Thursday, August 18, 2011

Starting out with a bang!

This morning I did something I have not done for three months:

I got up at 6:00 and went running.

I didn't run very far—maybe a mile total—and I took walk breaks every quarter of a mile.

I didn't run very fast—even though I didn't wear Garmy, if I was going faster than 11:00/M I would be surprised.

I ran. I went running. I RAN.

When I got up, I could hear rumblings from an approaching thunderstorm. I left the house as the first rain drops began to fall. I chose to do loops around the block, about a half mile for each one, so I wasn't far from home if the skies suddenly opened up. The storm drew closer as I trotted along; lightning illuminated the sidewalk and thunder crackled in the clouds. The rain began to fall in earnest, and I fought the temptation to run faster. After three months of rehabilitation, the last thing I needed was to reinjure myself by sprinting for home. Even when a flash of lightning lit up the street like a squadron of searchlights and thunder crashed so loudly I jumped and jammed my fingers in my ears, I kept my pace slow and steady. I made it home just ahead of the deluge. I was damp with sweat and rain, breathless, exhilarated. I never thought running one mile would feel so good.


This was a reconnaissance mission of sorts: test out the leg with some light running mixed with walking to assess the progress I have made in physical therapy since early July. I am pleased to report that my calf did not trouble me at all.

I have a looooooong way to go before I can run with the frequency and intensity of even six months ago, never mind a year or two years ago. I may never run like that again for all I know. Right now, at this moment, I'm happy I ran a mile. I ran a mile and it didn't hurt.

I ran today!

In additional milestone news today, not only did I run for the first time since May 15, but the black toenail I gave myself by dropping my glider chair on my foot on May 18 FINALLY FELL OFF!

Forget my running today—my ugly black toenail is gone!

8 comments:

B. Kramer said...

So have you signed up for a race yet, or what? Congrats and cheers!

jen said...

Yes! There is absolutely nothing like the first run after an injury, and you captured it perfectly. My version would have included more joyful sobbing, but still. I feel you. Good stuff. Welcome back.

MCM Mama said...

YAY!!! Hope your return to running continues to move smoothly!!! Welcome back.

Bri said...

WOOHOO!

Holly said...

Way to go woman!

Hit me up with any future FW visit plans!!

TNTcoach Ken said...

It was starting to read like a Harlequin novel for a minute, until you mentioned the toe nail......... HA... I see a 'beer near' in your future.....

Jen Feeny said...

Cheers on both!!!

So happy for you on the running front!!!

BrianFlash said...

Congrats on the first run!

Since you are starting over with running again, and since the advice when starting barefoot running is to go very slowly, this seems like a great time to give barefooting a try!