I set out for another run over the weekend. But this time it was different. I left my Garmin at home, put a compression sleeve on my right knee and hoped for the best.
But the biggest change I had is that I had no expectations. I set no standard. No worries about distance; I simply wanted to see if I could run.
And I did.
I felt good. No pain. The farther I ran, the better I felt. “So far so good,” I thought. Clark was ahead of me and I saw him turn around at mile one.
“What are you doing I asked?” as he passed me.
It was really a rhetorical question, as I already knew the answer. But I still wondered why as he yelled out “I’m turning around.”
I didn’t want to because I was feeling good and wanted to go on, but when I reached mile one I turned around, too.
Man, I was proud. I was running again and enjoying it. Enjoying it!! Over the last week or so it had become nothing more than a disappointment. A shoulda woulda coulda or a wished I hada.
As I neared my finish line…just before reaching mile two, I could feel the pain in my right knee again. But as I continued to run near my driveway, I felt that runner’s endorphin high again….I had finished a complete run for the first time in a while. It had been at least two weeks since feeling good about running. I wasn’t concerned about my time nor training for the marathon. I was just proud that I had just ran two miles thinking back to this time last year when I had just begun walking…never dreaming that I would ever consider myself a runner a year later.
Will I continue to train for the marathon? Right now I’m not sure. I’ve never trained for a marathon before so I don’t have a clue what to expect or what I should or shouldn’t be doing. One thing I do know is that I just want to enjoy running—pain free. If that means running only two miles a couple of times a week…then so be it.
No pressure.
Just running.
Lunch was a hummus and roasted pepper sandwich on a roasted tomato bread with a cup of chicken noodle soup on the side. Delicious!
And finally after four attempts I’ve settled on my new pair of running shoes. These Brooks Ghost 4 literally feel like they hug my feet. I may never take them off!
Talk to me. What are you thoughts?
I really enjoyed reading this post! I can relate to wanting to just enjoy the run! NOLA JAZZ Half Marathon is Oct. 29th…my motivation is running on low!! Not good timing!
Awww..Thanks Stephanie. In that post, I honestly thought I was just rambling on without making any sense! hahaha….. Hopefully with the decrease in running, my right knee will improve and I can get going again. Good luck with the half!
I’m really hoping I can run 2 miles this weekend! My knee has been bothering me as well for the past week and a half :/ and I’m signed up, paid for, committed to a Half Marathon Nov 13th..
Hey Myndee! Thanks for stopping by! Don’t give up, take care of yourself and good luck with your half marathon!
Maybe you need to do some indoor training or better yet, see your doctor. Maybe it’s just some type of strengthening that needs to be done. Hoping you feel better. Dave’s first pair of running shoes were Brooks. Got them on sale and loved them. But I don’t think he ever bought another pair because of the cost. But even today he says they were the best he ever had.
Now Laura, you’re sounding abit like Mom. 😉 Do you know how hard it is to make a nurse actually go to a doctor’s office? hahahah I have however, talked to a doctor friend who is also a runner so I’ve been able to talk it over with him quite a bit which has helped. I am doing some strengthening exercises and will try and run again next week. More than likely I’ll just decrease my running time and mileage until it’s better. Thanks for your thoughts! Oh, and I also bought a pair of Brooks and they are really comfy. I can’t wait to see how they feel on my feel while running!