Smiling!

Okay, so this is an old picture.  But I remember the totally ALIVE feelings that I had on this trail run.  Enough to make me do the trail run happy dance.  I'm doing this Happy Dance today too!

Honestly, it feels like it has been forever since I've run.  Taking two solid weeks off of running and exercise in general has been a much needed break after Boston.  I've embraced it.  Enjoyed it even.  I've indulged in eating some really yummy foods, slept in, lazed around on the couch, read a book, had girl nights with my mom, enjoyed more wine than normal, and tried not to worry too much about what is going on with my pelvic bone. I've taken extra care to just listen to my body and follow the advice from my coach in telling me that we would not be moving forward with training until I had proof that this pelvic pain/discomfort is not from a stress fracture or stress reaction.  He could not stress enough that I needed to take some time off to just rest, recovery, love my body, and seek rejuvenation!  If I hadn't had the pelvic pain and the threat of a serious injury that could put me out for months (oh, and someone telling me that rest was critical to moving forward)  I might not have been patient enough to really pull my head out of the post-marathon cloud and truly rest.  But thanks to the strong advice I was given, the time it takes to schedule appointments and wait for results, and my body's LOUD plea for rest, I surrendered.  I rested.  Completely.

Then today
I
got
THE CALL.

My Doctor.
Telling me that there is
NO
Stress reaction or fracture.

I had obviously hoped for this.  Even assumed that it couldn't be a stress fracture because it didn't hurt badly enough.  But I wasn't willing to take chances.  I only have one body and I have big plans.  I need this body healthy and strong.

This phone call was the green light I needed.  The peace of mind.  The PEACE.  The flag that went off in my head signaling that
I could slowly start back up again.

2.5 easy miles.
Heart rate increasing.
Sweating.
Body feeling springy and FRESH.

And now I can't wipe this stupid SMILE off my face!!  My whole body is singing.  I didn't even realize that life had taken on kind of a dull grey color until now.  There is color everywhere.  Guess I'm a cheap running date.  Didn't take much and now I'm floating on this little, or rather BIG, runner's high.  Off of only 2.5 miles!

2.5 easy miles,
A promise of good things to come.

My pelvic bone is still whispering at me.  Rather than a pain, it is more of a discomfort.  I can tell something is a little off and I'm guessing it is from my abdominal strain that I had not too long ago.  It just feels so good knowing that I don't have any issues with the actual bone.  My doc referred me to sports medicine where I will be able to get further information about what could be causing the pain in the pubic bone after hard exercise.

So, what's next? Well, for now, it is just one day at a time.  A slow and easy build up.  And really, I'm all about waiting for what my coach tells me the plan is.  He hasn't officially given me the green light yet so I won't get ahead of myself.  This next time around, I'm all about listening and being open to guidance from someone else.  I can do the running, he can do the coaching and together we can make decisions about what is best for Amanda.  I like this arrangement. Post note (years later):  This coach, Ray Hauck was so far from being what what best for Amanda.  I should have listened to my gut that was practically yelling at me to stay away....  I should have known that coaching "for free" definitely deserved the eye raise it initially gained.  

In the meantime,
I can't stop
SMILING.

Amanda