5 years ago I would have laughed if you asked me to go for a run. I was not a athletic person and even after I started becoming more of a gym person cardio still wasn’t my thing.
That was until I had Joey. Running turned into my “me time”. For 30 minutes I had sweet, sweet alone time. I didn’t have to think about making meals, doing laundry, feeding the baby, changing the diapers, blah blah blah. You get it.
I learned to enjoy it. I ran my first turkey trot when Joey was about a year old which for me was huge, for others a walk in the park. I was dying and other runners made it look effortless. Still can’t comprehend how some don’t look like death while running.
Fast forward to baby number two. After Ry I continued to run occasionally or do gym classes. Both things put me in a lot of pain. Talked with my doctor who said it should go away on its own. Just some ligament pain - take it easy for awhile. I modified my workouts and stopped running altogether. Every once in awhile I’d attempt cardio and regret it for days.
After two years I finally talked with my doctor again. Said I needed this nagging pain fixed. My body didn’t feel like my own anymore. We finally figured out that I had nerve damage (thanks Ry) after many rounds of shots I was fixed! I could finally run again and go full out on my workouts. My first real run after these shots I was so nervous and that nervousness then turned into a feeling of euphoria. I could do my “me time” again without worrying about suffering later.
I’m running a 10k two weeks from now and hoping to run my first half marathon at the end of summer.
Why do I put all this info out now? Because I think people see me run or workout and assume it’s easy. I want to clarify. Nerve damage or not it’s never been easy.. Its work. It’s dedication and sometimes it’s modified. To this day it’s not easy, because once it gets easier we push ourselves further. We lift more, squat lower and run farther.
I say this to encourage some. Wherever you are at, it’s possible.
I still have hurdles. I’m currently dealing with the aftermath of a car accident but running still brings me peace and when I want to give up. I remind myself: I am capable. I can breath, I’m alive and I don’t have nerve damage anymore.
Find your niche. Walking, running, weightlifting, swimming, biking, hiking, hiit, zumba, yoga... whatever it is. Do it. You’re more capable than you think. I’m rooting for you.
Lots of love,
Alyssa
