Today I ran two miles. Two entire miles, without stopping. These mileage milestones bring a smile to my face each and every time they happen, and that smile stays with me for each run after until it's time to up the mileage; then it gets bigger and brighter all over again.
.25 M walk / 2 M RUN! / .25 M walk
Lately I've been thinking about how when I first started this blog I was just getting in to running, or rather, running long distances. The first ten months I spent writing this blog were full of mileage milestones; starting with me having just run my first 10 miler to topping out with my first 26.2. So much excitement, anticipation, frustration, etc. were poured into those moments and here we are almost three years later, full circle and building up in the miles again, only this time from scratch.
For months and months I dreamed of being able to run again and I can honestly say that it feels just as good to be back at it as I thought it would. Yes, some days it is hard. Yes, I am slower. Yes, I have a long way to go before I am back to the kind of runner I was before. But you know what? I'm not discouraged and I don't feel like I'm missing anything. There is something to be said about experience and this time as I build up the miles, I know what I need to do so that I don't find myself sidelined again. That desire to not be injured again, more than any temptation to go faster or farther, rules my return to running right now. I'm sure at some point down the road I will find myself wanting more but right now I'm ok with being slow(er) and mileage challenged. Furthermore, not having any pressure from training for a distance event allows me to enjoy every step, every moment I'm out there doing what I love, even two short miles, and that more than anything else makes it all worthwhile.
Injury, and returning from an injury, are humbling experiences and this redhead has been sufficiently humbled.
When was the last time you felt humbled and what was it that caused you to be?
33 comments:
you're amazing you know that? your attitude through this injury has been something to marvel at. i'm so proud of you for getting through and learning from it.
i definitely got humbled by old wonky and i'm pretty sure this tri season will humble me too. being humbled is a good reminder of our weaknesses and also that we can overcome them if we are patient and steadfast.
Excellent perspective and one to learn from for sure. It is amazing what experience can teach us when we allow it to teach us.
Humbling? Gosh every day I am humbled because I get to share it with the most amazing woman in the world. She is selfless and teaches me more than I can learn and it is amazing. I try to be as selfless as her but it is not possible because she does everything for everybody else always.
I really love that you've kept such a great attitude through this whole thing. I'm sure it's been tough at times, but you've made it look easy.
Congrats to you & keep it up! :)
You have such a great outlook on this and it is great to see you building back up. I think my whole experience with running is quite humbling. Just when things get easy, you realize it's not easy and it'll come back and throw it in your face, whether a race gone bad, an injury, whatever!
This is awesome watching your progress! Keep on running!
Great job and an even greater attitude! It is hard to maintain such an outlook but so important.
I was definitely humbled (and still am) when I returned to running after having a baby. My endurance and what little speed I had was gone. As I slowly worked up, I learned to race for fun and run because I could. Learning to be joyous felt far better than any PR.
isn't it funny how all your past just gets wiped away? you ran two miles today, and that kicks ass, and that's all that matters. <3 you.
So great that you're running again! I'm a firm believer about listening to your body and slowly building up your running after injury. GREAT job! xoxox....I can't wait for my first marathon!
Keep up the good work. I'm glad that you are able to run again.
Great post. It is obvious how much you truly love running and that is awesome. Just reading your posts you can feel the joy in your heart. I'm still battling injuries (healing right ankle stress fracture) but hopefully I'll start being able to run more than I am right now (currently doing 30 min run/walk).
Not sure when I felt humbled, maybe the times when I've realized that I've been injured and that I need to stop running for whatever period the doctor says. Just a powerless feeling.
I feel like throughout your whole injury/recovery process, you've had such an incredible perspective and attitude about it. You're awesome. Keep it up!
I pink sparkle heart you! So many people would have let the past year make them bitter - but not you! I'm so, so, SO glad you are healthy again and getting back to what you love. You deserve only GREAT things, covered in pink and purple glitter!
humbled . . . all the time. This summer's respiratory flu was kind of scary. When it first hit, I ignored it and didn't think it was that big a deal, but after nearly six weeks of illness. I was humbled to say the least.
There is nothing like getting something back that you nearly lost. I remember reading your post about what might happen if the bone stimulator didn't work and I am so glad that you bone was able to get all stimulated! ;)
Ok, admit it, you miss the bone stimulation jokes . . . just a bit. . . I know we all do. :)
So great to hear that joyful attitude spilling over! Woohoo 2 miles done.
