Today was a day that I questioned was even possible just a few weeks ago. Today I ran a 5k race (Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Sprint to Success) for the first time since October 25. It was the first time since November 5 that I ran a distance that long. It was the first time I've run longer than 2 miles since returning to running in January. I knew when I departed the house this morning that it might not have been the smartest idea, and yet I went anyway.
I went with intentions of "going slow" and taking it easy. The last thing I want to do is injure myself or take a step backward. But shortly after the starting gun I headed out on the course and felt good. Since it was a loop course I had several opportunities to drop out if I decided to.
As I got closer to the halfway mark and then into the second half of the race I knew I was feeling pretty good. I had very few issues with my wind and despite some rubbery feeling in my legs I pushed on. When it became clear that I would have a good time I was feeling good about my decision to run today.
Crossing the finish line in 21:44 was better than I could have imagined. I expect to deal with some possible pain and discomfort come tomorrow or Monday, but I think I've cleared one of my hurdles on this long road to recovery. Still, there is work to do, but for today I will enjoy this.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Holy Shit!
First day of running outdoors "for real" since my stupid attempt to do so on January 1. Despite my sense that by writing about my recovery and attempts at running is also somehow connected to my backslides (because I'm superstitious), I decided to write about today since it's ridiculous to think the two are connected.
Truth be told I've been running for three weeks. I started by doing 1/4 miles the first week, then 1/2 miles for the second week. I did 3/4 mile earlier this week and then upped to 1 mile on Thursday. Today was not only the second 1-miler this week, but it was also my first time outside in nearly two months.
What a shocker! Unlike the security and sponginess of the treadmill; not to mention the flatness, outdoors has changed so much. I realized that the cement is quite a bit different. I realized just how hilly my training grounds really are. It was a simple half-mile out and back, but it was probably my most challenging run since my most memorable race last October 25, 2008. It was the last day I really truly ran pain-free and without trepidation. I wouldn't call today being totally back. Despite my growing confidence I realized that my legs and my wind are both far from getting back.
In reality and truth, my mountain is just beginning. After five months, I am still standing at the base of a very steep mountain with lots of work to do. I must be careful and calculated, but I also know that the road will be long, tough and mentally tougher than the first time I took this path. Really? Yes. This time I know what to expect. Last time it was all new to me. Perhaps it is insanity to go through with this knowing what is expected, but then again I've been here before. It was the second time I toed the line at a marathon in Baltimore. I'm feeling up for the challenge and know it won't be easy. I've forked off into the known and after going through this past winter, I'm excited to take on this challenge. I expect to face some difficulties, but that's all part of this insanity.
So what's with the title of this post? Sometimes I struggle with what to titles posts. Other times it comes easy. This one was easy. I repeated it about a thousand times during today's 8 or 9 minute mile. Let the game begin.
Truth be told I've been running for three weeks. I started by doing 1/4 miles the first week, then 1/2 miles for the second week. I did 3/4 mile earlier this week and then upped to 1 mile on Thursday. Today was not only the second 1-miler this week, but it was also my first time outside in nearly two months.
What a shocker! Unlike the security and sponginess of the treadmill; not to mention the flatness, outdoors has changed so much. I realized that the cement is quite a bit different. I realized just how hilly my training grounds really are. It was a simple half-mile out and back, but it was probably my most challenging run since my most memorable race last October 25, 2008. It was the last day I really truly ran pain-free and without trepidation. I wouldn't call today being totally back. Despite my growing confidence I realized that my legs and my wind are both far from getting back.
In reality and truth, my mountain is just beginning. After five months, I am still standing at the base of a very steep mountain with lots of work to do. I must be careful and calculated, but I also know that the road will be long, tough and mentally tougher than the first time I took this path. Really? Yes. This time I know what to expect. Last time it was all new to me. Perhaps it is insanity to go through with this knowing what is expected, but then again I've been here before. It was the second time I toed the line at a marathon in Baltimore. I'm feeling up for the challenge and know it won't be easy. I've forked off into the known and after going through this past winter, I'm excited to take on this challenge. I expect to face some difficulties, but that's all part of this insanity.
So what's with the title of this post? Sometimes I struggle with what to titles posts. Other times it comes easy. This one was easy. I repeated it about a thousand times during today's 8 or 9 minute mile. Let the game begin.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
A Post For Posting
Not much to report at this point. Foot is still in improvement mode, and although I'm getting more active and used to being on my feet all day, I'm clearly still not 100%.
Running? Yes, a little. More like light jogging and not for much in terms of mileage. I feel as close as I've been in a long time. It's been a horrible winter and as the weather is improving, my spirits, my foot and my hope for the near future improves with it.
