A year later...

The one-year mark of the event that shook our little world last year is creeping up next week without me really realizing it. Seems fitting to give an update on it, as I have had many folks ask if I am running again. The short answer is yes and no. I have purposefully not really talked much here about my status in a while. I guess I kept waiting to have better news to share.

After a looong, frustrating road back with PT, I was finally able to run a mile again in early July. It was a very humbling experience to go from where I had been previously to starting back at the basics. I had to relearn how to run, just as I had to relearn how to walk. The good news is that my ankle was able to tolerate the activity, with perhaps some mild swelling afterwards which was to be expected at that point in my recovery.

Under strict orders to build back up slooowly, we left for our big trip to France just as I was getting into a groove again with running. We had more travel in the weeks after we got back, so it was hard to regain my momentum. Besides, it was hot and I had no heat acclimation built up since I had been pretty limited in my activity in the preceding months. So, I told myself that I would wait until the weather cooled down in the fall to start back. Meanwhile, I was spending time in the gym trying to regain cardio and strength, as well as lose some of the extra pounds that I put on with the months of inactivity during the first half of the year.

For whatever reason (largely the fear of failure), I didn't try running again until a few weeks ago. I surprised myself and K when I told him that I, unexpectedly, ran a mile on the treadmill after my regular workout at the gym on Christmas Eve. And, then, a few days later I surprised both of us again with consecutive days of 3-mile runs. Since we have been back from London, I've been struggling with my old friend shin pain for the past few days. As always, my "freakishly tight calves" are likely part of the culprit, but I also think my form is contributing to the problem as well. I tried to focus on a few mantras last night to help correct some suspected issues and it seemed to help. At least this is something that I've dealt with before and managed. It's slightly comforting in a way though because this is a distinctly running problem, which must therefore mean that I am becoming a runner again.

Over the past few months, I have sought inspiration in many places to help get me back to doing this crazy thing of distance running that I love. Last night's inspiration was the film about the Hood to Coast Relay, a 12-person relay race that spans 197 miles from Mt. Hood to the Pacific Ocean in Oregon. I find that I am strongly connecting to others who have overcome some obstacle to continue pursuing their passion. The film portrayed that, as well as the fun and insanity that is Hood to Coast. Here's a clip:

So, what's next? Keep tying up my laces and putting one foot in front of the other to celebrate the fact that I still have the ability to do so...a year later.