It’s been hard to admit, but long runs are no longer in my future. A week ago Sunday, I did an 11 mile run to prepare for the OC Half Marathon. I’d been having problems with my hamstring, but was back on track, so I thought. The first five miles went fairly well, but then by mile six, I was hurting. It was bad—not just my hamstring, but my knee too. Those last five miles were agony. By the next morning, I had made a decision that was hard but necessary—I wasn’t going to put myself through 13.1 miles on May 6th.
But I know it’s the right decision, but it did mean that I had to walk the 5k for the Automattic Worldwide WP. I just did my three miles here in Laguna instead of my Crystal Cove run, but it meant that I could take my dog Kayla with me. She doesn’t like going for more than three miles, so it was perfect, in the end. Although I’ve almost forgotten how much that 11 miler hurt, I have to find a replacement for running. Those long runs in future will have to be six miles or less!
So here’s the walk that Kayla and I took! We even went on the beach for a bit, thankfully the tide was permitting.
Slippery stairs to the beach at St. Anns!
Beautiful empty beach; the lull before the storm of summer!
Thalia Street to the ocean. Good weather for running, but not tourists!
A mixture of the old and the new along PCH—Katsuya nestles up to a crystal seller in a historic building.
Related articles
- Automattic’s Worldwide WP 5k (tinykitchenstories.com)
tinykitchenstories 
Oh, I would kill to be there right now! Throw on some Beach Boys and jog, lady!
It’s pretty nice, I must admit! 🙂
Oh I so know this! I had to hang up the long runs a couple of years ago while training for a half. I went into a brief funk, but soon realized that a 3 or 4 mile run was just right. Anyway, sorry that you were in pain! But, wow, what a beautiful place to run!
Thank you for that comment–it feels better to know that I’m not alone! My right leg could have gone on for miles, but my left was saying “Mmmm…..nope!”
And your driveway looked amazing, so there. If I’d run up and down my driveway, I would have looked like a crazy person (it’s all of 10 feet, but big for Laguna!) and gone crazy!
OUCH! No more long runs :((((( Sorry for your pain, sounds like the decision to back off is needed. I felll really hard directly and flat on my right knee about a month ago. Still pretty messed up as far as it likes to swell up and my ankle joins in too now! We are not so old that we should ahve to give up what we love yet. For you it’s running, for me it’s just getting up everyday LOL! No really… giving up all Dancing would be my biggest bummer! Hope it gets better soon Sis. XOXO
Thank you! It’s on the mend, but I think I need to find another outlet. A new yoga studio just opened up, so I’ll try it out–it’s where the Ester Wells gallery was. BTW Royal Hawaiian shut down! 😦 Are you coming out to see us soon? xoxoxo
Great pics! I have run the XTERRA Crystal Cove race before – beautiful trails out there. I’m so sorry to hear about the injury, and being a fellow long distance runner, I totally understand. Sucks to not have those runs to unwind, think, and meditate. You can always do some fun aqua jogging or swimming…although I prefer taking long walks, cycling, and doing yoga until recovery. Good luck to you!!
Thank you for the commiseration; both you and Ann made me feel better. A yoga studio just opened within walking distance of my house, and I think it’s a sign! 🙂
Oh, tks, I’m sorry to hear that long runs are a thing of the past! I know that’s tough. But I admire you for actually listening to your body, and you definitely seem to have the personality to find another ‘open window’ even though this one seems shut. Your photos were beautiful! Haven’t spent nearly enough time in your part of California. I should… but then I’d be one of those darn tourists, huh? 🙂 Definitely understand the sentiment. When university is on break and 1/3 of town leaves here, it’s fantastic 😉 Thanks for sharing a little of ‘you’ outside the tiny charming kitchen…
Oh, you have much more sense than one of our regular tourists!! I must admit, it’s beautiful here but we pay a price with the traffic and high population. There’s a new yoga studio around the corner–I think that’s the key to replacing running! Yay! 🙂
Yoga is definitely super for you body! And maybe it’ll make you even less likely to re-injure on future shorter runs 🙂
Most likely. Now I can’t wait to get started! I think I’ll wait til post-Cinco de Drinko…
Beautiful… take care of yourself. I did a long power walk myself. Finally catching up again, but will come back to comment on other/future posts. Thanks for your patience! 🙂
Thank you! And no need to ask for patience; I have about 100 posts to catch up on myself, yours being several in that list! And power walks are still within my capability, I believe… Yay!
Sorry to hear about your troubles. Take care.
Thank you! It only hurts when I run. 😉 More cooking, less running, eh?
It’s always tough to give up something you love but like you said, more time for cooking, which means more stories from the tiny kitchen…?! 😉
For sure! Although I’ll have to figure out a way to shed some of those extra calories… 😉
That view is gorgeous!!
I haven’t been able to run regularly in over a year myself. Knee problems as well. It is so tough to have to get busted back to walking! But, we need these knees a little while longer. 😉
For sure, we do! Which is why I decided not to push it and abandon the race. That’s always my least favorite part, all the waiting around and the mass of people. Thanks for your commiseration–it’s been so helpful for me, other bloggers sharing their stories!