An Experiment of One

Before I allowed myself to think about running again, I did a lot of walking around the neighborhood. This looks like LA, but it's genuine Berkeley.

My apologies to Dr. Gary Small, whose 14-day Memory Prescription has been sitting unused on my shelf for three days. I was doing well the first week, but I've caved into work deadlines and other stressors and have stopped mapping out my days according to his dictates. The good news is that I've still been eating reasonably well (better than was my pre-Small wont) and keeping Small's tenets about brain exercises, body exercises, and stress relievers in mind.

Yesterday made it three weeks since I broke my rib. So this morning I went for a run. Had to go for a run because I could feel my fitness leaking out of me the way the transmission fluid used to leak out of my 1995 Ford Escort, eviscerating my mobility and making an unsightly pink puddle on the ground.

The title of this post comes from George Sheehan, one of running's truly wise human beings, who held that the ultimate authority on you is, well, you. Since I broke my rib, many people have gently scolded me for riding a bike at all at my age and also for wanting to run when I'm hurt. My response is to thank them for their concern, but to ask that they believe me when I say I won't do more than I can do. I'm pigheaded but I'm not flat-out stupid. And the way I learn about this person I call Elaine is by trying things out on her and assessing how they feel.

My favorite mural, its color deepening in the emerging sunlight.

So this morning I was out in the rain-washed world at 6 am. Truth in blogging: my rib did not feel great. But I was able to go for almost four miles, and it was WONDERFUL. I don't know how fast my healing will progress from this point on, but I'm confident that I've come far enough that at least I'm not impeding the process.
It's spring, or close enough, and I'm ready to flower as best as I can.

It remains to be seen which distance I'll do on May 3 at The Ave, but I'll be there. This will be my fifth year of making the trip--wouldn't miss it.



Ps. I didn't run the Couples Relay, but did volunteer, so I was there. It rained the entire morning. Lovely weather in its own way.

Comments

Sunshine said…
Feeling fitness leaking out.. Oh yes, what a good description. So glad you could run a little.
Who are these people saying you are too OLD??? to ride a bicycle??
Somebody should send them to Europe where people ride bikes. Seriously, that "too old" kind of talk is hurtful in several ways.
We will be running on that first weekend in May .. much nearer to home.. and thinking of you.. with fond memories.
5:24 PM
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