A journey of a thousand miles...sometimes throws you for a loop.

So I write this big long post yesterday about how I'm stuck in the gym for my running cause of my back.

Today I forgot my sports bras at home, so if I wanted to run, I'd have to go back home to get my bras, then go back to the gym.  But I didn't want to go back to the gym.  So I mapped out a 3.5 mile walk.

And then decided to not walk.

I ran on hard ground for the first time in a very long time (since 2006).  (even though it wasn't very fast, it's still running, darnit!)

It wasn't the fastest run.  It wasn't the most glorious run.  And I'm pretty sure that some part of my body is going to be sore tomorrow.  But the point was that I got out there and did something I didn't think I could do.

It still holds true that compression is not good for me, and that I shouldn't run on hard ground all the time, for long periods of time, or in a way that could hurt my back.  But so long as I'm mindful of these things, it's up to me to balance what I want to be doing in my life versus how much life I want to miss out on because of something that will happen eventually in my life.

I talk big game about #GoTheDist and this year's theme ("rebuild yourself") -- but maybe part of it is challenging ourselves to confront what we think are limits are.  I'm not saying we should go out and injure ourselves, but we should aim to discover just how exceptional we each are, how capable our bodies are, and how liberating it is to just let our body determine what it can do versus letting our mind sell ourselves short.

Who knows, maybe one day I'll be a part of a running pack after all.

9 comments

A very inspiring post, Robby. Congrats on the run, I know it's hard and your times are amazing! We're fighting the same war. You won today's battle, I lost today (I lost BAD today). But you know, we're going to win the war. And no power in the 'verse can stop us. - @Teihlen

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Well, I think the lesson here is... ummmm... well, something about forgetting your bra. Anyway, good job!

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Teihlen -- the only way you lose is if you give up.

Jack -- Thank goodness you're around. If not for you, where would I get my daily dose of irreverent comments?

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Ahhhh. You talkin about busting out of limitations. Good words for me today. xo

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Hi there, like you I've never been able to run on hard ground. I've been told it's because of heel striking so in an attempt to correct that I'm trying barefoot running (with vibram five fingers). It's taking a bit of getting used to but so far things look good.




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Charlie -- it takes a while to convert your run (and body) into a forefoot/midfood strike. But good on you for trying.

Have you ever seen this? http://barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/
It's FASCINATING.

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You. Ran. Responsibly even. That my friend, is EPIC! :D *hugs*

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<3 Robby