RUNNING AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME

Lately it seems that I'm always starting over. Today I ran for the first time in a week. I'm glad to be running again. And frustrated to be coming back from yet another interuption.

When I injured my calf last Wednesday I didn't want to acknowledge that I was hurt. I wasn't running fast or doing anything risky so, therefore, nothing should have happened. I should've been fine. But I couldn't finish the run, I was limping for the next 2 days and walking down steps really pained me. Running was out of the question and, after cross training for the first time on Sunday, the calf ached when I walked.

On Monday I went to my sports chiropractor. A technician there looked at my leg and said that the achilles area was swollen. It really upset me to hear this. Apparently there was visual proof that something was wrong, concrete evidence that I was injured. I had wanted them to say that all was fine, even though my experience the last few days said that it wasn't. Then the doctor worked the area over and said not to worry, that I would heal soon. Heal? Apparently he was saying that he too believed that there was an injury that had to heal. No one was supporting my "I'm okay" fantasy. What was wrong with these people?

The doctor said that it was some mild tendonitis, a strain of the muscle that raises the foot and also a strain of the gastroc. Nothing serious. After treatement he suggested ice and 2 more days without running. "Aim for Thursday," he said. Vigorous cross training was fine till then; just ice afterwards. Okay.

So this morning I ran. And, on the first step, I felt it. Pressure in the injured area on the lower inside of the left calf. And each step I continued to feel it. This was not a good or hopeful start. But the pressure never got worse except for 2 twinges I felt during the first mile. I considered stopping but instead plunged on, hoping there wouldn't be a real problem. There wasn't and I completed a VERY slow 2 miles.

After stretching I set off for another mile, not quite as slowly. The area still felt some pressure but it was actually better. After the planned mile I decided to go for another. It felt even better. That was it. Four uninjured miles was enough for my new start. My heart rate for such a slow run (average over 10 minutes per mile) was awfully high (125 beats per minute...at that pace it should have been barely over 110). Obviously I've got a long way to go.

But at least I'm running again for the first time.