I guess I did it again. I over did it...again. After being "smart" and resting what felt like an Achilles, falling behind on mileage, and gradually building back up to re-join the others in my running group, I capped off a 41 mile total week with a Saturday 15 miler. The run ended with a little bit of soreness in my foot, near the base of the big toe metatarsal. Monday this was pain. I could walk "normally" by rolling my foot to the little toes as I walked, but that's no way to run. I know the prescription: stop running, and rest.
Rats....
I know it's not a big deal really. There are far worse things than not being able to perform what is currently* your favorite exercise. People have much worse problems, and I am ridiculously fortunate in my life.
But...rats...
I plagued myself with injured running thoughts: hearing the words of everyone who thinks runners are crazy. Why do you do this to yourself? What's wrong with you? Don't you know better? Now you can see that I'm right and that you should know better. I hope you've learned your lesson!
I didn't run for 2 weeks which made me miss my group's first 16 mile and 18 mile long runs and only did a few 30 minutes sessions on the elliptical. Then I mixed up elliptical with light jogging on the dreadmill in the same session. I ran on Wednesday, but cut it short. My running group was planning a 20 miler this morning.
I figured Dallas Marathon was not going to happen this year.
This morning, I started running early with the intent of running as far as I could without pain. Running alone is better because I'm not tempted to run as far or at the pace of my friends that day (there is, however, a stunning and sad lack of tacos and Coke with lime at the end of the run). Also, I like running in my neighborhood because I have many routes that I can use to transform a short loop into a long loop or cut a long loop short. The dark and quiet streets of suburban Dallas awaited me. It's autumn in north Texas, and that means very pleasant running weather. Cool in the mornings...just a little chill that makes you glad when the first rays of sun warm you up.
The first loop ended up being 6 miles. I headed back into my apartment to get some water and a little snack and then headed back out onto the road. My feet crunched leaves as the sun crested the horizon spilling light through the trees and making patterns on sidewalks and lawns. Suburbia came to life, but still no cars out: homeowners in pajamas getting the Saturday paper, dog walkers, and a few other joggers. The sky this morning was a brilliant blue visible through leaves that varied in color from green to light brown. Who picked out the color scheme for this place? I love it!
I've seen, read, and shared comments and thoughts critical of our "fitness culture" that is little more than marketing to make people ashamed of their bodies and sell gym memberships and expensive clothing. I often agree with this view, and it makes me kind of sad. A few days back a trending tag on Google+ was "love your body." Many people were sharing pictures and words that encouraged people to accept who they are, and that's great! I didn't see any about running, and that's OK. I ran and I could feel my body working: a symphony in motion that I was listening to with my feet, legs, back, arms, heart, and lungs. I could feel my back muscles holding my chest up to keep my airway open and my lungs working and my arms counter-balancing my leg motion as I hopped down over a curb and then back up with a good-morning wave to make way for a woman walking her little dog. Up Lookout (the only hill of mention on these loops) and I shortened my stride to keep my cadence even. What a wonderful feeling to be alive: it's called the runner's high, and like any high, you can crash down from it if you're not careful. I don't know that I'll run the marathon, but for now I ran and it felt great.
At my work we had free flu shots and I managed to schedule mine at the end of the day so I could head directly home after. Because I walk to work, I usually wear old running shoes and switch into more business-ish type shoes (although I'm an engineer so it really doesn't matter) once I'm there. As the nurse rolled up my sleeve she noticed my iridescent blue trainers and, probably, my skinny arms.
Are you a runner, she asked?
Yes, I am.
*check back in the spring when the Belgian classics are on and I'm attempting to wax poetic about cycling.
