Starting Over

            

          The month of October has always been special to me these last few years.  October the 1st normally marks the start of the beginning of a new season and training begins to build for the next year with the same focus—competing well at a national championship.  This October has been no different, although many things in my life have changed—as has my running.  I am now living in a new place, have a new job, and have a whole new challenge that I have never experienced before with running—starting over.  My posterior tibial surgery is the first injury of my career that has completely halted my running and overall way of life.  I feel like a freshman in high school as I begin running and preparing for the 2016 season.  Every run feels new, every workout seems foreign and the recovery process and lifestyle I had worked so hard to create feels like a challenge I am far away from conquering.  One thing that will help in the revitalization of my running career is experience, which is ironic because in the past, experience at the professional level was my biggest weakness as an athlete. 

            Now any prior experience will be more vital than ever before as I am just a few short weeks away from resuming a normal training routine.  The first eight-to-ten weeks of physical therapy were very tedious—both physically and mentally.  I never thought I could work so hard and only reap the smallest of gains.  However, these last three weeks have clicked in a way that have given me hope that my ankle will be able to perform better than ever.  It was only two weeks ago that I was able to run 15-20 minutes on a treadmill and go on two, four-mile walks outside per week.  Last week, I ran seven times, including one track workout (12x400), two physical therapy sessions and one four-mile walk.  A huge hurdle in rebuilding anything from surgery is strength.  My largest challenge, however, has been endurance.  The progression has been quite amazing as intensity and volume have increased over time to a point where I no longer need to ice my foot daily, and I am no longer sore walking around the house after a day on my feet. Our bodies truly are a beautiful creation, and I have been astounded at the fact that mine can rebuild and come back from seemingly nothing.  Honestly, running four-minute miles has no comparison to coming back from injury.  Being stuck in the darkness of recovery has been an invaluable tool for sparking the drive I will need to reach all of my goals this coming year.

            Despite my injury and time away from running, I have still been blessed with so many opportunities to stay connected with the sport I love the most.  Rock Hill, South Carolina, is where my running career was jumpstarted in 2008 thanks to Coach Ben Paxton and Winthrop University.  I had the opportunity this past Saturday to share a run and fellowship with some major advocates for our sport at Swim, Bike and Run—a specialty store for all athletes in this downtown location.  This family owned store has a strong community focus and was the perfect place for me to rekindle my relationship with a city I shared life with for eight years.  Thank you to all who came out to run and listen to my story of how running has changed my life. It was very special to go back to the town where I realized I had the potential really run fast and compete at the highest level.

            I am thankful for all the help I have had in getting back to full health and I am so grateful that I can do the thing I love most again.  As I start my training, I cannot help but think about how much I have changed over these last four months, and how much I have grown as a person.  Even though I have not been physically running at a high level, I know that my experiences will help fuel me in ways that I would have never been able to imagine in full health.  I wish injury on no one, but the ways in which I appreciate the sport of running, training and racing will never be taken for granted.  In the midst of sitting of the couch in a cast, struggling though the first weeks of therapy and dealing with the frustrations (and anger...yes, I get angry!) of being injured will be life lessons I will take with me forever.  Knowing that I can overcome these challenges through running will help me as my scope on life has been altered in a way that has only made me a stronger more determined individual.  Onwards and Upwards.  RunHappy—I know I will more now than ever before.

Race Recaps

          

RunningWorks team at the LungStrong 15k

          As the professional track circuit came to a close earlier last month, many pros are now recovering from a long season of travel and competition.  Social media has shown many of my fellow competitors enjoying their “break” from running with family and friends, and some have even allowed other sports and activities to become a part of their lives for a short time.  Next year, I hope to be recapping my own season full of success, and I am looking forward to my first road race back: The Run For Attention 5k, which benefits The Palmetto School where I worked as a teacher for six years.  Not only that, planning for 2016 has begun, and that lights a fire in my belly to be able to train full-time very soon. Considering I need to be running sub four-minute miles again by January, I had better get busy! On the home front, I have been completely engulfed in racing in a much different way as I have had the opportunity to share in the many successes and trials that racing brings with the athletes I coach.

First day running w/team and some fool tried to race me!

            The Charlotte Country Day XC team has been in the heart of the regular season schedule this past month.  We have competed in many events in the Charlotte area including several home meets at the famed McAlpine Creek Greenway cross country course here in Charlotte.  Our athletes have shown major improvements in season best times throughout these last weeks, and many of our younger runners have experienced the joy of multiple personal best times.  Coaching has taught me so much. Watching other runners push themselves has motivated me in a unique way despite the fact that I cannot run every day quite yet.  Coaching has frustrated me, also, because so many of our athletes have incredible potential but have not developed the discipline to training on their own outside of practice, and have not yet learned how to push themselves and compete at their highest level.  One of the most critical factors in my personal success as an athlete has been my heart.  I love to race, love to train and have invested myself in every way I know how to be my best.  I don’t expect our team to think like me, I just want them to get the most out of what they are doing with the time we have.  I love the process of coaching and all the challenges and joy it brings.  There is really nothing else like it!

#CCDSxc Girls Team pre-race at Charlotte Latin School

            RunningWorks has had some competitive opportunities of their own, also, as many of our athletes were able to compete and volunteer in one brand new race in addition to one of our biggest races of the year this past weekend.  The Rookie Run was one of the most unique races I have ever been a part of as the whole race was designed to give new runners an opportunity to compete in their first ever race.  Several of our long-time athletes were able to partner with first time racers as a “buddy” for the run and helped encouraged those who are new to this sport.  Watching our athletes was truly poetry in motion at this event, and our program at Charlotte Rescue Mission had 15 women who are in recovery run their first 5k. The joy they experienced was priceless as the crossed the finish line.  This race was a victory for them not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well as they conquered what seemed an impossible task. They gained wisdom that they will most definitely carry over to their daily life and recovery.  Running has been one of my greatest teachers, and seeing these women transform from just one race was something like I have never experienced before.

The Rookie Run: Day 1 of our two day RW race weekend*

            Our second race of the weekend was a race where RunningWorks was a primary beneficiary—the LungStrong 15k/5k.  We had a few athletes compete here, but our main focus as a team was to volunteer at this event.  We had stations manned at registration, parking, course monitors, finish line and with race set up and tear down. You name it—RunningWorks got the job done—not to mention rallying over 100 volunteers to make this event a success.  One of the most significant pieces of the RW mission is giving back and paying it forward—no handouts, everything earned.  We love running, racing, having “family-style” meals and traveling places as a team, but nothing can compare to what happens when someone who has virtually nothing to give in the material world gives all that he or she has with heart.

LungStrong 15k: Day 2 of our two day RW race weekend*

            I am a blessed individual.  I know I say that a lot and it sounds really cliché.  But I really am.  I am a part of two organizations who get it.  Organizations who are not scared to get their hands dirty. Organizations who have no concept of time—the job must get done regardless! I know I am where I am supposed to be in life.  I get to do something I love every single day.

The RunningWorks team at "family-style" dinner pre LungStrong 15k

*Videos prepared by Michaela Duckett, RunningWorks Director of Development