Yesterday I went on my first run in over 6 months! I felt like a school girl waitting to go on a first date. A little scared. A little nervous. A little excited.
As I laced up my sneakers, I worried if the pain would return. Was I really healed? Had the all the months of physical therapy worked?
I started with a brisk walk to warm-up. Something I know I should always do, but am usually too eager to entertain and just get right to the run. (Do as the trainer says, not as I always do!!!) I felt good. As I got ready to break into a run, my mind screamed no! At that moment, all was fine. I felt good, strong, healthy. My injury was healed. I was good to run. If I started running and the pain returned, meaning the injury was still there, I'd have to stop running again. A new training plan would have to be started. I may miss another triathlon and racing season.
I ignored that little voice. If I didn't try, I wouldn't know. I looked at my watch and started to run.
One minute in.....All feels well. A couple of twinges. Tight quads. Legs feel heavy, tight. Ok, I can go on....
Two minutes in....Still feeling good. Oh, is that my knee? No. Everythings ok. Calm down Jocelyn. Just keep going.
Three minutes in....Starting to loosen up. Feeling better, lighter.
Four minutes in....I can do this! I'm running! The smile returned to my face.
Five minutes in....What I'm done? No! Time to stop now. We don't want a new injury!
Sure its just 5 minutes. But its more than I've done in 6 months. I'm a bit sore today. Quads aren't used to all the jostling from running, but they'll strengthen up. The foam roller has found a few new sore areas, but I'm working them out. Stretching and yoga are my friend and I have better flexibility than I ever have before.
A few more weeks and I'll be running 5ks and not thinking twice about them. I'm trying to learn from my mistakes of the past. Warm-up more. Make time for massage, relaxation, intensive stretching, yoga and foam roller work. Don't ignore the little things. Focus on building more strength.
I'll be keeping the runs shorter this year. Building my strength and flexibility up so they can support longer runs. I'm just happy to be back out there! And enjoying it!!!!
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