I might have to turn the reigns over to someone more motivational...or someone doing more running. As it is, I'm in permanent recovery mode and not doing a good job of rallying the troops in the midst of my personal fitness struggles.
My random thought for this week:
There have been an inappropriately large number of TRY injuries this year. If we count everyone that has ever had something to do with TRY (running on Tuesdays, helping with Relay for life, doing a couple other miscellaneous things), there may be up to 40 people that could be considered TRYers.
Going back to the very end of last year, I know TRYers who have had foot surgery, heel surgery, knee surgeries, and other random surgeries. (I can think of 5 separate surgeries.) I also know of sprained ankles, sprained knees, sore knees, sore shins, broken bikes, pulled hamstrings, pulled pork, you name it. (At least another 5 people limited by more than the run of the mill injuries.)
So, while I would hope all these problems are all a bad coincidence, it would seem that there has been as much recovery time for people as their has been normal training time. Recovery can get very frustrating...and two Tuesdays ago I was once again annoyed at my poor and painful performance running. Then, as often happens at the Liverpool park -- when I'm finishing or finished with a lousy run and feeling sorry for myself, God puts me in my place. As I was standing there, frustrated with my sore left leg, I look in the parking lot and see a guy 'walking' towards the park on crutches. With no left leg at all. So, in the midst of my self-loathing, God sent an amputee to remind me what I have to be thankful for. (In the past it's been someone in a wheel chair, or one of "Jerry's Kids" with arm braces to walk, or someone with obvious mental disabilities being led around by a helper. Whatever the messenger -- it's happened more often than I can remember.)
For everyone having a tough time running this year:
Remember that running just for the fun of it is a blessing. And running pain free is doubly so. :-)
That's all I have. Just a reminder that we still have it better than we tend to realize that we do.
Tonight:
Choose your own adventure for your intervals/steady run. Same as always.
For Ally:
Yes, I fully realize that my injury and lack of recovery 7+ weeks later is my own fault. In no way was todays post meant to deny that. (I figured I would save you the email.)