Thanks everyone for the advice and support on my ankle injury last week. It’s never fun to be sidelined, but I’m slowly getting back into the swing of things and it was nice to hear your words of encouragement. My ankle has been feeling a lot better, and I seem to be back to doing normal tasks without pain (stairs and such). These next few weeks are dedicated towards getting back to running so I can start training for the A1A Half Marathon.
At the moment I can run about 2-3 miles at a time, and I run them pretty slow. I know my endurance has suffered a hit, but my running form goes before anything else. I’ll generally find myself favoring the other leg and sometimes experience some swelling post run. Although running seems possible now, it certainly has not made the foot feel any better, so I’m laying off until I feel no pain and have no swelling.
In good news… I am back on my bike! Since there is no impact, I experience no pain on a ride. I took advantage of this during the weekend and did a pretty long stretch on a rail-to-trail in central Kansas!
As my foot heals, I am really concentrating on bringing my workouts to my bike. Hopefully, when I am back to running, I wont be in too bad of shape. I have another long bike trip planned for the weekend!
How do you keep in shape when you can’t run? How long does it usually take you to get it back?
She Runs the Wasatch 
Awesome, Kerry! I honestly wish I biked and cross trained more. I have many friends who train for triathlons and they’ve all said that the cycling they added to their routine really improved their running – I bet the same will happen for you!
If I couldn’t run, cycling would probably be my go-to. I love spin classes (just hard to find the motivation to go if I have running as an option). I also love swimming and I’ve heard aqua-jogging is the best running simulation there is…but I don’t have easy access to a pool. At least not one with reasonable hours.
LikeLike
I don’t have access to a pool either, but I really hate swimming. I hate being cold and wet… so pools are not exactly my favorite place.
LikeLike
Great idea to get in some bike workouts to keep your endurance up! When I am sidelined I do aqua jogging and swim laps. I find swimming simulates the experience of running really well. If you don’t pace yourself you won’t last long! haha
I hope you get through the final stages of the injury quickly and are back on two feet soon! 😉
LikeLike
Thanks! Things are getting a lot better, but it’s certainly a slow process. The only thing that I don’t like about biking is the cars on the road. I get really nervous about bad drivers.
LikeLike
Getting back your endurance and form definitely takes time…just keep pressing forward, patiently. I lose my stamina first…Often, I get winded by two or three miles after taking some time off to recover.
I’m glad the bike is working for you!
LikeLike
Yeah me too… but it’s not running. I still wish I could be hitting the long tough miles I was doing a few months ago. I’ll be there soon though.
LikeLike
I’ve been struggling with a calf thing since Sunday. I am finding the same as you – I can run slowly but I have to really watch my form. I am absolutely favoring my right leg (the injury is on the left). I NEED my bike!!! I keep saying I am going to get out biking and haven’t. I want to before it gets too cold out – I am a fair weather cyclist!
LikeLike
I am too. Ice kinda scares me since I’ve taken a few bad falls on it while on a bike. I have a mountain bike now, so maybe I can get out in the winter on that. I got a bike trainer to encourage me to bike in the winter. I’m hoping to use that this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to dust off my bike trainer this winter for sure!!!
LikeLike
I’ve just come back from 9 weeks off with plantar fasciitis- and biking was a HUUGE part of my recovery. Mainly just allowing me to do something so I wouldn’t go crazy from not being allowed to run! And now, of course, I’m thinking of doing a triathlon. Because why not.
LikeLike
Haha! Yeah, I know what you mean. The swim is what keeps me from doing a triathlon. I hate being wet and I’m not a particularly strong swimmer, so I’m kinda afraid I’d drown at the start of the race.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! I’ve heard the swim start is pretty chaotic which makes me a bit nervous!
LikeLike
It’s great that you’ve been able to keep up biking while recovering. I’m sure it’ll help you get back to running when you are ready.
LikeLike
Yeah. It has been a big help. Although, it’s definitely not as fun as running.
LikeLike
injuries are the worst. lots of biking to stay in shape. I strap on a heart rate monitor and keep the cadence up. it takes me forever to get back into shape. something about suffering for the first couple weeks makes me not want to run. wish you a quick recovery though!
LikeLike