Learning how to move through roadblocks.

As an active person, you will face a roadblock for your sport at one point in time. Maybe it is an injury, or an illness, or work obligations, or having a baby, or any of the million different things that got you there. In this post, I am going to tackle my own current roadblock. I am work in progress. Aren’t we all that way. (please note: I am an average woman, I am NOT a Doctor. Please consult with your Doctor for your personal medical needs)

When my Doctor informed me a few months ago, that the labrum in my left hip was not torn as I originally thought. I was devastated. Not that I wanted a tear, since that was the road I’ve already been down 11 years ago. This time, it was the thing I dreaded the most. Arthritis. The arthritis is having a rather large snack on the cartilage protecting the socket in my left hip. I imagine a game of packman happening in there. Hopefully it hits the wall and can’t turn a corner. I’d like more time. Ideally, facing a replacement in my 50s, not in my 40s.

Eleven years ago, I had a debridement of the labrum in my left hip. Originally thought to be a tear, the surgery uncovered a fringe like unravelling of the labrum. It was carefully shaved down and I started my one year recovery. My surgeon reminded me that recovery was important along with reducing my inflammation. He stated that this same procedure would be necessary again in the future. So, last September when I had decided to start training for a half ironman and felt the pain in that same pain in my left hip.. I sought out a new surgeon and got the scans. That’s the short version. You get the gist.

A roadblock, in my eyes, means research time.

I have been dedicating my spare time (haha) to learning how to decrease the inflammation in my body. I’m learning to live an anti inflammatory life. When your family genetics are pointing one way, stepping up to head it off is the best way possible. Let’s face the impending ailment before it gets out of control. For some of you this is heart disease. Others it is dementia. For me it’s arthritis. Thank goodness we live in a time with an abundance of knowledge and resources. Yes, it’s overwhelming at times. My best advise. Find your guide, find your people, and put it to practice.

There are 3 things I am focusing on to improve my situation.

1)Diet/Gut health

2)Training Routine/Exercise

3)Rest/Recovery

Being a student of what your body needs.

The best advice I can give is to always start with taking to your doctor. Yes, I love sharing what is working for me. What successes and failures I am personally having on my journey. You’ll need to have a starting point too, safely! Remember, that I am not your doctor. Rather using this space for sharing and camaraderie purposes. To inspire you to concour your own “roadblock journey”.

Adjusting what you consume.

I am learning ways to heal my body using good gut health. Lucky for me, I love cooking and playing around with different foods. This may be a harder part for some. Find a way to make it fun! We have enough “jobs” as it is as busy women. I like to break it down for the day. Let’s face it, prepping meals can be a time consuming and not always simple task.

*Pre workout snack – Post workout meal – mid morning snack – lunch – afternoon snack – dinner*

I am trying to focus on where and when I have my proteins. Adding things like Turmeric (add pepper for digestion), pineapple, ginger, lemon and other anti inflammatory foods to my routine. My new favorite discovery, is adding sauerkraut or kimchee to my lunch. The fermented foods are really great for gut health. The other thing is making sure I am properly hydrated. Water is always best, of course. If you are a busy mom like me, you may do this too…. I start every day with coffee and end a few days with a nice glass of wine. Lately, I’ve been ending my day with a shot of tart cherry juice (find a kind with no added sugar) and a cup of tea.

Training for lifestyle not races.

This is the first year is nearly 10 years that I haven’t been training for something specific. Per my doctors advice, no more running races. I’m taking a step back to reset my body. Strengthen all the supporting muscles (those little ones that take patience to activate but are so important to the big ones). First stop, Physical Therapy! Hopefully this will give my hip more time before replacement.

Found myself an incredible Physical Therapist to work with over the past 3 months. You know what, it’s working! Now I have a plan to support my injury and I feel like I can move forward with continuing some of my favorite exercises. Modified of course.

