Once again, I’ve disappeared from the blog world for a while. Getting settled into a new school is definitely time-consuming, and then add settling into a new house and buying a car, along with normal life stuff, and time for blogging has disappeared. But today, I’m on Thanksgiving break, and we’re not leaving to visit my parents yet, so I’ll ignore my giant bag o’ grading for a few minutes and catch up with you instead.
The other reason I haven’t been blogging is that this is a running blog, and my running life has been mediocre at best. Way back in July, I strained my hamstring, and it’s refusing to return to normal. When I first did it, I took three torturous weeks off, and eased back into running. I’ve pretty much stayed in that “easing back in” stage, as every time I try to go fast, go uphill, or go longer than 6 miles, my hamstring flares right back up, and I’m back to taking several days off.
It’s intensely frustrating. I’m out of shape, and slow, and squishy, and my main form of stress relief has now become a form of stress in itself. As I wrote in this post, running is a huge part of my identity, and now, even more so than when I wrote that post, I feel like a part of me is missing.
HOWEVER. It’s almost Thanksgiving, and I’m well aware that I have plenty for which to be thankful. I have a wonderful family, including a dad who talked me through removing a dead mouse from my bathtub while J was out of town (that was traumatizing). I have an amazing husband who loves me and whom I love. When I can run, I have some pretty fantastic views.
I have a warm house, a new (to me) car that will be much more reliable than my old one, and a job I love. In the grand scheme of things, I’ve got it pretty darn good. And that’s what I need to remember.
I know that even though this injury seems to be dragging on forever, it is temporary, and eventually, I’ll get back into shape, lose the injury-induced fluffiness, and be able to race again. In the meantime, I’ll be more diligent about my rehab exercises, listen to my body when it says “too much!” and focus on all the good I’ve got going on. (When I start complaining, please remind me that I said this).
How about you? What’s going on in your life? What do you have to be thankful for?
Rural Running Redhead 
Oh I hear you! I had a hamstring injury in 2015. Then a knee injury. Then the hamstring again. I joined a HIIT gym as it was clear to me that my ligaments, tendons and supporting muscles had turned to mush. 9 months after joining the gym, I am finally consistently running pain free. What a journey. The good news for me is that I used to be a power lifter and get a rush from lifting. Not a replacement to the runner’s high but still a good solid feel-good state of being. Hang in there!
Thanks for the encouragement! I need to do more strengthening, I think.
Ugh I am so sorry this injury is lasting longer than anticipated. I have struggled in the injury department a lot, and it is definitely hard to lose that part of your identity. It’s not easy, no matter how you slice it. Remember, we’ve all been there. And we’ll be there again! At least, that’s what I tell myself. I’m not a Debby Downer but I know if I plan to run forever I *will* get injured again. Just a fact of running. I have been pretty healthy for several months so obviously now I am just waiting for the shoe to drop!!! Have you been lifting and cross training at all? I know it doesn’t make up for not being able to run but at least it is something. Hang in there girl. You do have a lot to be thankful for! We visit CO every summer because we love the views so much. 🙂
Thanks, Megan! I miss reading your blog… I need to find some more time in my life.
Girl, I’m so sorry to hear you’re still struggling. I know it can be so frustrating when you’re body won’t do what you want it to do. Hopefully, even in the really crappy times, you can remember it’s just a season and it will pass. I hope you had a super lovely Thanksgiving, and, even if you can’t run, go for a walk and enjoy those views for me 🙂 P.S. Saw the new car on social media-welcome to the Subaru family!
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