This is officially the last week I’m going to count back from when I broke my leg. I mean, TWENTY weeks- that’s a long time to keep talking about an injury. Granted, it was a traumatic one, but I think it’s time to look forward. It’s time to focus on getting back into running shape. Focus on the future. That broken leg is just a bad memory!
Speaking of running, this week actually had a lot of it (relatively). Here’s my recap:
Monday: Ran 5 at cabin with 6 minute run/1 minute walk. The country roads by the cabin are hilly and HOT- no shade. But I covered my longest run post-broken leg, 5 miles!
We drove back to Minneapolis later that morning; unfortunately, we couldn’t stay at the cabin the whole week of the 4th, but it was nice to have a bit of a long weekend there.
Tuesday: [solidcore] before work
Wednesday: [solidcore] arms and abs, then a 4 mile run with Dustin and Matilda with a 6:1 run/walk interval. My program has me do each interval for two runs and if no pain, then I can increase to the next step. This was my second 6:1 run.
Dustin is a patient running buddy; he normally runs a 7:15 easy run pace, but he stuck with me for my run/walk the whole time.
A big storm rolled in during our run- strong wind, lightning, thunder, even hail. Poor Tilda, I was worried about the hail hitting her skinny body! I have to admit, we may have fudged a little on those walk intervals, just because I was in a hurry to get home.
Thursday: Swam 2000 yards before work. It felt great!
Friday: Elliptical for 30 minutes, then 10 minutes on the stair stepper, PT/strength exercises before work. Then I zipped on over to Mayo for 30 minute “appointment” at 7 am to run on the Alter-G (zero gravity treadmill.). My PT said that adding in extra runs on the Alter-G at 75% of my weight is a great way to continue working on my running cardio without overdoing it. I covered 3.8 miles. Even though I was only at 75% of my weight, it still felt like running. I worked up quite a sweat!
Saturday: I ran 4.5 run with 7 minutes on/1 minute off (i.e. a step up in the interval program!) I ran into some of the girls from my run club, so I joined them for a little while, which felt like the good old days. They were starting their long runs; I only kept up for one 7 minute interval 🙂
After my run, we packed up the car and headed to overnight adults-only Pizza Camp! I think I’ll write a whole separate post about Pizza Camp, as I have a ton of pictures to share. It was definitely a blast!
The camp attracted about 50 pizza-loving adults to stay in rustic cabins (no electricity!), play retro camp games and camp activities (canoeing, archery, arts & crafts), enjoy guest speakers on pizza history, take lessons in pizza cooking, and eat LOTS of pizza!
We attended with 6 run club friends, which was a blast. These runners love their pizza!
Sunday: 4 mile run after returning home from Pizza Camp. This was in the middle of the hot afternoon- whew!
Okay, yes, I did run two days in a row, but my ankle/leg is feeling good, so I thought it would be okay just this once. I promise I’ll listen to my PT and try to go every-other-day as much as I can…
Summary: About 20 miles of running- woohoo!!! (with 3.5 on the Alter-G), two solidcore classes, 1 swim, 1 elliptical/stair combo, lots of PT exercises.
So….coming back to running is TOUGH. My easy run pace used to be 8:45 min/mile and I kept up an 8:12 minute/mile for 26.2 miles for my marathon PR. But now I’m huffing and puffing to maintain a 10 minute mile pace for 3-5 miles with walk breaks. It’s a little discouraging to know where I was and where I am now. Five months off of running leads to a lot of lost running fitness.
I know this is part of the process. It’s part of the comeback, right? I hope so. I’ll keep pressing on, mile by mile. Eventually I’ll get there, right? Consistency. It’s still so wonderful to have running back in my life and I’m going to do my best to stay positive while I’m out there huffing and puffing ha! 🙂
I’m linking up as always with HoHo Runs and Taking the Long Way Home for their weekly wrap. Check it out!
Send me some of that positivity because I’m huffing and puffing too!!! Pizza camp sounds fun. Hopefully there were adult beverages too?
It’s great to see you back at it again. I have no doubt you’ll be back to form soon!
You bet! One of the sponsors was Fulton Brewery, a local brewery. All you could drink beer and you could bring your own wine. Just no hard alcohol, which was just fine 🙂
Congrats on a great week and hitting 20 miles! I struggled a lot when I came back from a long time off from injury too. You are being very smart and disciplined (I was less so :)) so I look forward to seeing your speed come back!
Thanks Sarah- what happened when you were disciplined? Did you end up with other injuries? It’s hard to stay on the program that’s for sure, but I’m trying!
Look at you back up to 5 miles! Do you think you will continue doing intervals for a while? I have not ever tried but people seem to like them
It’s kind of PT sanctioned right now, so ideally, no, I’d eventually be back to running straight through, but I guess we’ll see!
Congrats on upping the intervals! It will get easier, trust me. Pretty soon you’ll be back to your old self. And Pizza Camp? That is a camp I can get behind!
Haha, right? Who wouldn’t?? It was a blast 🙂
I hope you’re right about the running!
There’s nothing quite like an injury to remind us how tough running is. That said, you are slaying your comeback! The Alter-G is such a valuable tool. I’ve only run on one a few times but it’s so darn good when rehabbing an injury. Okay pizza camp sounds like the best idea ever!
Totally right Marcia. And to think I used to think Running was easy 🙂
I’m very grateful to have access to the Alter G!
