Injury Prevention

Well hello chickaroo’s.  It is already Wednesday and I still haven’t washed my hair.  Don’t worry mom, I have showered plenty but I have trained my hair to obey my commands and live without a little shampoo for a few days.  TMI, sorry.  You knew what you were getting yourself into when you started following my blog.  Just imagine how Billy feels.  I think the fact that I made him a cheesyrific meal last night makes up for everything……maybe tonight I will make him snickerdoodles (they must have a crisp exterior but super soft and almost doughy on the inside) to make up for the hair issue.

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Workout today:

Leaving right now for a speedy12 miles outside on a trail while Billy rides his bike (who am I?  Oh yeah, I am doing whatever it takes to rock Boston including running when it is cold outside and on trails that kick my trash.  I was supposed to go in the morning but I SLEPT IN!!) and I am teaching spin tonight.

Maybe I will use this ROUTINE (sent by Candice @bodyofamother...you will LOVE her blog)

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Time to answer some questions mmkay?

Today’s question comes from……Gloryrunning

“Questions: I LOVE to run – but when I trained hard I kept getting injured. What did you do while you were coming back from your knee injury, and what sorts of things do you do NOW to prevent injuries from your level of milage?”

The reason that I started a blog last fall was because I was injured (so, I guess it was a blessing in disguise).  I had been stalking running/food blogs for a long time and finally decided to start my own (actually it was Billy’s idea, he even came up with the name) because I had so much extra energy and time on my hands without running.

You can read about my knee injuriy here, here and here.

What I did while coming back from my knee injury:

-Crosstrained ridiculous amounts of time so that I didn’t loose my cardiovascular fitness.  Think 5-6 spin classes a week, pump, swimming, elliptical and stair climber. (If your injury is more serious than mine was you will have to cut back on crosstraining too:(  I didn’t run for 2 whole months!

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-Researched my brains out (through the internet and books) on how to heal faster and what to do in the future to prevent an injury.

-Don’t be tempted to cut back your calories when you are injured and can’t run.  I know that it is hard but your body NEEDS nutrients and energy to heal itself properly and quickly.

-Remember that running/working out isn’t EVERYTHING.  There are a lot of areas that you can focus your talents and skills on when you can’t run (I turned to writing, baking and biking).

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How I prevent injuries now….

-Take a rest day every week.

-Ice bath after every long run and ice any areas that are bugging you throughout the day. (That is ice in my hand incase you were wondering why I put this picture up besides the fact that it looks like I am bald).

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-Foam Roll (click here to watch my movie on how to foam roll)

-Stretch lots….I used to skip this part but now I ALWAYS stretch after a run.

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-I take glucosamine daily (you can find it on my gear tab and it is used for joint health).

-If ANYTHING starts to hurt that seems serious (not talking about your muscles just feeling tired), ease back!!! Listen to your body.

-Change the way I run and wear more minimalist shoes.  I am slowly learning to heel strike less and that is helping my knees out big time.

-Pray lots.

Also, I think it is important to remember that genetics play a big role in injuries.  Some people’s bodies can handle 180 (Paula Radcliffe) miles a week and some can handle 20.  Do what is best for your body!!!

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Reason #454 to be a teacher.  Your students bring you your favorite candy when it is nearing the end of the term.  Yes, I can be bribed.

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What injuries have you had and how did you deal with them?

How do you prevent injuries?

I know I ask this question a lot but what is your favorite candy? (I ask this a lot because mine changes weekly)

-This week is Sour Patch Kids.

 

PS Check out Chelsey’s AMAZING cookbook giveaway!

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75 comments

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This week's fav candy for me is TWIZZLERS.

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yum twizzlers ;) but that's so great for this post and your so helpful with your knowledge and understanding of running! thanks hun! xo

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Candy corn, and Sweethearts (the old kind, not these new flavors they've had the last two years!) They are AWESOME!!

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I had runner's knee and I didn't deal with it too well! I did a lot of cross training and crying. Now I've been doing hip strengthening exercises to prevent, which I've been slacking on and need to get back into! Such a hard choice but I guess this week for me its Cadbury Creme Eggs! I had one Monday night yuuummmm!

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That is the most amazing thing of sour patch kids I have ever seen! I want to be a teacher now.

I got a stress fracture after running a marathon (my first and only) 2 years ago & rather than crosstrain I just stopped exercising cold turkey. It was a bad idea!

Also, my favorite candy is gummis. Pescatarian haribos to be exact. Also twizzlers. Basically I like my candy to taste as synthetic as possible.

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I stopped using shampoo on my hair YEARS ago. Seriously. I use Dr. Bronner's now, and can go almost a week without cleaning it.

My favorite candy right now: Runts. Love the banana flavor.

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Sour Patch Kids (SPK) are the best!!!!!!!! My kids are still too young to know about bribery, but they are all still sweet just because. :)

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My favourite candy right now is Nougat, does that count? I also love licorce squares..

My only injury was when I face planted and didn't run for three days, I had a sore foot. I am usually alwys sore. Its normal to eb sore but if I feel the pain too much, I pull back and rest and blog stalk you :)

I love trail running, it goes so fast since you are in the good stuff, breathing the pine tree air!
You guys need to come visit me and I will look after you and we will run togther and eat lots.

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Nice, I've luckily never been injured from sports, I broke a leg in 5th grade, but that's because i fell off a swing.

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Stretching is SO SO important! My fiance recently got injured and we have been doing everything in our power to help him heal. Stress fractures are not fun! One of the key things I have learned is don't push yourself too hard, if it hurts STOP, and STRETCH STRETCH STRETCH!!

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Mmmmm. Candy.. My fav right now is mini twix chilled. SO good and chewy!
I have had a TON of sports injuries, and just try to keep on going the best that I can. What a drag… Recovering right now from a tweaked hip flexor- trying to strengthen it and not aggravate the pesky thing. Very annoying!

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Dealing with quite the hip/groin injury right now…my first big one since I started training. It's been eating me alive all week. I realized that I need to take a step back and re-evaluate how I view running in my life. I'm putting way too much of an emphasis on it. When it was gone all week and I could barely walk, I felt like it was the end of the world; still kinda do. So I'm dealing…and getting my life in check. Thanks for the post! Glad to hear you successfully recovered from your knee injury!

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prayer does heal! Amen to that sista!
Have fun with billy boo!
;)

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prayer does heal! Amen to that sista!
Have fun with billy boo!
;)

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reeeeeeeeeeeeeeece's pb cups!

enjoy the speedy run! and i don't wash my hair everyday either. hizzah :)

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Yogurt pretzels!!!

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I take epsom salt baths and drink protein shakes after hard runs to prevent injuries.

Salt water taffy!

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Omggg girl this week it is twizzlers!! We have a giant container and it is GONE:)

Slash I agree, rest day every week, and stretching is muy importante!!

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My favorite candy BAR is probably still a Snickers..or a Milky Way…or a Caramelo. Ugh, I can't decide. My favorite candy in general is probably Reese's pieces, but you can never get enough of those little guys! I could eat handful after handful and never be satisfied!

Can you tell I have a sweet tooth?

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Rest rest rest is BEST! :) :)

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Injury prevention…well good question. I thought I had it figured out!

Glad I can come here and read some good advice =D .

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I haven't had many injuries from running, it's usually from other things that prevent me from running!!

I prevent injuries by stretching, drinking lots of water to stay hydrated and using The Stick!

Ooo favorite candy… that's really a tough one. It changes weekly for me as well. I think I'll go with Swedish Fish. Or Skittles. Or Twizzlers. Okay, yeah, I can't choose.

P.S. I actually ate broccoli in my dinner tonight! (I used to hate it but it was tolerable tonight.)

