I’ve missed you Prospect Park.
I was planning on posting something about my kids – some cute thing that I’ve done this month like how they set up a farmers market in our apartment or the debate they had on election night about who to vote for or the books that Jasper has authored (as he likes to say) in his writing workshop in Kindergarten. Linking up with Alison and Galit each month for Memories Captured gives me with the opportunity to stop, sit back and capture these sweet moments.
But, I’ve decided to be a little selfish this month and capture a moment for myself.
Yesterday, I ran outside for 5 brilliant miles in Prospect Park.
It has been 9 months since I last ran outside.
It has been 7+ months since my second ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair.
It may not have been the smartest decision since my tonsils and throat are still a bit swollen and sore but I couldn’t resist. It was a gorgeous afternoon – around 60 degrees (Wait, what hurricane and Nor’easter?)
But, it felt amazing and easy and effortless. As soon as I entered Prospect Park, I took a deep breathe and exhaled. I missed this. Deep down, I missed this.
I kept reminding myself to take it slow and not to push too hard. After all, up until yesterday, I was running very conservatively on the treadmill. There’s one hill towards the end of my run and usually I have to psyche myself up to get up the hill. Yesterday, I was at the top of the hill before I knew it.
As I ran, I kept thinking about Jess and her mantra to run simply - to run because I can and I’m able. I didn’t care about my pace or my mileage. All I wanted to do was run as fast and as long as my legs would take me. The phrase “I get to” kept running through my head, echoing Laura’s reminder that “I don’t have to – I get to” run. It’s a privilege that I’m forever grateful for.
So I just ran – from my heart and with my heart carrying my legs and placing one foot in front of the other.
Before you go, I just wanted to remind you of my two giveaways which are ending this week:
- My Erica Sara Designs giveaway ends TONIGHT at 8pm EST. Will you help me raise money for Hurricane Sandy Relief efforts? All you have to do is enter and I will donate $1 for every entry I receive!
- Don’t forget to enter my Chobani giveaway too! This giveaway is open until Thursday, November 15th.
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Firstly, it is totally not selfish to capture a YOU memory. And I’m glad you did,
Also, go you for the run!
Alison recently posted..Memories Captured – November Link Up!
Thank you Alison! And as always, thanks to you and Galit for providing this lovely space every month to slow down and savor these moments.
BRILLIANT post. And fabulous picture. Congrats!! Sounds like a fantastic run
Leah @ Chocolate and Wild Air recently posted..Giveaway: RACEDAY Books
Thanks so much Leah!! It was a pretty amazing run.
LOVED the thought of “deep down I missed this”
thats 100% me and the iron.
xo
Miz recently posted..The lies we tell ourselves.
Yes. I knew I missed it but it kind of surprised me how much.
I know that hill. I forgot about that hill until Ray and I biked the NYC bike tour. It is a challenging hill, but well worth it when you get to the top.
So glad you enjoyed your run!
Michelle Montero recently posted..To "Tri" or not to "Tri"?
It’s not a nice hill. I have a love-hate relationship with it. I have a few mental markers that I use to get me up the hill but honestly, I kind of just zoomed right on up. Best feeling ever.
Ah awesome run!!! Best feeling ever… now, you make me want to hit the road today.
Meredith @ Dare You To recently posted..Take Race Recovery Seriously
Thanks Meredith!! So, did you go run?
So awesome. That is all. =)
Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb recently posted..Analyze This
Although I am not a runner, I could feel your exhilaration as you ran through that park. Congrats on getting better and getting back out! I love the idea of I don’t have to, but I get to. What a beautifully gratitude inducing thought!
Kim recently posted..If you give a child a choice
Thanks Kim. Isn’t the idea of “I get to” such great perspective? I’ve been saying that to myself more and more and it completely changes my attitude.
Oh you, I’m so very proud of and happy for YOU!
It’s not selfish to focus on you – it’s perfection!
Way to go, mama!
Galit Breen recently posted..Tell Your Story
Thank you my friend. I’m glad that I can share it with you all. Honestly, if it weren’t for Memories Captured, I don’t know if I would have written about it or if I would have just tucked it away somewhere. So glad that I did write about it.
SO FREAKIN PROUD OF YOU!! You are making AMAZING progress, and it is okay to thank your body and yourself for all your hard word! WOOHOO!
