Thursday, August 22, 2013

Finding my best me…


 
Once the Texas heat became too much for me in the early evenings this spring, I knew I had to change my run schedule.  Early mornings, before work.  My big concern, though…how would I ever be able to get up and then just run? 

Know what my motivation was?  It was actually quite simple and consisted of setting my alarm clock for 4:30 AM, and then having my husband say, “You aren’t going to get up to run!  It is way too early for you!”  Yep, that is all it took.  Him saying to me one time that he didn’t think I would do it.  I am proud to say I haven’t missed a day.  Every other morning, that alarm goes off at 4:30.  I get up, make my coffee, a must prior to a run, esp. a 5 AM one, get dressed, and stretch. 

As I have increased distance, I have found out just how old I am.  I have pains everywhere from the overuse.  My left hip made itself known to me quite quickly with aches so bad I could barely walk after a run.  My hamstring on the right leg screamed for attention as well, and it would not be ignored.  After talking a lot with fellow runners and reading a lot about IT bands and how to run smarter, I came to some conclusions about how to better take care of my aged body.  

Now, I have learned that spending a lot of time stretching, both before and after my run, does help significantly.  I do an entire yoga flow before taking to the road with a lot of hip openers and hamstring stretches, which I repeat when finished.  Previously, I spent maybe a minute, total, stretching, but I have seen that with stretching, I am able to cope with the aches much more effectively.  On off days, I work in a yoga class.  Not only does it completely stretch out my tight muscles, but the meditation brings calm to my heart.

I also invested in a foam roller to assist in alleviating the pain.  The first time I used it, I realized just why a lot of runners call it their best friend and worst enemy!  Lying on my left side, I rolled up and down the outer part of my leg, moaning so much from the pain that my husband came from the next room to see what was wrong with me!  The foam roller basically acts as a deep tissue massage for those sore areas of my body.  Now I roll my sides, hamstrings, and back, and what a difference I feel!

Lastly, I began to take the Celebrex that was prescribed for me over a year ago.  It is an anti-inflammatory and used to treat the pain that comes with arthritis.  I have seen a significant change.  And on days where the pain is its worst, I ice the hip to numbness.  The throbbing stops, and I am able to have some relief.

Many people would just stop running after any kinds of pain or an injury.  I am not one of them.  Pain is manageable, and if I got myself out to do the run, dammit, I am going to finish it.  There have been almost too many times to count where I have had running pains, but at this point, they pretty much have just become part of the process.  I have had to embrace them!  Also, a few times a year, I trip, usually over my own feet, and take a nosedive.  My left leg usually takes the brunt of it, and I have more scars than can be counted.  They give me running character, though.  They show my resilience and need to just keep going. 

The joy that a runner gets from a good or even a bad run is really not comparable to any other high.  Hitting the road and just going, regardless of how I am feeling or what the weather is like, gives me pride in myself.  I know that not everyone has the strength or will that I do.  I am doing something completely for me.  I am my best self when I am out on the road.  I reflect on the issues, problems, and also the joys of my life while I hit the pavement.  I listen to my breath, sometime calm, sometimes labored, esp. when I hit a hill, and I follow the rhythm.  I find my stride.  I keep going no matter how much I want to stop, particularly during those first 3 miles, always the hardest.  The next miles just begin to tick by, and before I know it, I have hit 5 miles.  If I can do 5, I can do 8.  If I can do 8, and I can definitely do 10.  And if I hit 10, what is another 3 to meet that half marathon goal?

So every other day, I turn that alarm off, and I am off to the road.  The calm of 5 AM when the majority of the world is still asleep brings me peace.  I relish those moments when I am alone and accomplish something great.   
 

 

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