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For injuries I: stretch often, ice often, take ibuprofen and try to stay positive. I recently read that staying positive can totally help you heal faster so I have been practicing that :)

Also…favorite candy right now is definitely PB M&Ms! And almond hershey kisses!

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I love your blog. I get so excited when I see you posted again. Oh my goodness. Anyways, I had my first consultation phone call with Alex today. I am so excited to work with him! Anyways, I had a question that I'm sure everyone else might want to know too… WHY ARE YOU SO DANG COOL? And always happy all the time??!? You are inspiring = truth.

Shelby Lou

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I threaten myself with real physical pain if it doesn't hea. like "oh, you think THAT hurts … wait 'til I…" and I fill in the blank until I'm running under my covers, scared. Or, errr, um, I stretch. Stretch and ice, that's all I do. NO threats here.

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I just have one thing to say, you are so inspiring!!!!

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I have been remarkably injury-free, but after one big injury I had to learn to be that way. I went more minimalist with my shoes and I decreased my mileage, although I ran quite a few marathons (at least one a month for 4 months). I rarely did runs longer than 10 miles in training because I noticed that fatigued legs lead me to land improperly. I haven't had an injury since my knee healed over a year ago.
I NEVER stretch, which is so bad! But I'm very lazy about it!

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I will confess that I regularly use dry shampoo to avoid washing my hair.

I've had trouble with shin splints since I first started trying to run a year ago. They are relatively under control, but I use ice, ice baths, compression sleeves, and occasionally the stick. Oh yeah, and lots of stretching.

My favorite candy this week is Buncha Crunch. Best movie snack ever!

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Great Post! Thank you for doing one on injury, I was one of them who needed this post! :D
Have a great day!

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That description of snickerdoodles made my mouth water!!! I hope your trail run was killer! And girl, you KNOW you are one of the people I was talking about in my post this morning. I consider you a REAL bestie!!!

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Great tips Janae! Injuries are so frustrating, but like you I've been lucky enough to still be able to cross-train through my knee injuries, which helps a lot. But you are so right – it's important to keep in mind that running isn't everything, and there are other things in life to turn to, new hobbies and interests to be discovered. I feel like its totally okay for me to love running, but I can never let it become my only source of happiness and sanity. If someday I'm not able to run, I need to still to be able to be happy.
I prevent injuries with rest days, proper nutrition and stretching, foam rolling, and listening to my body.

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Ugh, gosh darn injuries! I have periodic problems everywhere — ankle, achilles, knee, hip. Never anything terrible, just things to keep an eye on. Love all your tips!

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I've struggled with injuries previously… and most of the time it was because my shoes were too old! I am cheap and do not like to drop $100 on running shoes every 3 months like I should. But, when I don't buy new ones once the old ones hit the 500-mile mark, my body starts to break down.

So another tip for injury prevention, make sure you replace your shoes every 350-500 miles! Worn-down shoes do nothing for your knees, feet, hips, etc…

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I definitely stretch a lot and take rest days!!! =D

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Believe it or not, I'm not a candy girl…that may be shocking to some! I probably haven't had a piece of candy in years.
Injuries….plantar fascilitis. HELP!! I had it 2 yrs ago…recovered…and now it's back w/ a venengence. I STRETCH it constantly, have given myself multiple gastric ulcers due to my NAID intake, and sleep in the Strausburg sock.I still run 3-14 mi/day and teach 2-4 hours of aerobics/day. Plus I teach high school and seriously don't even have a desk chair, thus I never sit except when I'm in my car.
HELP!! And please dont' tell me to rest! haha!

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When you said you were going to answer my question I link to my blog, I almost peed my pants. Thank you! LOVE all the cross training and the FOAM ROLLING =) Those things hurt so good.

P.S. I totally stopped at Walmart to get sour patch kids on the way home after I read your post =) They are my FAVE but apparently my mouth isn't as awesomely beastly as yours because I still get sores if I eat too many.

