What not running does to a runner.

I had a back strain 3 weeks ago which had me on my husbands recliner for 6 days, then taking it easy for 2 weeks. I went to a chiropractor, the ER and to my PMD trying to find someone with a magic wand to wave over me and make me normal again. The closest I came to magic was the Valium (truly “Mother’s little helper”) that made my back relax enough so I could walk without being hunched over in pain.

I had one failed attempt at running 2 weeks into this ordeal and a whole lot of worry since. I am not a worrier by nature, I try to go with the flow…as long as things are flowing along nicely and according to plan.  😉 But take running away from me and all bets are off. Runners need to run…0r at least know we can if we want to. While we all need a break or rest period from running, we still enjoy other things, like yoga, cycling, paddle boarding, hiking…you get the picture…but I couldn’t do any of those things either, except some very light yoga. 

What did I worry about and what did I learn from this forced break from running? A lot.

Worries:

• What if I can’t run Boston? It was my first thought and am still worrying about it. I’ve only had one painless 3 mile run, so the fear is still very real. I don’t want to disappoint anyone. 🙁
• What if I can’t run, like ever? This has been keeping me up at night. What if I can no longer run? What would I do? I know I would stay active but running is what I do. And what if my back doesn’t allow me to do the level of activity that I want, then what? Sounds all very dramatic when I put it in writing but it is what it is.
• Will I be able to run my half in November? With all the worry over Boston I almost forgot to worry about the USA Women’s Half Marathon in November. How much training do I really need to be able to run that half and not die? I hope 4 weeks is enough because that’s where I’m at. Again, providing my back continues to let me. 

These are my 3 biggest worries. There’s more but I won’t bore you with all my woes. Is there a therapist specifically for runners? Is that a thing? VitaTrain4life are you out there? Do you know? 

What did I learn from this ordeal? (Because we all should learn something from the things that upset our lives, right?)

Life Lessons:

• I’m not very happy when I can’t run. I won’t goes as far as to say that I’m not nice when I’m not running but I could be nicer. Pain + zero running = GROUCH

  

• Maybe I need to incorporate other activities into my fitness routine. Hmmmm, ya think? Yoga/stretching is now going to be part of my life. And as soon as I feel comfortable with my back issue strength training will also be a regular activity. No more just lifting my 8lb weights before bed. I’m talking CrossFit, HIIT workouts or Bootcamp. Sign me up!
• Running is a privilege. I’ve said it before but until you have lived on the other side you may not really understand the true meaning. I know there are a lot of people less fortunate than me and I am thankful everyday for my family, a roof over my head and my health. The fear of losing the ability to run was real and being able to run today literally brought tears to my eyes. I will be forever grateful for every run, good, bad or ugly. 

“I don’t run to add days to my life, I run to add life to my days.”
                                                                                                                               Ronald Rook

Have you ever had a forced break from running? Do you ever worry about the day you can no longer?

Thanks for reading.

                       Denise