For years I was a runner.
I have run from people, places, jobs, situations, success…you get the point…if I could run from it, many times I would but for the most part, that is a thing of the past.
On a different level I also have been an on again off again runner–as in for exercise–that kind of runner. I have entered and finished many 10K’s, many half marathons and one complete marathon. And then somewhere along the way I started having some trouble with my left knee and then my back. About 5 months ago I thought the answer was “hang up the shoes.” And for as many months tried to convince myself that was the answer. But…I always missed it, in fact I even would dream about running, I resigned myself to walking.
Until that is last night.
What happened last night scared me…I wasn’t feeling so great…light headed and kind of had the sensation that my head might pop. Hmmm maybe my blood pressure is up? With the image of my father post-stroke rolling through my brain I crept downstairs and took my blood pressure.
…I’m sorry that can’t be correct…let me take it one more time only this time I will sit and not hold my breath, I was holding my breath wasn’t I?…
It was high.
I heard but did not acknowledge the well intentioned comment that rolled from my husbands mouth, something about how that’s not good and maybe it has to do with the fact that I haven’t been…er…um…exercising like I used to.
I don’t know about you? BUT any unsolicited comment from my spouse about my own exercise routine is generally unwelcome–even if/when he is right. He was met with silence. And the bubble above my head was…not so nice.
I went to bed.
When the dawn stretched her lazy bones so did I…”maybe I can just give it another try, maybe my knee will hold up, maybe my back is stronger…maybe I need to try…”
Chinook and I headed to the road as we have countless times before and two miles later — somewhere way deep inside me I felt like I had just returned home.
I have decided to blog here about what no doubt will be another journey–the road back to a real run, it is a departure from my usual musings and I look forward to seeing where the journey leads.
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