Wednesday, June 04, 2008

First post of the year

Does anyone read this anymore? Oh well, that's my own doing.

So why post now? Why not wait six more months and make it a whole year? It wouldn't have been hard, believe me.

I realized today that it's now been a year since I broke my leg and stopped running. My last run was on June 3rd 2007 and could barely get through it. I did try again in September, but the pain returned and I gave up.

To me running was therapy. It was time to burn off steam, to see things clearly, to test myself. Without running I would say there is definitely been a bit of a void in my life. Don't me wrong, I have a great life; I have the most amazing wife, wonderful kids and an exciting job. But over the last three years running had become my identity and without it I feel somewhat goalless. At the same time, I have absolutely no time to run. I need to start from scratch and I don't know when I'll actually do that. The best time is after the kids are in bed, after 8pm, and that's taking away from time alone with Sue.

Getting the stress fracture when I did was a blessing in disguise. It forced me off the road shortly before Sue was put into hospital for six weeks. Even if I had been healthy, I wouldn't have been able to run during that time. Then the WesMan was born and it took us four-six weeks to feel like humans again. I couldn't put together a regular schedule then and when I tried to run, the pain returned. Now I'm still working rotating shifts (one week days, then afternoons, then nights, etc...), which kills the structure of regular training.

So here I am a year out from having a severe stress fracture. Probably 20 lbs. heavier, lacking energy and without a fitness goal (although I tempted by this P90X program, anyone heard of it?). It hasn't been all bad though. I've lifted weights more than before (more than zero that is), I'm still biking to work as much as possible (I did it all winter through ice, snow, rain, sleet, slush, wind and cold) and I still WANT to run.

Maybe tonight I'll lace them up again and start from scratch. Better late than never, right?

5 comments:

Melissa said...

good to see you blogging again! I have stopped running too...not from a fracture...simply being lazy. I really should start again too!!
Good luck!

Unknown said...

Can't believe I'm about to say this - but I'm starting to "get" the running thing. Not to say I'm inclined to run a marathon but I do feel crazy good after a hard run or round on the eliptical trainer.

nickt said...

Yeah, the running high is something you can't understand until you get it. Then you want it again. Then you need it. Then you need it more. The best part is that it's cheaper than other drugs and legal!

glennlavender said...

Still checking in here regularly just waiting for you to post!!
I think running is therapy for me too. It seems it's become a little bit of an addiction too. And every time I finish a race I don't like to take a break because I don't want to lose all the ground I've gained in training. It's an even deepening hole! I hope you can get back out there eventually Nick.

Born To Endure said...

Nice to see you again! That P90X rocks, I have it and love it..however I only have time for it in the "off" season..oh well..enjoy!