Should I Do This? Should I Go For A Run?

Should I Go For A Run?  That was the thought going through my mind on February 1st, 2012.  It was unseasonably warm for the Ohio Valley and I just had this strong desire to go for a run.  The problem was that I haven’t actually gone for a run in 990 days.  My last run was in May, 2009.  My running season cut short due to a running injury that i couldn’t work through.  My plan was to start fresh in 2010 and slowly work up to 10 miles.  Obviously, the cancer diagnosis wiped out those plans and my running goals were no longer a priority.  

Should I Go For A Run

But that chapter in my life was over and two years, eight months and fifteen days have passed me by and now I was entertaining thoughts of running again.  Could I do it?  Am I going to go one block and be so winded that I will have to stop, turn around and walk back home?  Could I do at least a half a mile?  How long would it take me?  During my recovery, I told the doctor and nurses that I was going to wait until I reached 150 pounds before I started doing any exercising.  I reached that weight in October, 2011.  As promised, I started doing some light exercises with five pound free weights and started doing some aerobic work as well.  For five months I was slowly building up my cardio in hopes of  being able to run.  The fear of failure was there, but the possibility of  a small victory outweighed the fears.  Yes, was the answer! Should I Go For A Run?

Should I Go For A Run? All Signs Say Go!

Whenever I ask myself, Should I Go For A Run, the weather is always a contributing factor to the answer.  No, it is too cold.  No, it is raining.  I am not a cold weather runner and perfect running conditions for me is seventy degrees and low humidity.  On this warm February day, 50 degrees was all I needed.  I told my wife that I was thinking about going for a run.  She didn’t want me to go and she told me that I shouldn’t over do it.  I promised her I wouldn’t and I went and stretched out.  I grabbed my running shoes and my stop watch and headed out to the alley.  Am I really ready for this?  Have I done enough cardio work to make it to the bottom of the alley?  I hope so!   I said a short prayer, remembered what my wife said (don’t over do it), hit the start button on my stop watch and headed down the alley.  After I made it to the bottom of the alley, I realized that I wasn’t winded so I continued on.  At about three tenths of a mile, all kinds of signals were bombarding my brain.  My legs felt a little tight.  My left shin was feeling like a shin splint was coming on and I definitely didn’t want shin splints.  I started breathing a little heavier thanks to that ever so slight incline I just went up.  I pressed on.  Could I possibly make it a half mile?  I think I can.  I kept going and made it to the half mile point and I was feeling pretty good.  I felt like I was loosening up and the shin was hurting so I kept on running.  After I made it seven tenths of a mile, I knew I wasn’t going to stop now.  I was pretty confident that I was going to be able to make it.  My breathing was getting a little heavier down the stretch, but I saw my mile marker.  That stop sign on River Avenue was now in sight and I was going to make it there.  I realized that the adrenaline kicked in and I was focused on that stop sign.  One more block and my task will be complete.  I reached the stop sign and hit my stop watch.  I looked at my time, Nine Minutes and Fifty One Seconds, and I was excited.  Not only did I make it to the mile marker, but i made it there under the ten minute mark.  I was a little winded as I started walking back to the house.  I realized that I probably could have gone farther, but I did promise my wife that I wouldn’t over do it.  It was a great day to ask, Should I Go For A Run?

Where Do I Go From Here? Should I Go For A Run?

So many thoughts were going through my mind during the walk back home.  First of all, I felt pretty good.  There were no pains in my muscles or shins.  I didn’t collapse to the ground gasping for air.  I was excited that I wasn’t going to have to walk through the door and look at my wife and say, “I Think I May Have Over Done It!”  I was excited that it was warm enough in February to go for a run.  The thought that was at the top of the list was how thankful to God I was that I was  even capable of running.  I was thankful that I was even breathing.  It was just a year prior that I was going through Round Two of my cancer treatments.  Round Two is what I would call a good old fashion butt whoopin’.  It put a hurting on me.  So, as I was walking back home,  I truly was thankful to God for even giving me the opportunity to even ask the question Should I Go For A Run. 

So where do I go from here?  My 2012 running season started on a high note.  I know I need to pace myself.  I have set some goals and would even like to do a 5K.  Is it possible?  What do you think?  Should I Go For A Run?