill before I realised I was defeated, and started heading home. 


That's the worst part of getting injured - the sense of defeat. You can get as motivated and as mentally ready for a run as you like, but if you're physically unable, unlucky!


For the last 3 weeks, runs have been few and far between, I've been frustrated, I've injured myself twice in a row, my fitness levels are all over the place. So, even if I can make it out for a run, it's suddenly a lot harder to put in those miles, because I'm out of shape. 


Woe. Is. Me. I'm determined to find some positives in there.


My runs are few and far between. I slope around like a caged animal, with all this unused energy and nowhere to put it. I also find those cakes and beers a lot easier to come by when I'm not exercising, so it's a double-whammy. So, as soon as I'm feeling better, I must appreciate those runs when I get the chance. I can enjoy the time off and put all that energy into coaxing smiles from my son.


I've been frustrated. Even when I get all geed up and ready to train, I know that I shouldn't because I'm not physically able. This should be a reminder of me how keen I am to train. When the time comes and I'm all better, I should be grateful for the opportunity to run and enjoy every second.


Double-injury. Twice in a bloody row. Both times on tree roots, both times going down hill, both times painful. Second time around, I gawped at my ankle in disbelief and groaned 'NOOO' several times into the empty woods. It was very dramatic. I crashed to my knees, like Willem Dafoe in Platoon. Why God, Why? There's an easy lesson to learn here, isn't there? Watch where you're treading, you nana.


Those fluctuating fitness levels? Well, not running for 3 weeks has done a rather good job of highlighting the effects my diet would have if I wasn't running. I think there might be some room for improvement there. So, as I work my way back into training, perhaps I can swap a few cakes and beers for peas and orange juice.

My ankles do seem to be healing, and in the last few days I've made it out for a few runs in the semi-frozen countryside. The sense of relief is huge - I take this marathon very seriously and don't want training to slip - must make it round!


There has been one huge positive of late, which was the receipt of my marathon starter pack - a cover letter and copy of the booklet which every marathon runner receives. This was a real morale booster and has got me very excited thinking about the big day. I've already indulged in a little bit of daydreaming about how it will feel - picturing the crowds, hearing their support and imagining the community spirit which I'll enjoy on the day itself.


It's great to have a reminder to think of the long term - that final, fantastic achievement I'm aiming for.


So - take the positives, learn from the negatives, repeat as desired. And, tree roots are evil. Be vigilant.