Back to Running

After more than a week off running because of my back, I finally had 2 days last week, Thursday and Friday, without any back pain. Like most runners I couldn’t wait any longer to go for a run. I can’t take the runners’ depression from not being able to run that weighs me down. It is a horrible feeling wanting to run and not being able to do it.

If my back looked like this I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have back pain; photo courtesy of pixabay

Without pain my Hubs and I went running on Friday evening. Of course, the weather was awful – humid and hot. In fact the humidity was the highest it’s been all Summer that day. But, that didn’t stop me. I wanted to run. I needed to run.

My last few runs before the on-set of back pain were so good. I was finally getting into a rhythm. I was finally approaching that beautiful place called “the zone,” somewhere I hadn’t been to before since starting to run in March.

Before hitting the pavement I told myself not to worry about how long, how fast, or how far I would be able to run. Just be grateful to do it at all.

The first interval of 16 minutes I got tired by the 10th minute, but kept chugging along. I could feel the muscles in my back, but no pain. I wasn’t going so fast and yet I was happy. During the last half of the second interval I really slowed down to a jog (maybe even a fast walking speed). It was like I could feel each vertebrae moving in my back. During our three-minute walk I felt the fatigue in my back muscles and I felt like I couldn’t or rather shouldn’t go on.

photo courtesy of pixabay

I was sad to tell my hubby, who was running quite well but had slowed down to make sure I was okay during this first run back, that I needed to stop. He of course understood and ran on to complete the third interval. At least he wasn’t going too fast and managed to run the whole time. Something he couldn’t do without me running by his side last week.

My back muscles seized a little as I walked and then rested on a park bench while he ran. The walk home was long and arduous. But, while I was physically suffering a little I was mentally relieved to have run. I laid down at home wishing showering was possible as I lay horizontal on the sofa. The same sofa that I rated earlier in the week here. Or better still I wish it was socially acceptable not showering after a run. Am I the only one that sometimes loathes the requisite post-run ablutions?

I wondered how I would feel the next day and if running on Sunday would be an option. Saturday I woke up without pain. So, Sunday looked promising. If only the weather cooperated. But, I forgot we had plans to see friends Sunday so instead of pouring sweat from every orifice of our bodies running we spent a civilized evening out. Hopefully, tonight I’ll be in better form than Friday.

I just want to run in the end.