First off, thank you all so much for your comments and support on my post on Thursday about lessons on injury. I appreciate it more than you know. I was feeling a bit down after my doctor’s appointment last week but writing that post and hearing your feedback made it easier for me to take my own advice to be patient and trust in the process.
I finally had a chance to go for my first “run” on Sunday morning. I promised my physical therapist that I would only run for 10 minutes max and that I would take it easy. I knew that I would have to start slowly. So I did, gently edging up my speed to 4.5. I felt good to move my legs but also weird and hard. Not huffing-and-puffing hard but just physically hard. Again, I was humbled because 4.5 is a pace that I would normally walk. I tried to ignore that fact.
I felt good and I wanted to increase my pace a little. I bumped it up to 5.0 but my knee started hurting a little, right behind my kneecap. PunchPunchPunch my speed back down to 4.6 and I finished my “run.” My first post-surgery “run.” It was only 10 minutes and slow as hell but I will take it. It was a #BrilliantRun (thanks to my Mizunos).
Afterwards, I did my usual round of PT exercises and core work. Then, something amazing happened. I looked around the gym and eyed the wall. I made my way over and set up to do a headstand. I tried a couple of times and made it halfway up but then, I finally did it. I did my first headstand – without a teacher assist and without using the wall to prop me up.
I know that I’ve talked about my inversion aversion but headstand has been something that eluded me for, oh I don’t know, 10+ years maybe? It’s definitely been a huge block for me, I think more of a mental block than anything else. I know physically what I’m supposed to do but as soon as curl my legs up into my body and attempt to extend them up towards the ceiling, I crumple over.
When I was in Montauk, I tried SUP Yoga. We paddled out on stand-up paddle boards onto South Lake and went through a vinyasa flow on our boards. At the end of our practice, I tried to do a headstand on the board. I don’t know if it was the novelty of being on the water or that I had already accepted the fact that I was going to fall in the water anyway, but I was more fearless than I’ve ever been before when attempting headstand. While I didn’t manage to do one then, I did manage to backflip onto my board twice and not fall into the water.
But something clicked that day. Then, last week, I watched Miz’s headstand video and marveled at how quickly, easily and effortlessly she flipped herself upside-down. After watching her video, I knew that I would do it the next time that I tried.
This time, as I curled my legs inward, I remembered to breathe and I zipped my legs together and pulled in my core. It was an amazing feeling. I felt so light, like I floated upwards.
Did you have a good weekend? Do you find that your breakthroughs are often more mind over matter?
So happy for you that you took your first run. Slow or not, it is a huge step! Before you know it you will be running faster and longer. Hurray!
I did my first non wall supported headstand today too! In yoga this morning, when we were given the option from a wide leg forward bend I thought what the heck. The wall was close, but I ddn’t need to use it. And I wasn’t totally graceless on my landing.
Yoga on a surfboard sounds so great to me. I would love to try it (as long as the water is warm because I’m pretty sure I’d end up in it ).
Thanks Debbie and congrats on your headstand too!! I think that I had the same thought – what the heck and give it a try. Landings are a whole different story. I’m not even worrying about that yet! Yoga on the paddleboard was pretty amazing. Really works on your balance. I think that the key is accepting that you will likely fall into the water and then it’s not that big of a deal and you aren’t worrying about it all the time.
Glad your running again even if it’s 10 min. I loved Miz’s post on headstand’s. It was one of those posts that you could not, not do a the headstand. I felt compeled before I left my house to at least try. She is wonderful as are you! Have a great week!
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..Race Recap- Navy Base Ventura County Wounded Warrior Half Marathon
Thanks Lisa. 10 minutes felt great and I know that I have to keep building slowly. And I completely agree about Miz’s video – I watched it and afterwards was going to try to do a headstand (except that I just ate!).
