This week has been an awkward one for running. After a weekend run last Saturday that saw knee niggles towards the end I strapped up my knee using a support sleeve and enjoyed the rest of the weekend. Sunday saw a family walk over one of my run routes which made a nice change to go slow and take a couple of pictures - the knee seemed ok (ish)!
Come Tuesday I was planning a morning run but postponed it to the evening then did a short run to make sure the knee was ok. I could sense that it was not quite right still but it had stood up to the test.
Then overnight I had a cramp in my calf - one of those ones where you sit bolt upright out of deep sleep shouting aaarrrgh at the top of your voice and jumping to the floor as quickly as possible. Still feeling the results of the cramp two days later I decided not to do my scheduled run.
With knee and calf going on I wondered whether I would even make a weekend run. I realised at this point just how much I would miss running now if I couldn't do it and that got me thinking about some of the wise words that people on this forum have said over the last 10 months that I have been a member. In particular that we should enjoy our runs.
There will come a time I am sure when the body finally says enough and the running will come to an end. But let's not bring that time any nearer by risking injuries to ourselves. Enjoyment can be many things, the feeling of elation when you have ticked that extra minute off and a new PR, the achievement of running up that hill or running a new distance but let's not forget the enjoyment of just being. Being outside, being free, being on a run.
Today I headed out to try a run hoping my knee and calf would be ok. I opted for a Hobbit run again so I could reduce my distance if needed but I also had in mind to do 8k if possible. I also knew that if ok I would enjoy it and I did. Enjoyment did not mean the run was easy - the enjoyment was because I was running. Today I listened to my body and to the advice, I cautiously ran my distance being more careful than usual to place/kiss the ground and keep it slow and steady. Today was not about speed or form or anything other than putting one foot in front of the other.
In the words of Hill Street Blues - Let's be careful out there youtu.be/Jmg86CRBBtw