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Back to Basics
Yesterday I woke up angry. I just couldn’t get over the anger I felt after that awful 5K. If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know that I’m injured and need surgery. Unfortunately due to some crappy insurance issues, my surgery is on hold for a little while so I have no idea as to when I will be on the road to recovery but I know it’s not anytime soon.
Thinking about all this, how I’m injured, I need surgery and won’t be getting it for a while, I just knew I couldn’t let that 5K sit in my stomach as the last run/race I’ve had. The run was awful, I felt awful and the worst part was I gave up. Even when I saw the finish line, I actually slowed down opposed to giving it all I had left.
So I woke up yesterday angry and ready for redemption. PartyDog was at the gym which meant I could slip outside unnoticed (and without a fight about how I shouldn’t be running) and the weather was perfect: 65, breezy and sunny. I hadn’t done the wash yet so I had no clean running clothes which meant all I had were some old shorts, a cotton t-shirt (oh no!) and I somehow found two random mis-matched socks in my drawer. There was no fancy sweat-wicking shirt, no fancy running socks or shorts. It was just my sneakers, Garmin and myself.
As I was walking down to the path I knew was a 5K, a bunch of thoughts went through my head: What if this run is worse than yesterday? What if I really can’t run any faster? What if my legs just aren’t able to move? What if…what if…
When I realized I was about to sike myself out, I simply said ‘screw all that’, pushed the start button on my Garmin and went.
I ran, I hurt, I conquered.
This run felt brilliant (that’s fast for me peeps!). It was one of those runs that hurt in all the right places. It was painful, hard and I wanted to stop and say ‘whatever it doesn’t matter’ multiple times. But I pushed through because that’s what running is about. If running were easy, everyone would do it, but it’s hard, really hard. That feeling when you push through that wall is like no other. I was finally able to answer the question the Women’s Half Chicago asked all along: Why do you run? Answer: because I can push myself to accomplish great things. Back to basics: no fancy running clothes, no race bib, no fancy clif-shots, gus or gels, just running (and a fancy Garmin….and a busted face).
That’s all the nonsense I have for now! Why do you run?
PS. I realize running was probably a stupid idea, but I’ll be done for a while, don’t you worry!
16 Comments to Back to Basics
Go you! (NOW REST THAT FOOT!) Injuries suck. I spent the better part of 2008 – 2011 fighting with mine. Then I rested – now I am almost as good as new. I run because it makes me feel powerful… strong… and fearless (or maybe less fearful).
Thought you might like my brief race recap from Sunday- http://ericafinds.com/?p=810 (and today’s post has give aways
)
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Kelsey Reply:
June 26th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
I heart you.
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I’m glad you had your redemption run but don’t beat yourself up too much about the race. Running is hard and coming back from an injury is even harder. It took me well over a month to feel like my normal running self after my heel injury!
How was the rack??
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Kelsey Reply:
June 26th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
Sadly I left empty handed…
I’m thinking about training for a 5k to see how fast I could do it. Maybe we could do a few runs together?
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Lindsay @ Running the Windy City Reply:
June 26th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Love this idea!
Let me know!
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That’s awesome! That’s super fast for me
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Kelsey Reply:
June 26th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
Thanks girl it was fun!
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Whoa! That’s close to my 5K PR time after a summer of training. You are going to kill races after you get back at it.
Speaking of which, have you gotten a second opinion while you’re waiting for surgery? I know a couple of names if you want ‘em.
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Kelsey Reply:
June 26th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
I am entertaining the thought of just running a few 5k’s and training a little for them. Surprisingly my ankle doesn’t hurt.
Yes I.want a second opinion! I’ll email you!
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good for you, Kels! That’s awesome (and I’m glad you’re not hurting) Please don’t hurt yourself further, or your ability to run will end as abruptly as my swimming career did.
I run for the endorphins and the excitement of realizing how my body, no matter what flaws I might find, is quite amazing and able to do great things that always seem really hard at first.
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You are gonna mess your ankle up even more!!!
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WHOA speedy! I’m no doctor, so I won’t give you any run/don’t run advice, but holy crap, you go girl. Sorry to get all 90s on you.
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Kelsey Reply:
June 27th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Please go 90′s on me all the time. I love it.
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I am super frustrated every time i run. I am slow. i think you are fast!
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Kelsey Reply:
June 27th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Why are you frustrated every time you run??
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I’m glad you got redemption and will now be giving your foot a rest!
I run because it’s always challenging. Even when it’s a good run, it’s still hard…maybe that’s the Houston heat/humidity combo.
I run because not every one can-not everyone has what it takes. I run for the feeling of accomplishment at the end.
I also run so that I’ll have a chance of escaping an attacker or the zombie apocalypse.
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