This almost doesn’t feel worth writing up because it was such an ordinary, nothing special kind of run. The absolute best bit about it was that it was… an ordinary, nothing special kind of run! Thank you wonderful physio and all you virtual run buddies for keeping me positive while things are uncertain.
Yesterday, I got the go ahead for a gentle run today. Ideally ten minutes, walk break and then another five to ten minutes. I’d decided to aim for twenty minutes total to fit with the “Running for more: Purpose” run with Coach Bennett. Cut short as dictated by pain or tiredness. MrU decided to join me on his comeback from a mild ankle sprain so we made a happy little trio.
Warm up was taken more seriously than usual. I was excited but nervous about whether I’d have to stop. I had clear guidance about what level of pain was acceptable and for how long so I was determined to stick to that, but I thought I’d give myself the best chance to have a good run by getting everything ready first! The route as as flat as it can be around here. Five minute walk including some dynamic stretches and it was time to start.
I was surprised how nervous I felt. We kept it super easy (as encouraged my Coach B on the headphones) and really thought about what the purpose of today’s run was: comeback recovery! MrU asked about how far we were aiming for but I reminded him it was just time on feet today. As we went along the lane, I was hyper aware of my knees and hips. Not a single twinge of pain. My quads were sore from yesterday’s massage but that was ok. We chatted about how nice it was to be running, and the weather, and dinner plans, and knees and ankles, and all sorts of nothing and suddenly I checked my watch and ten minutes had passed. Brilliant! Two minutes of walking. This seemed a good place to turn to avoid a steep hill section.
Coach B asked what difference having been for a run brings to your day and it was great to think about all the benefits-physical and mental. Not being able to run has taken a lot of the structure from my days and I’ve really missed the feeling of having been out and done something good for myself. It was an uneventful eight minutes full of smiles back to the start and then the run was over. No pain. All good!
So happy to have this run out of the way and with such a good outcome. I know I’ve got more work to do on my hips and glutes to avoid the problem coming back but to be able to get out for a short run again was bliss. It’ll most likely be a slow build-rest day tomorrow and I might try adding a couple of minutes on Monday. Will see how it goes. For now it’s all celebration here! It was nice of the sun to come out and the flowers to bloom along the lane to welcome me back!!
