I AM THANKFUL FOR ...

Fall dunes. Taken by PKSenagore 2018. All rights reserved.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, MY REASONS FOR BEING GRATEFUL FOR RUNNING were listed in a pre-Thanksgiving blog post. The 2018 Pre-T post included my reasons to be thankful for “not running” during a prolonged period of recovery from injury.
 
This year, after a return to running in a limited way, my perspective has again changed. I appreciate simply being able to exercise realizing that health conditions, time constraints, unforeseen circumstances, and emotional and mental stresses might, at various times, restrict my opportunities, ability, and desire to be physically active.
 
The worst situation, a change in physical health, arose after a soft tissue injury revealed osteoarthritis was the underlying culprit.  My self-imposed running ban was to continue after rehabilitation had been accomplished, into the future. At the time it seemed to be the most prudent course to avoid further injury and eventual surgery.  I resolved to stop running and find other means of obtaining fitness-building exercise.  
 
Walking, biking, swimming, snow shoeing, working out on aerobic gym equipment, and strength training filled in for running for more than two years.  I’m back running again because function and feeling have been wonderful with lots of hard conditioning work and research that suggests running won’t necessarily worsen the structural condition of my knee joints.  But I understand that this most favorite activity will remain one small part of a well-rounded and balanced approach to physical fitness.
 
After becoming accustomed to relying on these other sport activities for fitness work while not running, I realized that, like with running, I would never wish to be forced to give up any one of them.  Each one has provided enjoyment.  And frustration because being new and not good at something is discouraging. But without running to fall back on as my exercise of choice, the only option was to continue and push ahead with these other forms of exercise. Not necessarily competitive at them, but at least comfortable such that the joy of exercise returned when performed.
 
Running has been like a close, lifelong friend to me. Now I have new exercises as friends and know that whatever issues arise in the future, all can be counted on to help achieve my fitness goals!
 
I am thankful this Thanksgiving for running and moving!
 
RUN & MOVE HAPPY!