Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Cause 2.72 is just as great as 26.2

For those of you who have been lucky enough to not hear me complain over the past two months, I've been injured. I developed Baker's Cyst (thank you to Jack Fultz for that diagnosis and to my PT for the confirmation, no thanks to my primary care who quickly vetoed it), and had a throbbing pain on the inside of my knee (likely a torn MCL but never got the MRI to confirm).

Today is only Wednesday, and I can safely say that this is a good week. On Monday, after I passed a few "tests", my PT gave me clearance to run again. Granted, I was only given the go-ahead for a run/walk, but just to hear that I will be totally back on my feet soon enough was...a relief. Yesterday after work, I headed out to the Esplanade for my first run in 40 days (I swear I haven't been counting or anything). I ran for two minutes, and then walked for two minutes, per my PT's suggestion. Whenever someone would pass me when I switched into walk mode, I knew what they were thinking: Look at that girl dressed in pink running gear who cannot even run for more than two minutes at a time. What a toolbox. I did not care. I was out there again...and I had a smile on my face for the entire half hour run of 2.72 miles.

Like Lauren, I don't like the act of running. I get tired, my breathing gets funny, my muscles ache in random places, and now, in this hot weather - my face gets awkwardly beat red. The past 40 days on running hiatus have been hell for me. I spent a lot of the marathon training season questioning why I like running, if I do actually like it, or if I just like having something to do...at all times. I realized during this hiatus that I've missed it. Incredibly.

No matter how much I hate running, I hate not running more...I hate being told that I cannot just go out for a run when the weather is perfect. I hate not being able to run off my anger or stress or crazies. I hate not being able to eat or drink whatever I want because I am not running a gazillion miles a week. I hate having to make alternative plans for Tuesday nights. Most of all, I hate being told that I am "normal Lindsey again" now that I am not obsessed with running (when in reality, I am just not allowed that daily run).

Well my friends, I was not proud of this alleged "Normal Lindsey" of the past 40+ days. I was moody. I was not happy. I did not sleep well. I did not eat well. I did not smile as much as I used to. I developed a muffin top (true story).

I understand this may not be the response that many of you want to hear given that running and training took up so much of my time. Well, I am not willing to give it up, yet. If anything, I hated that it was taken away from me for almost 6 full weeks. So, today I signed up for this October's BAA Half Marathon...the very race that got me on this running kick in the first place.

A wise law professor once said: "The law is a jealous mistress." Well, running is a jealous mistress, as well....and I am happy to give it the time that it rightfully deserves.

I AM BACK FOLKS!!! :)

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Welcome back!! Congrats on running again.

Unknown said...

Hey Linds,

I join Brenda in welcoming you back to the "wonderful-world-or-running".

She's also a 'cruel' mistress - which you know all to well, now.

But you're stronger for it (still alive, right?:) Bring on the Half - it's a full Half.

CU soon - Jack

Unknown said...

Whoops - that reads as though Brenda is a cruel mistress.

I doubt she is but I was, of course, referring to the running as a cruel mistress.

Brenda? :)

Unknown said...

Well, Jack, I'd have to say Lins has not experienced what a cruel mistress I am. But there are others in the world who can likely attest to it :)