back on the horse

Some of you who have followed my story here and on my previous blogs know that I've struggled with injuries this summer and fall.

Every runner knows many theories are out there to explain injuries.(just google knee pain associated with running and watch what happens!) One is that running over-uses certain muscles in relation to others, and the resulting weakness in "collateral" muscles puts too much strain on the major muscles used in running.

Of course, running your foot into a very unyielding bedpost will also cause problems!

In a nutshell, sometime in June, I developed severe pain in my left knee which kept me from running much at all. And just when I thought I had rested it enough, I managed to break the little toe in my left foot. That in combination with waiting for a diagnosis and then treatment of the left knee, basically put a kibosh on my running life over the last 5 months.

Now that all that is over (I do sincerely hope!), I have to wrap my mind around getting back out there, getting my conditioning back, putting my training back on track.

Everybody faces this at some point: getting over the fear, making the decision, finding the right approach, and just getting started again.

I have gained at least 10 lbs. I'm afraid of pain. I notice definite weakness in the left leg. And mentally, I'm afraid that I'm a perfectionist: it's all or nothing. Realistically I know I have to back up and start small. But how much smaller is enough/too much?

Yeah, am I over-analyzing this, or what? It's just easier to worry than it is to get out there and do it.