This is most definitely NOT where I had envisioned myself being as I finally set aside the time (and motivation) to set up my blog. I've read about others' injuries, sympathized, and counted my blessings that I had avoided anything keeping me from my beloved sport.
"What would I do if that happened to me?" "How would I possibly cope if I couldn't run?"
I've pondered on these questions often, somehow knowing (dreading) that eventually my number would be up. It scared the (insert four-letter word) out of me! You see, as for many, running is my therapy--my dedicated "me" time. Aside from the physical benefits, it's helped me build personal strength, confidence, and continuous awe towards what my body is capable of achieving. While from dance to every variety of workout dvd known to man, fitness has always been a part of my life, running is a newer passion, but easily one of the greatest passions of my life, and my love for it has just continued to grow with each new race and challenge I've tackled. So, after finishing my third half-marathon this summer, it was with great excitement, enthusiasm, and perhaps just a hint of fear, that I signed up and began training for my first FULL MARATHON! Yes, this girl, who just a few short years ago gulped at the idea of tackling five miles, let alone 13.1, was taking on her ultimate goal of 26.2! And so, the training began. Week after week, I kept tacking on miles, building greater endurance and greater amazement at how my legs could carry me through 15, then 16, 17, 18 miles. It was the best feeling I've ever encountered, and I've never, NEVER felt such pride. Maybe that's where I went wrong, because suddenly, out of the blue, despite making it through all those miles without a lot of soreness or pain, one little short run, a simple six-miler, decided I needed to be humbled.
Calf-strain...
That's it. Sounds simple. No long medical jargon or complicated explanation. Just a strain. Just a strain. But that simple little word, a word very easily brushed off as nothing, has me completely sidelined for at least 3 weeks...three weeks!!! That might as well be forever in my book. Now, I know it probably sounds like I'm overreacting, but at this moment, three weeks feels like my undoing. Not only can I not run, but I'm not to engage in any impact exercise---light walking, swimming, and yoga are pretty much my only choices. So what happens to my training plan? What about the smaller races I'm signed up for in the coming weeks? What about my strength, my confidence, my sense of accomplishment as I add more miles each week? Where does this leave me?
Right now I have no answers to these questions. I'm hoping that this time away from running will teach me something new...force me to listen to my body in a way that I may never have before. I've noticed that's been a theme for many in the blog world at this time, so I will
