Mile Markers: All Things Not Running

Running provides me with an outlet for my desire for growth. I always need to be working toward some goal (honestly, multiple goals). Without any running (or, as I found out mid-week, swimming), I’m channeling my energy into a few different goals:

• Level 2 RRCA Certification! I got an itch to invest more in continuing education. RRCA Level 2 is more in-depth and begins with online courses. The final module is an in-person course and exam. The topics include applied physiology, strength training for runners, trail running, and more topics that really interest me. 
• House hunting! Ryan and I moved to Northwest Indiana with the intention of purchasing a home within a year’s time. We haven’t even completely unpacked yet, and we found ourselves compelled by one of those gut feelings to start the process now. 

In terms of workouts, this week featured a lot of cross-training. 

Monday: 30 minutes Pilates

I was able to do one of my favorite magic circle videos with little modification. I’m determined to keep some lower body strength with this injury! I’m hoping that all of the hip-focused work of Pilates minimizes any detrimental affects of walking around slightly misbalanced in this boot. 

Tuesday: Swim

The first workout in the swim plan was as follows, totaling 900 y:

200 y easy (rest as needed)
2 x 200 y moderate (90 sec rest)
2 x 100 y building speed (60 sec rest)
4 x 25 easy (30 sec rest)

I alternated freestyle and backstroke throughout. In last week’s workouts comments, Laura (Mommy Run Fast) suggested to keep my head up a bit and eyes looking forward, rather than staring straight down at the bottom of the pool. I practiced this throughout the workout and noticed a difference in my breathing and technique. 

I’m still really slow at swimming, but that’s completely okay. My focus right now is getting in a decent workout while letting this stress fracture heal.  (Of course, I wrote this on Tuesday, before the revelation at Wednesday’s appointment.)

Wednesday: Rest day

This was the first morning where I really, really wished I could run. It was partly sunny, low humidity, and 35 degrees – one of my favorite conditions for running. You don’t experience many sunny and cold days in Seattle.

I had my first appointment with the orthopedist/podiatrist on Wednesday morning. Apparently, I misunderstood what they meant by “fracture” at urgent care and I have a full break, not just a stress fracture. Thankfully, the bones didn’t move out of alignment, so the recovery timeline remains relatively the same. However, cross-training will look different. The ortho advised me not to swim for a few weeks, as to not risk dislodging the bone or prolonging healing. I’m a bit disappointed about that, because I was starting to enjoy it and the movement benefited my mind and body. 

It looks like I’ll be in the boot at least through early December and can hopefully resume cross-training in four weeks. It’ll be longer before I can resume running. I can do upper body strength and core work so long as I don’t bear weight onto this foot.

I still can’t help but wonder if I did something to my foot in the move, given the timing of all of this (the break was less than one week after the movers arrived and I started unpacking). There were no signs of a stress reaction or stress fracture leading up to the break, which is unusual. I was lifting, moving, and packing things, which was out of the ordinary. 

Thursday: Upper body strength

Thursday was my pity party day. I had tried to maintain a stiff upper lip about my injury. On Thursday morning, I scrolled through the news feed and almost every article I saw upset me, especially the one about that horrific shooting in California. I could not repress my emotions anymore, so I let myself feel sad and upset on Thursday. Recognizing emotions can be cathartic. 

After work, Ryan and I went to the Y to strength train. I can do upper body strength so long as I am not bearing weight on my foot. This workout was an experiment of figuring out what I could do. I completed three sets of lateral raises, front raises, shoulder presses, and chest presses on the stability ball and three sets of lat pull downs. 

Friday: 40 minutes Pilates

The first snowfall of the season occurred overnight, and we awoke to a light dusting. The first snowfall elicits a sense of childlike glee for me. I really hope to be able to snowshoe run this winter, if possible, but I at least look forward to some snowy runs once my foot heals. 

I am so grateful that I can continue to do Pilates. I modify any planks with deadbugs and did one-legged push-ups instead of traditional push-ups. That is one way to get the heart pumping! 

Saturday: Rest day

I don’t want to be overzealous in my cross-training, so I opted for a solid day of rest on Saturday. I was able to walk to our apartment’s dog park and back, which is probably the furtherest I have walked since being placed in the boot. It was wonderful to spend some time outdoors, especially on a chilly and sunny day. Three weeks down in the boot and hopefully only three weeks left to go! 

Sunday: Rest day

We spent almost all of the day viewing houses. Some houses were underwhelming; others captured our hearts. One in particular, amongst many other merits, was along my favorite running route in town. These could be an exciting next few weeks. I will say though that it is a bit tiring to be on my feet for the better part of the day in the boot! 

[Tweet “Even with limited cross-training and a broken foot, you can still get in a decent week of workouts! #weeklywrap via @thisrunrecipes”]

Linking up with Weekly Wrap!

What’s the longest time you’ve ever been off of running?
How was your week in running?
Did you get snow this week?