Speed work after injury

[April]

How long should one wait before incorporating speed/hill work back into their schedule after an injury? (not that I'm eager to get out in this heat or anything) 

April

[Rhonda]

Injury recovery or not, the heat even early this morning turned my tempo run into a plodding shuffle. The temps are supposed to hold up for another week. Be patient and listen to your body.

[The Moose1]

Depends.  Best bet is to take it slow.  Don't jump in at your old level, start at the beginning and climb as your body allows.  If it's dry Friday night it won't tax you too much anyway.  Mostly barefoot stuff on the infield.

Mike

[QATS3]

Increasing the speed, distance, or any component of training after an injury is not going to be something that will follow a set rule. Just as everyone heals at different rates, the return to activity will be different for everyone.
As the injury heals you will want to increase the stress to the area in a slow and controlled manner. Increase the distance for example, then see how your body responds to that. Then increase another component such as speed and see how your body responds. Take it step by step and pay attention to what your body is telling you.
Don't increase things too quickly, or add too many things to your training all at once.
The last thing you want to do after an injury is to reaggrevate the injury and have to push back your activities any more.
One of the things that can be the toughest is the psychological aspect of an injury....often the body heals and the brain still thinks it should keep protecting the area. A slow steady progression will allow the body and brain to be ready for activity.
If you are seeing a therapist they should be able to give you a plan that will progress you back to full activity and training as part of the rehab and also as a home program of activity.
Hope this helped, and you are back to running soon.
Cheers,
Bryan

[April]

Thanks Bryan
Psycological aspect - that's what I'm struggling with. I'm ready, but not.  .  Frustrating!!

April