Now, my new exercise goals looks like…

*2x/week 3-4 mile run at slower pace – 2x/week 1 mile swim – 3x/ week strength training or HIIT workout – 1x/week SIT (will be added when my body is a little stronger)*

After months of frustration. Not really knowing what sports I’d be able to continue. Shedding tears, and trying to give up a sport I love. I feel like, although not perfect, I’m finding small ways to navigate my new way of training. Trying to keep my anxiety, mood, and overall mindset in check. This takes me to the third thing that will help me climb this roadblock.

Be gentle with yourself, give yourself and body the grace it needs.

Hi, have we met, I am the girl that has a mind that runs! Which inevitably means that my worst quality I exhibit is rest. I am terrible at rest/recovery. This may be my hardest challenge. Deep breath girl, now exhale. The goal here is to let this achey body recover and heal.

Sleep is the obvious activity here. You guessed it, my 6 interrupted hours a night are not cutting it anymore. First, I have to get my mind to allow me to sleep through the night. A bad habit from years of getting up with kids through the night. Hence the “tart cherry juice” and tea before bed. It’s supposed to help. Then I will tackle getting closer to that 8 hour mark. Deep breaths.

Rest days. Now this one I have. When I’m not training for a specific race or distance, I take 2 rest days a week. This seems to be a good rhythm for my body. My mind, the race that never quits, would love no rest days. These days are for my family, which often include an activity. Just as rewarding as a workout. I’m also trying to take rest days when my body is extra sore. Lately on those days I’ll hit up the sauna or a hot tub. Which is delightful.

Recovery goes right into this category and collects a few of the others too. In my research, I’ve discovered how important certain foods/fluids are imperative to your bodies recovery. Feeding your muscles what they need when you are stressing them to flourish and grow. Who knew. Smart people, that’s who. As a vegetarian allergic to eggs, finding ways to put protein into my body are at the forefront. Thankfully there are so many amazing resources to do just that. My newest addition is to make sure that I have a protein rich smoothie within 30 mins of ending my workout. So far, I love it! The other part of recovery is cooling down after a workout. Take 5 mins to allow your body to regulate. Then, brace yourselves… apparently cold showers are recommended. You’ll get used to this one. I am.

Current Resources I have found.

Dr. Stacy Sims http://drstacysims.com 

Dr.Sims is a PhD, Physiologist-Nutrition Scientist that trains female Athletes for optimum performance

Books include: 1) Roar – How to Match Your Food and Fitness to Your Unique Female Physiology for Optimum Performance, Great Health, and a Strong, Lean Body for Life  (my personal bible for training).  2) Next Level – Your Guide to Kicking Ass, Feeling Great, and Crushing Goals Through Menopause and Beyond  (every single woman should read this book.. it is the best information for this “phase of life” that I have read)

Michelle Babb, MS, RD (Registered Dietitian) http://eatplaybe.com

Michelle is a dietitian and specializes in Anti Inflammatory and mindful eating

Books include: 1) Anti-Inflammatory Eating Made Easy – 75 recipes and nutrition plan 2) Anti-Inflammatory Eating For a Happy, Healthy Brain – 75 Recipes for Alleviating Depression, Anxiety, and Memory Loss  3) Mastering Mindful Eating – 30 recipes to engage the senses and Transform Your Relationship with Food

Pinterest for recipes

YouTube for workout ideas – Heather Robertson is my personal favorite

What’s the freaking plan?

Here I am. Showing up for myself and for you. My plan is simple, to navigate roadblocks the best way I know how.. head on! I want each day to be better than the last. In conclusion, I am here to share my journey and to grow as an athlete. When someone tells me that I can’t do something, I am driven to prove them wrong. In this case, it’s my own freaking body. I will be taking this one day by day. Listening to my body. Learning how to fuel it and make it stronger. My plan is to get another 7 years out of this “wheel”. All while working on my racing brain by writing it out in this blog. After all, I am the girl with the “mind that runs”.

Thank you for being here.