Post 3 mile outside run - a shared journal entry.
There is a feeling I am getting coming out of this injury that is difficult to communicate, but I will try. It has been difficult not being able to run this winter. If you know me, this is my season. I knew I had to hang up the outside runners for a while to let the angry MCL heal and I knew it was going to be difficult. I didn't know it would be this difficult. A lot of you have posted some fantastic photos and the Strava data of your winter adventures and your runs have been long, punishing, and yet fun as can be. They are a celebration of running in Winnipeg when cars don't even start. But looking at those pics and following all the Strava data does not help the healing in anyway. (If you have been injured and are on Strava you know what I am talking about. That social fitness app/site can be poisonous.) Luckily I have found swimming again and am okay sweating it out on the bike. But! I would swap it all to go for an outside run and freeze the fuck out of my face and celebrate with a photo of my snotsicle! I gave myself until February 1st to rest and heal with hope that I would feel 100% to start the spring training session. I worked hard to not run, logged some great swims, did yoga, strength trained and even joined a boot camp. I feel amazing and on Feb 1st the knee felt amazing. So, the day after I did a little run at Sports Manitoba (10 min hard cycle, 1 mile run times 3 = 30 mins of riding, 3 miles of running). While running, I felt great and glowed while rounding the corners thinking maybe my not running had worked. Maybe I would be able to get outside the next day for a quick 3 miles. What I was really hoping for was that the recovery would be seamless. Nope. I knew that the MCL would not be too happy, but I didn’t think it would want a divorce. damn. But it did start to feel better after a few days. It was almost where it was at on Feb 1st. So, I tried it again. Just 1 mile this time. It was slow, but ached the whole time. I knew it was not going to be great but pushed to the 1 mile mark. It has been a long time since I have purposely done a 1 mile run. I swam afterwards and then was on my feet moving
