One step closer...

I think I have always taken running for granted. Never having had a serious injury, I have always been able to get on with training, go out for a run when I want, and not think anything of it. It has always just been part of my life. Yes, it will forever remain part of my life, but I will never take it for granted again. I will never simply see running as ‘part of life’, as it is not. It is an incredible sport I love and will cherish doing for the rest of my life. It is part of my life, but a fabulous part, not a guaranteed given! It is something to be valued and taken seriously, as I definitely do. You never truly appreciate what you have until you can’t have it anymore, and it took not being able to run for me to see how clearly I want to pursue the sport.


I was finally able to get that aspect of my life back this week and take one major step towards being fully back running! After over 6 months off from running, I was allowed to take my first running steps again! It may have only been for 3, 1 minute intervals, but every second of those minutes counted, and every stride was one step closer to being where I want to be; chasing down my goals. Every second was spent with a huge grin on my face, relishing exactly what I was doing.


My head was nowhere else, except in the moment. The complete absence of pain I felt truly showed me how worthwhile it is to take recovery and rehab seriously. Had I not done as I was told, and stuck to the disciplined plan I was given, this may not have been the case, but I did as I was told (finally) and it worked!!!! Recovery and rehab are so important!


It filled me with complete joy when the physio said, ‘you are no longer in the rehabilitation phase, you are getting back to training’. I have waited so long to hear this! Right now, the focus is simply on pain free, sensible running. I purely need to get back to full training, at a very steady rate to avoid any risk of returning injury. Speed does not come in to it. I have even gone so far as running with my watch on stopwatch mode, completely ignoring any signposting of my speed, as that is irrelevant. I have decided to focus on my form, ensuring I am running with the best technique I can possibly have.


I know it’s going to be a slow process, but the fact I am back running is a huge step, or should I say, stride, towards achieving my goals. So don’t give up! As my last post said, be patient, enjoy the journey, and it will all be worth it! Now for the patience and self discipline to really commence!