I run. I do exercise in other ways, but at the heart of my fitness, I run. I feel fit when I run. I feel refreshed and energized when I run. I feel psychologic release when I run.
At least, usually I feel these things when I run.
After the marathon in January, I had a annoying pain in my right foot. At first, I thought it might have been from an ankle twist early on in the race. However, in consulting with one of my colleagues, we think it is a tendinopathy, likely from some of the long (low grade) inclines...something I was completely unprepared for as a Chicagoan. I took some time off from running, and the pain is mostly gone.
Unfortunately, so is much of my running endurance. I'm not back to square one. I can still do 3-5 miles without problem. My speed is actually quite good. I am having problems pushing up in distance. I know that will improve, even though I am frustrated by it.
The thing that bothers me the most is the loss of the effortlessness and joy. I fully expect that these feelings will return, but I am saddened by their absence. It is hard to look forward to my runs. It is hard to motivate myself to lace on my shoes and go.
This affects the rest of my life, too. When I am not running, I find it hard to remain focused and enthusiastic about the rest of my life. It is also harder to maintain healthy eating.
Running....I miss you. Please come back to me.
