Back At It

I've always wanted to be a runner. That sounds like a crazy statement, but, it's true. People can't fly, but, they can run. To me, running has always seemed so freeing. Pounding the pavement/treadmill, going as fast and far as you wanted to go. I wanted to do that.

Running takes work, especially if you want to enjoy it, so, I decided I was going to work at it and turn myself into a runner. I downloaded the app and started the C25k program. I bought a pair of legit running shoes and was in love with them. I was running and lifting three days a week, swimming most days, going to yoga and kickboxing when I didn't work evenings - I was feeling great.

Then, the horrendous pain in my leg started. I tried running walking it off the best I could, but, I couldn't even get through one C25k running cycle without wanting to puke and/or cry from the pain.

My feet were also hurting a lot, but, I ignored it, clearly longer than I should have. The intermittent aching of my feet turned into awful pain in the morning, wicked uncomfortableness when I'd get up after sitting for any length of time, and a general feeling of miserableness from basically the knee down.

After seeing my friendly local podiatrist, I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and small heel spurs. After receiving cortisone shots in my feet (YUCK!), he told me I had to stop all high-impact activities, including running and kickboxing, until "we got this under control."

I was crushed. I had made noticeable progress with my running, was swimming longer and faster, and wasn't ready to collapse by the end of kickboxing. Now, I had to give most of that up.

I kept swimming for a week or so after I was told to stop the high-impact stuff, then, the excuses started.

I only feel like running today. I'm not allowed to run. WAAAH. I'm skipping the gym today, because, I know I'll feel like working out tomorrow and I know I need a break.

My feet and legs hurt. I need to take it easy today.

I didn't sleep well last night. If I wake up at 6:15 to go swimming, I'll be so tired the rest of the day, and, that's not good for productivity.

My stomach hurts. Going swimming will make me feel worse.

I worked late last night, so, I'm not waking up at 6:15 because I deserve to sleep in a little.

I could go on and on. So much bullshit. I let self-pity and excuses keep me from keeping up with the workout routine I had started and and was loving.

Now, I'm back at it. I had, what should be, my last round of cortisone shots last week, I started C25k over and ran today without pain. I also got a nice lift in. I plan on going swimming tomorrow afternoon.

This is a cathartic confession for me. By putting all of this out there, I'm holding myself accountable for my own excuse-making and laziness. I could tell today that I haven't been working out regularly and I had lost some of the progress I had made. That makes me so angry at myself. I don't want to do that again.

I know that I won't feel like working out every day, that it will be easier to stay in bed when my alarm goes off at 6:15, but, I also know how fantastic I feel after spending some solid time at the gym. I can't get that feeling anywhere else.

To keep myself motivated, I've registered for my first-ever 5k. I'll be running the 5k portion of the 2013 Pittsburgh marathon for the Mario Lemieux Foundation.

I am beyond excited to be training for the 5k. It's not until May, so, I have more than enough time to build up to 3.1 miles at a comfortable pace without overdoing it and putting too much pressure on my legs/feet. So ready for this new challenge.