8 Days in the Hole

Today I ran 3 miles!

It was my first run in 8 days.  In the past 4 years I have only taken 8 days off twice.  Once after Leadville in 2012 and once after Run Rabbit Run last September.  This time was due to my first significant injury since I've started running ultras.  My left knee blew up and I couldn't pin point how it happened.  I should have seen the warning signs but I was blinded by my stubborn drive.  I've had nagging injuries that sidelined me for a few days and lingered for months but there hasn't really been an injury that made it impossible to run.

I had neglected in stretching and stopped listening to my body.  I spent the last 8 days icing, stretching and resting to be able to finally run today.  We will see how my body reacts overnight.

8 days of no running due to injury is the runner's equivalent of 8 days in the hole.  It's dark, your mind wanders, you get depressed and you think of all the things you could have done not to be in this position. Lessons have been learned and I still have work to do to get my knee back to 100%.

The time off wasn't all bad.  I spent time with the family and we were able to knock off a lot of the projects we had for the yard. It was also a reality check.

- I'm getting older.  This doesn't mean I need to cut back but I do need to take care of myself.
- Stretching is not an option. I think we all try to find ways to cut corners.  Life is busy, especially with 3 kids, but stretching cannot be pushed to the side.
- I'm a runner.  Duh!  Running has become such a big part of my identity I felt kind of lost without it.  I have taken for granted my health and ability to run.  I tried to envision life without running and it was pretty scary.  I won't take my health for granted.
-  Colorado is alive with outdoor activity.  I couldn't drive anywhere without seeing runners, bikers and walkers.  They are everywhere!  It is awesome.  It also made sitting on the bench that much harder.
- Zion is still in the cards.  If I can ease back into this week and get 35-40 miles I'll feel confident I can handle the Zion Traverse in 2 weeks.

I'm hoping the rest will be a good thing.  I had planned on taking 5 days after Zion as mandatory rest.  This injury just pushed it forward a little bit.