Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Stupid cankle, why you no like me?

Reading a Running Times while cycling in an 85 degree stuffy gym is so totes amazeballs. NOT


Taken on My last run before the ankle got mad at me.

I'm on a self imposed running hiatus, length unknown. That sounds way more dramatic than it is. My ankle started bugging me in the same way it did before Fox Valley in 2012. So being the mature, responsible person I am, I decided to call it quits with running for a bit. Well, at least after a few runs on the Highline, West Side Highway, Central Park because I was in NYC and how could I NOT go run!? I also had one last run with Kim in Chicago because she wanted to run with me before work and how could I say no to her!?!


The good thing is there's no swelling, and it warms up after 3-4 miles. But leaves my Cankle throbbing once I get cooled down.


Dressed up all fancy Black tie for a wedding only to sit at the bar the entire night while my cankle howled in discomfort.

In this self imposed downtime (last week I ran 5.5 miles and had a whopping 6 days of no workouts!) I realized some things.

•I'm happy to have not registered for any future races. I wasn't too jazzed about anything anyways except for Fleet Feet racing team. But FF and races will be there for me when I'm ready to return.

•Not working out makes my mood take a nosedive.

•When not exercising regularly it is not advisable to eat all the things and drink all the booze.

•Balance is super totes important. I have annoyed the shit out of my husband with running talk and thankfully have managed to get that under control. My god there's so much more to life than running, training and OMG races.


having fun on the lakefront where no running was involved. *gasp*

I'm using this minor annoyance as an opportunity to become a more well rounded athlete and person. I'm researching swim stuffs like suits and goggles so I can finally use the resistance pool in our gym. I'm also taking this "time off" to strength train a lot more than my usual half assed 2x weekly sessions.


I miss NYC way more than I ever thought possible. I do not miss Times Square however.

I'm just hoping this ankle thing is a one off and clears up quick so I can get back to running the lakefront again or NYC or anywhere pain/ discomfort free.



- xaar

20 comments:

  1. Aww, I forgot how you called it your cankle back in the day. I hope it heals much faster this time! And I am excited to hear about your swimming! I was just looking up when the public pool opens by my house.

    But what will we talk about if not running?!?!?!? Ha ha ha.

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    1. I figured "Cankle" was the most appropriate word to use since the pain goes from my ankle into my calf ;) I will keep you updated on the swimming... I haven't bought any swimming accoutrements yet but plan to soon. I might even look into swim classes since all I mainly know is back stroke and how not to drown. Haha

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  2. I'm going through the same thing right now, except with my knee. And I do have races on the calendar. Some in the very near future, and one (Ragnar) in which others are relying on me. I'm hoping a week of no running makes a difference.

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    1. Jeeze. It sucks to have issues this early in the year! :( I hope your week off running does wonders for your knee.

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  3. Sorry to hear about your cankle! I can relate to how not working out makes your mood take a nosedive. When I was side-lined earlier this year I had to work harder to make a happy face. My thoughts were about my ankle 24/7. Anyway, just remember it's temporary and you'll be back to your old happy self in no time! I really loved my NYC trip in 2011. I'd love to go back to NYC, so one of my goals is to qualify for the NYCM again - however I need to get my half marathon time down another 4+ minutes. Yikes! :) I think the only other places I could live besides Chicago is NYC or Boston. Except in both cases I'd miss Chicago's lakefront too much. I don't think I'll ever get tired of the LFT.

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    1. Yep. It's on my mind 24-7 also... I mean how can running along the lakefront in nice temps not be on your mind all the time now!?! And you're right, it takes a lot harder workouts to compensate for not running... But atleast the cross training will be beneficial.

      I'm sure 4 minutes won't be too difficult for you now that you're back from your ankle issues. :) this trip was my first to NYC in 12 years- last time it was for the marathon (my first!) and I always had this impression that NYCers were rude. I was blown away at how "respectful" they were on the streets compared to the downtown Chicago commuters and began to think how I would enjoy living there. Like you, Boston is high on my list of places to live. And I bet you'd love San Francisco too. The lakefront is definitely something id miss if I ever moved away.

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    2. I haven't been to SF since I was young, so I'd love to go back and check it out. Although as with NYC and Boston - living there in anything bigger than a tiny studio apartment would likely be cost-prohibitive. Either that or I need win the lottery then make the move! :)

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  4. Highline! That place is awesome. And that is really awesome that you were walking around Times Square in Newtons! Hopefully your ankle feels better, maybe it is related to overuse? Not sure if you have some underlying problem inside your ankle? Not sure if you have had it checked out by a sports doc to see if anything is underlying in there or not. I bet it will improve with just general rest. I'm assuming that you have tried to strengthen it?

    On a somewhat related note - I got a stress fracture in my right ankle in Dec 2011, and sometimes I notice that occasionally I feel discomfort in that area if I overuse it a lot it seems like. Not sure if the discomfort that I feel in that area is mental or physical. Might be some of both.

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  5. Oh, and NYC is the best city in the US - can't wait to go back to that city again for the US Open tennis in August this year!

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  6. ahhh so frustrating but those injuries do help make us more rounded don't they. I never would have started yoga if I had not been injured and now I really love it. Hope your cankle gets to feeling better soon, there is more to life than running and OMG races, but I sure like life with running :)

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  7. I am so sorry you are having issues with your ankle...has icing helped at all? Maybe a few day break, and some Epsom salt baths will help?

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    1. Icing helps, aleve seems to help, and Dead Sea salts help. Try those out sometime. They are a bit pricier than Epsom but are even more soothing. :) it feels like a tendon issue.. And if I get too annoyed with it I'll eventually see a doctor- I just don't experience much pain in my day to day activities.

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  8. I have been having trouble with my knee/hamstring. I have been icing and foam rolling like crazy. I hope your cankle feels better soon.

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    1. You're doing the right thing with the ice and rolling- don't forget about some hot baths too. Hope we get beyond our issues soon!

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  9. That fickle cankle, just can't get itself together. I'm glad you're taking some time for your life outside of sport! It's a tough transition at first, but you'll come to love sleeping in on the weekends and not making all your life plans revolve around your training plan! You'll find that your motivation will transition into other things and open all kinds of doors, promise. Like having dinner with me ;) I'll be emailing you soon.

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  10. Oh no. Sorry the ankle's being a, well, cankle. Here's to a speedy recovery and enjoy the well roundedness of not being running obsessed in the meantime!

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  11. So sorry to hear about the cankle! Sometimes it can be really nice to take a break. I just started swimming lessons and I'm absolutely terrible, but doing it anyway. Hope the cankle feels better soon!

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  12. Hope the cankle pulls itself together soon. I've got an IT band being a bitch so I'm not running either. I don't have any races on the schedule either and it is really nice for a change to just chill out a bit. Then again, it figures that now the weather is really nice here finally.
    Is it one of those Endless Pools at the gym? I've always wanted to try one. Would love to hear what you think!

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  13. Swimming is definitely on my list of "time off" activities! I'm waiting until the park district's summer pool schedule starts at the end of May (since their current "open swim" times don't really work for me), but looking forward to getting back to swimming laps.

    Hope your cankle starts feeling better soon too!

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