I plead guilty, with no contest, to taking a lot of things for granted. Patience is not one of my virtues either. Oh and running is my least favourite sport. There I said it, I admit it.
I can actually count the times I enjoyed going for a run, on the fingers of one hand, probably stemming from the fact that in triathlon, running is my ‘weakest’ sport. Many a time I have starting a run training session with a frown which slowly develops into a semi-permanent murderous look that would keep anyone at bay. . I can still remember my last long run before undergoing treatment – 1 hour and a half of constant whinging. OK, I was in pain, it was cold, raining, I couldn’t warm up and was not enjoying the run at all. I am surprised that my training buddy hasn’t politely found an excuse to stop training with me!
Talk about taking things for granted. A nagging knee injury has placed me in the sidelines for the last couple of weeks proving to be a very frustrating time for me. Missing the Malta Half Marathon and the Dingli 10 Mile race was harder than expected. Having registered for both races, I was horrified when I realised that I could not take part. This coming from someone who would love to see the run segment of triathlon replaced by another sport, preferably equestrian-related!
It’s all about wanting what one doesn’t have I guess.
Having recently spent a brief stint in the Arctic on a survival challenge, where living with very little means and facilities was the order of the day I learnt the proper meaning of taking things for granted. For example – hot running water, bathrooms, light at the flick of a button etc. However, the Arctic experience, together with this episode, has taught me to take things less for granted. I guess I also need to work on the patience bit. Having undergone treatment in an attempt to fix my injured knees, I half expected an immediate, near miraculous recovery which would allow me to take part in the Half Marathon and Dingli 10. Yeah right. I ‘forgot’ that there is a healing process to be had – physical and psychological.
I admit I am apprehensive of going out for a run, for fear of damaging the knees further or for fear of the realization that the treatment might not have been 100% successful. I recently read somewhere that mentally after receiving an injury, one must learn to accept it, cope with it and then set small achievable targets in order to see progression in the recovery. Now this is where my problem lies. I want to see results. Fast! But, this is where, in this case I am wrong. I need to take my time, take little steps and not rush things. I need to think longer term as there are quite a few goals I would like to achieve. So rather than rushing of to attempt a 5k run on poorly surfaced roads, I need to start working my way up to fitness on a treadmill and then gradually progress out on the road.
It has been said, many a time, that “All good things come to those who wait." And yes, I have found that to be true so many times in my life. However, I have also realized that going out there and getting, achieving and traveling never hurt either.
I just need to find the right balance.
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