Pure Madness!!
Okay, not entirely, but during this period of no running I learned a lot. From July 11th until September there was no running. This is my story of what it was like, but maybe my husband and family would tell a better story, after all they put up with me.
Not running for a few months gave me a new love and joy for running and a whole new perspective on many things. But let’s be honest up front, not running for 10 weeks had me going crazy and on edge. The elliptical, bike and swimming just didn’t cut it for me, but they were my only options. For 10 very long weeks, my life shifted and let me just say that you’d think it would leave you more time, but I actually was very busy.
The first few weeks were wrought in insanity it seemed. What was I going to do? How was I going to cope as a mother? This was my me time, and now where would I get a break? Eventually I was able to come to terms with no running, but it took a while. I held out hope that my SI (Sacroilliac) joint and ligaments would get better. That there really wasn’t a sprain and that I would walk normally in the morning.
Well for 10 weeks the only difference was less pain, and a little less of a gimp when I walked. Even still I am wearing an SI belt to help mediate pain and prevent further injury. Losing the baby bump definitely helped for sure.
I had weeks of watching other runners run by and loathing them. Making comments like: “Oh must be nice to run” “just go ahead and run” “Go ahead run on by” “Oh you think you good because you can run” and on and on. I learned that our street is a busy street for runners. Runners run by all throughout the day from sun up until sun down. It killed me.
Then I shifted my thinking and begin to focus on strength and when I could walking. At first walks were short because of pain. Then I enjoyed the morning walks with the kiddo and family. R loved to “walk” herself, but really she was running. And inside it grew from envy to joy in watching her so free and running.
Other days I enjoyed sleeping in, because once the baby came that wasn’t going to happen. It was nice to catch some extra zzz’s.
I focused on recovery and rest, and letting my body heal as much as possible, working on weaker areas. I found new strength moves too.
There was a focus on new training and prepping for when I could run. Mentally preparing myself. Some days I felt like okay maybe today is the day, and I would try to run while out in the yard. Two strides in and I was wincing from pain and back to my squats. No running today, maybe tomorrow. It’s been 4 weeks. Now 6 weeks…..when is it every going to end!!
Other mornings I would run for a 1/2 a mile, and the pain was excruciating, so I would stop. “Why am I doing this? It’s not even fun, just walk it out Bry.” Okay let’s try 1/2 mile, then another 1/2 mile. Okay that was stupid because now I want to puke from pain.
Lets try cooking and baking more. Time was spent prepping meals and snacks for after baby’s arrival. New recipes were created and tried and the freezer became more full and the house smelled good and was hot!! Using the oven in summer wasn’t the best idea I guess.
I thought, hey now I can gain that extra weight I need with my pregnancy, or maybe not. Not even stopping running would help gain weight or the endless treats I was making. Instead, I lost weight, great. Well, I guess I should try running again to help my stress levels and my insanity, or yeah I forgot I still can’t. Let’s eat another cookie and drown my sorrows in “NoBakes.” Sugar rush…..
Other days I would bike, swim or use the elliptical and it made me appreciate running more. I missed it more and thought, “Hey why did I ever complain about running and long runs, the elliptical is what sucks.” Then I would love the time without running, remembering those gut check workouts, and thinking well at least I won’t be puking from my run today, just from my pregnancy. Something’s got to give.
I enjoyed learning more about myself and seeking Him more. Listening for His guidance and voice. I began to bless those runners as they ran by and hoped they wouldn’t be wrought with injury. I asked the chiropractor one day “So will I not be able to run until after baby?” already knowing the answer, but still holding faith. “Hate to break it to you…” oh really you do uh? Well you just broke it to me, and I am going to scream. What week are we on?
Week 7 came and baby boy was born. A glimmer of hope I would be running soon. Feeling like crap the first week and a half from the c-section I was scared running would be even further away, but hey I was walking with out a gimp, just a little lean now.
Week 9 and I am ready to jump in, but I know I shouldn’t because I’ll go crazy. Doctor gives green light, but I hold back. Say what? Didn’t you want to run? Aren’t you losing it?
I was gaining more mental strength, preparedness and appreciation. One more week and let’s give it a go.
Week 10 arrived and I laced up those running shoes and was out the door. It was slow and awkward, but I did it. I ran and I felt free again. I also knew not to take it for granted and to be easy on myself. Ease back into it, don’t go crazy Bry.
So in a nutshell there’s my thought process through my 10 week hiatus from running and now I am running again……
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit