Although I can not run, I can walk, and as mundane as that is compared to my favored exhilarating cadence, it is most probably the best way to explore most of the unkempt trails that wind their way through the Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area. The Kalmiopsis, in the Rogue RIver-Siskiyou National Forest, is the most hauntingly rugged and desolate wilderness area in which I have ever been. The 2002 Biscuit Fire burnt the entire wilderness area and makes any planned single track running traverse of the area into more of a step picking and route checking orienteering expedition. The area is also practically void of noticeable animal life, and fortunately, human life as well. If you are looking for an eerily beautiful, rugged place in the Klamath Mountains, this would be a good place to start.
Seven weeks since my tibial stress fracture, and some two weeks since my X-Rays confirming said injury, I dragged my sorry self out from Grants Pass's fog laden valley and up into the surprisingly strong sun shinning down on the mountains. Although I can not run, I can walk, and as mundane as that is compared to my favored exhilarating cadence, it is most probably the best way to explore most of the unkempt trails that wind their way through the Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area. The Kalmiopsis, in the Rogue RIver-Siskiyou National Forest, is the most hauntingly rugged and desolate wilderness area in which I have ever been. The 2002 Biscuit Fire burnt the entire wilderness area and makes any planned single track running traverse of the area into more of a step picking and route checking orienteering expedition. The area is also practically void of noticeable animal life, and fortunately, human life as well. If you are looking for an eerily beautiful, rugged place in the Klamath Mountains, this would be a good place to start. I'll admit that I had no idea The Standard Charter Dubai Marathon was going to take place Thursday night (in this country), but luckily I figured it out before missing this sensational night. When these events come around, I am reminded by why we put up with Let's Run, or rather why we need it. Despite it's racist, sexist, anti MUT, and just down right condescending message board trolls, it is the ONLY place that can deliver this level of journalism on the sports elite. If you want race analysis and real talk, and not a one liner on the biggest upset in sports this year, this is what you read. Go to 7:57 to watch the most SENSATIONAL marathon finish dual that I have seen yet. The women's race was decided by the slimmest of margins. Tragic for second place Cherono, but so good for the sport, and really, just a sensational day to be an Ethiopian. 17 of the the first 10 men and first 10 woman were representing Ethiopia, (and another is Ethiopian by birth). Finally, I have never used Strava, don't intend to (unless they pay me to of course), and think "sharing", read competing, your workouts with others is ridiculous. There is the time to compete, and that is on race day. Nonetheless, they can sure put together a ridiculousness, star studied (both mountains and people) video.
0 Comments
X-ray Tech: So what happened to you? Me: That's what I'm trying to figure out. I think I have a shin splint or stress fracture. X-ray Tech: Runner? Me: Yup. X-ray Tech: See that's why I don't run, it's not good for you. Me: I don't run cuz it's good for me, I run because I'm competitive. Cortical thickening consistent with callus formation and a faint lucency distal tibial diaphysis near junction of middle and distal thirds consistent with subacute stress fracture. No displacment. Fibula appears intact. Conclusion: Findings consistent with stress fracture of distal tibial diaphysis. I'm not saying that there aren't runners who run because it's good for them. There are. I'm saying that I don't run to be healthier than I already am. I have a goal to be the best runner that I can possibly be in the next several years. I know that it is never going to get easier than it is now. In all likelihood, my commitments and time constraints will only increase in the future, and I want to see how good I can get before that time comes. So, what went wrong? As Runner's Connect puts it so well, "This issue of structure vs. metabolism simply means that a runner’s aerobic and anaerobic fitness develops at a faster rate than his or her tendons, ligaments, muscles and bones." Unfortunately, running in fast and straight lines does not make you athletic. I don't think that in training to be a good runner I am approaching any sort of well rounded fitness. I'm not delusional. The fitness I enjoyed as a soccer player was far better for my overall fitness. When training for my marathon, I had great muscle soreness. Total muscle fatigue such as I have never experienced before. And yet, when training for my unrealized 50K, I experienced none of this muscle fatigue, my lungs seemed to be firing on all cylinders and my "high" weekly mileage seemed to be relatively easy for my body to handle. Alas, it seems that my bones had not successfully adapted to the new, higher levels of stress even if all of my other body systems had. I have no regrets. To find your own limits and push them requires a certain amount of living at the edge of injury. I honestly don't know what else I could have done. I am self-coached, self-motivated and self-reliant, for better or worse. Furthermore, I have never been coached as a runner, and I doubt that I ever will be, not that I don't think it would be beneficial. In 2014, I experienced just enough success, and certainly enormous amounts of joy to want to dive into running head on in 2015. Not being able to run due to a stress fracture is daunting in its undefined impact on the beginning of my season and humbling in its reminder of the fragility of the human body. As with any difficult experience, it can feel good to know that others go through similar pain, and struggle. What I have found about the prevalence of this injury is down right jaw dropping. "In any given year, more than one in five runners will sustain a stress fracture." I'm sorry. What!!? That is truly insane. If you are interested in learning more about this, feel free to delve in to the following articles. As for me, I have another doctor's appointment in 2 weeks. Fingers crossed that I can swim or engage in some type of heavy cross-training by then. A plethora of articles and studies which I have recently uncovered. The Ultimate Runner’s Guide to Stress Fractures: Causes, Risk Factors and How to Return to Training Owner's Manual: Is it a Stress Fracture? Stress fractures in runners Stress Fracture Depression in Runners Treating and Preventing Stress Fractures In Runners On a slightly lighter note. Here is a look back at 2014 From Billy Yang's perspective. It really was a breakout year for him! It's definitely a good thing that I don't believe in New Year's resolutions, because I continue to be injured and am losing fitness as I write! Amazing how the body doesn't pay any attention to the somewhat arbitrarily important initiation of the Western New Year.
I would not have chosen to take a break from running for quite as long as I have been forced to do by my body. Nevertheless the reality is that I have had a huge, mammoth, physical, but more importantly mental, break from the sport. I am restless and hungry to pursue my goals for 2015. Unfortunately for me, I'm being forced to wait this injury out. The bright side of course is you can reengage with other elements and hobbies in your life that have been squeezed out by the high volume consistency that competitive running demands. I can come home from work in the rain, and not have to brace myself mentally for a wet 11 mile puddle fest. I can take the time to experiment in the kitchen, try my hand at beading, painting and actually being able to read enough for pleasure that I can finish a book with the beginning chapters still fresh in my mind. Yes, there are advantages to not training. I would not trade all of these things for the joy that running provides me, but it looks as if for the mean time I have no choice. Since I have nothing new to report in my running life, I thought I might include some photos from the places that Haley and I have trammeled over the last year and a half. These photos include Seattle, Redwood National Park, Yosemite, Mt Bachelor, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (Nevada), Three Sisters Wilderness Area and Badlands National Park. Stunning. |
AuthorMy name is Marshall Genn. I split my time in between teaching and running. I aspire to help students break out of generational poverty and to run fast. That said, this blog is about running fast. Archives
November 2017
Categories
All
|