Under Dark Ominous Clouds
After a week of vibrant summer-like weather here in DC, the weekend arrived, and with it, a bubble of sheer gloom. I’d like to say it rained all weekend, but I never actually saw it rain –only felt a constant spritzing of moisture in the air. Without any direct sunlight – the city felt like a old-fashioned black-and-white version of itself. It was in this dark ominous film-noir setting that I set out on Saturday for a modest, yet apprehensive 30 minute walk/run.
A month ago, I could have run 30 minutes in my sleep. As I wrote in a previous post, these shorter runs became “a comforting and stress-relieving part of my winter routine.” However, in recent weeks, with the flair-up of tendonitis in my knees, my ability to run even the shortest of short distances has been called into question.
Last Tuesday, in the bright sunny summertime weather, I attempted a 30 minute walk/run – rotating between 4 minutes walking and 4 minutes running. However, after only 20 minutes, I felt pressure under my knee (the telltale sign of my tendonitis) so walked the rest of the way home. Sure, this was an improvement over feeling pressure within the first minute of my run (as I had experienced the week before), yet it was still discouraging.
Thus, although I was only attempting another 30 minute walk/run on Saturday, I felt as nervous as if I was leaving home to run a full marathon.
I’m happy to report that I never felt any pressure under my knees during Saturday’s walk/run. So, although the weather couldn’t have been any more depressing, I ran (and walked) with my head held high! At this timid pace, I barely broke a sweat, so actually enjoyed the spitting rain, as it mimicked the effect of sweat and almost tricked me into thinking I was getting a good hard workout.
This certainly wasn’t how I pictured things going – being only 5 weeks from the marathon and writing here that I’d successfully walk/run 2.5 miles! Nonetheless, I’ve never been so proud to record my workout into my “Marathon Training Log” at the side of this blog. Perhaps my S.S.R. routine is paying off after all…
Yay!! I'm so happy that your knees are doing better. There is not a doubt in my mind that you won't finish the marathon. You are such an inspiration!!
P.S. Look at me, figuring out how to post on this…
Running certainly has its ups and downs, along with the weather. Good for you to finish the trial run/walk in that miserable rain!
I'm glad to hear you're getting back into training! Unfortunately, it looks like my injury is going to keep me out of the London marathon this year. My charity have been great about it and given me a place for 2011. I'm also hoping to do the Dublin marathon in October of this year.
I hope your recovery continues going strong. Keep up with your rehab routine – I hate it too but it has to be done!