I have told this story before, but it is one I love to tell. It needs telling, as well.
Especially in these times.
One of the most wonderful ministers of all-time, a pastor who preached from the heart, made church interesting, and even made God accessible, had moved on from our church.
There was an emptiness. I felt it deeply. The minister who had left was a man I admired greatly. I was thrilled that he had been the man who married my wife and I. We all missed him greatly…
Friday.
FRIDAY. A big day. A HUGE day.
16 weeks and two days after my Achilles surgery, and, with the permission, dare I say the encouragement, of my physical therapist, I set out for my first two mile run.
After running on the treadmill the other day, and thinking about how great that run was, I have had a paradigm change.
I just had my most enjoyable run yet.
I am back again.
A week ago, I shut it down after I woke up with pain, probably better described as discomfort, just above the area where I had Achilles surgery. I had been pushing it a bit, just a little, with some “boxing” at my in home boxing gym (in my garage), some long (virtual) PT sessions, other stretching, and the advent of a short, but steep, hill into my runs.
I hope you all watch and enjoy this great video.
(Just click on the image or the link below.)
Yesterday was supposed to be my last one-mile run before ramping up to a run of 1.25 miles as I steadily progress…
But progress, or success, and even life itself, doesn’t always go in a straight line. Progress is not always forward. Sometimes, in order to go forward, we need to take a step back.
For this post, I’ll cover my last two runs. It’s basically the same story in so many ways.
Two days ago, on Tuesday, April 14, I went out for my second one mile run. This was the second time I would actually run the full one-mile distance. The run itself felt better than on Sunday, and my time indicated I did much better. I finished at 9:25. That was significantly faster than the effort on Sunday. I was pleased and proud.
I just ran my fastest mile in a very long time.
9:55.
Now, those who are following (and keeping track) of my journey through this blog might recall that I ran a mile on Friday in 9:02. I was 53 seconds slower today, so how was today my fastest mile?
There is a very simple answer…
The fact that I am writing right now says a lot about my enthusiasm for this run today.
It’s not that I don’t want to run. I do. I wanted to run last night, but the locked gate ended that idea.
No, I want to run. I do. I just don’t like running when it’s cold and wet outside and… it’s cold and wet outside.
Well, I can keep this post short.
Today was supposed to be the day I attempted the mile.
I didn’t.
They finally locked the track. (We could call this post, “Locked Out.”)
I’ll try for the mile tomorrow, but I’ll either be out on the roads or on my treadmill. I think I’ll go outside so the speed is more natural, and not determined by a machine or the speed I set the machine at.
I’m disappointed. I wanted to do this on a track… today. But, such is life during a pandemic.
Until tomorrow…
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