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SHIN SPLINTS!! Gaw I hate them. I've changed shoes and I make sure to switch running surfaces every so often. Favorite candy is caramel squares….yummy!

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Ahhh remember when we couldn't run?? So grateful to be back at it!

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Great tips and I LOVE the foam roller video! You're great!

I'm loving swedish fish right now. In love with them. I ate a bunch before my long run today :-)

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Mine changes weekly too, this week…..sour, gummy lifesavers.

Fell off my bike first ride with clipless pedals and fractured a rib. Had to ride the recumbent bike for 6 weeks. Ugggggggggg, that was brutal, but read a lot of good books.

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Thanks for the link love girlie!! You are too cute with your sour patch kids. I hope you are still loving skittles though ;)

I have never had a running injury before, and I hope I never get one!

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Ooh my goodness Janea! I feel like you wrote this post for me. I need all the motivation I can get to cross train. I am going to purchase a foam roller while I'm on Spring Break next week. I did, however, have a kick ass workout on the elliptical today.

And-I start my first day of prestudent teaching tomorrow AHH (in a high school calculus class…)

Can I seriously just live your life? I feel like in 3 years I will be (in a noncreepy but creeping on blogs way…).

What an awesome post!

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I love love loveee chocolate covered raisins but this week I've been craving trail mix..BUT I HAVE NONE! it is a problem…and I don't like to buy stuff until I go grocery shopping but I have break friday so AHH I won't be getting any trail mix until at earliest Saturday! BOO

So I have a question for you- do you guys not do thursday pizza night anymore??

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I bought minimalist shoes after reading Born to Run, and I love them so far – I notice a big difference. Whenever I wear my old shoes now, they seem so big & heavy. I've never really had any big injuries, but cross-training & not running every day helps keep me healthy & injury-free.

Favorite candy this week: dark chocolate coffee truffle

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Yay! great post…I know I don't comment a lot…but really you are such an inspiration and I look forward to reading your blog each day….mmmm costco size sour patch kids!!!

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Hey Janae, you're such an inspiration to come back from an injury and you post great advice! Right now i'm battling an ankle injury and it's killing me. Both pain and exercise wise. It's difficult to walk on so needless to say I can't do much. Any advice?

Also, you are always drinking hot chocolate… what is your favorite kind?

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I am a HUGE believer in ice. I swear it cures all injuires, And soo many sour patch kids.. send some my way?

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oh man, i had micro-tears in both my calves 4 years ago and i could barely walk. over training kicked my butt…along with not fueling right. kept me from my first marathon :(

and love me some gummi bears…covered in chocolate. to.die.for.

ps i think that boy is staring at your butt in the stretching picture. lol!

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fav candy of the week: Reese's peanut butter cups. So delish! I've never been seriously injured (praise God!), but I've hurt my ankle/foot and took off running for about a week and biked instead. At the time I was living in an apartment with a gym, but now I'd have to find a gym to join if I needed to cross train!

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Haha! Just like I tell my husband, "I shower daily at least, its just that I don't wash my hair very much. I'm still clean!"

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Okay so this totally doesn't have anything to do with your injury post (although great info here and being injured sucks).

But I smiled at you making Snicker-doodles. They are my grandma's favorite cookie ever and made them all the time when I was growing up. She's now living in a memory care unit because she has Alzheimer's. We went to visit last week and my mom called and asked if my grandma would like some home made Snicker-doodles. My grandma's response was "Chicken and noodles? No, I'm fine". Now anytime we are talking about snicker-doodles, we have to call them Chicken and Noodles.

See, I told you it had nothing to do with your post! :)

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I think my candy of the week is anything with chocolate.

I used to have some serious knee injuries when I was younger, but I learned that keeping my legs in shape pretty much eliminated the issues I was having.

I just took a shower, but didn't wash my hair either…it's been three days…

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My favorite candy bar is Take 5 because it is a combo of sweet and salty!! :)

And also, I always go days without washing my hair even if I work out. I definitely shower daily, but my hair is just such a hassle to do every single day that I'll wear it down one day and then up for like 2 days after in a different style. No one ever notices :)

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Having an injury is so hard mentally. We think we're going to lose that fitness we worked so hard to get (and sometimes that happens) and we worry about getting fat and we go stir crazy because we normally have an outlet for all that stuff!
I loved all your tips. Seriously, I wish I had known all this stuff years ago. The first time I battled IT band stuff, no one really knew much. I got 3 cortisone injections that did NO good and finally just stopped running altogether. It was the best thing that I did.
I don't know if this counts as candy, but I got some dark chocolate covered pomegranates at Costco. They are to die for!

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i need your students to come teach my students how to bring me candy. they only bring it at christmas. boo. i think it is time for more seeing how the christmas candy was gone that same day.

so i think i keep commenting this, but i just want to tell you i love your blog and that it is honestly motiviating me. i am always going back and forth with running. i like it for a month then forget it for a few. but i started randomly reading your blog and it just made me want to run! so i've been doing it. not far. at all. not fast. ha. not even CLOSE to fast. but i'm doing it. and your blog is fun and talks about nutrition and stuff without being a total snore (like a lot of them. no offense to anyone). so anywya. thanks for blogging and being cute and motivating :)

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Finally I created my blog so I can officially follow yours!

My favorite candy this week is Junior Mints…I could seriously eat boxes and boxes every day.

To help prevent injuries lately I have been cross training, adding weights, stretching and foam rolling like its my job.

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i've been into skittles lately…

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I have been pretty good being injury free until two days ago…I just had to have emergency surgery Monday night. So, I wont be running (or doing anything for that matter) for a few weeks. But I am just taking this time as well needed rest & I will have to start slow again & basically start over with my training! Oh-well!!

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I tore my MCL back in 2008 and it took me a while to get back in the game after surgery. Slow and steady but I"m running my first half in 3 weeks! I have the onset of shin splints so I'm taking it easy and semi tapering early.

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GREAT TIPS! injuries are the worst.. prevention is key!

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GREAT TIPS! injuries are the worst.. prevention is key!

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I've been so lucky to not have been injured. I had tendonitis in my achilles after Top of Utah, but it resolved fairly quickly (in hindsight, during my "recovery" time I thought I was gonna fall off the deep end…). I did lots of spin classes, elliptical work and short 1-3 mile runs (it was ok w/my Doc).

Fav candy??? gosh there are SO many! love swedish fish, almond joys, and wintergreen lifesaver mints. oooh and sour patch watermelons, and now that Easter candy is out… PEEPS! LOVE PEEPS! OMG. the pink bunnies and yellow chicks. my mouth is watering just thinking about them. lol.

p.s. I love you. I was telling my hubby how you are just like this little ray of sunshine. you are so sweet and so upbeat. :) I don't know how you do it. and we totally want a double date. AND a fro-yo blogger bff date again too!

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I've been so lucky to not have been injured. I had tendonitis in my achilles after Top of Utah, but it resolved fairly quickly (in hindsight, during my "recovery" time I thought I was gonna fall off the deep end…). I did lots of spin classes, elliptical work and short 1-3 mile runs (it was ok w/my Doc).

Fav candy??? gosh there are SO many! love swedish fish, almond joys, and wintergreen lifesaver mints. oooh and sour patch watermelons, and now that Easter candy is out… PEEPS! LOVE PEEPS! OMG. the pink bunnies and yellow chicks. my mouth is watering just thinking about them. lol.

p.s. I love you. I was telling my hubby how you are just like this little ray of sunshine. you are so sweet and so upbeat. :) I don't know how you do it. and we totally want a double date. AND a fro-yo blogger bff date again too!

