At first, I told myself life just got busy.
But lately? If I’m being completely honest, I’ve been avoiding my blog.
Not because I’ve fallen out of love with it, but because when you write a running blog and can’t actually run, you run out of things to say. Pun absolutely intended.
There are only so many times you can write:
“Yep, my knee still hurts. Nope, I’m not really running.”
And there’s only so much lamenting one can do about watching one’s fitness quietly slip away. So instead, I’ve been offloading those complaints onto my poor husband… and sparing you the monotony.
The Reality of Injury: No One Talks About This Part
Over the past six weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot, mostly things I haven’t quite wanted to say out loud.
Because coming to terms with injury? It looks a lot like grief.
The Stages of Being an Injured Runner
- Denial: “I’m not injured. It’s just a niggle. Give it a few days, I’ll be fine.”
- Anger: “This sucks. Why is my body failing me? What did I do to deserve this?”
- Bargaining: “Look, body… if you just let me run without pain, I promise I’ll stretch, strength train, foam roll, everything. Forever.”
- Despair: “I’m never running again. Ever. This is the end.”
- Acceptance: “Okay. Maybe I need to rest. Rehab properly. Come back stronger.”
The Part I Wasn’t Expecting
What’s probably not normal? How often I bounce straight back into despair.
I get a few good days, start to feel hopeful… and then the pain lingers just long enough to send me spiralling again. Logically, I know I’m being dramatic. I know the injury isn’t catastrophic. But logic doesn’t always win.
And if I’m really honest? Sometimes the despair gives me permission to be lazy. And being lazy is infinitely easier than sticking to a brutal cross-training routine.
Watching Everyone Else Get Faster
Meanwhile, my friends are out there smashing their training. Faster, further, stronger.
And I don’t know whether to cheer for them… or quietly lose my mind.
I am proud of them. Truly. But seeing everyone else succeed while you’re sidelined has a way of shining a spotlight on your own perceived failures.
That’s been one of the hardest parts, and probably why I’ve pulled back from the online running world a bit.
The Truth About My Rehab
Let me confess something else: I haven’t been nearly as disciplined with rehab as I should be.
Yes, I’ve been stretching. Rolling. Taking anti-inflammatories like clockwork. But icing? Not consistently. Resting properly? Definitely not.
At the end of January, I took two weeks off and genuinely expected to come back magically healed. Spoiler: that didn’t happen.
Since then, I’ve tried everything:
- New running shoes.
- Different shoe types, from supportive to minimal.
- Adjusting my form.
- Shortening my stride.
Last week, I convinced myself I’d cracked it. Low drop shoes, better form, shorter steps. It worked… for about 7 km.
Then the pain came straight back. Every time.
The One Thing I Haven’t Really Tried
Here’s the truth: I’ve tried everything… except proper, sustained time off.
Running less is not the same as not running at all. And deep down, I know that.
Enter Cycling and Zwift: Reluctantly
This is where cycling, and more recently Zwift, has crept in.
At first, it felt like a poor substitute. Like cheating on running. But here’s the surprising part:
- It keeps my legs moving.
- It gives me structure.
- It scratches that “I need to train” itch.
- And on some days, it actually feels good.
Zwift, especially, has been a bit of a lifeline. When motivation is low, having a structured workout or even just a virtual ride makes it that much easier to show up.
Is it the same as running? Not even close. But right now, it’s enough.
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Learning to Let Go: A Little
I’m slowly coming to terms with the fact that the only real solution is time. Proper rest. Consistent rehab.
Not shortcuts. Not hacks. Just patience.
And that’s hard, because more than wanting to run fast, I just want to run.
To feel the wind in my hair. My heart pounding. That rhythm of movement where everything else fades away. To feel strong again. To move without pain.
My Biggest Confession
I’m not handling this well. At least, not all the time.
I know my life is still good. I know this injury isn’t permanent. And I know, hopefully, that in a few months this will all just be a story I tell.
But right now? It’s just hard to see the bigger picture when you’re standing in the middle of it.
Final Thought for Fellow Injured Athletes
If you’re in this place too — frustrated, inconsistent, a little emotional — you’re not alone.
Recovery isn’t linear. Neither is motivation.
Sometimes just showing up, even if it’s on the bike instead of the road, is enough.
Enjoyed this one?
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