Check out my progress on Grieving an Injury
As my 2nd week of ellipticizing comes to a close, I had become desperate for entertainment amidst my exercise, so I reached for the very last issue in my formerly abundant magazine stash. This last publication turned out to be quite engaging and thought-provoking—Runner’s World, September 2010 issue.
Aside from its usual interesting little nuggets about racing etiquette and sports nutrition, there was one article that truly resonated with me, entitled “Good Grief.” In this piece, the author describes the various stages of “grief” that ensue after an injury. Since I started running nearly 3 years ago, I’ve incurred several injuries: first it was my ankle, then it was my back, then my back again, and now my hip. Needless to say, I’ve had my fair share of injury grief. Here is a description of my grieving process, using the RW framework:
1) Denial. It all starts with that uncomfortable twinge. In my determination to “stick to the plan,” I ignore it and insist that it’s just minor muscle soreness. I keep running…until I can’t anymore. I’ve crippled myself. Crap.
2) Anger. In all of my aforementioned injuries, I’ve not only been unable to run but my ability to even walk has been affected. After about a week of sub-par mobility, I start noticing neighborhood runners with out-of-the-ordinary keenness. I observe their care-free strides and get mad. Really mad. Like some crusty old woman, I think to myself, “savor your mobility while you have it!” and then proceed to mutter under my breath. Damn those young whipper-snappers.
3) Destructive thought. Soon enough, I start questioning my identity and my worth as a person. “I can’t run, I can’t do organic chemistry, I can’t do anything. I’m such a waste of life.” Yes, I acknowledge that this is completely irrational thinking. Alas, such is the nature of injury grief.
4) Depression. Soon enough, after all that destructive thought, I sink into episodes of mild depression. Without running in my life, I start to miss the feelings of super-woman strength and overall well-being. Concerns about fitness start clouding my judgment. “Seth, am I getting a muffin-top?”
5) Hope. Finally, my outlook begins to change. After what seems like an eternity of stretching, foam-rolling, and cross-training, the injury begins to heal. A return to the running world is again in sight.
Right now, I am happily in stage 5. I’m on the mend these days, and I have hopes of trying running sometime next week.
Have you ever been injured? How did you cope?
I hopped off that elliptical with a renewed sense of self…and a wicked appetite.
To break the fast, I made myself a delicious egg sandwich. I used Ellie’s magical 1 whole egg + 1 egg white rule for the filling, scrambled it up, and loaded it on a bun.
For lunch, I packed a vegan version of my Dilled Egg Salad with hummus—I used tofu instead of hard boiled eggs this time. It ended up being kind of messy to assemble it all at work. I may or may not have gotten tofu juice on the table. Oops.
This evening’s meal was another Ellie recipe, Black Bean Mexican-Style Pizza.
My tweaks:
-I used a larger tortilla (8 inches) instead of the suggested 6 inch size. That’s all I had on hand…plus I was hungry.
-I used cole slaw mix (i.e., pre-shredded cabbage and carrots). The recipe calls for just a cup of cabbage, so the pre-shredded was more economical than buying a whole head.
The black bean spread is the star of this recipe—it’s a hearty blend of both sweet and salty flavors. However, I might add a few more spices the next time, as the recipe calls for only ground cumin. Also, I think some sliced avocado would add a perfect touch.As for the salad, I improvised a citrus slaw with some leftover cabbage. I seize any opportunity to use my sectioning skillz.
Oh, and yes, this recipe is available from FoodNetwork.com: Mexican Tortilla Pizza
Alright, I am off to indulge myself with a little evening Jeopardy! Don’t judge.
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
Being injured sucks…a lot. It definitely teaches you to take your body for granted, that’s for sure! Keep treating your body well and it’ll heal soon enough.
Love the black bean idea for pizza.
Pizza looks awesome
ahhh totally have been there.
i guess i am going through similar ones with the big knockdown in mileage for fertility reasons. i think, however, that i’m still hanging out in ‘depression.’ at least, that’s how i feel today. sigh.
1 egg + 1 white = brilliant!
I have had my fair of running injuries too! Sooo frustrating!
Right now dealing with sciatica pain. Any suggestions out there?
I love tortilla pizzas- they’re fast, simple and better yet, you can put whatever ingredients you want on them! I had black bean burgers for dinner- following the black bean trend
WHAT love that grapefruit slaw!! i am making that! and im so sorry about the injury- i dont have any personaly experience..im sorry
Hi, did you ever see the post I left on 1/16- the spice rack post? No rush on answering, I just wondering if you saw it. Thanks in advance!!
So glad to hear you’re reaching the end of the grieving process. I think you handled the situation very well. Quick question: Seems like you exercise in the morning. If so, how do you motivate yourself to get up early to do it? Do you eat/drink something before or go on an empty stomach? I’ve been considering a morning workout, but I can’t seem to fit it in. Suggestions? Thanks!!
Utter frustration. . .and old.
I’ve had ankle and knee and IT running problems, but nothing at the moment, thankfully. It is always hard to work through an injury, but I think that it helps develop character.
I never really been injured from working out. BUT I can sort of relate because I am currently restricted due to my pregnancy and the swelling issues that have come with. It is a little frustrating, but I am happy I am allowed to walk and just got cleared to start doing some group fitness classes low impact! Ow- another great Ellie recipe. I want to make this one for sure. Some of my favorite flavors
Sorry about your injury – stick to the eliptisizing (yep, I think I made that word up) until you are fully recovered!
injuries suck. i went from denial (—>cause of the injury by not listening to the pain and not stretching properly) to anger (why the hell didn’t i stop when i knew i should have) to depression (not being able to run for a while). keep doing what your doing and you will be back better in no time! keep up the good eats for optimal healing
I’m not 100% recover from my ITBS yet. but I’ve managed to find fun in other kinds of workouts!
that mexican style pizza looks amazing!!!!
ugh when i hurt my hip last year i thought my life would come to a shattering end when i couldn’t run anymore! i thought whaat the heck am i gonna do but then i started spinning a lot more and using the elliptical and i actually found i liked it better!
Oh, I love the grapefruit slaw!
I sprained my ankle really bad back in September. Reading over your grieving process, I think I went through the exact same thing. Once I realized that it was not going to go away on it’s on, I got myself into some physical therapy. It’s taken four LONG months, and although I still can’t wear heels, I have actually gotten all of my range of motion back! I actually went for my first run today and it was great and the best part…pain free!
being injured has destroyed my last few months and thrown me into a deep, deep depression. it’s devastating what an injury can do when you have your heart set on something for a whole year… when you seem to have conquered the uncertainty that we all find so daunting and that one fracture in your bones throws everything off. i have found it very hard to cope – i think its incredible that you are at the hope stage. you go girl. good luck
I was injured last year while in training for my first half marathon (sound familiar?) I also tried to fight through the pain, but ended up hurting myself more. I finally listened to my body, and got into a daily swimming routine and incorporated Pilates classes a few times a week. I had to adjust my routine, but found that I really liked these new fitness avenues, and the mind-body connection that came with both. When my physical therapist told me it was okay to start running, I went slowly and listened to my body. I found a triathlon that was a month and a half away, and trained for it. Knowing that my body was strong and that I would take care of it in the future made crossing that finish line that much sweeter. Be patient, and your body will heal itself. When you’re ready, you WILL complete that half marathon! Go Caroline!