Injury timeline
I am putting it out there for myself, but also for anyone who might be struggling right now.
In fall 2024, I was preparing for the marathon and was in great running shape. A marathon under 3 hours was looking pretty easy back then. Unfortunately, because some mistakes were made, I did not get into the race I was training for and got the update just 5 days before the race. I was devastated.
On the pictures last sessions before the injury.
So I found another race a couple of weeks later. Adding more aggressive training and prolonging my training took a lot from my body. It was lots of things at once very aggressive shoes (not even released yet), so many hill workouts at a very fast pace, and just too much load overall.
So when I was running the race, at mile 10 (16 km), something clicked and I was just not able to move anymore. I couldn’t push and I had no power in my legs. I finished the race, but something was clearly wrong.
On the pictures: Las Vegas Marathon where I supposed to break 3 hours, but instead got injured.
After that, it took 6 months just to figure out what happened. It’s hard to find a great doctor. Most of them just told me I needed more stretching, that my hamstrings and muscles in general were way too tight. But I knew that wasn’t the problem because I am always tight, I am a runner. Stretching more often does more harm than good for me, especially in a situation like this.
At first, we figured out that I had a very mild hamstring tendinitis, so I was told to continue running but keep it easy, which is what I had been doing anyway. But obviously, it was something else. I had shooting pain down my leg and, most importantly, no power, no ability to push.
At some point, we finally figured it out. The problem seemed to be coming from my lower back and nervous system. When nerves are pinched, the brain can almost shut down the body’s ability to move properly, and you just can’t run fast.
Basically, I had hamstring problems, overuse, and nerve issues all at once. That eventually led me to more strength training because it is actually one of the ways to get back on track with these kinds of issues.
So I started PT with more and more strength work. At the same time, back in November when I first got injured, I also started biking, but it seems like that did not help either.
On the pictures: first times on a bike
2025 was very rough. So many races and runs, including the hardest 657 kilometers and 241, plus marathons and a 100k. I was able to run, and I did, but I felt like my body just wasn’t moving anymore. It’s very difficult to explain, but it felt like having energy and pushing on the gas, but not moving faster.
Later, I got an explanation that this can happen when the brain shuts down part of the body’s ability to run fast because of pinched nerves.
By fall 2025, after months of physical therapy, I was getting better. I started training for Chicago. The dream of getting faster never dies.
Obviously, I knew I was not even close to the shape I was in during 2024, but I truly did my best. I ran Chicago and NYC, and to be honest, looking back now at how much pain I was in and how I never gave up, it feels kind of crazy.
On the pictures: NYC marathon 2025
To be fair, with my issues, it was actually good to keep moving, keep running, and keep doing strength training. Even though it was hard and painful, it made things better in the end. I knew I was working through it carefully and that everything I was doing was leading me toward recovery.
In winter 2026, I decided not to go for another attempt at breaking 3 hours in the marathon because I obviously needed more training. Instead, I did a half marathon and Boston.
During Boston, I felt my hamstrings again. Not as bad, but it was obvious that recovery was still not complete.
Then, just a couple of weeks ago, I ran 160 miles in a week with Arda and did two marathons back to back. Slow we ran and we walked, I did not even notice how smoothly we moved. The following week was very busy with running with new friends and they pushed the pace and I felt great.
After that, for the first time, I ran pain-free.
On the pictures: running with Arda Saatçi, during his 600k adventure from Death Valley to Santa Monica Pier
I am still very, very careful and I still see signs that we are not fully out of the woods yet. So I need to be careful with hills and continue strength training. I wish I could do it every day.
But in general, for the first time in a year and a half, I feel my body again. I feel the ground with my feet. I can speed up, I can sprint, I can control my body again.
To be honest, something as simple as running pain-free now makes me happier than almost anything. I feel how much I was struggling, and I can’t believe how strong I actually was to get through it.
Let’s hope this was the worst injury of my life. The appreciation of running free is huge.
Anya
Live an Active Lifestyle 