Running? Yes, a little. More like light jogging and not for much in terms of mileage. I feel as close as I've been in a long time. It's been a horrible winter and as the weather is improving, my spirits, my foot and my hope for the near future improves with it.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The Age Old Question
It's not another post about "whoa is me, and look at me, I still can't run". It's not a question really that I intend to answer. It's a question that has been asked and has been around longer than I've been around. Probably been around a lot longer than anybody reading this post. It's the question of life. What does it mean? What is the secret? Or any other variation of why we are here and what our purpose is.
Now I don't claim to have any answers, but I think often about this subject and there are times that I feel like I can really go deep into my consciousness and pose possible answers. But any answers I come up with are simply my answers. It's hard enough to worry about oneself without worrying about answering life's questions for anybody else. My outlet is writing; among other things. When I write and post on this blog I generally don't give it much thought. It's usually the topic of the day. The subject matter comes at me for wierd reasons. Sometimes the topics fly into my head. Other times the topics are hard to find.
So what is the secret to life? Well, the world according to me is about doing that which makes you happy. It's about doing the right things. It's enjoying moments and soaking in what it is that you are doing. I've written in the past about passion, but I also believe that life is being passionate about what it is that you are doing. When you lose the inner fire for what it is that you're doing or are involved in, then I believe you should consider not doing that thing anymore.
Today I refereed a couple of peewee games. Certainly not the highest level or fastest skating games I've worked among the over 1,500 games I've worked in the 13+ years I've skated. But working those games today reminded me how much I love doing it. For no particular reason. Just one of those days in which I "felt" how much I enjoyed being a part of the game. That's why it's been so difficult to ride the wave of emotions I've felt in the past 4+ months. I feel as though I'm still very passionate about refereeing, but so many things make me believe that it may be time to let it go. Besides realizing how insane people can be, not to mention the stupidity that comes with it, I still feel a little humbled by my injury and realize how quickly that which one loves can be taken away. I've had nothing but positive feedback from people since I returned on January 31. I've been overwhelmed with how people from many different areas have either told me how glad they are to see me, or that they don't want to see me hang 'em up. I've obviously got some thinking to do. The season is winding down and I expect that I'll wrap up this very memorable season very soon, if not this coming Monday. I've gotten so close to getting back to running again and I don't want to lose it again. That's made me tentative on the ice. But today I didn't feel that way. I was just skating and working hard and doing my job. It's been a job I've loved for over a decade. I suppose it is possible to give up something you're still passionate about if there are other reasons.
Life can also be about making difficult decisions.
Now I don't claim to have any answers, but I think often about this subject and there are times that I feel like I can really go deep into my consciousness and pose possible answers. But any answers I come up with are simply my answers. It's hard enough to worry about oneself without worrying about answering life's questions for anybody else. My outlet is writing; among other things. When I write and post on this blog I generally don't give it much thought. It's usually the topic of the day. The subject matter comes at me for wierd reasons. Sometimes the topics fly into my head. Other times the topics are hard to find.
So what is the secret to life? Well, the world according to me is about doing that which makes you happy. It's about doing the right things. It's enjoying moments and soaking in what it is that you are doing. I've written in the past about passion, but I also believe that life is being passionate about what it is that you are doing. When you lose the inner fire for what it is that you're doing or are involved in, then I believe you should consider not doing that thing anymore.
Today I refereed a couple of peewee games. Certainly not the highest level or fastest skating games I've worked among the over 1,500 games I've worked in the 13+ years I've skated. But working those games today reminded me how much I love doing it. For no particular reason. Just one of those days in which I "felt" how much I enjoyed being a part of the game. That's why it's been so difficult to ride the wave of emotions I've felt in the past 4+ months. I feel as though I'm still very passionate about refereeing, but so many things make me believe that it may be time to let it go. Besides realizing how insane people can be, not to mention the stupidity that comes with it, I still feel a little humbled by my injury and realize how quickly that which one loves can be taken away. I've had nothing but positive feedback from people since I returned on January 31. I've been overwhelmed with how people from many different areas have either told me how glad they are to see me, or that they don't want to see me hang 'em up. I've obviously got some thinking to do. The season is winding down and I expect that I'll wrap up this very memorable season very soon, if not this coming Monday. I've gotten so close to getting back to running again and I don't want to lose it again. That's made me tentative on the ice. But today I didn't feel that way. I was just skating and working hard and doing my job. It's been a job I've loved for over a decade. I suppose it is possible to give up something you're still passionate about if there are other reasons.
Life can also be about making difficult decisions.
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