Testing, cross training and patience

I am running again! It is not far or fast but it is running and I can feel my body starting to remember. It's the most amazing feeling but also so hard as I must be patient. Coming back is going to be a long road but one I can't wait to run!

It's been over 12 weeks now since my foot gave me the signal to stop running. Yup 12 weeks. Those weeks have been filled with appointments at my Physio, Chiro, Sports Med and Osteopath as well as many minutes of cross training in the pool and gym. They have also been filled with the emotional ups and downs of not running. Some days just seem harder when you can't get the endorphins flowing. That said though, in general I think I've managed the cross training pretty well and have kept the tougher emotional days in check. I have had some good cries but also some great highs along the way and I've made some great connections with other runners who are experiencing similar setbacks.

Over the last 12 weeks I've had the following diagnostic tests to determine what is going on: x-ray, bone scan, CT, MRI and diagnostic ultrasound. Yes they know me at the hospital imaging department now. So with all those appointments and tests what do I know? The X-ray was clear, however a follow up bone scan indicated a hot spot leading my injury to be treated as a stress reaction/fracture. I began using a bone stimulator (thanks Dylan Wykes for the loan) and avidly cross trained in the pool with lengthy pool run sessions and some swimming. Not my fave but I was lucky enough to have friends hop in and join me, making the pool much more tolerable mentally.  I also started some bike spinning. A few weeks into cross training I didn't notice much improvement so  a CT was ordered for more detail. This ruled out a stress fracture/reaction. Great news as my sports med cleared me to run. YES!!! I was so excited, that was until I took those first few steps and it hurt. It didn't seem much better than a few weeks earlier. I was supposed to do a  6min run but it hurt too much. I started to panic, called my sports med and explained my predicament. He suggested trying the run again a few days later but running 30 seconds with a 4 min 30 second walk. This felt a bit better than the continuous run but I knew that my foot wasn't ready for full running yet.

This led to the MRI, which indicated some thickening of the tendon under my second metatarsal and some mild bone edema. Again not a lot of info but helped explain why my foot was still sore. After that a diagnostic ultrasound was used to check for a neuroma. No neuroma but I do have some fluid in my second metatarsal joint as well as osteoarthritis in my big toe (likely due to a bunionyectomy many years ago). Interestingly enough after the testing which was completed over about 9 weeks my foot started to improve. I started using a toe separator, a metatarsal pad and having lots of massage, physio and ultrasound on the area. AND I was again given clearance to try running again.

In conversation with my coach we agreed we needed to take things slowly and see how much the foot could tolerate. This meant starting with sessions of a 1 min run followed by a 1 min walk. I did this using the toe separator and metatarsal pad in my shoes. I did this every other day for a few sessions,  then progressed to 5x1min run/walk followed by a 3 minute continuous run followed by the walk/run again. A few weeks into this I have just started running 3 days in a row followed by a non-run day. My middle run between the walk sessions has grown to 35 minutes. It is huge progress for which I am really grateful. I am still cross training on top of these run sessions so the pool is still happening as is the bike, and I've been able to also add in the elliptical. I am also doing lots of rehab physio exercises as well as strength training in hopes of improving my running form and preventing further injuries going forward. It is amazingly time consuming rehabbing an injury but it is gratifying to be busy rather having too much time to think about the injury.

I believe that I will come back stronger as a runner as I continue to build back my milage. I know that  I will be more disciplined with my core and strength exercises going forward. I also plan to be on top of my nutrition. It's the little things that can make a huge difference. I am so excited for when I can go for long continuous runs with my friends and team mates or I can push myself running intervals on the track or road. I visualize this, I know it will happen but I must practice patience now and listen to my body. It is so easy when things start to feel good again to jump back in full force but I know this will just affect me negatively in the long run.

I plan to enjoy this journey as I return to elite running form and I am so excited for what is to come.

I have to thank all my friends and family who have been very understanding and supportive of my injury.  My amazing coach Richard Lee who always knows the right thing to say and the right guidance to give. Thanks to Dr. Jim Bovard, Marilou Lamy, Chris Napier, Dr. Donald Grant, JP Snip and Bobby Crudo who have been supporting me and treating my injury. What a team! Also thanks to the amazing Oiselle who embrace the sisterhood whether injured or healthy, Forerunners Vancouver who along with New Balance help to support these feet, Nuun for ensuring I drink enough and Zensah.

