Sometimes I feel like I am walking on a tightrope when it comes to running. I miss the days when I could “just go for a run” and the idea of injury wasn’t even on my radar. I just ran. I ran for fitness, I ran for training, I ran for fun, I ran to work out frustrations or bad moods. Now? After injury I am much more cautious. Injury is in the back of my mind when I run. Whatever aches and pains I feel I start to over-analyze.
In 2011 I’ve kept my mileage down to prevent any future IT Band issues. Now I’m wondering if keeping the mileage down has caused me to be MORE sore after I run. Not keeping up with consistent mileage means I’m starting over with each run. Instead of having conditioning that makes mileage easier, I think I might be doing something detrimental instead.
This thought came to me when I was laying in bed feeling every ache in my lower body. My hips felt angry. They weren’t injured, it weren’t painful, they were just reminding me “Hey, we ache.” Thanks, Hips, for the reminder.
Recently I started to wonder: are some bodies just not made to be runners?
I like to believe that I can do anything. I think that with proper training and conditioning anyone can do what they set their mind to. But is it possible that maybe my body type just isn’t going to be running friendly?
And that brings me to another question: if in fact some people’s bodies just aren’t meant for running should they do it anyway? Or is that just asking for unnecessary trouble?
So if my body type is just not meant for running, do I stop? Give it all up even if I love it and miss it? Or do I keep doing it but keep my mileage down in hopes of avoiding injury? By keeping the mileage down you get a touch of the running but not enough to cause issue. I guess everything in moderation, right?
I talk about moderation all the time. Instead of eating a whole piece of cheesecake every single day of the week I split a piece once in awhile. Is that the same? Not really. Isn’t that better than nothing? Or is it? If I only get one bite of running once in awhile is that enough to satisfy me or should I be pushing myself harder?
Cross-training has done wonders for my healing. Swimming is also a good way for me to stretch and use different muscles than I do running. I thought my “stop running for 2 months” doctor advice last year was a death sentence–the end of the world. Instead it gave me the opportunity to try new things–weight lifting–and change my body for the better. That injury also taught me the value of stretching. I am so much better at stretching after each workout, I go to yoga classes more often than once or twice a year. Good lessons I needed to learn.
As it stands now I have been considering training for a 5k or 8k race. It’s getting into that time of year when I won’t be able to bike to work much and there aren’t any cycling events until Spring. Without something to train for I feel a little lost. I’m not sure if I want to sign up for a road race because of all these thoughts that are circling around in my brain.
QUESTION: Do you think some bodies are just not made for running?
Kalin
I used to swear I wasn’t made to run-up until just over a year ago. Then I decided to really try it. And it was ok, but I swore I wasn’t made to run far. Then signed up for a half marathon. But still swore I wasn’t made to just *run* and did run/walk for the first few months. Then realized I actually can run 6+ miles without stopping (still had some walk breaks on my half, but nowhere near the 2 min run/1 min walk I started with!). Then I thought “ok, I can run far. and without stopping. but I can’t run fast”…. and followed it up with hitting an 8 minute mile (which for me is really fast!)
But that of course doesn’t mean that *everyone* should be a runner…
(and for hip pain/ache-yness I’ve found that really focusing on stretching it post-runs if it’s been acting up helps a ton-if you’re not awesome at getting good stretching in-I’m not!-doing yoga on ondemand is an awesome way to make yourself stretch. There are lots of 15 minute yoga workouts on there)
Lisa Eirene
Kalin- it’s funny you say that. I felt the same way. The only reason I STARTED running was because I reached my goal weight and was struggling to find something else to focus on. I felt lost and unsure of how “maintenance” would go. I started running and decided I would train for a 5k to keep me busy and focused. I grew to love running but never thought I would do anything longer. A half marathon or marathon wasn’t in my sights.
Then I started running longer, I was able to do 8 miles without stopping. I was feeling good and confident about running. Then I did Hood to Coast. That changed my thinking towards running in a lot of ways. It’s easy to get sucked in and think you’re abilities are more than they are.