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I don't really have to worry too much, because I'm not running very far at all, yet, but I make sure to stretch really, really good.

Hmm, I can't pick just a favorite candy, but I *love* skittles, reeses, and M&Ms!

And thank you SO MUCH for commenting on my blog, it absolutely made my day!!

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LOVE your tips!! And Amen to the power of prayer!:) I've never had a serious injury *touchwood* but I'm really worried I'm developing on in my ankle area…how do you know when it's an injury and not just paranoia/normal pain? I am SO careful now to do all I can to prevent injury though, especially since all the intense speedwork makes it more likely…!

And I'm a chocolate girl!! Dark chocolate rocks:)

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great prevention tips!! you have got it al down to a T! I actually dont like candy– to sweet.. i prefer chocolate :D dark dark chocolate
i hvnt had any injuries yet.. TO be honest!! i mean nothing serious.. iv pulled a few things but yeah!

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Great prevention tips! Loved this article!

I have meniscus tears in both knees with my right being worse than my left.

Favorite Candy? Reese pieces or swedish fish

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I'm currently nursing a groin pull. I'm on week #3 and losing my mind. I can at least cross train, but not as hard as I'd like. Even worse, I am supposed to be running my first marathon at the end of the month. The physical therapist said I may still be able to do it, so I am holding on to a small ray of hope.

My favorite candy is swedish fish. I once ate a whole box in two days. Whoops.

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I just became a follower after stalking you for months. I had to comment on the injury post, because I am dealing with an achilles injury right now. I was supposed to run a marathon this Sunday and got injured on my last long training run 2 weeks ago. I'm so frustrated and upset. I just want to get running again and schedule my next marathon, but I know I need to take the time to recover.
Thank you for your inspirational blog.

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I recently discovered your blog, but it's already a daily read. You are really so funny and inspiring.
I just got one question for you: what are Swedish Fish? We don't have that here in Europe.

Oh, and that guy in the third picture? I think he's enjoying the view…. :)

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I'm with Elle – I have an ankle injury (achilles sprain and overstretched ligaments) that is causing me a lot of pain and frustration. I've been injured since late October! I've tried running on it but I end up in so much pain I can't sleep for the next few days. I'm in PT but every time they try to up the exercises, it's too much and I have to take a week off and start over again. I can't bike/run/walk much – even yoga bothers it – so I've put on a quite a bit of weight (5-8 pounds, feels like, I don't own a scale).

Ahhh! I just keeping hoping it'll heal and doing my exercises! Probably reading a bunch of running blogs isn't helping my frustration with not being able to run but I REALLY enjoy your blog! Keep up the great inspiration!

Favorite candy: chocolate covered pretzels or gummy cherries.

Note to Beth, above: take it REALLY easy on the achilles injury. I delayed PT on mine for over a month and I seriously regret it now. Get it checked out, get into physical therapy, take it easy!

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I'm attempting to reform my heel striking ways as well after IT band and knee issues last fall. Ex heel strikers unite! :p Lately (meaning since Sunday when I realized they were BACK IN STORES) I have been eating starburst jelly beans by the fistfull. Get yourself some now. The sour patch kids might need to take a back seat through easter. ;)

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Sour patch kids! yum!

Janae- I am freaking out!! I have this pain in my foot that feels all too familiar! I had a stress fracture last year in my 3rd toe and the pain feels the same but higher up in my foot. :( It hurts even when I walk! Do you think it might just be some bizarre soreness? What do I do? I haven't run since Sunday because it hurts. Am I a hypochondriac? Have you had a stress fracture? I've had 2. Oh boy, say a prayer for my foot, pretty please! (oh and for my job interview tomorrow!! but shh, no one knows about it) :)

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So. I am thinking you need to incorporate some of those moves into your spin class. LOL.

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I can't believe you've only been blogging since last fall!! You're such a hit!

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