I’ve been running again for about 3 weeks.  And its been going well. I self-diagnosed plantar fasciitis in my left foot, but I’ve overcome it

Tiger Balm + Crazy Sleeping Sock = Less Arch Pain

I’ll have just a little pain when I first start out, but after moving around, the pain subsides within 5 minutes.  Except for some reason, the other day, ten minutes into the run I’m still feeling it in my arches.

I asked myself, “Should I bag this run and go back home?”

I’ve had a perspective shift concerning my running these past few weeks.  Before, I’d have a set distance or time goal in mind and I’d go out and do it. If I hurt, too bad. If I was tired, too bad. If it was cold, too bad. If it was rainy, too bad. If it was hot, too bad.  Don’t misunderstand me, please, there’s a time for those kinds of runs.  But now is not that time.

Its freeing to not have to run a set number of miles. Or to run for x-number minutes. My approach to my morning runs looks  pretty unstructured. I run for as long as I feel like it, enjoying that I’m actually out there running again. My only goal right now is to get out and run.

Back to the other morning.  I ended up not bagging the run. I simply slowed down and turned my music up.  Eventually my feet loosened up and the soreness went away. I smiled at the other runners on the road. Waved at the cars stopped at the light at Josephine.  Avoided oncoming cyclists.

37 minutes later, I was back home on my porch. Unlacing my shoes. Stretching my calves on the steps. Watching the neighborhood wake, thankful that I’m able to do this.