Liberation!

I am Free! Free from the elliptical trainer, the stair climber, the couch. Yes, I am running again.

Ok, ok, so the amount I am running is laughable. Some bargaining with Coach Paulo, my official injury prevention manager, has brought me to my running plan of 2 miles, 3 times per week. But those 2 miles are pure bliss. Well, aside for the fact that I am in horrible running shape and am cruising along at about 10 minutes per mile in zone 3. But the important point is that the miles are pain free. I still don't know what was wrong with my knee, but honestly as long as it continues to get better, I don't really care. I know I fell on it, I very likely broke my patella (as evidenced by the ridge turned bone callus post injury), and did some soft tissue damage somewhere lateral to my left knee. Thankfully, it has vastly improved in the 3 months since I totally destroyed it by running a Marathon at CdA.

So what next? Well, as much as I'm dying to pick a race and to start training, I can't do it yet. I know that I am a hopelessly goal oriented person. If I set a running goal, I will meet that goal even if it means doing multi-hour training runs in intense pain and spending the rest of the day packed in ice (don't ask me how I know this...). So for now I will continue my 6 miles per week running schedule and only increase that as my body allows it. With no pain. And for God's sake try to keep my sneakers on the pavement this time! At least I now realize that a person with my coordination, balance, and grace cannot run and do anything else at the same time. No iPod, no thinking about that patient I saw that day, no chewing gum (ok, maybe I can chew gum....).

Although I have to say the thought of a spring half marathon and summer half Ironman are very appealing...