Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Battle Within

I want to thank everyone who played the 12 Days of a Fit Christmas!  It was fun playing Santa for 12 straight days.  There were some super great sponsors, right?!  I  hope you found a new product or two to add to your Christmas list.  By reading the responses each day, it really motivated me last week... so thanks to YOU!  I have one final winner to announce from Day 12.  Congrats to JENNIFER F., who ran 10 miles on a treadmill Monday to win herself some Peppermint GU Energy gel.  Jennifer, email me with your address at runwithjess@comcast.net to claim your prize.

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I'm struggling this week with the same nagging injury. Twisting an ankle equals a lot of unhappy muscles in your whole foot.  Downsizing my runs for the past couple weeks has not been easy. I'm trying to stay fit with bike rides, boxing, weights, yoga... but it's just not the same.  Running brings me a special kind of release.  It's my elixir, my drug. Without it, I feel kinda lost... and depressed, especially when I'm suppose to be in-training for the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon in less than 10 weeks.

Getting over an injury, even as simple as a twisted ankle, takes a certain kind of inner strength.  It's easy to get sucked down into that spiraling tunnel of laziness.  Without the exhilaration, exhaustion and utter high that a run provides, I find myself wandering around the house bored and unsatisfied.  That always leads me into the kitchen looking for something I can eat to make it better, make it go away.  In the past, I've dealt with life's adversities by numbing my system... food comas, alcohol or cigarettes.  I refuse to be that person again.  So when injuries riddle my run, my subconscious goes into a deep battle.  I fight the urge to sulk on the couch with a tub of ice cream.  I refuse to let my muscles turn to jelly.  I hoist myself up on that bike, crank the happy tunes and pedal away... because I know a kick-ass run is in my future.

11 comments:

  1. Great job staying positive and avoiding your triggers! You'll be running again in no time! :)

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  2. I loved this post...It's actually exactly what I needed. So Glad I stopped by :) I have been having a rough week and have noticed my positivity slipping away - I've actually even craved a cigarette. So although I'm not injured, I've had to cut down on running millage and I know what it's like to just want to sit there and eat :D

    You are such a positive inspiration. Thank you.

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  3. jess this is a GREAT post. I just read Kim's post on injuries as well. I feel some nagging pain in my foot this week and at first i was like "no i am just running anyway because i want to" but then i realized that there were other things i could do...i was just being stubborn. thanks for the reminder and being such a positive inspiration this morning and always :)

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  4. hang in there! I am right there with you waiting for my back to heal. Here is hoping we start the new year with happy recovered bodies ready to make 2012 amazing!

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  5. I can completely relate to this post - I've been fighting the injury "blues" for a few months now and not giving in to the temptations of being lazy and eating badly is so difficult! Good job recognizing your triggers and staying positive!

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  6. You got this Jess! You have recognized what is going on, so hopefully that will make it easier to say no in the kitchen :)

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  7. i think that we all have these days. for me if i allow myself to indulge in self pitty it becomes rather tricky to snap out of. but keep your head up lady, we will always learn more from the challenges then from the triuphs.

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  8. Way to stay positive!! Soon and very soon you'll be running once more!! This is the way I felt when I was prego and the Dr. told me not to run. There is a light at the end of the tunnel :)

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  9. It certainly is a battle, but you will rise above! I hope your recovery is quick and you are back to running in no time!!!

    Jen@FoodFamilyFitness

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  10. Hang in there Jess!! You will be back to your running game in no time! We are all here to support you!

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