Throwing Caution to the Wind

Since Australia, my runs, on the treadmill, have been regular 30-35 minute routines. I’ve also experimented with changing my speed, which Dr. George allows anyway. My runs are always followed by a 30-minute stationary bike workout to further add to my strength training. This was actually how I regularly train before my injury, with far less intensity of course this time around.

Since I got back from Australia a week and a half ago, I’ve been so busy trying to catch up with my office work and as a result have found it so difficult to find time to exercise. In fact, I’ve been only able to go the gym 3 times to do my strength training including my run and bike workouts. Today, I had a late morning meeting in my schedule so I had a tiny window where I felt I could squeeze in a run. The problem was, it was so tight that I had no time to travel to the gym and was only left with the alternative of running on the road, in the village. The debate went on again in my mind whether to go through with it or not. I knew there might be consequences but my desire to run was greater so I went ahead and did my first run on the road.

I chose a relatively easy route. I ran a straight line a much as I can and tried to prevent any lateral steps. I also controlled my speed and my stride throughout the run but with great difficulty. The urge to go faster, run my normal stride, and attack the uphill slopes was always there especially when I became comfortable with my run around my 3rd minute. But common sense persevered this time around. At the end of it all, when I completed my route, I clocked a total of 37 minutes. I’m sure I didn’t cover a considerable distance given my speed but I felt really great. I had neither pain nor stiffness in my knee. I wasn’t tired at all but had a good workout just the same.

Though it felt great to hit the road again, I don’t think I’m not going to do this regularly until I get George’s GO signal. I’m counting my blessings. I didn’t get injured. My knee didn’t hurt. And I was able to experience “runners high” again after a long, long time.

For now, I can use this feeling to stimulate my boring runs on the treadmill. Hahahaha.

My Alternative Workout

Let me begin by saying that this post is long overdue. I was supposed to post this while I was still in Australia but I was enjoying myself so much that it seemed foolish to waste my time posting my blog.

Anyway, the last time I did write, I was debating whether I should run on the road (instead of the hotel gym) given the fact that Melbourne outdoors were really spectacular. Well, I decided to be more sensible as I didn’t want to risk any unnecessary injury by not following doctor’s orders. In addition, Mayi already felt terrible for accidentally leaving her running shoes so I decided to sympathize with her. Instead, we did long walks (7 to 10 kms a day). It was perfect as we got to see more of the sites and get our doze of daily exercise – two birds with one stone!

Here are some snapshots taken from our walks.