A Painful Reminder (and, possibly growing as an athlete)

I used to be an adventurer like you...

Well, it's that time again. It seems like my annual "get hurt" holiday has come around. Last Saturday on my long run I was getting a little over-zealous (and it was still a little icy out) and somehow managed to strain/pull/mess up my groin/inner thigh.

Fortunately I don't believe I've done any considerable damage to myself. I was sore stretching on Sunday/Monday, felt better on Tuesday and feel no pain (although still some tightness) when stretching this morning. I'll probably still take today off and most likely only do some very light jogging/spinning until at least the end of the week.

Despite not being a good thing, (of course) I feel like this is actually a big step for me as a "complete" athlete. My knee-jerk go to reaction on Saturday afternoon was to brush it off and continue my training... I mean, I'm going for 200mile/months of running after all, I ain't got time for none of that being injured! After a little "moment of clarity" time though, I realized that I was not only putting *ever* getting to a 200mi/month in jeopardy, but also putting my entire (soon to be upon us) race season on a razor's edge. Yes, I'll lose a little of my building by taking some time, but being set back a few days (or even weeks) is a minor thing compared to being set back for months because of being a bull-headed idiot.

Me two years ago would most certainly NOT have taken any amount of time off, despite knowing that I should. I'd like to think it has something to do with getting a bit smarter (that is...older) and realizing that there isn't any award for being the "toughest" or the best at training... just for being at the finish line fastest. Taking time off puts that goal in the forefront, and makes it (at least to me) seem like I'm doing something proactive. Perception is everything you know.

Alright stop, collaborate and listen... Ice that leg with a frozen invention

So, for me, it's another day or so off, and a couple days easy until I can get back at it without chancing a big injury.  Hopefully everyone reading is staying healthy and keeping up the good fight. Alright, back to the ice pack...

...But let me just tell you, this is the least pleasant place to ice ever.

Thanks for reading

-Christopher Morelock