Thursday, July 2, 2009

Reaching


So I started running again. I LOVE to run, and ran through my sixth month of pregnancy but I think the extra weight of baby Bronwyn was terrible on my knees. My right knee in particular gave me lots of problems and I just could never find my rhythm with the trail again.
But I've been feeling out of shape and needing a physical and mental release. So I made a plan:
1) NO running on pavement.
2) Start small and don't run every single day.
3) Strengthen the muscles that support my knees by lifting weights.
And finally, BUY NEW SHOES!
Although running on a track or a treadmill feels a little boring, I am finding that it is really not a big deal. When I run, I go inside of myself. I think a lot, and I listen to music. Pretty soon, my locale doesn't matter, and I'm thoroughly immersed in the moment of my body. Yesterday, I thought: "This is the most important spiritual exercise I've ever done!" I can feel my lungs and diaphram expanding and as a consequence I'm taking deeper breaths during the rest of the day. Hooray for exercise. Hooray for pushing myself. And Hooray for taking some time just for me. It feels really really good.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Good for you! I'll never forget the incredible high I felt when I completed my first five mile run - talk about empowerment!!

RosaMarĂ­a said...

great!!!!!!

vadjutka said...

The same for me!!
Running cleans my head...after running I see things more clearly and above all I feel happier.

Grats for coming back to the "club" :-)

Colleen MacDonald said...

Thanks so much for the encouragement; it means a lot.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Yes yes yes to running and to you! Many congratulations on getting started again. It's not easy to take the first step, and I applaud you for lacing up the shoes and hitting the road. You know from my blogs how I feel about running, so obviously I'll be a HUGE cheerleader for you!

picciolo said...

hey, I started running a little while ago! I thought I would hate it but I don't at all, and you are right, good shoes are very important. Hope your knee stays ok
: )

Jenni said...

That's great! Keep at it, my friend :)

Victoria said...

How wonderful! I think it's a great idea! As for me, well I am a walker. Mo and I have walked hundreds of miles together over the years. She can't handle it anymore and I have stopped as well, for the time being. I miss the sense of well being it gives. Good wishes to you and your knees!

Anonymous said...

Good for you. I love it for its mental cleansing.

I often do the track so that I can take Roan and keep track of him.

Tania said...

Oh, everything you say resonates. I used to run run run and then the knee gave up the proverbial ghost. Lots of surgery, no more running and a lot of looking whimsically off into the middle distance... Hooray for you!