December 24, 2013
3.88 Miles in 32:19
Mood: So Happy
Soundtrack: Green Day "American Idiot"
It was Christmas Eve, and I was let out of work at noon. I got home feeling alive and healthy and wanting nothing more than to just go running. My leg was completely pain free, and I decided to try and push it a little bit. Not TOO far, but I was definitely going to go more than just a lousy 2 miles.
The weather was amazing, slightly windy, but warm and sunny with beautiful billowy clouds in the bright blue sky. I was pumped, because my leg felt completely normal for the first time in a month. It was all I could do not to run for ten miles, I felt so good. However, I tried to use SOME common sense and not push myself too hard. Although my leg felt great, I could feel the effects of barely exercising in December. My lungs were hurting, and my conditioning had obviously slipped. After 20 minutes, I was huffing and puffing with all the gusto of the big bad wolf, but so happy. I can tell that I'll need to get my conditioning back, and it may take a little while, but baby...I'm BACK! As I write this on Christmas Night, I can feel the slight stiffness of sore muscles, and it still feels wonderful. To have slight soreness from actually running instead of severe pain from obvious injuries is a wonderful feeling, as is not having to limp after trying to run.
I think the thing that I have been taught by my forced hiatus from running is to appreciate it, as it's something not to take for granted. Your body's health can be taken away from you at any moment, and being able to get out and exercise is a gift. It's one of my favorite Christmas gifts this holiday season. I'm so glad to be back to pretty much normal. Hopefully, I'll get back into stronger running condition quickly, and get back to running slightly longer distances again. But no matter, I'm feeling so good right now.
Part 1
Part 2