Sometimes, what has worked so well in the past, works no longer. Fall 2008, I am now realizing, was a magical training season for me where everything worked: every aspect of my training, my personal and my working life just fell into place and handed me a period of time I’ll never forget.
But now, some of the things that made this time last year so great simply aren’t giving up the same benefits. Case in point: speed training with the Nike Pacers. Last year, it was my favorite workout of the week, it was a revelation and improved me as an athlete exponentially. This year, after just one session, I’ve already had to head sheepishly back to my PT, who told me not to do any speed work for at least a couple more weeks until my inflamed muscles calm down some. It seems I’ve aggravated those up-high and in-back muscles again; we’re not naming names but the burny pain (more in my right leg this time) has me muttering, Oh, you again?
I’m allowed to continue training otherwise, but I was given a sweet slap on the wrist and told to be more vigilant about which exercises I was doing at the gym. I don’t blame her for it; what PT wants to see their patient back again for the same injury?
I am not discouraged so much as I am sobered. I know it is dramatic overkill to say Things will never be the same again; but the quiet truth is that no matter what I try, they won’t.
Pigtails Flying 
I definitely feel your pain. I tried working some track work into my marathon training, but my knee stepped up and told me no.
But keep it up, it’s great that you’re back running so much, so take care of yourself!
You can’t train well while injured. During that previous magical time, you weren’t injured. Once you’re not injured anymore, those times will return. See? Simple.
1. We always know when TK takes a day off of work because we’re blessed with these mid-day posts.
2. Does this mean we do more hill training together?
3. You’re being melodramatic. Things will be the same eventually but its gonna take a lot of time, aggravation and hard work. Eventually though, it’ll be worth it when you cross that finish line in London with a BQ time under your (fuel) belt.
1. I was at work yesterday!
2. Yes, it’s Run-for-the-Hills again.
3. But you already know I’m melodramatic, shoogs!!
“Long-time listener, first time caller”
Maybe there are obstacles in your training regime that are preventing you from achieving the same benefits you achieved in ‘08. Hard to imagine that you’d get the same benefits now as you did in ’08 if things are markedly different – e.g., you’re injured and hurting. I completely agree with your assessment that it is “dramatic overkill that things will never be the same again.” Of course they can be. You just have to make sure that everything is EXACTLY the same that surrounds your training regime as it was then if you REALLY want the same benefits. Getting over the pain and fear of another injury is hard, especially if you’re training regime now is comfortable and you’re playing it safe to remain injury free. I don’t know your training situation other than what I’ve read but I suspect that things are dramatically different now than they were back during your fall ’08 training period. I’m guessing it’s these things that are getting in the way of allowing your ship to right itself. I hope they’re gone soon. Best wishes and hopes that the healing process is quick for you and you get back on track (pun clearly intended). We’ll all be following you intensely and quietly cheering for you.
Just let me know where you are along the course, bystander, so I can wave as I run by.
Thank you for coming out of lurk mode and posting a comment, I am always blown away when readers emerge from the ether.
It may not be ‘the same’, but it will come back. I only logged like 130 miles the entire year of 2004 due to injuries. It took a few years, and several rounds of attempts to get faster again, with big discouragements along the way, but eventually I made it back with new and better PR’s.
Hang in there (sobed is a good start) and just celebrate the accomplishments along the way to full recovery! It will happen, maybe just not as fast as you would hope…
A few years! Gulp.
I would have to agree that coming back after an injury is a risky proposition. You want to run and train and get back to where you were but then if you push too hard, you’re right back to square one.
Still, it’s really too early to say never. If and when you are fully recovered and then find that you can’t run as well as you did before, then maybe, but right now, you’re still a bit injured so you are comparing apples to oranges.
My advice is to enjoy your runs, and build some consistency and stamina for a couple of months before attempting to get back to speedwork. I like to train with the adage that the most important miles are the miles I will run tomorrow. So do your best not to jeopardize them.
Good luck!
Tk, I am not sure I can even elaborate more than what was so greatly said here in the comments. I agree thought that you will get back to where you were, but you know what why try to be how you “were”. You are on to bigger and better and different running. Different could be just as great right?
Ok, I am rambling. I am here for you lady!! RUN STRONG!
Sorry to hear that your return to speed wasn’t as smooth as hoped. Hang in there. Maybe not this season, but eventually, things will be as good as they were last year again.