In the last 9 years I have run 6 marathons, although it should have been about 8. Last year I had an accident in April going down a steep mountain, and that’s when I hurt my knee. How it hurt! Then in September my torn meniscus was finally diagnosed and at the end of November I had surgery. That’s how 2011 went.
In the years that I didn’t run the 42.2 kms. it was due to minor injuries that I was always able to overcome. In some of those periods I maybe stopped running completely for four to six weeks. Before that it wasn’t so hard to overcome those lean periods and although difficult to come back, the following year I would run again. One way or another, I managed to overcome all the obstacles and brakes, just like in this Asics commercial.
After the torture that was the New York City Marathon in 2010, I decided to switch to half marathons. With this, the size of the challenge dropped significantly, and the accident put me back to zero. Today I haven’t run for about six months and my physical condition is on the floor, although nothing compares to the condition of my spirit. How strong is the mind, for better and for worse.
The little white devil advises me, encourages me and proposes me to take off with everything. The little red devil appears and always tells me that I can start the following Monday, or that tomorrow will be more opportune. One makes me dream and the other makes me comfortable on the sofa. Charita!
The knee is still complaining and now I am with an impediment that seems transient, but enough to complicate my return. It’s nothing, and I’m not complaining about it. What I am worried about is the breakdown of willpower. I have gone from not being able to go more than two or three days without running, to not even wanting to get up early!
I’ve been watching my weight and I’ve still gained my kilos. The New Year’s resolutions in the physical dimension are defined, and still, I can’t start with discipline. Is it just me? Am I missing something in the equation? Has it happened to you? And well, how do I take off the athletic year with injury and no desire?
I’ve thought about it and scratched my head a few times. I’ve looked and I’ve come across a few pitfalls. The first is that it’s not a challenge I’ve shared (And this is why I decided to tell you about it here today). I’ve also found that I need a big goal and the marathon was it. Today I want to revisit it and set up a process that will get me out of the hole and back to the streets, or cycling or swimming, whatever it takes to get the endorphins back into the system.
If you feel or have felt this way, you are not alone. Or, you’re not alone. How hard it is to get started! They say a new habit is acquired after 21 days in a row, and I believe it. However, restarting proves to be even more difficult, because we compare ourselves to those times when everything seemed easy, natural and fluid. I confess: I need the addiction again.
I want to sweat to the last drop again. I have to start. It’s time to take off and get back to running. I’ll keep you posted. Will you join me?
To Adi Lebendiker, thanks for the physical therapy. To Rosibel Aguilar, thanks for the training in the gym. To Sergio Molina, thanks for coaching on the track and the streets. To Dr. Antonio Gómez Tristán, thank you for the surgery on my knee. To my family and friends, especially everyone at DSQ, thanks for the support always.
For all of you, and for my desire to return, here I leave my public commitment to move forward with this physical and mental challenge.
If you are in the program you want, congratulations. And if not, will you sign up? We are not alone, and we have to go out with our challenges. Until we achieve them.
I close with this message from Nike. Just in case! 😉