• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
PolkaDot Butterfly

PolkaDot Butterfly

Musings of Life in the Empty Nest...

  • Running
    • Runs
  • Words
  • Kayaking
  • Knitting
  • Pics
  • About
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Running / What… I’m Injured? Being an Injured New Runner

What… I’m Injured? Being an Injured New Runner

My injured foot

We had been working so hard to stay healthy for our target half marathon, the Mighty Niagara. I was more focused on what could happen while running or working around the house and on the germ-fest that is Back-to-School.

Certainly just the day-to-day couldn’t… wouldn’t be a goal-buster, right?

Yup, that’s how it fell.. or twisted. It wasn’t running or lifting or stretching. It was walking across the Commons.

If you’re like me, you log miles each day fidgeting, moving just to move, you know what I mean. You can’t sit still. It’s just how you are. I’m that kind of person too.

Being down is hard… period. Being down and having expectations change is… harder. But that’s always how it rolls.

This injury is different from past injuries. Different in that I am so darn close to that goal of crossing that finish line. That goal… that in the grand scheme can be moved or shifted but is a huge day on my calendar.

As a newer runner it can be hard to manage the expectations, the change. What… I can’t run! Wait… you’re human. Sometimes we break. When it happens, after seeking appropriate medical attention, what should you do?

What should you do as an injured runner who hasn’t been through this a million times? After seeking medical attention, that is…

  1. Manage expectations

    Stuff happens. In this case, we have this great day planned. Running with friends and family and celebrating. The great day will happen. Hopefully I will have feet on the pavement… for 13.1 and a great finish picture. I’m not giving this goal up yet. But it is what it is. The day will happen but if my body can’t manage it… maybe running my first was meant to happen in a quieter fashion, on another course. Hope for the best and plan for the worst.

  2. Be realistic

    Do no more harm. Do what you need to do, follow medical advice to allow your body to heal. It’s one thing to be positive and another entirely to run on an injury and do more harm. I don’t want to let youngest down (my running buddy), but won’t try to run if I can’t. OK… maybe I would but Porter would kill me if I did more damage because I was stupid.

  3. Keep your eye on the goal

    Don’t give up the goal too soon. I’m still hopeful that with a couple of days of rest or mostly rest the run will happen. My energy is focused on running and all that entails. If that doesn’t happen, I have a plan.

  4. Life is dynamic, change is constant

    Be flexible. It’s a life skill. Things change on a dime. Don’t let that dissuade you, just keep at it. Know that when things change, being flexible is the key. I had a couple minute pitty-party on Saturday before telling myself to get over it, there are real issues that people are dealing with and this isn’t one of them. It’s a blip that may alter a goal. NBD.

  5. Be gentle and kind… to yourself

    Especially when your energy should be focused on healing. Eat well, hydrate and laugh. Usually RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is in the mix. Give your body  – and your mind – what it needs to heal. Put your (insert here) up, wrapped, iced and relax. Negative energy doesn’t help anything… especially the people trying to help and support you. You need to feel your feelings, but if what you’re feeling is disappointment, short and sweet is best. See above couple minute pitty-party. This too will pass.

Studies show that mental attitude has a significant impact on healing. Or maybe I just want it too… No really, real scientists doing research. Following medical advice is important, so too is putting your head in the right place.

Ultimately, this too will pass… With your head in the right place & taking the break your body needs, probably sooner and easier :)!

This week, I’m working on these.

How do you handle injury?

Primary Sidebar

About Me

I'm a 50-something wife, mom and business woman. My planner tells me there are a few more roles... but that's a good start. I'm a techie and a small business owner who loves good coffee, dark chocolate & running in the rain. And an empty nester... While … more about About

Archive

Tags

5K 5k family 5K Runner 8K 10K Angry Orchard Hard Ciders Ash Wednesday Becoming Friends Books Breville Juicer Buffalo Beer Week Buffalo River Buffalo Turkey Trot chafing Change college graduation Cooking couch to 5k Creating Habits Cuisine at Home Dirty Girl Mud Run Dr. Glenn Braunstein Eating eBooks Effects of Juicing Empty Nest Fasting First Apartment Fun Runs George Bernard Shaw Goals graduation Habits of Others Half Marathon Happy New Year Hazy Apple Health1 Health Care Jeff Galloway Juicing Resolutions Running Shamrock Run TGIF Weight Loss
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Posts to your Inbox

Have our blog posts delivered to your inbox.
  • *
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Footer

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Blog Categories

Search PDB

Recent Posts

  • Keep Your Eyes Open ~ Paulo Coelho
  • Striving ~ Paulo Coelho
  • What the heck Hammy?
  • Every Person ~ Paulo Coelho
  • Alignment for Achievement ~ Paulo Coelho

Disclaimer

I am not a licensed medical professional. Views expressed on this website are my own. As always, please consult your doctor on any medical issues, or before beginning a training program.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 PolkaDot Butterfly. All Rights Reserved. You are free to retain any and all content here for personal use, but need permission to use it anywhere else. Feel free to quote excerpts of any post with a link back to the original piece. Contact PolkaDot Butterfly for information on syndicating content or photos.
  • Home
  • About
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 · PolkaDot Butterfly · All Rights Reserved
Site By Maroon.Technology