So yes, I still technically know how to run.
In the span of two years I have run a half marathon, a full marathon, and fully lost my ability to run over 100 meters. It is strange to think that all it takes is a bit of negligence, a bit of life circumstance, and a bit of living life in other ways to make you loose a skill that you love. Two years have passed since I declared my running ability "lost," and I have tried off and on to gain it back.
yes, that is sweat dried onto my eyes.. it was a hot day, and 26.2 miles is a bit of a long ways.
But it is more difficult than it seems. I started decreasing my mileage because of debilitating migraines, which I eventually started to manage - after a year. After a summer of taking in the freedom of a reduced migraine life in Europe, I developed some sort of mystery autoimmune reaction. My heart rate took off, my blood pressure dropped, and I essentially spent the next year in bed in order not to pass out.
On a Harry Potter themed team for our city's mud run. I of course was Harry Potter
Coming back from all of that has been a challenge by itself - emotionally, physically, and psychologically. However, I finally think I am at a point where running again could be a benefit instead of an additional physical toll on my body. But boy, have I got a lot of work to do.
The extended lying and sitting had pushed my hips out of alignment, causing lower back and worsening my preexisting shoulder pain. My muscle strength has decreased exponentially. Flexibility is nonexistent.
So I have given myself a six month plan - just to be able to think about jogging again. And I am taking you guys with me.
This 30 day period will be focusing on realigning my hips, flexibility, and light endurance:
Hips - I will be keeping up with this and this YouTube video daily, along with taking CBD oil and NSAIDs to reduce pain and inflammation.
Flexibility - I will be following Yoga with Adriene's 30 Days of Yoga video, doing one each day.
Light endurance - I plan on doing a 30 minute walk per day. It may not seem like a lot, but when you have been pretty inactive for a couple years (besides working in kitchens), it is surprising how little it takes.
