GONE? START!

Pat's familiar path
 
 

When I quit competitive swimming 14 years ago, I was so sure that I would not go back to doing it again.  I used to train ten times a week logging in a minimum of 8,000meters per work-out and a maximum of twelve thousand meters.  I had to do twice a week land training which consisted of a few reps at the swim bench and at least thirty reps of ten different abs work-out. (Nothing against my coaches, in fact... I could not thank them enough for how they instilled discipline in me and how they made me into a tough athlete.)










I had to eat my own words when two months after breaking my left foot, my ortho told me that I could work-out again and recommended that I swim so as not to stress my injured foot.  I took out my swim paraphernalia that I’ve kept at the back of my closet and even got myself a new pullboy. 

Here are some of the lessons I learned in going back:
                  

Build Endurance -- I am back to zero when it comes to endurance and will need to build it back.  This means I need to get my body accustomed to swimming again and AWAKEN the muscles (if ever, I still have it!)

Patience -- I’ve learned not to time myself…yet!  I tried to time myself doing 50meters fly and got a disappointing sub 50 with ugly strokes by the time I reached past 35meters.

Have fun -- I’ve learned to just enjoy this phase and ride with the flow!

Support – One cannot do it alone… support from family and friends are always welcome. 
                                                
Pray -- Thank the Lord for the blessings that He has poured out

                                                                            
Recovery may not be fast but I’m dealing with it slowly and making sure that I don’t risk hurting the same spot again.


 

Rey's old rays

 

Since I became a runner, running had become a vital part of my daily routine just like coffee. In my universe, two to three consecutive days without a run was lethal; almost a strange, non- existent possibility because even if I had to heal an injury or my schedule would be so hectic, I’d still manage to squeeze in a run no matter how short it would be.

I was afraid I’d lose the speed or endurance or would gain weight if I stop running for long(meaning maximum of three days) or sometimes it was only because I felt I needed it to keep my sanity.

 

But things changed when my running buddy, Tricia, got injured. I was there from day 1 and I witnessed the pain she had to go through to deal with this set back. I knew that more than the physical pain, it was the idea and reality of not being able to do any work out that hurt her. As her friend, I thought I’d journey with her and do a “sympathy injury.” She did not ask for it nor gave me any hint that I had to do it but it was a voluntary decision not to engage in any activity until I feel the necessity to go back to running again. I didn’t want to sprinkle salt on her wound by letting her see me sweating after a good work out. I wanted her to feel that she wasn’t alone and that we could survive without the work out; that we could be happy doing other things considering the situation.

 

I stopped running for almost two months. There were sad days and heavy ones- literally and figuratively. Tricia would push me to run but I was resolved to fulfill the promise I made to myself.

 

When Tricia was beginning to recover, I decided to run again to catch up with her metabolism as soon as she’s ready to move. I have a very slow metabolism because of my hypothyroidism which is inversely proportional to hers so I had to lose all the weight first so I wouldn’t be left behind.

 

The first run was a struggle. I ran and I felt really exhausted thinking I’ve run for a while since I wasn’t wearing a watch to check. To my surprise, when I got home, I realized, I’ve only been gone for 20 minutes! J

 

The succeeding runs were not different. I tried running sub-1 10Km and successfully did it but.. I was dying! What used to be an easy pace and comfortable distance became a challenge.

I couldn’t count the times I’ve asked myself and wondered how I was able to finish all those races before.

 

I felt bad, yes but it was an experience I’d always look back to and smile at.

 

Lessons learned:

Be more grateful for every step that you're able to do since not everyone gets the chance to do it.

 

Be conservative with you targets

 

Be patient.

 

Learn to be content with what you're able to achieve at the moment given you situation and fitness level.

 

Decide to go back and commit to it.

 

Have fun going back. Laugh at challenging moments and find ways to work things out. 

 

Be open to possibilities. Your speed and endurance may not be like before but it can go both ways- not as good or better.

 

Try to search that old beast in you and unleash it gradually. Take confidence in the fact that you've been there.

 

 

As the saying goes, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."