I won't bore you with the details, but I will tell you that I'm injured, again. And it still sucks. And I'm still learning to embrace that suck, but I'm not doing so well in this department. The embrace eludes me yet the suck is in my face and greets me every morning with an insidious grimace.
And not running still feels lethargic and thick and dull. And I'm still a big baby when it comes to not running. And I want to run. And it hurts so, not running. Not running, says an old friend, is the continual presence of absence. I say it is the absence of presence, but what does it matter? It aches either way.
I lied.
I will bore you with the details because it is part of my self-diagnosed therapy, that and staring out the window marvelling at the beautiful bodies that gracefully dance in and out of view. Truly my heart skips a beat as a runner approaches - they look amazing with red cheeks and eyes sparkling and skin glowing.
it aches
as they fade
from view
in plumes
of exhaust
like steam trains
they round
the rail
from view
gone
The power of running is magnetic and it pulls hard from the sidelines.
Okay, enough of that woe is me stuff...
I haven't run in 9 days and 2 hours.
I lied.
I ran today to test the waters. It didn't go so well. The left calf seized again at mile one and I limped home at an agonizingly slow pace. Stretching aggravates it more so I type this blog seeking more therapy.
Nine days and two hours ago I ran home from work - 11 miles. It was a gorgeous run and all was wonderful in body, in mind and in spirit... I'm humming along, top of my game, thinking, breathing, happy when suddenly ... at mile 10... I zigged a little to avoid a taxi cab backing out of a driveway. It was hardly a sudden move, but it was enough to tweak the left calf, just briefly enough to open the door, just a tiny crack, just wide enough for that unwelcome guest to latch on to the left soleous. Wow, it latches on hard and so fast and without warning!
Having been down this road a few times I know the drill... massage, physio, rest... lots and lots of rest. Yuck, rest.
My physiotherapist analyzed my shoe. First the tread where she found nothing unusual. Then, upon close examination, she noticed wear on the inner side of the left shoe (click 'em big).
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| My Aisics 2140's |
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| Look a little closer |
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| And closer yet... |
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| There you go, see it now? |
Could this be my problem? Is this why my left calf pops once or more a year? What can I do about it?
Sorry for lying... sorry for bothering you with the messy details of my running issues.
It really is a good day to be alive. My left calf is a minor nuisance, insignificant in the bigger realm. It's frustrating and it steals some joy, but it's also teaches me patience and reminds me that I am alive. I will embrace that suck because the embrace makes me stronger.
It's a good day to be alive.
You be well, all of you.
Mike
