I've always been an open book on my blog. I have nothing to hide but since my half marathon in February I've kept very quiet about running. Since my injury (stress fractures on both feet) and subsequent running ban (4 week blanket ban, 8 week outdoor ban) I've had an absolute fear as well as a mental block when it has come to running outside. I just have not been able to put one foot in front of the other. This week that all changed, this is the story all about how I learnt to run again!
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I used to love running - obviously! I don't know if you can run a half marathon without loving to run! But the pain I felt from the fractures was so overwhelming. There was nothing the hospital could do - they couldn't strap it up and the only prescription they gave me was for regular pain killers you can get anywhere.
I still had school, I still had work (being on my feet for at least four hours at a time!) so for two weeks I was in the most pain I had ever been in. It was just unbearable. I couldn't walk. I had gone from being extremely active - running or in the gym four or five times a week, as well as at home toning workouts - to not being able to move. It was horrible. Eventually when the pain subsided it was like learning to walk again. It felt so alien so then when my exercise ban was lifted, the fear set in.
To begin with, as I've described before, I cycled 25km a day, 5 days a week. I was desperate to be active but cycling was really all I could do - I was under orders to put minimal pressure on my feet. Eventually I began running on a treadmill again and I felt strong. I had struggled on treadmills in the past but anything was better than an outdoor run so I really have triumphed in the gym when I was running.
Fast-forward to now, nine months after the half marathon and I can honestly say I have wanted to run for a long long time now. You'll remember from my Things I Love About Fall post, that I really love running in the crisp Fall weather! There's something about that burning feeling in my lungs that just gets me going! The temperature has dropped here pretty quickly so this prompted the biggest desire within me! I wanted to run again!!
Luckily for me, my boyfriend was well aware of my fear. I was, and I still am, so scared of being in that kind of unbearable pain again. He's been coaching me up mentally for the past few weeks so when we set a date and time, he was my little running elf! (I'm not kidding - check the picture at the top, he so reminded me of a Christmas elf in those socks!) We went down to a local park, counted down and put one foot in front of the other and I did it!
We started slow and we didn't go for long but do you know what? I don't care. I ran outside for the first time in 9 months and I felt amazing. I cannot wait to get out there again. I'm not sure if I could go on my own yet but I can't wait to try. I finished our little run on Thursday and I felt that endorphin rush I haven't felt in so long! Nothing gives me as much of a buzz as running!
If I've learnt anything from this experience it's that you have to believe in yourself and sometimes you have to take risks!
I'll keep you posted on my progress and I can't wait to see how I develop!
Love always!
Georgie <3>
To begin with, as I've described before, I cycled 25km a day, 5 days a week. I was desperate to be active but cycling was really all I could do - I was under orders to put minimal pressure on my feet. Eventually I began running on a treadmill again and I felt strong. I had struggled on treadmills in the past but anything was better than an outdoor run so I really have triumphed in the gym when I was running.
Fast-forward to now, nine months after the half marathon and I can honestly say I have wanted to run for a long long time now. You'll remember from my Things I Love About Fall post, that I really love running in the crisp Fall weather! There's something about that burning feeling in my lungs that just gets me going! The temperature has dropped here pretty quickly so this prompted the biggest desire within me! I wanted to run again!!
Luckily for me, my boyfriend was well aware of my fear. I was, and I still am, so scared of being in that kind of unbearable pain again. He's been coaching me up mentally for the past few weeks so when we set a date and time, he was my little running elf! (I'm not kidding - check the picture at the top, he so reminded me of a Christmas elf in those socks!) We went down to a local park, counted down and put one foot in front of the other and I did it!
We started slow and we didn't go for long but do you know what? I don't care. I ran outside for the first time in 9 months and I felt amazing. I cannot wait to get out there again. I'm not sure if I could go on my own yet but I can't wait to try. I finished our little run on Thursday and I felt that endorphin rush I haven't felt in so long! Nothing gives me as much of a buzz as running!
If I've learnt anything from this experience it's that you have to believe in yourself and sometimes you have to take risks!
I'll keep you posted on my progress and I can't wait to see how I develop!
Love always!
Georgie <3>
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