And So She Rides

I thought I'd give a little update on the running program. The update is, I'm not running right now!

Last Sunday, almost two weeks in, Mark & I went to the track for a run/walk session. I noticed that my knees were a little less than comfy, but didn't think much of it. Monday, I walked. Tuesday evening, back to the track. This time, every step hurt my knees. My thinking up to that point was that maybe if I kept going, it would get better. What actually happened was that the longer I ran, the worse I hurt. So I stopped.

We happen to have an excellent sports medicine guy that Mark sees for his back. I went to see him on Friday, hoping he'd fix what was wrong, and send me back out! I was already one day behind "schedule" at this point! He gave me so much information I couldn't even begin to relay it all here, but the short version is that he told me I could still run, eventually... I'm going back to him today. Hopefully it won't take too long before I'm all fixed up. They already feel some better, but when I try to do the slightest jog, it just really hurts.

So, where does all this leave me? Well, I've gotta say, I have been surprised at the emotions this has brought to the surface. I've learned some things about myself through this seemingly insignificant string of events!

When my knees finally hurt badly enough to make me stop, the thought of not being able to run anymore made me MAD! I was surprised. I mean, two weeks before this, I hated to run! And now I'm mad at the thought of having to stop? All the sudden, I'm refusing to accept that answer, and no one has even told me I couldn't run yet! I realized that to me, running is like my own personal Everest, ya know? Like, if I can RUN, I can do anything.

Then when I'd calmed down enough, I remembered that when all this began, my main goal was to get fit and to lose the last of this "baby" weight. I picked running to be the means to that end. I realized that at some point, without me even knowing it, my goal had changed; running had become the end. Now, faced with this situation, being temporarily unable to run, I was able to revisit my initial goals, the reasons I started running in the first place.

So what will be the new means to my weight loss goals? Well, I learned that my rebounder is good and that an exercise bike is excellent - actually good for my knee problem, as it literally helps to reset the knees into their proper place (mine are too far back, pushing the cartilage forward...think wrinkle in a throw rug).

We had discussed buying a stationary bike some months ago, but nothing ever came of it. Then Saturday, Mark had to drag a deer out of the woods. He called me, panting, and told me he figured that he was probably the most out of shape man in Lee County (he's totally not), and that we'd definitely be getting that bike!

So yesterday, we became the new owners of the Powerspin 210. It takes up very little space in our bedroom, and is super quiet. I'll be using it to do high intensity intervals on the days between weight training.

I really, really hope that when this is all said and done, I'll still want to run. It really is something I want to conquer. Yet, in the mean time, I realize that I've got a family that needs a wife & mom who A) is not obsessed with some lofty personal goal (goals aren't bad...I tend to obsess) and B) can physically do the things that need to be done to take care of them! I just never expected the idea of running to be so hard to let go of, nor did I expect to be so humbled by having to let go. It never fails to amaze me, what the Lord can use to grow and change us.

I may have lost one battle, but I haven't lost the war. One way or another this weight is coming off! I'm already seeing results, and I won't be giving up. So, if you need me, I'll be on my bike!

Hope y'all have a wonderful day!

Blessings,
Em