Krysten Siba Bishop (@darwinianfail) recently posted..To My Body I Promise
Awwww, thank you Krysten!! You support and encouragement is incredible and infectious. Thank you for believing in me!
yay!!!! So SO happy for you!!! hard work pays off!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..Bean Bytes #14
Thank you my friend! It feels like it’s been a long long road but so happy to be where I am now.
Love it. I know exactly how that run felt for you–there is NOTHING like getting back outside in a favorite spot after a long lay off. Very excited for you as you progress!
misszippy recently posted..Pacing is the bomb!
Thank you Amanda! I kept waiting for the pain and soreness to set it but it never did. I told my husband that it felt like I was coming home when I entered into the park and just took everything in. I just have to remember to still be mindful of my recovery and to listen to my body.
I know that feeling. The first run after my back problems I was crying while I was running b/c I was so happy. You don’t realize how much you miss it – the smells, the sights, the feeling of the fresh air hitting your face…until you are back out there again. SO SO SO happy that you did 5 miles – amazing!!!!!!
PS. I love your sons – they are too adorable =)
Michele @ Nycrunningmama recently posted..Race for Recovery 5k/10k
Seriously, it was crazy. I didn’t expect to be emotional about it but I totally was. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it around the loop and figured that I would just walk if I needed to. I kept waiting for my knee to start bothering me or to be tired or something but that feeling never came. It sure would be nice if every run felt like that!!
PS I love YOUR sons. They are the cutest. Mine are just crazy.
I did the same this weekend. It does feel amazing when you get to head back out for a run. It probably was way more of a mental relief than a physical. I just feel so much more at ease after a run.
Good for you!!
Katie @momslrb recently posted..17 Weeks: Workouts, Weekly Tracking and People Watching
It was totally more a mental relief than anything. I was a little worried about getting back to running outside – definitely questioning whether or not I would be able. But I’m glad that it’s now behind me and that I had a good run. I hope the next one is good too!!
Beautiful – you make me want to run (and that never happens!).
Katie E recently posted..Memories Captured: First Haircut
hee hee. Thanks Katie!
Soooooo happy for you girlie!
Kat recently posted..Motivational Monday & Featured Sneakers #9!
Thanks Kat!
You described the love of running perfectly. That feeling of it just feeling right. It is a privellege that Zi’m glad you can experience again. Way to go friend!!!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Seacoast Half Marathon Recap
Thanks Angela. That run definitely reaffirmed that I do indeed love running, as much as I may deny it at times. It seriously was just right.
Chills. “I get to.” yes, it’s a privilege. Thank you for that reminder. xo
ilene recently posted..Keeping the Mess in Perspective (Guest Post at the Mommy Mess)
xoxo It is a privilege and I won’t take it for granted again.
What a fantastic, beautiful post!!! Makes me want to get outside and run right now! So important to remember the simple gift it is.
Thanks Kim! It is a simple gift, right?
i can feel your joy and am so happy for you! it’s not about the run, its about the gift of running and beautiful scenery.
Thank you my friend. I know you know – the gift of running, the gift of movement. It is a gift!
I am so, so happy for you!! Your pictures match brilliantly with your words about your run. Such an important thing to remember that many of us forget until we can’t do it anymore!
Amanda @ RunPrincipessa recently posted..11 Questions Survey
Thank you Amanda! I know that you understand this all too well. I just kept thinking how grateful I am that I can do this.
Wow that sounds amazing! I’m so glad you were able to get back to what you love doing…my husband has had 3 knee surgeries (ACL the cause of it as well) so I totally get this.
ohmygosh 3 ACL surgeries??! I sincerely hope that this ACL and I get along for many years to come. I’m not sure I would have it in me for another surgery.
I love this! So great Christine!
Kierston recently posted..Competition Season: A Recap
Thanks Kierston!
There is nothing like that first, pain free and relatively easy run after time off. I mean, I haven’t ever experienced a length of time you have.. so I can’t even imagine the anticipation!!!!
So great to see you got back out there. You’ll be back at it regularly, soon, i know it!
Charlotte recently posted..Life Is About The Journey
It’s funny but because it had been so long, I has stopped anticipating it and figured that running might not come back to me for a while. I guess that’s also what made the run so much better – because I wasn’t anticipating it and wasn’t expecting it, if that makes sense.