Roz@weightingfor50
Hi Lisa, I actually DO think some bodies aren’t meant to run. Mine being one of them. I really WANTED to be a runner, so joined running groups to ensure my form was correct, bought new shoes, tried for months and months and just ended up in physio with hip issues. And because it hurt, it just wasn’t fun. There are so many other forms of exercise, so if it’s not meant to be, thats ok. Something else is. Hope you have a great day.
Lisa Eirene
Hey Roz-you make a great point. IT WASN’T FUN. And running should be fun! At least after the hard part is over. When I was first learning to run it was hard but once I got better it was easier and I didn’t hate it. It didn’t hurt. But if it does cause pain, it’s not worth it. There are other things to do.
Jill
I actually think in general humans were meant to run. That is how we caught our food “back in the day” I think that injuries from running come from improper, shoes, the kinds of surfaces we are running on and being too aggressive with training when preparing for a race. There is something to be said for barefoot running- however I think that we don’t have the proper running surfaces for barefoot running. We really should be running on dirt not pavement.
My PT has convinced me not to run. I want to run- but I think I will choose to find other ways to stay fit rather than risk injury. I am too afraid of being “sidelined” again.
I feel badly for you because you LOVE to run. I like your analogy of eating cheesecake in moderation and running in moderation. Some people do better with never eating the cheesecake- some do better with a few bites here and there. I guess you have to decide how hard it is for you to only run a little bit. It would be much easier if you didn’t love it. I am sorry.
Lisa Eirene
You know, I think some people in the medical community are very anti-running. They are so quick to tell people that it’s “bad for you” that we should quit, etc. etc. When I was injured I saw a LOT of people for rehab–acupuncture, physical therapist, several sports medicine doctors, regular doctors, etc. And the ones that refused to work with me to get me back running were the people I didn’t go back to see. Instead, I found a sports medicine doc that was ALSO a runner and he wanted to help me heal and be able to run again. He was great!
Becky
I talked to my physical therapist about my same concerns–the IT band seems to always flare up and cause pain. He told me that women are predisposed to IT band issues because of the shape of our hips. The only way to counteract it is to do a lot of strength training exercises on our hip muscles, and then cross train.
I think any high impact sport is going to cause injuries. I just wish that running wasn’t such an awesome burn! Nothing else hurts so good for me when it comes to exercise. Booo!
Lisa Eirene
I’ve heard the same thing. And I was actually told by a few different runners who said their issues cleared up after they had kids. I guess their hips changed and it no longer became an issue for them when they ran. Which I guess gives me hope…..
Leah @ L4L
I don’t think it’s cut and dry – bodies made to run versus bodies not made to run. I think that some body types excel in other areas more than others. I’m very dense and heavy, some people might call it “big boned” and running is definitely more of a challenge for me than others that are lighter on their feet. I’m a little more prone to injury because of that. But alternatively, I can outlift many women my size without a problem – that density and solidness comes in handy.
One thing to remember here is that there are differences just within the “runners” group! You have people that are phenomenal sprinters but if you told them to run a marathon, they would laugh in your face.
I’ve been running seriously for the first time in my life for a little over 6 months now and I’ve decided this winter, it is going on the back burner. I’ve maintained relatively low mileage for distance training and as is, still have had a couple minor injuries along the way. I still want to keep a base – maybe running 3-5 miles a couple times a week so I don’t totally lose my conditioning but not so much that it would hinder my progress in other areas (weights or yoga). I think it is all about moderation.
Lisa Eirene
Yes! There are variations in every group. And I am definitely NOT built to be a fast runner, but I can do slow and steady pretty easily. The runners that win the marathons are tall, slender and long-legged. I am definitely not that. My legs are built for climbing (or like you said–weight lifting).
I’ve been doing 3-5 miles a few times a week this year and haven’t tried to do any more than that. That’s basically what my level is at now and while sometimes I think about increasing the mileage, fear of injury stops me. I’d rather be able to run 3 miles than none at all.
What injuries have you had? I think one was a foot issue or something?
