What happened to the RUNNER part of HungryRunnerGirl?

I love following workout plans too! The only thing that causes me to break them is either 1.) NOT feeling good, and 2.) being in a grumpy mood and only wanting to EAT! (while watching Alias, I might add)… Can’t wait until you are able to get back out there again and doing what you love!

So sorry to hear about the left shin feeling janae. I know it’s so hard when you start again because your version of starting ‘slow’ like everyone tells you is sometimes STILL too fast- and often you don’t know until the run is finished and the damage is already done. (when I saw you I mean me/a lot of us)
I’m so glad you can do all the other stuff though – I find that helps me a heap when some part of my legs (I swear it changes around daily!) starts hurting after a run and sidelines me for another few days/week!

I’m a planner too, I have a huge excel spreadsheet with my workouts on it all planned out usually for a month even if I’m not training for anything. Sorry you’re sidelined again but at least you realized it this time around :)

I hope you start feeling better soon ughhh injuries!
I used to love training plans until I started running without them and I don’t think I’ll ever go back. I’ve ditched the plans, garmin, music, and watches over the psat 2 months and have never felt more free!

I’m definitely a planner too, right now I’m not training for a race so I plan my runs out for a week at a time so I stay on track. Injuries stink! I hope you start feeling better soon so you can get back to running!

You will be back in no time! A few years ago I was running around 70 miles a week and felt as if I was on top of the world, then I got mono. I was out cold for an entire year. I think it was one of the hardest things I have ever gone through, I was very depressed because running was my life and I could barely walk through a mall let alone step on a treadmill. I eventually got through it, to this day my body still wont let me do the things that I wish it could do, but it really has taught me a lesson about moderation and also that life offers many other things besides running.

I am not much of a planner. I usually have a bit of a plan, but I like to flexible!

I’ve never experienced much in the way of injuries. But then again I have only ever trained for one race and it was only 10 miles.

Dessert last night was all the leftover “cookie dough” from when I made cookie dough cupcakes on Friday! Yummmmmmmmmmmm!

I’m a BIG planner. I have a whole workout schedule set for the whole month that I even make a copy of for my husband so he knows when he’s working out and when he can’t plan other things. EVERYTHING gets planned around our workouts. :-)

It’s nice to have a plan. I make sure I stick to my plan too. Even if I don’t feel like it, it doesn’t matter because it’s on the schedule.

Sunday night dessert: TastyKakes! I love having a training plan because I will obsessively follow it… the past few months I haven’t been running too much because I just needed a break from the full training plan (18 week) that I did in the Winter/Spring. Next week I start a 1/2 plan!

I’ve been through BAD shin splints, ITB pain (might have been beginnings of ITBS), and bottom of the foot pain (I just assume it was the start of plantars). I pushed through shin splints until I realized that running every OTHER day solved that issue. I pushed through the ITB issue until I found that it was caused by running on the same side of the road too much (the slope of the road did it). I did NOT however push through the pain in my foot. That I had looked at. Doc said there was nothing wrong, I got a new pair of shoes (no more expensive shoes for me!) and I’m back at it!

I love having a training plan, but usually go by the seat of my pants each day in itself. Today may be a long run day, but I may switch it to a tempo run of the same distance once I’m out there.

Your calves are prb just weak from the time off from the femur.. If they are weak it transfers to your shins. You know how many times I’ve been down this road! Rest up and strengthen those calves!!(Mamarunsbarefoot)

I’m just coming off of an achilles injury and it is really frustrating and can become chronic….I had stress fractures last year and this is going to sound weird but I preferred that injury to this one because I knew in a few months that my bones would heal! I have no idea when I’ll be back to normal but I am working really hard at physical therapy, icing like a maniac, and stretching like its my job!

I’m still training carefully though and I’ve made a plan that takes me all the way through March of 2012. I’m crazy like that!

Best wishes Janae! I wish you speedy healing!

