Before I started running, I would stay indoors for the entire winter, longing for the sun on my shoulders and cursing the biting cold. This winter started differently, though. Of course, I still got bummed when Moscow Mountain got too muddy to run, and the vain part of me was sad that my tanned legs would soon turn pale and be covered by pants. But, with this new season and new sport came new possibilities and experiences. I covered my whitening flesh with Brooks running tights and long-sleeved shirts. I tested my Cascadias on snow and ice and mud. I raced the darkness after work and saw the golf course glow by moonlight. I shared the fifteen degree paths, railroad tracks, and dirt roads with only the most committed of runners and nodded silently to them before each disappeared into the night.
Winter doesn't feel as miserable when I am running, even if my face stings with cold and the fronts of my thighs are numb.
But, as my previous postings have mentioned, I have been having knee troubles, and my runs have been limited to every other day walks and jogs between 1 and 3.5 miles long. I've been fairly disciplined about taking it easy, and I have followed experts' advice about icing, stretching, resting, and massaging my knee for weeks. I've even tried running in my Adrenalines only, since they provide more support than the Cascadias. So far, I have had limited success. On Tuesday, though, I am going to a doctor so that I can get on the track (pun intended - ha ha) to recovery. I am motivated to start training for my first half marathon, and I look forward to running again without pain.
Until then, I am going to take it easy and be patient with my body. After all, running is something I want to do for a lifetime, so a few weeks of resting and following a doctor's advice is nothing.
<3
Snow jogs are awesome. Your knee will start feeling strong soon enough.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Excellent photos. Sounds like you are on the road to recovery. You are still having fun. that's the key. I have been forced inside to run on a treadmill. It's not so bad. I ran 31 miles last week and didn't lose one toe to frosbite!
ReplyDeleteKeep playing it smart! I agree with Alan: the pics are great here.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I'm glad you're seeing the doc (let's get this thing figured out so you can get back to business ;). I'd still love to run a half with you this spring sometime, if the knee permits it. Coeur d'Alene has a pretty course...I'm running the Discovery Half Marathon on June 8 as well, if you want to see Port Angeles and run along the coast.
ReplyDeleteI'm coming to town this weekend - let's do a short run/jog together on Saturday!