I should update my Facebook relationship status to "In a relationship", with the additional "but it's complicated". You see, two weeks ago, I knowingly and willingly entered into a relationship with running. We didn't know each other well, save for the fact that I knew I'd be the one putting in most of the work. I knew that, at times, I would not be all that enthusiastic about this not being a 50/50 kind of deal. Tears, joy, frustration, accomplishment, motivation, intense highs and possibly more than a few lows were what I knew I had to expect. If I (am) stick with running, we'll become more than familiar with each other. In the end, together, running and I will go through the fire. In the end...we will go the distance...26.2 miles to be exact. A labor of love, however, I know this relationship will be...for better or for worse...through sickness and in health...'til marathon do us part.
So far, my new relationship has been full of blue skies and a bed of roses. Some may say I'm still in the "honeymoon phase". That might be true, but this Friday, the reality of this new station in life hit me...it's not always going to be sunny skies...sometimes there might be a cloud or two. Good thing is though, I'm still in love and know that this is where I want to be.
As any good friend knows, Dear Reader, sometimes we all need a shoulder to lean on for a second...an ear to listen...so I'm going to let you in on the details...of how me and running got into our first fight.
Dani & Running: Our first fight
All week has been spent preparing myself physically and mentally for today...Sunday...the day reserved for "long runs". Daily treks to the gym at 5:30 am...check...except for Friday...I forgot to charge my cellie...dead in the water...a sign of things to come perhaps?
Waking up on Friday morning, I looked up at the clock on my wall...and...oh sh*t...it was 6:20 am...no time for my workout! Rolling out of bed, as soon as my left foot hit the floor, the slight discomfort/awkward feeling in my knee hit me. This funny "pain", if I may call it that, has been troubling me all week. I guess that I was starting to let it get the best of me, because all day at work on Friday, I kept wondering if this was the leaking faucet that, with time, could turn into a river, preventing me from accomplishing my goal. Dramatics, I know, but it was all I could think about on Friday and Saturday (my off day).
To make up for my missed Friday morning appointment, the gym was first on my list after the marathon meeting I sat through at my 9-to-5. Super drained but staying focused...hungry, but staying focused...can't believe I missed a workout, but staying focused.
Focus Dani...this is what you want...focus...the knee will get better if you take the proper measures: strengthening my thigh muscles, improving the way my foot hits the ground, possibly wear a supportive knee brace, improved nutrition, adequate time to warm up, stretching, Motrin, hydration, ice after exercise. Ok, so there are a lot of things I can do to prevent injury, but still...mind on my knee, knee on my mind.
First up on Friday, the trusty treadmill. Warm up for five minutes...music blasting (Lil' Wayne's "I'm goin' in")...smile on my face (literally)...I'm going to do this! Crank up the speed...a little off...not so bad. Wait, wait a minute...slow down...eek...my knee...stop the treadmill...stretch it out...discomfort is still there. Can't stop!...elliptical machine, perhaps? Easier on the knees...yes...yes, that's what I'll do.
Post treadmill fail, I put 20 minutes in on the elliptical machine and completed four sets of several thigh strengthening exercises. Leaving the gym...feeling exhausted...not feeling very accomplished...my own rendition of Dr. Dre's song ("It was a good day") popped into my head..."Today was NOT a good day."
Ok, Saturday...a new day...a day off from running...a day to relax (physically and mentally). My roomie and I treated ourselves to facials at the local spa. Just the thing I needed...time to relax...time to refocus...time to re-energize...ahh...feeling good. After spending one and a half hours in pure bliss, we headed over to our favorite local brunch hangout spot...ahh...feeling even better. Returning home, I thought it best to get in a little reading...a chance to take my mind off of running...something that is beginning to consume my thoughts, time and energy...though I like it. My book of choice: "Kindred" by Octavia Butler. Not exactly a relaxing read, but well worth it.
Sunday morning...D-day ("D" is for "dammit", "determined", "do-it!!!"). I woke up at 6:20 am this morning with the goal of hitting the streets at 7:30 am. In preparation for my big day (I felt like I was going out on a date), I whipped up an oh-so-delicious smoothie, popped a couple of Motrin, stretched, got my music ready, and tickled Beef a little. Stepping out of my front door, all I could hear was Dj Khaled's song, "All I do is win!"
And "win" is all I did. I managed to run the majority of 6.5 k (4 miles). My asthma started acting up around 4k, but wasn't so bad. I walked when I needed, but over all, I felt really good about today. With time, I know that I'll get better. With continued focus, I will do this!
So you see, Dear Reader, me and running...we had a little quarrel. With any lasting relationship, as we've already acknowledged, it won't always be perfect. Sometimes I'll be running with a sore knee (ankle, legs, feet, etc.). Sometimes I won't feel like running, although I will. Sometimes, we'll need to take a break from each other (gasp...Saturday and Monday). In the end, however, I know that these things are all temporary.
You see, I've made a commitment to running. I will run the distance...one foot in front of the other...mile after mile...until I reach the finish line (26.2 miles).
Well, that's all for now. As Nina Simone said, "It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me...and I'm feeling good!"
Yours in training,
Dani
2 comments:
I know several runners who pushed themselves into injury, and then had to take several months off running. Not to discourage you in any way.... but please, please listen to your body. I want you to reach your goal :-) And that means not getting injured!!
Good job on the 6.5k. I may have run a 5k the other day but I can't figure out a way to map my distance with certainty.... so I'm going to have to find a better-mapped distance to test myself, ha.
Hey there! Yeah, I was talking to my boss about my knee today. He said, "Listen to your body. Take a break." I think that's what I'll do. I'll strength train for 5 days and cut out one run. So maybe a Thursday and a Sunday run.
Since the Nike + iPod thing doesn't work (no iPod nano yet), I'll sort out another pedometer.
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