As I have posted recently, I have opted to take some much needed time off from running to do a little healing. I have had a foot injury on my left foot since Cactus Rose in October 2012. Like a true runner, I figured it would heal quicker if I kept my exact same routine of 20+ mile runs and high mileage weeks. Since completing Cactus Rose, I've run a 50K and had a 40 mile pacing gig, as well as many 20+ mile long runs. Surely, that was the remedy to cure any aches and pains. Right??? If you've ever gone to the doctor for a running injury, their first recommendation is every runner's worst nightmare.........."Time off!". Such unspeakable words. They flow off my tongue like sour milk. What do doctors know anyway? They just have a degree in medicine. Most are not runners. Surely, they don't know what they are talking about.
Well, after months of my foot injury not getting better, I actually took a big step and made an appointment to see a podiatrist. I also took an even bigger step and decided to not run a step for at least 2 1/2 weeks, leading up to my appointment. That decision didn't come lightly, but I decided to act like a real adult and make a practical decision.
I have learned that most runners probably do not realize how much time they spend running until they stop doing it. That is the situation I'm in now. I don't know what to do with myself. I still bike some, I do things around the house that I probably would have put off b/c of my running, I watch TV, etc... But when I walk outside and see a cool, sunny day in front of me, the only thing on my mind is hitting some trails. It is a mentally torturous situation. Now I know this is not a big deal, but in a way it is. When something has become such a huge part of your existence, and you stop doing it "cold turkey", it knocks you off balance. That's where I am now...........off balance.
I know I will run again soon, and hopefully, this little hiatus I am on will let my foot heal and feel better before I even get to the doctor. That would be the perfect scenario. But, until that time, I will continue the life of a lost and bored non-runner. Hopefully, I'll be back soon.
Run on friends,
Lane