Leah @ L4L
My main arch nemesis (pun intended) is plantar fasciitis. But I’ve also had some other minor issues with my knees, hamstring, and the ball of my right foot. Most of this is due to running on uneven surfaces and a lot of hills which are inevitable around here. I never let it go as far as to become a serious injury – usually a few days, maybe even a week off, will allow it to subside.
Lisa Eirene
I’m glad you’ve been able to avoid major injury. PF is hard. How are you treating it?
Honestly I think I went into Hood to Coast injured. I thought it was phantom pains from tapering & nervousness. But I think I was….
Janis
If it’s fun, do it. If it hurts, do it differently. I’ve seen and heard music by pianists with grand totals of four and six fingers instead of the normal ten.
Lisa Eirene
I love that. “If it hurts, do it differently.”
Cheryle
As someone who always thought I “couldn’t” run, then started running with Couch to 5K two years ago at the age of 42, I lean more towards the humans were designed to run camp. However, I do think that everyone’s *approach* shouldn’t be the same.
When I first started running, I hurt all over, all the time. Not injured, but just sore in places I hadn’t been sore in before. Now, I am much better about stretching and icing, and have incorporated other forms of exercise besides running. That all seems to really help me, but everyone’s mileage may vary. Mind you, I am a slower runner – a 10 minute mile for me is really pushing it!
As for training for an 5K or 8K, there are some great ones in the Portland area in the next few months! I love the Blue Lake Run in October, although I won’t be doing it this year as it’s the day before my half marathon (Girlfriends in The Couv). The Give n Gobble in Sherwood on Thanksgiving morning is also super fun.
Lisa Eirene
Yes! I hurt all over when I first started too. And I never did a program like C25K. I just kind of fumbled my way through it. I didn’t get injured until I’d been running for almost 2 years.
There are a few Portland races I’d like to try. The Bridge to Brews always looked interesting to me too.
Cheryle
Bridge to Brews is awesome! I did it for the first time last April. When else can you run over the Fremont Bridge? THAT was so cool. 🙂
Lisa Eirene
Well I love finding other Portland bloggers! Thanks for checking out my site. Maybe I’ll see you at a race one day. 🙂
jane Cartelli
I cannot comment on how my body was made because I am too far away from the original model to have an answer with merit. I can discuss the body I have today and whether or not it is made for running.
Having once weighed 385 pounds (mostly below the waist), I have damaged my knees to the point that I will never be able to sit lotus again. I have IT band issues, too but the exercise my doctor gave me help a lot. My whole life I was always asthmatic and never encouraged to run but now my allergies are mostly at bay and I huff and puff like any one else with the greatest of wheeze-less air exchange.
The skin that hangs from my thighs, knees and hips causes problems in running. It effects my knee alignment, my gait and my posture. It is like wearing a deflated fat suit and trying to move normally.
I know I am not made for running today but I am pushing myself just enough to stretch a little at a time past what I think I can do and what the doctors think I can do because my body seems to like the challenge. I am not going to ever run a marathon. I may never run 20 minutes without stopping. But today I can run 4 minutes and I bet by the end of next month I can do six minutes and by the end of the year I could be up to 10 minutes if my knees hold out I am willing to keep at it. If the knees fail then I will adjust and do something else.
The most important thing to me is not what I am doing for exercise but that I am moving at all. Immobility is NOT an option anymore.
Jane~
Keepingthepoundsoff.com
Lisa Eirene
I had no idea you had that issue and that the loose skin affected your running/gait. I can see that as being a deterrent. If it hurts it’s not fun. I think it’s also a-okay for you to never want to run a marathon. Having smaller, achievable goals are just as awesome–especially when you DO break that 10 minute barrier and run the whole time!
jane Cartelli
I challenged myself and did 5 minutes straight today. YIPPPPPPY!
Jane~
Lisa Eirene
You did it! And it felt awesome, right?
jane Cartelli
ll you know know as soon as I recover . . .maybe in a week.
LOL
Lisa Eirene
I think you’ll be good sooner than you think!