It’s been a rough time in the MissU household with flu, strained intercostal muscles, unwell relatives and poorly pets. When running is your stress relief and you can’t because you’re ill, it’s not much fun! I finally got out on Sunday morning. Being a runner when you’re staying with the in-laws gives you the perfect excuse for a bit of me time without offending anyone and I’ve been slowly going insane stuck on the sofa. Packing run kit was a great decision!
Often the first run back after a break is a bit of a grind and I was prepared to have to just put one foot in front of the other not really enjoying myself very much. Sometimes it has to be done. I went out with the goal of fifteen minutely but ready to stop if necessary.
It was as expected-tough and took a while to find my stride. Even when I did, I wouldn’t say it was exactly flying along like a gazelle. That run was a “Nelly the elephant lumbering happily leaving the circus to find freedom” run. I felt lumpy and uncoordinated but it was just so nice to be out and feeling more like myself. Doing the run somewhere unfamiliar was perfect-the town had some lovely Christmas window displays, and on Sunday morning is was quiet enough to only see other runners and dog walkers instead of shoppers. Heading out of the village have some lovely views of the Malvern hills. A dead end at the bottom of a small hill was a great chance to do a really short pace pick up back up again. After a short pause to catch my breath, I headed back. Two miles and twenty minutes later, I could just start to feel my left ribs starting to grumble. That was super timing because there was a Caffè Nero in sight for a coffee to walk home with. The perfect ending! Big smile which was a huge win.
I think I’ll be limited to short runs until my injury is fully healed but it’s made a massive difference to know I can get out at all. Hooray!