I was bitching about discussing my foot injury with a non-running friend the other day - moaning that I miss the long runs of marathon training and relaying my hopes that I can get this PF under control for good. After proclaiming that she doesn’t think running is that good for you anyway (?), she asked me why I just didn’t take six months off running to let my foot heal and "give my body a break".
I’m pretty sure I gave her a look that shot daggers - and mentally I came up with a billion reasons why I would never willingly do this (because seriously, it’s crazy talk, right?) – and then I remembered manners and mumbled something like “well, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that” and we moved on. But her comment stuck with me for a while afterwards.
Her question wasn’t completely off base. It’s not like she suggested I quit running all together – just take an extended period of time off to allow complete healing. So why was the instant response I felt so defensive, so defiant?
It’s because running isn’t just something I do – it’s a pretty integral part of who I am.
Running is my stress release, my confidant, my social connection, my sanity and my sense of accomplishment. Each step has counseled me through many problems, been with me when I wanted to think, when I wanted to escape and when I wanted to shout with joy. Running fits in everywhere in my life.
Of course I have other outlets that somewhat serve these purposes as well, but running is the one thing that constantly delivers. A bad day running is usually better than any day without it. Without running I feel a bit lost, a little less than myself.
So take six months off? No thanks. I'll keep working through this. I'll remember to appreciate the runs I can do now, and look forward to the longer ones down the road.
3 comments:
My sport and fitness were my identity. And then I lost it all. For 8 years. It sucked. A few months doesn't sound like such a bad deal when you really look at it from my perspective ;-) Do be good to your body. Do listen to it. But by the same token, if you can still run and it feeds your soul, do it while you can :) I really understand where you are coming from.
That's a question only a non-runner would ask. Maybe next time you should ask "would you give up _____ for half a year?" (insert "pedicures" "wine" "coffee" "television" "sleep" etc... in other words, fill in the blank with anything integral to her day-to-day life and see if you get an are-you-insane? response) ;)
OMG! I feel like I just wrote that blog! I know exactly how you feel, I've been out for 19 days with a pulled groin and I just don't know who I wam anymore! I feel like a fraud thinking I'm a runner if I miss a day. Nice to know someone else gets it!
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