It’s hard not to push yourself — but be careful! It’s good that you have other exercise avenues to distract you! :)

Sunday Night Dessert = frozen blackberries + banana + arctic zero vanilla maple ice cream (gluten free non-fat!) + 1 stevia YUMMMMMM! It tasted like a cold version of blackberry cobbler which hit the spot since I was outside in 100+ degree heat all day…

I am a planner but for some reason am incapable of following any, even self-created, trianing plans. I have arthritis in my knees even though I am not old, honestly I think it’s from being overweight but whatever! So off and on I battle that but it is more preventitive care so I don’t have huge flair ups.

I didn’t have Sunday night dessert, I had Sunday night tortilla chips and queso! Yummy!

I know that one of the reasons people (including me – duh) love your blog is because you are so open, honest, and REAL! Praying for a speedy recovery for you! But very thankful that you can still do other work outs that you love! :) Mmmm your brownie creation looks amazing! My Sunday night dessert was ICE CREAM with the girls I babysit for – it’s tradition! I had chocolate and vanilla with a drizzle of chocolate syrup and a spoonful of PEANUT BUTTER! :)

When it comes to big races, I like to have a training plan. I followed a pretty simple online plan for my marathons, and it worked wonderfully for me! Right now, I don’t have a training plan, and I wish I did.

My foot problem is still going on. When I get to past 6 miles, it becomes very difficult to keep running. I know I need to get new shoes and go to physical therapy, but there never seems to be the time! I ran 8 miles Saturday and there was lots of pain :-(

For sundae night desert, i had two yogurts from 16 handles and a giant bowl of cereal. mmmmmm!

Awww, Janae, im so sorry to hear about whats going on injury wise with you. Its all a learning experience though, but I can definitely empathize with your situation.

I definitely follow a routine each week when it comes to training, but Ive tried to be flexible over the past couple years because I know I can get too caught up in it otherwise.

When I was training for my half last year, I had a nagging feeling in my foot that I thought was maybe a stress fracture but I kept running on it anyway. During the race, my foot felt like it was going to snap in half…I was so upset because I knew my time couldve been better. It turned out I just needed inserts for my shoes, and the pain finally went away. But faced with the thought that I needed to take time off from running to let it heal, not gonna lie, made me feel a little freaked out. But there are SO many other ways to keep active, and that thought made me feel a LOT better about things.

Endorphins are endorphins…even though we love getting them through running, we also come to the realization that running is truly tough on the body. Sometimes your body really just needs a break to heal, and there is nothing wrong with that, because you are gonna come back STRONG and determined. You are gonna kick butt in the boston marathon, even if it wasnt this year. Im so proud of you for keeping upbeat and realizing the brighter side of things. Youve learned some important lessons throughout this journey, and it will all just make you a more well rounded runner in the end :)

p.s. I really miss spinning sometimes, I dont have a gym membership anymore, I truly miss those classes. Spinning is AWESOME!

Sunday night dessert= ice cream cake since it was my brothers birthday, yay!

Just started reading your blog – I love it!! its so great that you still find so much joy in life even while getting through an injury :)

I had shin splints for most of last summer….like you, I increased the miles toooo quickly. I was out for about 5 weeks! But then that fall I PR’d in the half-marathon by 5 minutes….sometimes that break can even help get your fire back!

You’d think I’d learn from that right? well, I did the same dumb thing again this summer – training was going really REALLY well aaand now my ankle is hurting. It’s really frustrating and I have no idea what’s wrong with it, but I’m pool-running like craaazy and trying to follow my summer training plan as closely as I can – I still do all the core workouts, and I pool-run ten minutes for every mile I was supposed to run that day. And I can still do all the interval workouts in the pool too! It’s great cuz there’s zero impact, but pool running is really really hard so I still feel like I’m doing work haha.

And for dessert last night, I had Edy’s cappuccino-chip frozen yogurt topped with whipped cream and fresh cherries :-D

Planning gives us a sense of control, and completing gives us a sense of accomplishment. I don’t know about you but I feel less anxious when I have both of those things. It is true, running has a magical power that cannot be found in any other activity, and when we cannot run it is the reality we hate to have to deal with. However, let yourself be open to the possibility of what activity/hobby might excite you, and sometimes it takes dabbling in a few new things to find out what it is.

Also, if you can still hike, find peak to summit. I can almost guarentee you will find the feeling you crave.

Have a good day!

Sunday dessert was Lucky Charms.

First things first (because I know you will appreciate this) – my (not Sunday but Friday so I’ll tell you anyway) dessert was….

Coconut gelato (with loots of fresh coconut!!) and warmed up chocolate sauce… oh my goodness. Amazing.

You’ll be back on the running game before you know it! I can’t even tell you how much yoga helps with running… just focus on what you CAN do and pretty soon that will include running! :)

Janae, you are amazing! Strong, optimistic and determined….I have NO doubt you will get your sub 3 and the joy when you get there will be sweeter from the opposition on the way.
I am a planner as well & had a similar setback last winter in my return to running. I told my husband that the whole holding back, slow adding of mileage etc was like getting to taste 1 bite of my favorite dessert & then told I could have another in a few days….torture! I have been following a very conservative plan for a month now & it’s going well. Sharing struggles & triumphs thru the blog world has been incredibly strengthening for me- Thank you for that!!
Lastly, dessert last night was stevia & coconut sweetened Greek yogurt w/a warm choc brownie bite..mmmmm!

Hi Janae!

I am a total planner so when my coach gives me my training schedule it makes me almost as excited self serve frozen yogurt bar! I still workout when I am not on a schedule but I feel better when I have the plan in front of me to follow!

Here is a plan for you when you return to running. http://pfitzinger.com/labreports/stressfracture.shtml

I followed this after taking 10 weeks off for a stress fracture in my foot. During my recovery time I followed this plan: http://pfitzinger.com/labreports/9wkH2O.htm
It was the first time that I had to lay off the pavement for so long that I found aqua jogging to be the best alternative. I actually grew to like it and now try to keep it in my training once or twice a week. It is a great way to get in more running without the pounding!!

I also did yoga, elliptical and strength training…basically anything besides running that would keep my fitness. I know it is HARD to not start running again like you remember it but it is sooooo worth it to follow these ease-back-into-it programs so that your body adapts to running again and you stay strong!!

If you need any more info let me know and good luck. You will make it through the pause from running!

Ahh injuries are so frustrating!! Sorry girl!

I always have minor problems because of my flat feet! I am really careful though and stop running a couple days when I have any “bad” type pains. I look at it as an opportunity to try other forms of workouts!!

I`m a HUGE planner!

And girl- I feel your pain. My blog posts lately are all about recovering from spraining A LOT of tendons in both my feet. I stopped running for over a month and just ran a 3K on Saturday that did not go pain free the next day. But I know I`m getting better and even though I can`t run my 30K in August, I will be doing the long distances again soon.

Chin up friend! You will feel better soon!

Sending you such big hugs, Janae! I’m so sorry you had to learn to slow down the hard way, but it is fantastic that you are still able to ellipticize (lol!) and get your cardio mojo on in different ways…and like you said, you just need time healing and getting your body back in top form. Learning curves, eh?! We all have em, don’t worry! ;-) You will back on your feet runnning in no time, and looks like you have taken so much from this injury – your list of things you’ve learnedwas loooong. Well done, lovely. Lots of love <3 xyx

I feel so bad for you; I know how awful it is to not be able to run.

I take up yoga in earnest while I am healing because it keeps me mentally sane and helps strengthen all of those running muscles for when I’m back in running mode.

I am a huge planner. I make to do lists almost every day. I even have the ink pad application on my phone that is FULL of to do lists. I recently just printed out all the months leading up to the marathon I am running in January to figure out exactly when I can fit in my runs between friends’ weddings and football season!

No injuries so far! Cross my fingers that it continues that way.

My Sunday night dessert was the pickle that came with the Panera sandwich. I was driving back from a Bridal Shower in Minneapolis so that was the best I could do!

I am so sorry to hear about your injuries. I was a gymnast in middle school and had two stress fractures (one in my foot and one in my arm) and also broke my foot and had to have pins put in to stabilize the bone. Then in high school I started cross country and had a stress fracture in my sacrum. About a year after that I had bunion surgery.

The good news though is that I’m a senior in college, I’ve been back running for two years now for our division one cross country and track program and I just pred in e 3 mile race! (18:36) Hopefully there are more prs to come and I know that you’ll be back to running and better than ever soon enough!

First of all – want that dessert now! Second of all, your mom is right – you will get through it and a plan will help take your mind off of the feeling that you aren’t training for something, because you- your rest and cross training are training you to get better, run stronger when your legs are ready and stay mentally/physically fit!

I tore both ACLs (my first while I was a competitive gymnast and my second while I was being recruited for college field hockey – needless to say the recruiters stopped responding so quickly when they heard I was getting surgery the week I was supposed to do visits or have them watch me).

I did a lot of nautilus weight training, pool training and PT excercises, but because I kept up the cross training and positive can do attitude (which is VERY hard, and I had times where I didn’t believe that I would be better, but you have to have the strength to push those thoughts aside) – I was back to flipping back tucks and fulls within a year post surgery #1 and on the starting line for a Div. 2 powerhouse a year post surgery #2…so just think and remember to keep thinking – I can and I will :)

You can do it! If you can overcome stress fractures, you can do this! Unfortunately I am in the same boat with you now too. I just started upping my mileage for the first time EVER. Ran 7 miles (woo!) but my shins are dying. I can barely walk! So I’m resting these babies up before I hit the pavement again. I say we simply enjoy our summers before the back to school shopping begins ;)

Mother’s know what’s best for their kids. Your mother sounds like a wise, compassionate, loving woman. :)

It’s tough to have something you love so much taken from you. When I had my setback it really put things in the proper perspective for me. It helped me to re-prioritize my responsibilities and re-focus. Now that I’m running again I appreciate my ability so much more than I did before. It was something I was taking for granted but, didn’t know I was…you know??! Now that I’m older and hopefully wiser (I’m a work in progress!!)…(fine wine takes time!) I like plans. When I was younger I just wanted to RUN. But, I feel like plans help me to achieve goals. I don’t want to be labeled as a “streaker” and just run a ton of races to say I did. I want to improve and see results. I’m finding that the “run less, run faster” plan works for me. I found that when I was just racking up a ton of miles I was losing speed. When I cut back on mileage my speed improves and I’m less prone to injury because I’m giving my muscles time to prepare for the next hard effort. Janae sweetie, you are still so young and you have a long running career in front of you. You’re such a talented runner and I know you’ve learned so much from these trials (injuries)! Your plan sounds great! You’re keeping your endurance, cardio up so that is going to help you lots when you’re ready to start running again!! Stay positive!! You’ll be out there soon!! :)

Last night I made m&m, resses pb cookies. Soo good!! :)

Have a happy Monday!! xo

I have been thinking about THIS part of HRG and wondering how you were holding up. You display a positive attitude consistently to your readers, but I understand how this is weighing on you.

ON the positive side, it sounds like you can still maintain a high activity level with Pump, Spin, elliptical, and corralling kiddos and Charlie…oh, and chasing after Billy. :)

Mom always knows best!! I agree and LOVE a plan. Accountability, expertise all in one. Im a sucker for a plan! Thinking of you….

I am getting over my first and hopefully ONLY stress fracture. Have you considered buying a bone stimulator? It would work really well on a possible shin stfx and if you buy it on ebay it is not nearly as expensive (or maybe your doc can prescribe one!) It helped get my bone back in working order faster! Also, try to get to an alter-g to start slowww easy low weight milage when you are ready!
beware of phantom pains–the things that are only in your mind becuase stress fractures and just as much a mental blow as physical.
so much love for your blog girl!

