Progress

It's been six weeks since the half marathon, and in that time I've tried to run once. It was a painful and unsuccessful mile. Today I hit the road again, and ran a pain free mile (thank goodness), then laid off about 1/4 mile into the second and alternated running and walking for the rest of my little two mile loop. I never reached the same threshold of pain, and backed off as soon as I started to feel some discomfort. When I stopped running I had no problem walking, and the discomfort subsided after about 5-10 steps. Right now my knee feels fine. This is incredible progress, and I'm so happy. I definitely feel like I'll be back in running form soon(ish) - maybe not in time for the 5 mile Thanksgiving race (but I'll be there cheering Ali!), but soon enough. While I walked back to the house I thought back on this summer, and the amazing shape I was in. I could run 8 miles without batting an eye, and was running at least 5 days a week. Right now it seems so long ago, and of course I feel like I didn't enjoy it nearly enough when I was doing it. I'd give so much to be able to run even a decent 3 miles! Then I started wondering if it was worth it. Starting with the half marathon, which I loved and am so proud of, but which also set me back this far. I knew I was going to be risking a lot by running it, but at the time it was worth it. Now I wonder if I was foolish to put my short term goal in front of my long term desire to run. Then I looked down at the pile of pills I take every day (glucosamine, vitamin B, C and E, multi vitamin, naproxen) and wondered if it's a sign that I'm getting too old for foolishness like running. 

Ha. Just typing that horrified me. I can't imagine not running. I think I'm just daunted by the baby steps it's going to take to get back there. And dreading the inevitable race that I decide to risk injury for because I want it so badly that I'm willing to recover for months. It's all cyclical....