The sun did not peek out from the clouds this week. There was a time when I would bask under the blanket of grayness but this year it’s become such a constant fixture in the otherwise “sunny Southern California” that I now find myself longing for warmth and sunshine. I know they’re coming.
Enjoy these cool often chilly dreary days because the heat will be here before we know it, I often tell myself. All the complaining that the rain received will be redirected to the scorching heat that is on the horizon.
I actually love rain. The soothing sounds of it when it falls and taps tap taps on the balcony rails. The smell of it as it washes off the streets. But not the wet mess of the roads, mudslides, flooding, and of course the newly and reemerged potholes that are created from it.
Every year I welcome the bleakness of winter with open arms because winter here usually consists of a few rainy days with temperatures ranging from 40-60F. Not exactly the frozen tundra.
The gloominess of the last several months has been around more times than not and it’s affected me not just physically but mentally.
Running is a huge mood booster but what hasn’t helped, was not being able to after a couple of setbacks.
The first was at the start of February when I had pain in my right foot and lower shin which took me out for a couple of weeks (only allowing for gentle walking).
Once I recovered, I hurt my right knee towards the end of March after placing some resistance bands around my shoes and twisting my knee in the process. Chalk it up to not being more careful with those things because I’m not a contortionist, or simply getting older and my body does not respond the way it once did. It’s likely a combination of both.
All I know is it created some of the worst pain I’ve ever felt and of course, I immediately consulted with Dr. Google and got some feedback from a dear social media friend.
I think I convinced myself it wasn’t that bad – denial is a funny thing – and the next day I walked in tiny increments for 2 miles. Along with the rest, ice, compressing, and elevating, I tried including thoughts to heal. Yes, thoughts. Cue Mike Dooley!
I kept telling myself “My knee feels great!” as I limped and hobbled around. After 3 days I could fully extend and bend my leg, and after 4 days, any ounce of pain was completely gone. It’s a miracle!
But I still didn’t run. This time I took a 13-day break and focused on strength training since it’s obvious I haven’t been paying much attention to it on a consistent basis.
When it comes to strength training, I lack consistency but I’m trying. It’s not always pretty but showing up to do the work is half the battle.
The good news is I’ve eased back into running but taking my sweet precious time with it. The even better news is my body is feeling pretty good right now and that’s a promising sign.
Hopefully with a little patience, a ton of consistency, and continued strengthening there will be no further setbacks, and who knows, perhaps a race or two at the end of the year.
Recently I read a quote somewhere that I can’t remember where, and I’m not sure who wrote it, but it said:
Every storm runs out of rain
I’ve been in my own storm as of late but deep down I know that sunshine is coming and I’m ready for it.
We could all use a little more sunshine these days.
P.S.
The Boston Marathon is on Monday and while I don’t believe I’ll ever run it with its current qualifying standards I’m virtually cheering for everybody who is. Most eyes will probably be on Eliud Kipchoge who is running his first Boston and this should be exciting to watch. All the best to the Boston participants!