I had a feeling something like this might be coming in your life based on your posts; it is good to get it off your chest like this and look back at what happened. I know, that you know, you are stronger than this and are going to come back amazing. You are pretty much a running rockstar; I can’t believe some of your race times; pretty sure I’ll be watching you in the olympics one day with Kara. Keep up your rest, listen to your docs and it will all be worth it in the end. And don’t worry about your blog. People love reading your blog because you are upbeat and hilarious; it doesn’t matter if you talk about running, eating froyo til you pass out, or hanging out with Billy.

I really am so sad for you. I was wondering how you were doing it when it seemed like you went from 0-11 miles in what felt like a week. I know that’s not exactly how it was, but you know what I mean. It’s good to go slow and work up to things.

I live and die by my training schedule. Seriously. It might as well be the Book of Mormon :). I take more time off then a lot of people because I have kids and feel like if I bump up the miles and days running then I end up feeling more sore/pain than usual. I would rather run less, but not have to be sidelined by injuries and not running, then hit it hard all of the time.

I worked through an IT Band issue for a few months this year and things are going really great so far. I’m careful to foam roll, and I’m *trying* my best to keep up on my strength training for my legs and glutes. When I’m feeling it after a hard run I usually take the next day off or run really easy for awhile. I want to get to that marathon start line- even if it means I’m a little slower than I would like to be.

Hang in there, Janae. You are such an athlete and you will be taking names in no time. I often think of Kara when I think of you, too!

Oh Janae! Your heart is mightier than your leg bones unfortunately :( No time at all and you’ll be back out there light as air gliding across the pavement.
I love having some sort of plan for my workouts, both because I know that I am working towards my goals and also so that I can plan chocolate chip cookie feasts after especially hard sessions :)
My only real injury (fingers crossed) was a stress fracture in my left foot a few weeks before my prom (many moons ago), so I just spent 8 weeks strapped to a stationary bike with my foot strapped together with tape and come prom night I was good as new :)

i write plans every week in my diary and include extra workouts – so i know if i miss them i have a ‘backup’ HAHA! I also know about stress fractures – I had one in my right ankle = no running for 6 weeks! :( instead ive been loving spin class!!

Oh girl, we’ve all been there! Us runners are a crazy bunch. Our heads are always way more capable than our bodies. It’s hard to fully understand that at times. I have become far more cautious after several stress fractures and IT Band issues. I finally have learned when to lay off. But it takes time — and sometimes (as you know) it means giving up a race which is never fun. At least it’s summer and you’re here in SoCal enjoying yourself. :) I haven’t commented in awhile. I figure you have a whole novel of comments to read, but I thought today I would chime in.

Thinking of you! Nurse yourself back to health! :)

So I have been extremely MIA from blog world :( so I missed this post. But luckily I saw it mentioned on some other blogs and had to head on over here, scroll down and read it for myself. 1. I am so sorry to hear that your shins are still in pain running-wise :( I can totally relate though to the pushing too much too fast. I definitely did that and just ended up setting myself back and back and back. Honestly it was not until last week that I finally just gave in a bit and realized I HAVE to trust my body…it was like instant pressure relieved from my shoulders and my conscience and my runs started feeling better. It was like I stopped trying to “control” everything and stopped expecting myself to be SO fast and SO this or that RIGHT now…maybe it was just like I finally got back on the same page as my body and stopped working against it. I am not sure…but I am finally appreciating and loving running again and it feels good.

LOVE YOU FRIEND. Thinking about you and praying for you. You will get there girl…your passion, honesty, dedication, etc are so inspirational. Lets go to Pump together when you get back!!

Not gonna sugar coat it, that just sucks. In my 15 years of running, I’ve never been sidelined for this long. Why are your bones being so rude?! (is it bones? Not sure what a femoral fracture is, but I assumed it was a bone).

slow and steady girl. And I think minimalist shoes = injuries, but a lot of peeps out there disagree, so what do I know

Injuries suck! At least you have perspective now though and have a plan! :)
I like to call myself a relaxed planner. I am an obsessive list maker, but try not to freak out too bad when things don’t go my way.