YAY!!!!! Congrats! What huge milestones for you this weekend. 10 minutes is 10 minutes. You need to start somewhere, right? I, too, was motivated to try headstand again after seeing Miz. Unfortunately, I’m not there yet. Grrrr! But it WILL happen. Congrats again!!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Running with A Legend
You are absolutely right – I have to start somewhere. Once again, I felt my patience being tried. I’m not good at the patient thing sometimes! I literally was up in headstand for about 2 seconds but it was great. I have no doubt that you will get there soon soon!!
Wow how awesome is that!!!! Two huge hurdles! You’ll be amazed when you get comfortable running again how much easier it will be! What an inspiring post!
Jess recently posted..Keeping Kids Birthday Parties Healthy
Thank you. I think that I might have jumped for joy too. I HOPE that running will feel easy again! It kind of put me in my place again as to where I am physically. I guess I need those reality checks every once in a while, right?
Iamsohappyaboutyourrun.
NOW
ontotheimportantstuff!!!
you stood on your head!!!!!!
Miz recently posted..Role model Monday: It’s how I do.
I stood on my head!!
You go girl!! Way to keep so positive and to rock a headstand!!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie recently posted..Weekend Fooding
Thanks Erin! It felt like a huge accomplishment. Nice way to start a Sunday
what a huge past few days for you!!!!! keep at it slow and steady! you’re making such great progress!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..Bean Bytes #6
I think that I have all this pent up energy after remaining conservative and patient over the last 6 months
I know I have to remember to keep it slow and steady and I kept reminding myself of that today.
speed doesn’t matter, just that fact that you did it is awesome!! So so happy. Lots of healing coming your way!
lindsay recently posted..Wordless Weekend
Thanks Lindasy!! It’s so funny because when I started running, I caught myself eyeing my pace and just wanting to bump it up higher but then realized that it really didn’t matter – I was running!
I’m going to call that an epic weekend for you! Congrats on that first run back. Doesn’t matter how long, just that you are back! And it will get easier, I promise! And then that headstand–so cool that you did it! I am in awe.
misszippy recently posted..I’m alive…
I thought about calling it epic but thought that might be a little dramatic
I’m glad to hear that the running will get easier. One day at a time, right? Hard to remember sometimes. I was pretty stoked about the headstand. Seriously, I have tried for so long!!
So glad you were released to start running again! Nothing to lose by trying with running or standing on your head. I love this post. Keep healing up! You’re on the path and I love it.
Donloree recently posted..My Practice
Thanks Donloree. That was exactly my attitude – nothing to lose so why not try?
That surfboard yoga sounds AMAZING! And major kudos for your post-injury run! Even if you did a 3.0 mile pace, the important thing is you’re back at it…the biggest (and probably hardest!) step!
Jess @UsedYorkCity recently posted..A Little Country In The Big City
Thanks Jess. The SUP yoga was pretty amazing. It was such a different experience to be out on the water – a little distracting at first but kind of cool to be on the water like that. If you do get a chance to try it, I totally recommend it. It’s a fun way to mix it up. You’re right – I’m happy to be back to running and I have the hardest step behind me.
Congrats on your first run!
SUP Yoga sounds incredible! Good job!
Keep it going Christine! You got this
Kierston recently posted..5 Tips: Easing The Pain in Fitness Competition Heels!
Thanks Kierston! I felt like getting the first run done was a huge step.
Woohoo! Look at you. Fantastic to hear you’re running again. Slowly but surely you’ll get there.
And props to you for getting your headstand! Moments like that are worth waiting for =)
Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb recently posted..Buzz: Living Life At Buzzbomb Speed
You are absolutely right – the headstand was worth waiting for. I think that I was finally physically and mentally ready for it and it’s definitely more of a mental accomplishment. I keep trying to remind myself to keep going slow and steady. I think that there’s a part of me that wants to rush on forward but I’m trying my hardest to rein in that urge.
What a great weekend! I’m glad you were able to run again even if it was a pace slow to you and not for very long, progress right?
