Running
I have taken up running again after a long break. I had been thinking about it for a while, when Emily from emlykd the strange asked on Twitter if anyone wanted to do the Mothers Day Classic with her. It was the perfect opportunity to start running, it gave me a goal to work towards, and some much needed motivation.
I stopped running after I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. My then specialist warned me that running would impact a lot on my knee joints and I’d end up having major knee surgery. I tried water aerobics, bike riding, pilates… but I didn’t like any of them very much and I didn’t stick at them.
I have been on medication for years, taking it daily. I’ve only ever had fluid on a knee once. Even when I fell through rotten decking and tore ligaments and had deep bruising my knees survived intact. I put it down to early diagnosis and constant medication. I’m not running for miles and miles, I’m not running on sealed roads, having the luxury of softer dirt roads and well worn gravel paths near our home.
I used to be a good runner and sprinter. There’s something about running as fast as you can for 100 metres – it seamed like the world had stopped, it was just me, looking straight ahead, breath seemingly held, all instinct.
I loved cross country running too, running rain, hail or shine, getting into a steady rhythm, lost in thoughts with the steady movement of feet on ground.
So, after what seems like an age, I am running again, slowly at first, building up strength and endurance. Spending time on my own, in my head, finding my breath and my rhythm once more. I am loving it again, and miss it when I don’t get a chance to run for a few days.
For me running is freedom… it’s as close as I get to flight, really it is my flight. So thank you Emily, you have helped me get back to something I love.
That’s fantastic to read. I too love running and miss it right now. I hope to join you in spirit at least when I start running again later in the month. I admire you enormously for not letting your arthritis prevent you from doing something you love. I’ll be cheering you on. x
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Running is something I have never been able to do. But I’ve always wished I could. I have even had running dreams where I’m loving it. I also had a couple of flying dreams which was really cool! Maybe one day I’ll give it a proper go…but not today…I kicked my toe and you know how that feels with rheumatoid arthritis!!
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That’s great! Good luck!
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I really must get back into something aerobic. Winter and a heap of trivial crap has decimated all the good habits I’d built up. Also, I’m supposed to be walking Hadrian’s Wall this summer so I really need to start working on some form of fitness…
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I’m so happy for you – it’s great to get back into doing something you love.
I’m only just starting to enjoy running again – on the treadmill at the gym. I ran cross country years ago, and the training program I was in meant that I became just so bored with running. I hated it for years after. I have been lured back because I can watch TV while I do it at the gym, however more and more I’m finding that I’m not concentrating on the show, but rather I’m caught up in my own thoughts. Fingers crossed it’s the start of a love of running.
It’s great you have a goal to work towards – mine is to run 5km in under half an hour. I’m a long way off as yet, being able to run for half an hour without walking is still too difficult. But I’ll get there!
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It’s not just the running though. It’s the contemplation time, the quiet time when you can listen to the world or to the rhythm of your body. No beloved husband teasing you or children interrupting your thought process. Just you. I don’t run, not enough lung capacity left, but every morning, early, I walk my dogs. Depending on the route, I can either watch the sun rise out over the Derwent lighting up the organ pipes on Mt Wellington or if we go along the beach & are very very quiet we can HEAR the dolphins. Rarely see them apart from a fleeting tip of a dorsal fin & the flurry of small fish breaking the surface to escape, but clearly hear the pips & squeaks as they scoot among the moored yachts chasing the shoals of small fish. Exercise is good for you in so many ways more than the physical.
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Oh wow! NOMES! I am so impressed! This is awesome! Hehe! And thanx for the mention! You k ow there is something so. Satisfying. About a run completed! I feel on top of the world, I feel like I am able to achieve anything! I am so happy to hear you are enjoying it! and so happy to hear that you arenot letting a little old thing like rheumatoid arthritis get in the way! I’ll think about that everytime I complain of tendinitis in my little old ankle! Your support for mothers day classic has been amazing! I will be organising the team next week! Xxxxxx much love and hugs!!!
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Am suitably impressed as one who has never jogged in her life, nor been able to jog can be impressed. I walk, I walk fast, but ask me to jog and I hurt, pass out or throw up – there is also the whole “I will get obsessive” about it thing – and I would – which is not good – so Yoga and walking for me.
That is amazing though hon – so proud of you and happy for you and while I don’t run I do a fantasic interstate cheer, maybe even with some kind of pom poms
*hugs many*
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I love my runs at the end of the day for the same reason, escapism from the day to day routine. Irony that my run is part of that routine not missed on me. I feel more energetic and calm after my runs. Last weekend I felt so good running along the pipeline with Scott riding beside me that I kept going. When I got to the 10km mark I turned back. 20 km! A half marathon! I felt amazing afterwards (my hips not so amazing the next day). And yeah, I’m bragging a bit, but I am so proud of myself for being able to do that! So my next question is, can a 32 yr old who recently took back up and is quiting smoking train for a full marathon? Out with the nasty smokes and in with the long distance runs! Even if I can’t I’ll be healthier and live longer!! Here’s to runing!
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