by Angel

I’ve been running since high school, at which time I did not enjoy it. My running habits were comparable to yo-yo dieting. I never really experienced serious injuries, perhaps minor knee pain here and there. Knee pain meant taking a break, some physical therapy, cross training, and then get back to it. I was never training for races and did not belong to a supportive running community, so taking a break from the pavement was not a heartbreaker.

It was after I was married, and dealing with a first deployment, that I became more serious about running. It makes perfect sense that when your world is turned upside-down, you tackle something that allows you some control. Running can be a great reprieve, a place where you set the pace and the distance. This is what it has been for me ever since. 

After another knee pain occurrence, I learned about the importance of proper shoes, got fitted, and amazingly all knee pain went away! I was free and clear of any injuries for the next 7 years.  During this injury free time I fell in love with running, became fully stocked in Stroller Warrior gear, and found the perfect running mates. Last summer, a few of us decided to tackle some new challenges…trails and longer distances.

With new terrain comes hard lessons. Most seasoned runners know that new shoes must be broken in. This applies to terrain, as well.  I took on too many miles, with too many hills, too early, and ended up with a stress fracture. The early training was amazing.  I was astounded by the views and overall enjoyment of the trail.  It was not until three months into the training that I began to have terrible shin pain. This experience was drastically different than my previous knee aches. My runs would begin with my left leg not quite moving the way I wanted, which heavily impacted stride.  The pain did not set in until after the run and would persist for days.  I would take a few days, wait for the pain to subside, and then go back to my training plan.  Once the pain would no longer subside after rest, I went to the doctor, who immediately suspected a stress fracture.  The verdict…STOP RUNNING! In order to keep from crying, I laughed…out loud. His suggestion to maintain the training I had already put in, with some hope of running my race, was to cease all actual running and begin pool jogging and other non-impact cross training. Have you heard of pool jogging? This was a first for me.

My Google searches led me to purchase a float belt and go to my neighborhood pool, and proceed to emulate an 80 year old woman doing water aerobics…alone. I immediately decided that I hate pool jogging. How in the world would I complete a long run like this? In order to pool jog, one is literally attempting to jog in the pool maintaining proper form, but you go NOWHERE. There is no juicy television show to watch, like treadmill running. Children surround you; every splash screams “hey, old broken lady, look what I can do!” Aside from the pool prison, my running mates and Stroller Warriors were out running! I felt like I was missing out.

I was more determined than ever to heal. In order to do so, the only option was to follow doctor’s orders; that was the only potential to be able to run the race 6 weeks away. The idea of missing out on training with my friends was not as bad as missing out on racing with my friends. To keep motivated I watched lots of running documentaries (I highly recommend Desert Runners) and continued to attend workouts, even if it was for the post-workout playtime. For the last scheduled long run, I decided to ride my bike and serve as a traveling aid station and water source. It ended up being a ton of fun, and a great alternative to participate. I still got to see the sights that included creepy animal eyes glaring from behind a bush, a beautiful sunrise, a dried up lake, an old Army base. In the end, because I took the time off but worked to maintain what I had already established, I was able to finish the race.

Lessons learned:

1.      Ease into anything new; give your body time to acclimate.
2.      Listen to your body.
3.      Listen to your doctor! It’s never worth permanent damage (I would actually like to be able to do             water aerobics when I am 80).
4.      Find others ways to stay involved; SW embraces the community.  If you’re out for injury (or other          reason) stay connected. It will keep your motivation high for a strong return, and you’ll have a                 great support system along the way.             
5.      An injury is not the end of the world if you follow steps 1-4.

 
Share with us tips you have used to cope with and overcome running injuries.  

Three years ago a friend told Lauren about Stroller Warriors Okinawa, and Lauren has been a dedicated member ever since. For the past three years Lauren has volunteered her time and talents as a Stroller Warrior Yogi and in the process is touching the hearts and lives of both Mini Warriors and Stroller Warriors.

Lauren holds SW yoga classes weekly. Her classes hold true to the ideals of Stroller Warriors; Mini warriors are invited too! “The kids bring a new dynamic to yoga that I have never seen before.  They make it more interesting by climbing on their mothers; therefore, making yoga poses more challenging,” Lauren says. “Moms nurse when needed and still do most of the poses.  Kids can play, laugh, and make new friends.  Moms are getting stronger because their kid needs to be held while doing standing poses like tree. Most classes toddlers crawl around and under us. It's super cute.” Many learn to do complicated poses like crow and baby headstands.

When asked what is her favorite thing about Stroller Warriors, Lauren replied, “On a good or bad day I can be with other Stroller Warriors and feel better than before.  There have been days that I felt wonderful and I was able to go to a workout running my hardest.  Then there are days that my foot hurt really bad, but I needed to get fresh air so I went to a SW run just to walk, and sometimes if my sons were in school, I would push a stroller, so another friend could run stroller free. I know it's a running group, but when your are injured, have a crying baby, come back from surgery or recently gave birth it's good to walk.  No one ever made me feel bad about not being able to run, just encouraging advice.  There have been those holidays that the kids were out of school, I knew I could go to a SW run and ask other ladies to keep an eye out for my bike riding son while I pushed my other one in the stroller.  Luckily, we have some fast considerate ladies. 'It takes a village to raise a child' and Stroller Warriors is a great village.”

Thank you, Lauren, for your dedication to Stroller Warriors Okinawa. We appreciate you!