Running Log

I'm a runner. I haven't run in 4 years, but I'm still a runner. I ran in high school. I ran in college. And then my knee started hurting. I went around and round with doctors and x-rays and physical therapists and then I quit trying. I relegated myself to the elliptical machine (ick) inside the gym (double ick) and went on with my life. ButI still felt that tightening in my chest whenever someone mentioned running a road race or going for a run.

And then Luke came along. Luke. Five times the athlete I ever was, he's also struggling with injuries. And ya know that weird pang you get in the back of your mouth between your jawbone and your ear when you have something really sweet or sour? And then that rush of saliva? That's the closest I can come to explaining the feeling I got when Luke talked about getting himself back into running shape. I missed running something fierce. I wasn't about to be left in the dust. I wasn't about to let him have all the fun! And besides, good boyfriends also make good running buddies - I wanted to be able to run with him. And so I kicked my own ass into gear. The works - the doctor, the x-rays, the MRIs, the blood work to rule out arthritis and Lyme disease (?!), the doctor again...And it all came down to this:

Go run.

Now I'm not one for drama. The tears that welled up behind my eyes were real. I can run without permanently damaging my knees? That's all I needed to hear, doc. Thank you, have a nice day. I'm going to run.

And so I did. And it hurt like hell but felt amazing. So bear with me as I log my miles. And Luke, thank you.