I am Running Again
Before my trauma really hit me, I was a competitive ulta-distance runner. I ran marathons, 50Ks, and 50-mile races. It was effortless to keep running. I was happiest when out running. It was my main stress relief.
Then my trauma occured and it continue to occur for three more years. During that time, I broke my heart and it required six surgeries to fix and nearly a month in the ICU. I had to stop running altogether. My sorrow and anguish caused numerous failures in my health. I couldn't run because of my trauma.
Now I am starting to heal and I am starting to run again. It is not anywhere at my old pace or distance and I find it harder to run than I did during the last five miles of a 50-mile run. I run/walk now. Running about 0.6 miles and then walking about 0.2 miles. The total length is only 3.2 miles and it has taken weeks to get to this point. Each run reminds me of my trauma and everything that I lost. I wonder how healthy each run is to my psyche, but I am trying to live with my trauma and stay healthy.
I attached a pix from my running days. This is me leading a group of runners (I'm in the center with an Univ of Colorado t-shirt on) on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier NIMITZ (CVN-68). You can see the big 68 in the background. This picture made the front page of the Navy Times a weekly publication that goes out to the entire Navy. 
Replies
very cool Thor!
I used to run as well, but my illness has me having a different kind of relationship with my body... well that and age.. I just can't run like I used to. As a teenager I ran 10 miles a day three days a week - and then would ride my bicycle from Westwood all the way down to Marina del Rey and back (about 40 miles.) It was fun...
Wow, Thor, that’s impressive. My dad was a marathon runner. He broke Washington state records in high school and was offered a chance at the olympics, but declined it. He loved to run. He ran well into his 60s.
Cool photo! I’m glad you’re able to run a bit again. I think it’s quite an adjustment when we have to change our physical patterns. You accomplished a lot in your running days but I wouldn’t beat yourself up over the adjustments you’ve had to make for health reasons. My dad was an avid runner and has had to adjust to brisk walking due to bad knees with double knee replacements. He used to run marathons and all of it. It was a huge lifestyle change but he enjoys his walks in parks and forest preserves and trails now.
neat! hey that girls cute too, haha. ;)
I used to run some too (but not thaaat much) and play various sports. Itd be nice to play again, but no one to play with. :(
Thanks everyone for your comments. Running was something very special and to lose it has been quite the blow to me. Coming back and restarting is important. Trying to reach 10K distance by the end of the year.
That's amazing!!!..... Good for you..... Big hug.....xo