I’m just sayin’…
It was 2 years ago this month that I first started running. Since then, I have been plagued with a stress fracture, shin splints, psoas bursitis, and fluid behind the knee. I don’t think I’m very good at this. I mean, I try. I take rest days, I increase distance conservatively, I change out my sneaks, I listen to my body, I warm up, I stretch before and after, I worked on my core (past tense because that has fallen by the side lately, I will admit). Clearly I’m missing something.
Sure, I don’t have a runner’s body. I’m kind of big and ungainly. My thighs rub together and my feet turn outward. My hips probably swing a bit too much because sometimes it throws me off balance a little. I clearly wasn’t built to be a runner but I did it anyway. I figure I got heart and that’s gotta count for something. Well, evidently the rest of my body says it don’t count for shit.
Yes yes, I am being self-piteous today. No no, I am not going to quit running or anything silly. It’s just so tiresome to feel like every couple of months you’ve got to deal with some new problem.
Fortunately, as much as I am basking in my own misery. There’s a little part of my brain that’s already scheming. I think it comes down to this - in my running, I’m not necessarily stupid, but I’m clearly not smart enough. And I’ve been closed minded about what it sometimes takes to be a runner, which, for me is probably going to mean doing more than running. I might have to make some radical shifts here. I might have to start doing some things I really really dislike - which is pretty much anything other than running. I don’t know if it’s the answer, but I can’t keep doing the same thing over and over so it’s certainly worth a try if it keeps me running.
Here’s a brief idea of the thoughts flitting through my head:
* Finally join the YWCA. I’m a member of the organization and support their causes in womens’ advocacy, particularly in regard to domestic violence. Their facility has a fitness center with yoga and the like. Also a pool that actually offers a water running class. What’s not to like, except the water and yoga and stuff.
* Call the local Tramp & Trail club. Finally. This is another bright idea that pops in and out without follow through. They do snowshoeing and cross country skiing in winter and nature hikes in other seasons. That, I could get into.
* Run fewer races this summer and volunteer at more. Oh, I’m not done with racing, I love doing it too much. But man, if I’m really really going to do this, I’ve got to get myself to training, and then through training without this bullshit injury nonsense. I’ve got to prioritize.
* My bike. I don’t know, I’m not going to contemplate that one just yet. I really don’t much care for bike riding. But then, I really don’t care for much of anything that’s not running so I won’t close the door. I might have to suck it up and maybe, just maybe, I’ll find the love there too.
Just for the record, my knee feels 90% better. I’ll see my doc tomorrow and probably get a follow up x-ray, though as previously noted, I likely won’t hear back about it till next week. When I’ve already gotten a few easy, pain-free runs in 
Comment by christine
Sunday February 19 2006 @ 8:42 pm
Two years is quite an accomplishment! Most people try running and never stick with it.