I'M BACK! In more ways than just posting again, which it seems I haven't done in a several weeks. I suppose that makes me a reluctant blogger, too.

I'm running again, with a surprising side effect: I like it. I'll say that again, because, especially for me, it bears repeating: I LIKE IT. Never did I think I'd utter those words. I've always hated running. I hated how out of breath I'd get. I hated how every muscle in my legs would scream for mercy a quarter of a mile into a run. I hated thinking "if I can just make it to that tree/sign/blue car, I'll stop for a little break." In short, I hated everything about it. So, what's changed? I'll tell you.

A few months ago, I posted on Facebook that I needed a recommendation for a good podiatrist to help with a problem I was having with my second toe and that, as someone who needed to run, I would prefer a doctor who has experience with injuries sustained by runners. I got several suggestions for doctors and one offer of training by a woman named Barbara who was getting her certification in ChiRunning. I had heard of ChiRunning and wanted to give it a go but a Google search for instructors in my area fielded nothing, so that Barbara replied with an offer of help was very fortuitous. After much schedule juggling and attempts to get together, I finally got a brief lesson from Barbara, in which I learned about form, posture, and how gravity can help, not hinder, the running process, but was soon thereafter told by my podiatrist that I needed to stay off my foot and was given my lovely orthopedic moon boot that ensured I was not only NOT able to run, but hardly able to walk, as well. I was in that thing for a total of eight weeks. By the end, I was able to maneuver in the monstrosity fairly well and a couple of things happened during that two months: 1. my foot did, indeed, get better and 2. I found that I wanted to run. Nothing like being told you can't do something to make you want to do it, no matter how much you didn't like doing that something in the first place. As it happened, Barbara was teaching a ChiRunning class the week after I was given the all clear to remove the boot. There were three of us taking instruction, all of whom were having similar issues. None of us could figure out how all of these people enjoyed running so much while we were struggling to understand just how badly anyone (meaning "we") could screw it up - I mean, it's just running, right? Everyone knows how to do it, RIGHT? Apparently not. As with everything, there is a correct form to running and mine was off. Not by much, mind you, but off, nonetheless. It was off just enough to hinder my breathing and cause my legs to cry "uncle". And to make me hate running.

Within an hour, I ran 3/4 mile without being winded, was able to carry on a conversation, and with no pain in my legs. Recovery time was 30 seconds, as opposed to two minutes. Barbara had alerted me to slight adjustments that were needed in order to open up my chest properly to allow for optimal breathing. She helped me realize that my strides were too long and were causing me to overuse my leg muscles, translating to fatigue and subsequent pain. She taught me that gravity is my friend and can help me speed up or slow down, depending on how much I lean forward or backward. She taught me about cadence. It all came together. light bulbs were going on all around my previously perplexed head. I had finally gotten it...and I was bitten by the bug. I wanted to run further and felt as though I definitely could but, as my doctor had told me to take it easy the first couple of weeks, I stopped. The next morning when I awakened, for the first time ever, I wanted to run. I tried to curtail the urge by getting involved in a project but by 10am, I couldn't do it any longer. I called a friend and convinced her to join me. As she's more of a run/walker, the pace would be more where I need to be at the moment. Again, I felt as though I could have gone much further than I did but I didn't. I'm pacing myself. I'll add a quarter mile each week until I'm at my goal of three miles every other day. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, that will be the end of September.

And I. Am. Sore. My calves are screaming every time I stand up. My quads are tender. My hamstrings want to know "Why?". My butt...well, it can shut the hell up because it needs to look good in a pair of jeans. I don't mind it, though. This is the kind of sore that comes from working properly, the kind that says muscles that haven't been used in a while are waking up again. Since I had no pain while running, this pain tells me I've done something right so I'll take it and step up the yoga a bit to stretch and lengthen my tender muscles.

In other news, though somewhat related, my hat is officially back in the ring for the police department. I received an email notification that recruit positions have been posted so I submitted my application again. Given the date I took my P.O.S.T. exam last year, it seems I may not have to take it again, at least according to the city's website. I'm prepared just in case I'm told that I do have to take it but at this point, I'm focusing on being in prime shape for the P.A.T. I know I can get over a six foot obstacle but will still be practicing. I know I can manage the balance beam. I know I can do the dummy drag. I know I can do pushups.

And I know I can run.