Humbled? Probably when I thought I would cross the 50(5) miler finish line before the sunset only to be out there long after. When I finished there were my friends (and family), who had finished hours earlier, standing in the cold screaming their heads off still so happy to see me. They didn't behave as if I had let anyone down or missed my goals. I could have cried not for having done the race but for having friends who cared about me like that.
Congrats on your 2 miles! You'll get back to where you used to be! I think I'm humbled every time I try and increase my mileage to quickly. Can't wait to read about your progress lady!
Congrats on the 2 miles.
My knees act wonky some and that cuts into running. This year, I am determined to be injury-free. That means listening to my body instead of just following what's on the schedule.
Cannot wait to read about your progress!
So happy and excited for you, Roja!!
Humbled?? Hmmm... I went to the doctor's office in July I believe. I hadn't been running as much and I'd packed on some pounds and I had to weigh myself at the doctors. So humbling. I've shed that weight now and am well with my comfortable range, as opposed to above that as I was in July. I'm not skinny, I don't think I ever will be or can be to be honest but I know now more than ever that I have to work hard to keep it off, and the best way I can is by running every day, 45-55 miles a week, 200 miles a month. That's about where I've been since October and a lot of that is to avoid being humbled again.
I was humbled last night. I even thought of you! ha! I was "running" on the treadmill at the gym and was big time struggling. I think part of my issue was that I had eaten dinner an hour before trying to run. Not.Enough.Time. I felt really humbled when the lady on the treadmill beside me ran for longer than me.
A little humility goes a long way :) Your perspective and attitude are always refreshing! And thanks to your writing, you'll always have this feeling & moment of pride to look back on if you need a reminder of where you Re-started.
D is just getting back into running after 2 whole years off, and it's refreshing for me to watch him tackle the fear of re-injury, while also progressing back to where he's been. Today he got he clearance for building up to 5 miles - big stuff! ;)
Yes, you've articulated exactly how it feels. I ran 3 miles the other day and it was HARD. I STRUGGLED... with THREE MILES??? Uhg! And yet, I was happy to be running.
One day, one day soon, you'll have a day like I had today. Beautiful "easy" 4 miles in freakishly warm January weather with no worries and no fear. It'll be just your feet and the road.
~savor the run~
TWO MILES baby!! I just love how much you love it. Except in the rain. LOL!
Damnit! Now I have to go out and run more than two miles! LOL.......
I love your attitude! I think the last time I felt really humbled was when I started working out again after having my kid. That first run was a come to Jesus experience, but it got slowly better. :)
my kids humble me each and every day. really - i think they are all smarter, brigher and more talneted than i ever was or could hope to be.
first time reader and follower now. stay strong!
I know you would trade in the last year for a year full of running if you could, but it seems to me that because you have taken the right attitude about your return to running that ultimately you will be a better (and stronger) runner than you were before. And I can't wait to watch you get there. :)
WAHOO! What a great attitude...and I love that you're playing it safe and keeping the mileage low. Soon enough you'll be hitting the longer distances..
i'm not ashamed of my "mileage" either. i know one day we'll be running 10+ miles again and we'll be like, can we have those 1/2 mile runs back? :)
It has been a while since my last big injury. I got injured during my first marathon in 2005 and didn't run for probably 3-4 months afterwards. I have sort of put it out of memory, but I really don't remember missing running too much at the time. I had the benefit of graduating and getting married at the same time so there was plenty to keep my mind off it I guess.
I'm looking forward to a whole new series of mileage milestones from you!
Glad to hear your back at it and enjoying it so much. Its great to see your appreciation on the most basic level.
I spent the first 9 months of last year recovering from IT Band Syndrome. IT took a while to come to terms with it but I came back stronger, both mentally and physically. Your advantage now is that you have experience under your belt and you know how to build up the right way.
2 miles today, 26.2 tomorrow (well, you know, not REALLY tomorrow :)). I am super stoked that you are on you way!!!
i have to say that injuries have always allowed me a moment to refocus and are probably the main reason I am able to consistently remember that i love running no matter how fast or slow i may be
i'm sooooo happy for you! let the recovery continue
You inspire me. It is about the journey, not the destination. Sometimes it is so hard to remember that. Thank you for being an incredible living example of the things that really matter! You are a rock star!
Your blog never fails to make me smile. I am humbled bu how you have stayed so positive and level-headed while dealing with such a challenging injury. And now you are patient on top of all that. WOW!
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