Getting into the cross training groove

It's been 3 weeks since I last ran and yes I miss it. Running is such a huge part of my daily life that it's removal has taken some time to adjust to. At times it feels like part of me is missing. The bone scan showed a hot spot on my second metatarsal head, although it didn't discern if there was an actual fracture, a hot spot still means to practice caution and let things heal. Fortunately, prior to getting the bone scan results, the decision had already been made to take a break so I was already in the "no running" mindset.

The first week without running felt surprisingly good both mentally and physically.  I made sure I rested lots and actually felt no inclination to run or cross train. My body has worked hard for me this year and it was definitely letting me know it was needing a break. It is very rare that I don't have the desire to run so this made the start of my break much easier. I am always amazed how much "free" time I have when training is taken out of my routine. I replaced that time with baking (one of my favourite activities) and reading ( you must check out Elena Ferrante's Neapolitana series).

I also headed down to San Jose the weekend of the half marathon, as my ticket was not refundable. I was hoping to take some photos of fellow Oiselle team mate Shaluinn Fullove but she ended up not being able to run. I did head down and cheer though as I knew lots of people running. As much as I love competing, there is such a great feeling being on the sidelines cheering on the runners. I felt so lucky to see Meb break the American Masters Half Marathon record, and was inspired watching so many different people achieving their goals. It was also lovely to spend the weekend with my fave girls Tash & Dayna.

As week 2 of no running began, the running itch returned. This is when it became harder. I find the first thing to go is the positive mental attitude and I had to work hard at trying to not feel sorry for myself. Surrounding myself with great friends and having lots of family time really helped me. Plus thinking about the challenges many of my friends and team mates have had with injury and recovery, reminded me that being positive and focused is important, and that it is possible to come out the other side stronger and more determined. I'm not going to say I am always positive, I definitely have my days where I am low, but I am trying!

At the beginning of the 3rd week I was able to start cross training. What a relief mentally that was. Just knowing I was able to go and move and expend some energy made a lot of difference. I've primarily been pool running and swimming, as with no impact this is the best choice for me. I have also done some light spinning on the bike, however, I am trying to limit the bike until my foot is more stable. My friend Dayna has lent me a waterproof MP3 player which has made the pool running experience much better and Dayna has been amazing about joining me in the pool. Keeping the pool running social makes it much easier. Thanks also to Kendra for keeping me company.

As I begin week 4 the pool running is starting to become easier as is the swimming. I am focusing on my core workouts, which I am adapting to have no foot pressure  (meaning no planks), and on my active isolated stretching and rolling. When I get the clearance from my sports med I also hope to add back in some strength training so when I start back running I am strong.

I know I still have a few cross training weeks ahead of me and than even when I start running again it will be a  slow, gradual build up so I am going to try and embrace this stage of my journey. This running journey is definitely full of ups and downs but I do believe it is how you respond to the challenges that is important.

In other news I have a new running relationship. Forerunners Vancouver, has partnered with New Balance Canada to support me with New Balance shoes going forward. I am so excited about this partnership, as I have known Karen and Peter for many years and we have worked together on previous fundraising runs such as The Joshua Run. They are huge supporters of the running community and I am extremely grateful for their support of me going forward. New Balance makes some fantastic shoes. My favourite shoe this summer was the New Balance Zante. Perfect for long runs. I've also raced my three marathons this year in the NB1400. I am excited about when I'm back running again in my New Balance shoes.


Thanks again to all my sponsors, Oiselle, Forerunners, New Balance, Nuun and Zensah for standing by me through this journey!

Also a huge thank you to my family, friends, teammates and coach who have supported me through all the ups and downs.

                Enjoying the sunshine in San Jose (the Rizzo bikini from Oiselle is amazing by the way )

                                                Doing some Active Isolated Stretching

                    Part of my Fall Oiselle Shipment. This cheered me up as it arrived in week 2

                                        The position I spend lots of time in to rest the foot

My new training venue!  

                                               Bike spinning, so sweaty even at an easy pace

                                                                   core workout