I can’t believe it’s been 20 weeks already. You are doing AMAZING Jessie!
Pizza camp sounds fun! I actually like the part where you play games and there is no electricity. Did people stay off their cell phones?
You could use your cell phone but had to bring a portable charger. There was electricity in the lodge too, which was good for cooking!
You’re getting there and I’m sure you will come back stronger than ever! I hear you on the frustration, though. When I think back to how fast my average pace was when I ran my marathon PR and how I struggle these days to keep a 1.5-minute slower pace for only 5 miles, I’m really bummed that the aging process seems so unfair. My brain wants to still run that fast, so why won’t my body let it?
Pizza camp sounds fun! Can’t wait to read your recap.
Thanks Debbie. It’s definitely hard to compare to where I was but I should focus on how far I’ve come the past 20 weeks instead.
That pizza camp sounds like so much fun! I’d be all over that 😉 Keep up the good work on your recovery. I know how tough the patience thing is (boy, do I!), but it will all be worthwhile when everything comes together after some time. You got this!
Yes please send me some of the patience you had last summer please Kim 🙂
I think you’ll be surprised. Yes, coming back is super tough & humbling — but muscle memory usually kicks in & it’s not like starting to run all over again. You sure did good this week!
Pizza camp sounds so enticing . . . but NO electricity? I can live without the phone, but I need AC! And electric lights!
I did go to camp as a girl, but . . .
Haha nope no AC! It was HOT too.
You are making great progress on your running, and, yes, you will get back to your familiar paces, but it does take time and patience which must be hard after 20 weeks! I definitely need to hear more about pizza camp!
Thanks Coco. Yes, patience is the name of the game over here 🙂
Awesome job on your workouts this week Jessie! It looks like your comeback to running is going well and that you’re able to move up on the intervals too – great job! Pizza camp sounds absolutely amazing (pizza is my favorite food) and I would definitely love to go to something like that. Glad you had fun!
I think pizza is amazing too 🙂 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ha!
Pizza camp sounds amazing! Can’t wait to read more about it.
So pleased you’re running consistently and your leg is feeling good. The pace will come back sooner than you think.
Thanks Allison! You would love pizza camp!
Sounds like the comeback is going well in spite of the frustrations of getting back to your previous fitness level. But it sounds like you’re on the way there. And Pizza camp sounds amazing!
Thanks Chaitali! Hopefully I have a breakthrough at some point that gives me a boost. Still just happy to be running!
You are making great progress, Jessie! Just think of all the “easy” progress you will make over the coming months. When you’re back to trying to take 30 seconds of your PR, you can look back to this and smile!
I’m not seeing your runs on Strava. If that’s by intent, no worries. But otherwise and regardless, kudos to you on your hard work!
Hey Eric! I haven’t changed my settings on Strava from private to public…I guess I should 🙂 I’m still out there lurking on everyone else!
Pizza camp sounds so fun! I’d love to do something like that.
I understand the frustration post injury. It is tough to feel like you’ve lost fitness. Keep at it and I’m sure you will get back to where you were sooner than you think. The body remembers eventually.
Pizza camp was a blast- hopefully it catches on in other locations.
You have made so much progress over the 20 weeks! AWESOME training and seriously… I need to go to Pizza Camp! My husband isn’t ecstatic about running with me, but I KNOW he would love pizza camp 🙂
Yes! Pizza Camp is for everyone 🙂
Love the blue tank top – the top pic of you. Can you share what brand that is? Looks super comfortable. Glad you are balancing on one foot. Keep sharing we are all cheering you on.
Sure- it’s Tracksmith! They’re stuff is great.
Pizza camp sounds amazing!
Congratulations on the amazing progress since your injury. As you said at the end, you’re getting there.
Slowly but surely! It’s just a lot of work.
I once had one month off of running with a minor knee injury and coming back was tough. Now to imagine a major injury and FIVE months off – I can only imagine how tough that is. But you are doing so great – you managed so much cross training while injured; you followed doctor’s orders; you have been patient and you have persevered through it all. Keep going – you have got this!
I really appreciate those kind words. I hope you are right!
It sounds like you’re doing BRILLIANTLY. I know I took a month off after an operation last year and it took me a few months to get back on it, and I was told by one of our club coaches recently that for all the time you don’t run it takes twice that time to get back to where you were. I also know a couple of people who broke their legs then took up running again and they DID get back to it. Patience and lots of physio exercises and you’ll do it!
Interesting…that means it will take almost a year before I’m back to normal 🙁 I hope it’s not THAT long! I’m supposed to run the Antarctica marathon next March!
That’s all the time you didn’t run at all, so if it was 20 weeks ago, you’re obviously running now, so it’s just twice however many weeks you didn’t run at all. Does that make more sense / sound better? Sorry if my explanation wasn’t clear. So I didn’t run for a month after my op and then started and took 2 months to get back on it.
Got it…so about 18 weeks until I’m back to normal 🙂 Thanks!
20 miles is a fantastic week. I love how you’e officially put your injury in the past and are moving forward with your run/walk interval plan. You’ll be back to all running in no time. And that speed will come back to! I can only imagine how fun Pizza Camp was. Who comes up with these amazing ideas anyway? Thanks for linking.
I’m TRYING to put it in the past 🙂 It’s easier said than done, ha!
You can and WILL get back to where you were and go beyond that! Your running story is such an inspiration – always has and always will!
Aww, thanks Alli, you’re so sweet!