That is fantastic, Christine! I can read the joy in your words as you describe your run.
Kim@Co-Pilot Mom recently posted..Walking With Bravo
Thank you so much Kim!
Beautiful post! I know that feeling so well- the deep breath, the gift of an effortless run, getting back outside and coming back from injury… I’m so glad you’re coming back! And yes, “get to”- glad that was meaningful for you. I try to remind myself daily what a blessing a healthy body and good run are. Thanks for the shout out.
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..One year of blogging!
Thank you Laura and thank you for the inspiration too. I so wasn’t expecting it to be effortless and as soon as a little bit of doubt started to creep into my head, I kept reminding myself that “I get to.” It is a blessing and a gift.
My best friend who is also a runner always says when she runs the kinda weights on her shoulders felt like it’ s being lifted. So way to go! Always admire people who run
Maureen | Scoops of Joy recently posted..Memories Captured: The Photo Shoots
Thanks Maureen! It does feel like a weight lifted off my shoulders!
I wanted to run so badly these last two days, but sadly I didn’t have the chance to get out there. I bet a run after 9 months indoors felt AMAZING! Congrats!
Sylvia @ Frolic Through Life recently posted..Inspiration
Oh I love that it is you – and now I want to come run with you! xo
tracy@sellabitmum recently posted..Gravel Hands Instead Of Jazz Hands
Yes! Come run with me!
I love this and I’m so happy you were able to do it! Congrats!
Missy | The Literal Mom recently posted..Pay it Forward Opens Today – Share Your Story
I love these mantras! Of course! And I am SO GLAD that you had such an awesome run-back to running!! so so awesome and deserved. You’ve worked really hard and patiently at recovery. it must have felt incredible
jobo recently posted..The thing about planning.
Thank you!! Aren’t those mantras great? They seriously resonate with me right now. And that run? It did feel pretty incredible.
gave me goosebumps, your first run back outside…AWESOME
Amanda @RunToTheFinish recently posted..NO Really, running makes me this happy
You know how you said everything is meant to be? And my best friend that I told you about? she said to me just seconds before reading this post, that her mantra is “one step at a time” xoxo
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..Picky Bars Mini Gluten Free Peanut Butter Pie
OMG LOVE IT!! See? Meant to be. It’s like a full circle
Aw, yay!!!! So excited that you had such a great feeling run. There really is very little fitness wise that feels like a good run outdoors.
Tina @ Best Body Fitness recently posted..It’s Short and It’s About Perspective
Thanks Tina! You are right – nothing beats a great run outside.
Way to go! I’m glad it went well and felt great.
Arah recently posted..Traveling via foot or spatula
Thanks Arah!
Yay! I’m so excited for you!!!
Becky @ RunFunDone recently posted..Scaredy Beck
i like… no LOVE!! this!! your mantras are thoughts i think a lot when i run these days – it’s a privilege! and as i’ve gotten a teeny-tiny bit stronger, my mantra sometimes moves from ‘yay happy running!’ to ‘let’s push it a little harder and see what i’m made of’. you’ll get there too
so so happy for ya, christine!!
lynne @lgsmash recently posted..Life: Husbandless Weeknd = Holiday Letter Wreath Making
Thank YOU Lynne. I know that you totally get this and I can’t wait to be where you are now.
I used to take running for granted so this is a good reminder. I have issues with my Achilles on my right foot and have been on the sidelines for several months now. You give me hope that I will run again. So glad you had such a good run and that you share this with us about YOU.
Thank you Elaine! It’s been a long and sometimes frustrating road but grateful to be where I am now. And I have no doubt that you will get there too. I hope that your Achilles heals soon!
I can almost hear you speaking as I read your words (they were that clearly descriptive of your run and your thoughts!) I love your image at the end also. I get that same high when I am able to get out on a bike ride without my children. (I typically bike instead of run.)
Kate F. recently posted..Where Did the Busy Week Go? {Edition 6}
Thanks Kate! It is an incredibly freeing moment to be able to go for a ride or run without the kids and just move, isn’t it?
Good for you! That must have felt amazing.
May recently posted..Thanksgiving Anticipation
Good for you! Feels amazing when you accomplish something like that. Way to go!
Tina @ Life Without Pink recently posted..I Love Being a Boy Mom Because……