. And congrats on the head stand, what an amazing accomplishment!
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly’s recently posted..We Run This
You are absolutely right – progress is progress. I have to keep reminding myself of that!
Awesome, Christine! So glad you can ease back into running again. And that headstand is fantastic news! I haven’t mastered it yet, but hope to some day.
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..A therapeutic run
Thanks Laura. It felt great to run. I can’t believe it’s been so long!! Maybe we can practice headstands at Fitbloggin
I’m definitely a mind over matter person. Sometimes I let my mind get the best of my though. And good for you! I’m a pretty slow runner, but am trying to slowly work my way up to be a little faster. It’s the breathing that gets me!
Missy | Literal Mom recently posted..7 Tips for a Healthier, Fitter (More Fit?) Family
Oh man, my mind gets in the way all the time. I’m trying really hard not to over-think things and just let it be.
great job on taking it slow and easy to return! I swear when you do it right your running is better afterwards because you pay attention to things you used to take for granted.
I can’t do a headstand yet and yes it’s partly because it scares me
Amanda @RunToTheFinish recently posted..20 Mile Treadmill Run and NYC Late Start
You are so right. I’m so much more aware now of how my body moves and really really conscious of alignment and that I’m using the right muscles. Headstand still scares the hell out of me!! We’ll see if I do it again
YAY! You are amazing! You are going to come back post-op stronger and better than ever! YOU ROCK GIRLIE! SO PROUD OF YOU!
Krysten Siba Bishop (@darwinianfail) recently posted..Marathon Training Thursday – Running Questions
Thank you!! You know, I often think of you and the incredible progress that you’ve made post-op.
You are awesome!! Headstand AND a good first run? Rock on my friend
jobo recently posted..Striving for a set-apart life.
You know, I figured that I might as well get it all out of my system in one day.
Thank YOU!
Congrats on your headstand! I want to be able to do that one day too. Right now, I’m way to scared to flip myself over, even to do one against the wall. I can only “climb” up with my feet with now. Must keep working on it.
Katy recently posted..Workout Recap 09.10-09.16
I’m terrified that I’m going to flip over. I have a tendency to over-rotate when I’m trying to straighten my legs so I’ve ended up on my back a few times. It’s an odd and disorienting feeling for sure!!
I am 100000000x terrified of headstands/handstands. I totally understand the fear. I just can’t. I can’t do it!!
Cat @ Breakfast to Bed recently posted..Peeing on Trees with Flying Cows.
Really? I can’t quite imagine that you are scared of anything.
Yay yay yay yayyyy on the run AND on the headstand, you are amazing!! So happy that you had such a good (GREAT!) day!!
Jess recently posted..Of peaks and tapers
Thank you friend! It was a pretty great day. I think that I might have jumped around and cheered for myself too
Yay!!! Way to go on getting your first run post-injury done! Who cares about the pace, girl, you did it! It’s 10 minutes of running you wouldn’t have gotten done if you hadn’t tried, right? So happy you were able to get to that point. Only way to go now is up!
As for mind over matter moments…you know and I both know that’s how I roll. It’s always mind over matter for me. I’m training for my next half, which is in 8 weeks, and I haven’t registered yet…in fear that I won’t get to that point again (yet) with the issues I was having before. But, I’m going to push myself mentally and get it done. I’ve got to.
Melissa @ Live, Love, & Run recently posted..Recipe: Banana Bread with Nutella Swirls
Thank you my friend. It was 10 glorious minutes and I ran 15 minutes today which felt even better. I was super happy to start feeling like my old self.
I know that you will get there and you run a great half. Fear is a funny thing, isn’t it? Lately for me, I feel like I’ve been compelled to face my fears rather than to run away from them. Kind of how I felt about the headstand – I just find myself saying, “why not?” a lot more these days. I can’t wait to cheer you on when you crush your next half!!