March Thrive Challenge

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Comment by Krystle Charlton on March 4, 2012 at 4:25pm

I hurt my IT band a couple years ago. I was devastated as I run about 5-6 days a week. I was also training for the Sun Run, BMO Half Marathon and 5 Peaks. Obviously, since the injury was so close to the races, I couldn't attend them all but I still didn't want to give up so I immediately went to physio to get fixed up. Through massage, accupressure, some electro ray thing and some strengthening exercises I was able to run the sun run and 5 Peaks. It took a long time to get fully healed, and I'm not confident that its fully healed. Sometimes it gets sore or tight. But I have completed my first half marathon and am about to do another one and Tough Mudder. I think its important to realize when an injury is serious enough to involve physio and to just do it right away. They are knowledgeable people and can help you get back at it faster. But more importantly just listen to your body. If it doesn't feel good either stop or take it slow. My physio actually didn't want me to run as soon as I did but i listened to myself and was able to complete those races with no pain. :)

Comment by Lisa Ziebart on March 4, 2012 at 10:27am

Injuries are the ultimate of setbacks especially when training is going so well. It doesn't take much to tweak something to put you out of commission while you heal. While I have never had any injuries that put me out for too long, I have found that the smaller injuries can be just as difficult to mentally recover from. Definitely listening to your body is key in terms of knowing when to scale back or rest to heal. To get back on the proverbial horse, though, I take this time to review my goals and set my sights on something tangible to motivate me. Instead of setting goals for a new year, why not set goals every time you face a setback? Re-align your vision and purpose and the rest is sure to follow. I recently injured my knee during a day on the slopes and had to take some time off to heal. While I felt physically ready to get back into my training I really felt zero motivation to do so. I realized that my goals were unclear as I did not have any short terms goals set for fitness. I checked out upcoming run races on the local run club site and decided that the best way to motivate me was to register for an upcoming run. Between now and the end of May I have four races of varying distances that I will complete and voila! my motivation is back and I feel great. I ran 9 miles yesterday and I felt awesome enough this morning to complete a 60-minute session on the bike (the Vega apple-berry Recovery Accelerator helped here for sure and it was delicious and refreshing treat post-run!). Everyone's recovery time is going to be different, but maintaining a focus on goals is paramount to maintaining motivation when it is time to get back in the training game.

Comment by Judy Green on March 4, 2012 at 9:11am

In the last four years, I have entered a gym - lost about 35 pounds - became fitter - and healthier. I have also suffered injuries. I have at times felt I could conquer the world, and at other times felt I could barely move. What I have learned is, DO SOMETHING! I have never let an injury hold me down. I have just modified the way I do things. Can't run - then walk. Can't lift heavy - then lift light. I have learned that something is better than not at all. To be the best that I can be.

Comment by Samantha Wiles on March 3, 2012 at 10:30pm

A couple years ago I completely wiped out on a curb just before the start of a 10k race. I walked it out, determined to do the race.  I ran the race feeling fine, but when I finally got to the finish and stopped I fell to the ground in pain - my ankle was killing me. Turns out I had a small legiment tear. That race tough me the power of determination, but also that you need to listen to your body before it's too late and you need to spend months getting back on track and in good health

Comment by David Vincent on March 3, 2012 at 5:48pm

I was introduced to soccer at an extremely young age and growing up I was always athletic and active. I started getting into competitive soccer at the age of 7 but was not in the right country to show off my talent and skills. As the years went on I made it a goal of mine to go as far as I can with my favorite sport even though I was in Canada. I've done tournaments all around Ontario, Quebec, the USA, Portugal, and France. At the age of 16 suffered a blow the tibia and knee during an exhibition game. I have nerve damage on the side of my shine and I was unable to walk properly on my left knee for sometime. After recovering for about 6 months I tried getting back into soccer again but was unable to due to the pain; I had to let the dream die. at 19 years old, I hit the realization that I was no longer the young, active, health conscious person I once was. I started slow in the gym and on the soccer pitch. Cardio, light Strength training, and playing soccer with friends was what started with to get in the habit of things. As things got more serious (lifting heavier, playing soccer with a team...), I soon noticed my knee and shine couldn't take it much longer and I was prone to another accident. I started taking Vega products and found that they provide me with everything I need. I use the pre-workout on an empty stomach for amazing, long-lasting energy and the electrolyte hydrator for my long bouts of soccer and trainning. The real noticeable difference in recovery for me (my leg and muscle are never sore even though I push hard) was from the Vega Recovery immediately post workout or soccer training and then late, throughout the day, high amounts of protein from a combination of Vega WFHO, Vega One (now), and Vega Sport Protein.

In my opinion the key in recovering from an injury is proper rest, easing back into it, and most importantly, optimal nutrition that will help you recovery at the quickest pace possible to get back on the field (in my case).

Comment by jake derry on March 3, 2012 at 5:32pm

its funny, even though i am recovering and working out less. my running is much faster. im running a 4:06km per min. which is about 14.6 km per hour. i dont run far. i still try to do atleast one 10k a week and then one 30 min run and then 2-3 10-15min runs as a warm up for weightlifting. i did 2 miles on the treadmill last week in 12:30. but i have to be careful cuz running produces a lot of stress hormones (cortisol) and i really need to avoid that. it also screws with testostorone if your underweight (which i am)

Comment by Sarah Kernan on March 3, 2012 at 3:56pm

When I tore up the top of my feet on coral when surfing at the end of a surf trip I came home and couldn't wear my running shoes. Since the gym doesn't allow barefoot workouts I had to rule that out too. I switched up my approach and focused on yoga where I could go barefoot with my wounds wrapped, and kettle ball workouts at my house. I am also really lucky to live on a flat beach and taught myself to gradually run barefoot, which now is ironically the new trend with the 5-toes shoes and whatnot. 

Comment by Shanon Stranik on March 3, 2012 at 1:44pm

I just started to get back into a fitness routine after thyroid surgery. It's been a struggle with hormones, metabolism and feeling down after the surgery.
7 weeks ago I decided to have my first run after 6 months of I'll health. I stay focused on being kind to my body and staying positive with every run, instead of being unhappy with my slow miles. After 7 weeks of pushing through the pain, fatigue and emotional ups and downs, I feel so much stronger in every way. Baby steps can feel like big steps when you're recovering, and celebrating each one is the key to getting your body and health back. Thank you Vega for your awesome Sport line that keeps me string for each step.

Comment by Laura on March 3, 2012 at 12:58pm

Patience is essential for recovery. I have to be kind to myself and forget about the stopwatch when I am getting back on the road. Nutrition, of course, is also a key element. Fuel well!

Comment by jake derry on March 3, 2012 at 12:45pm

yeah my dad knows a girl who did aqua jogging for a whole season with a back injury to prepare for an iron man  and she was able to totally do it! auqua jogging is a great alternative to maintain or even improve your running

Comment by Terry Nayes on March 3, 2012 at 12:32pm

I was surprised by how effective aqua jogging was at maintaining running fitness while fighting a hamstring injury.  If our group run was 60 minutes, I did 60 minutes of aquajog.  It helps if someone else is in the pool with you.  Technique and research studies can be found on the internet.

Comment by Andrea Giles on March 3, 2012 at 11:23am

Keep in shape doing other activities, if possible so that when it's time to start up after the injury or illness, you're not starting from scratch again. And even if you are, the biggest key is to be patient. Acknowledge that you've had some setbacks and you're not at the same level where you used to be. That's okay - build it back up slowly and enjoy the process.

Comment by junghwa chung on March 3, 2012 at 10:38am

take it slowly is the key. i will walk and not rush into working out hard.... it's more important to heal properly

Comment by jake derry on March 3, 2012 at 9:52am

spring of 2012 is a big season for me! getting back on track with my health is my goal. i am a recovering anorexic. long story short i plateued on weight gain for way too long. and now im back on it. the month of febuary was good for weight gain. i gained 13 pounds. now that spring is here my goal is to gain weight until i get to a healthy weight. im currently 160lbs at 6'1 and i am 18 years old as of march 12th.

my biggest concern is my testostorone. i have VERY low levels. its very sad because i am unable to build much muscle and strength. and being an athelete (runner, cyclist and weight lifter) this is very problematic. cutting back on exercise and letting my body recover is what i need to be focusing on! i still will workout to keep healthy but not pushing myself too hard. i need to maintain a healthy weight to get my hormones in check. and this spring thats what im gonna do! i am going to be healthy by the summer! im going to beat this eating disorder and im going to be healthy!

Comment by Cheryl on March 3, 2012 at 9:34am

What a timely challenge! I was just reflecting on how I learn so much in recovery & rehab times. Whenever I take on a big endurance challenge, I also make recovery part of the plan from both a nutritional and physical standpoint.

I'm currently recovering from my first 100 mile trail run and my ankles, calves, and hamstrings all took a beating. I'm working now to regain flexibility and ankle strength and flexion. I allowed some things to get so tight that standing up straight and tall and flexing my ankles takes a lot of effort. 

But, the first thing I focused on after finishing the race was to replenish with food and fluids to begin the recovery process and Vega WHO and sports protein were a big help for me there. Easy to get down and packed with nutrition to get repair started.

Then, I started on the physical repair the next day. For this event, I tried a new form of race recovery called cryotherapy and it was amazing! My ankles and legs were tremendously swollen after 24 hours of running in rain and mud! Cryotherapy took just 2.5 minutes and took all the swelling and recovery right away. I have the pics to prove it too! each of my ankles shrank about 3 inches each. I get cold super easy and I've never liked ice baths but cryo worked and was quick & painless. I basically stepped inside a large barrel with my head poking out the top. Then, liquid nitrogen was turned into a cold gas and circulated around me. Towards the end, I was chattering but once I got out, I was warm again, all my swelling was gone and I felt almost euphoric. I would definitely use cryo again post any big event or if I ever injured myself.

Now, I'm completing recovery with strength training, stretching, yoga, ART & Graston techniques. I'll soon be back to full speed stronger and smarted than before!

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