Injury Update

As tomorrow morning will mark the 4th week since I logged any significant mileage I felt the need to chronicle where I've been and *hopefully* where I am headed.

This injury continues to be a lesson in patience, perseverance, faith and soul searching.

I have 'graduated' from my cane now that I am not in pain to put weight on my right leg. It is nice not to HAVE to use it and also to know that I can walk into a store and not NEED assistance.

I have tried, little by little to test myself with road running. The first attempt proved futile when I made it ~1 minute before pain was intense enough to stop me. From there I knew I was not yet ready and gave myself another 4 days. Feeling strong enough I decided to go after it again. I made it .5 miles away from home, had to walk x2 but was thrilled to complete one mile. I have pain. It is not severe and it changes every day and every time I try to run. It frustrates me to no end that I can walk, bike, rollerblade and sit without pain.....but the minute I try to run, it's back.

Yesterday morning I left the house with no expectations and for ~.25 of a mile I felt like ME again. I felt nothing. I hoped and said a silent prayer that it would last. I made it one mile out this time to return home completing a 2 mile run, no walking. I took that .25 miles of blissful pain-free running and held tightly to how it felt all day, although I ached. I opted to take a different route today and made my way to the gym to get in a full hour on a cross trainer. It was nice to really sweat it out again. I did fairly well and will see how my body responds today.

I still do not have results of my MRI, which again....tests my patience. Boy these lessons are getting old!

Now where am I headed......

I am still not sure. Still struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but really trying to focus on a positive mental attitude and verbal affirmations. I've spontaneously cried....nearly everywhere. Seeing a runner while I am driving home, accompanying Chris on his runs, talking about running. It is a strange thing, I knew I loved to run, but I never knew how much.

As much as I adore my friends, family and husband there are times when they cannot be there

....but running is.

My shoes are always sitting anxiously on the floor awaiting my feet.

The roads are always open, nature is always showing her beauty, my Garmin wonders what she did wrong to be banished to the kitchen drawer for weeks.

When life has tossed me a curve ball running has stood strong, ready to counsel me, ready to allow my head to be filled with chirping birds and the sweet smell of blooming flowers or fresh cut grass. I long to see the ducks and geese drift above me and glide gracefully in the morning sun, to hear the wind breeze through their powerful wings, to jump and scream from the slithering snakes on the trails.....you get the idea I'm sure :)

Lately I affirm to myself...."you WILL run again"