December 5, 2016

How to Survive Being an Injured Runner {Stress Fracture Life!}


Disclosure: I received Mizuno winter gear through a campaign with Fitfluential, LLC. As always all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

I survived 3.5 weeks in a boot due to a  a stress fracture and over a month of not running or working out really at all. This crazy runner lady has not run in over a month. If I can do it so can any injured runner. Honestly being swamped with school and work has made the time fly by.  I still am in a little bit of a funk and just got cleared to seated cycle so I'm hoping to hit the gym and start working on my cardio again this week. Running and working out makes me feel good about myself and is stress-relieving so it has been a difficult transition. Here's some of the ways I found to make an injury bearable. 

How to Survive Being an Injured Runner

how-to-survive-being-an-injured-runner

1. Catch up on sleep. 

cat-sleeping-yawn

I have been running on fumes for the past 6 months and have been trying to catch up on sleep on the weekends because I was averaging 6 hours of sleep a night during the week. I don't know what caused my stress fracture, but I'm assuming that lack of solid sleep and recovery may have played a factor.  No early morning runs or workouts means an extra hour or so of sleep!

2. Netflix and chill, literally. 

Netflix-marathons
At the moment at least! {source}

I spent lots of time relaxing on the couch, putting my foot and boot up, and catching up on my Netflix queue, guilt-free. Find a new show to binge when you get home from work or school. I'm currently making my way through Parenthood-it's SO good.  

3.  Stay off of social media. 

Nene-crying-phone
{Source}


I've taken a step back from social media with my injury because honestly it sucks having so many fit friends. Instead of positive motivation, seeing lots of photos of people running, working out, and racing is a bit depressing. Seeing photos and videos of dogs, cats, and Christmas decorations has been lovely though!  If scrolling through Instagram and seeing a million photos of friends racing makes you feel blue, don't do it! 

4.  Spend time with family and friends. 

rest-area

Having a forced rest period has given me more of an opportunity to hand out with family and friends. I've spent some more time watching TV with my boyfriend. I also spent 5 days hanging out with my family for Thanksgiving break.  Use this opportunity to call and catch up with friends, plan time to spend with family, and catch up on other hobbies you may not have had a chance to do in a while.  

5. Rest and listen to your doctor. You will come back stronger than before.

When my doctor said that I had to rest and could only swim, I was bummed out. I tried a couple upper body workouts, but my heart wasn't in it so I decided to just rest. I figured fully resting would actually help my foot heal better instead of trying to sneak in half-assed workouts or not listening to my doctor. There is nothing I could do to speed up the process of healing. 

mizuno-breaththermo-gloves-rungear


I still wear running clothes like these awesome winter running gear from Mizuno which features Breath Thermo technology. This shirt is so light, comfortable, yet warm!  I was lucky enough to have a pretty thorough doctor and went from an X-Ray to MRI and even had a bone denisty scan done to make sure everything was okay. Ask questions! 

Embrace the #Bootlife. You will survive! 

This post was linked up with Running Coaches'  Corner #38

What do you do when you can't run? What are you watching on Netflix right now?

19 comments:

  1. I go nuts! lol! Good tips! I'm a running junkie and this summer got the news that I have "bad knees". (I was told this after running 3 half marathons within 2 months....I'm still in shock that my knees seemed fine and now they hurt all the time?!?! Anyway, I had to back WAY off this summer. Thankfully I've been biking a ton. So when I'm injured I try to cross train as much as possible (I've been seen riding a bike with a boot in the past!). As for Netflix.....have never watched....wouldn't know how ;-)

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    1. That's great that biking has been a good alternative. And haha, Netflix is great :)

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  2. Ugh I spent most of this year injured and it's the worst! I think if I had listened to my doctor in the first place I wouldn't have re-injured myself to the point where I can barely run anymore. You are so right about social media. That's why I've been taking so many breaks from blogging - I just can't handle how sad it is to see everyone else running when I just want to join them!

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    1. I know-it's hard to stay on social media. I'm hoping that since I've tried to rest and not push it, that I'll have smooth sailing when I start running again.

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  3. I'm glad that you are now boot free - yay! I just got rid of my boot this weekend and did a cycle class yesterday. I had to stay seated for the entire class but it felt great to finally get a good sweatfest!

    Totally agree with you about the upper body workouts. I did that twice but I just really wasn't feeling it :(

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    1. Yay for getting our boots off! I hope to get in a spin class this week (staying seated).

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  4. I am injured right now and yes, it sucks. I am running a little fortunately, but am still dealing with pain in my knee and not racing because I'm REALLY careful. I've admitted that the rest of 2016 will be spent recovering and rebuilding, and it stinks... but it is giving me more time for other things during the holidays. This is the first holiday season since 2011 when I was NOT training for a half marathon and it is nice to catch up on some much needed sleep. Also, I can go to the Christmas parades and things, and don't feel like I need to schedule a workout in there, just take an extra rest day or two, etc.

    Really sorry that your injury meant you were in the boot and could not work out and had to rest completely. I've been able to cross train a lot and run some and am thankful for that. I had a stress fracture once and realized just how much I like to MOVE in general- even walking around the house, up and down stairs, etc. You are a very strong runner and person and I know that you will overcome the injury setbacks. *hugs*

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    1. That's good that you're being careful, but I hope you get it taken care of and get some rest. Injuries are no fun. You're right it was hard to try to even just limit my time on my feet (stairs were the worst in the boot haha). Thanks so much for your positive thoughts!

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  5. Yes, yes, yes. It sucks (I'm still in the injured category) and I've had to be really mindful of my social media usage. Just taking it day by day and sometimes staying off is what I need mentally. Also (for me), it's helped to explore another hobby/area of interest. I've been cooking and reading more and both have helped keep me somewhat sane :)

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    1. Yes! I am moving this weekend but can't wait to get back into some cooking and reading after the holidays.

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  6. I'm the worst when I'm injured. Literally, the worst. Good luck with recovery!

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  7. I think getting injured in the past has really forced me to slow down and rest. I'm not great about taking that time to catch up on sleep, time with friends, etc. when I am healthy, so I think sometimes it's a blessing in disguise. You'll only come back stronger and faster than ever!

    Hopefully you're almost to the end of the tunnel and you can get back out there :)

    p.s. the wifi on the plane sucked yesterday so I still owe you an email!

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    1. I'm hoping to take it easy so I can avoid any long-term issues. No worries, talk soon!

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  8. I've been there myself this year! I tore my meniscus 3 days before I ran Boston! It was hard to go from training for a marathon to nothing! The gym and strength work became my best friend. I even got arm muscles!:) My ortho was awesome and knew I was going crazy so I went to physical therapy at a place that had a zero gravity treadmill! It was awesome! Highly recommend that!!!! Before you know it these days will be behind you! I was absolutely in shock at how quickly my fitness and pace kicked right back to where it was. I PRd my first half back after surgery!:) In the meantime, enjoy a latte and the holidays!

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    1. Oh, right before! Bummer! Yes, my ortho said the PT place I'll be going to has an Alter G but unfortunately I can't get an appointment until the new year. Thanks for sharing your experience!

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  9. I am currently on the look out for warm gloves. Will have to check those out. I recently just watched Haters don't back down on Netflix....so ridiculous, but passed the time. It was a short series so need to find something out. I don't mind saying this but I am looking forward to season two of Fuller House.

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  10. Yes, you will survive! But it totally sucks while being on IR... I haven't been booted before but I've been unable to run. Suuuucks.

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  11. Sad face that you are having to post on this, but hopefully you are about to be out there, just in time for the freezing temps :D

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