Colleen asked me a while ago to write something about my running journey on the blog. Also to pay mention of the times I’ve been off due to injury and how this has impacted on my goals. Well, I’m sure it was the next week, I incurred a groin injury (not while running) that put me out for the next 7 weeks! As you can understand, my head wasn’t in a happy place, so now that I’m back running and in a better frame of mind I will tell you my running story….
I came along to Colleen’s running group back in the early days of February 2007. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was overwhelmed by the support that these wonderful women gave me. They told me I could run, they showed me how and I could. These women were so inspiring and encouraging, I couldn’t wait to see them each week, and they were becoming my friends. They gave me confidence in myself and I became a runner, a runner for life. These women were the Go Getta Girls. I was now a Go Getta Girl and I loved it.
In the 3 ½ years I have been running, I have been out with injury 5 times. All the injuries have been in different parts of my body, so it’s not the same injury over and over again. Also the injuries aren’t all due to running either, they are almost all due to my back being the way it is and thus letting the rest of my body down. However running is very good for me. I just need to listen to my body and realise that I will have good days when I can push myself and other days where I have to take it slow and easy.
I have had many doctor, physio, chiropractor and massage appointments, x-rays, exercises and stretches. But with persistence and patience I am so happy to be now back running and preparing for my third ½ marathon on Sunday at the Gold Coast.
That’s right it does take a lot of persistence and patience but all I wanted to do was run again and this is what I have learnt to do. Listening to my body and listening to the advice of the professionals and doing the exercises they have given me, I am able to run again. Having said that it’s a very frustrating time being told you are not to run ‘Give it another 2 weeks and we will have a look then’ was the advice.
When you are out from running, there are different emotions you go through. First I think you are angry with yourself because you know you could have avoided this, ‘if only I had of…’ Then you are in denial, as you think you will be alright, ‘ just ignore the pain and you can still run’. So you go out and try to run, but only to realise that it hurts and you can’t run. Then the realisation hits you… ‘Oh crap I can’t run… but I want to run, everyone else is running, why can’t I?’(Sounds like a 5 year-old)
Eventually you accept it because you have to. You have to give your body the time it needs to heal (for me it’s been 6-7 weeks recovery each time) any earlier and you’re likely to prolong the injury.
At this point you take a good long look at your goals. Apart from missing your weekly runs with the GGG’s (my husband would tell you I am very difficult to live with during this phase) you will have to miss the next big run (10ks/ half marathon for me) you wanted to do. But there is always another one… Now this brings me to a very important lesson. You have to reset your goals...You have to stop blaming yourself. There are lots of other runs out there, if not this month, this year, there’s always next year. I am a runner, a runner for life and it does take commitment, patience, consistency and a kind mind to yourself. But it also takes support.
Having people support you, no matter what you are doing is an amazing gift. In life if you have someone who believes in you then you feel you can achieve anything with commitment. GGG is no exception. Whether you are running your first block or running a marathon, these wonderful women are there to support and encourage you as they believe in you. The support continues for you, whether you are injured, ill or out for family reasons. When you are not at the club sessions, your face is truly missed. Even if you just slept in, (or thought you couldn’t possibly run in the rain- Who are you kidding!) you are missed.
I have had tremendous support from our wonderful coach Colleen, I am very grateful for her generosity and friendship in helping me achieve my goals and believing in me, you are truly an amazing person.
The Go Getta Girls is a wonderful club that has evolved from one women’s dream. Colleen you have given us so much more than showing us ‘how to run’ you have given us a place where we can truly be ourselves and share in this love of running and so much more.
I am a runner. I am a runner for life. I am a Go Getta Girl.
