Running sometimes makes me feel like Rocky. I get in my head that if I can finish, I can do anything.
Come on? Have you ever felt like this running?
Oh, I know. I’ve been told I have a flare for the dramatic 
The big running comeback after surgery has been hard. It’s amazing how quickly and dramatically I lost my running endurance. The thought that I was running 13+ mile training runs nearly every weekend last summer is unbelievable to me.
Lately, I’ve been thrilled with a 3 mile run.
Since my first run back, I’ve been consistently running 2-3 miles, 3 times a week. I’ve had some really good runs and some really awful runs.
My weekend runs have been outdoors but I’ve been running on the treadmill in the afternoons during the week quite a bit. Between the heat, the rain, and my schedule… it’s the best I can do.
Some of the runs have been solid and I’ve felt pretty good afterwards.
Othe runs my lungs literally felt like they were going to explode.
A run around a lake in Columbia in the middle of summer heat really has no chance of being “good.”
My times are no where near where they were before surgery. I’ve been forcing myself to not worry about it too much. I really just want to feel the joy of running.
My low point in the comeback was a treadmill run last week where I just quit half way through. I just could not keep going. I HATE quiting. For some reason, it bothered me for days. I felt weak and defeated.
The ups and downs of trying to get back to where I was have been humbling and inspiring. Despite the struggle, I am slowly seeing glimmers of hope.
Sunday, I wanted to feel that Rocky spirit.
My running adventure started off slow. I couldn’t run the path I planned because of the flooding rain. The rain had temporary stopped, but the river was still rising.
DARN it! Stupid rain. If only a Meteorology degree meant I could make the rain STOP!
The change in plans normally would have thrown off my groove, but I quickly regrouped and I found another great path. It was hillier than I like (yes- I know I live in the mountains), but I didn’t care. It felt so good to be outside, feeling strong and doing what I love. I progressively got faster during the run.
Mile 1: 10:35
Mile 2: 10:15
Mile 3: 10:05
BOO-ya! A negative split with respectable times for me!
Strong finish. Now this is progress.
Don’t try to tell me I don’t look like Rocky in this picture… because in my heart.. I do. Look at that sweat!!!!
No one ever said running was easy.
No one ever said a comeback was going to be easy.
But when I have a major breakthrough and feel the strength building back in my legs and the joy coming back to my heart, I know it’s all worth the effort.
Just call me Rocky Wunder.
--------------------------------------------------------
QUESTIONS:
HAVE YOU EVER HAD “ROCKY” RUN WHERE YOU FEEL LIKE A CHAMPION? (No matter what your pace was?)
DO YOU EVER FEEL BAD AFTER QUITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF A RUN?
DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR MY COMEBACK?
Shirley Deters says
Dear Rocky Wunder --keep up the good work - I admire your perserverance (sic) - you know what I mean. I enjoy sharing your outlook on life & thru your positiveness I learn to keep striving & enjoying what comes my way daily. I never know what to expect each morning I wake during this 78th year - but I strive to make the best of it. And being greeted by you & Jay & Holly is a pleasure.
Chelsea says
Rocky runs are my BEST runs. Those are the runs where you are done with the distance you were scheduled to run that day, but feel like you could keep going and going!
When training those are so rare for me, most days I feel like even in the 1st mile I can't go another step.
JulieWunder says
I know what you mean-- It's funny how 1 mile can seem so short yet so long sometimes!
Steve Cooper says
Small wins are still victories. Congrats! Seems to me like maybe you're still toxified. Anesthetics hang around the body for months. Accelerate your recovery with more raw food, if you haven't already. Fruits detox and veggies feed, but keep 'em in balance. Be well!
JulieWunder says
Good tip-- thanks Steve! Kale salad for dinner!
Bethany says
Nicely done Rocky! I finally ran again last night for no reason other than it's been too humid for me. I trying to get my body /lungs used to it. I made it only 3.5 miles but I felt like Rocky myself. It was worth the sweat! Glad to hear you're out and enjoying what you love!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Bethany! I don't know how you run in the heat off the mountain!
Jaime says
Great job on your come back! If I quit in the middle of a run, then something big had to happen to get me to that quitting point. I don't feel bad. I'd feel worse if I had to finish out a long run if I was hating life at that moment.
JulieWunder says
Very good point- haha! There is usually is something pretty bad going on with me physically for me to quit.
Dan Steadman says
Where I felt like a champion? Asheville HM last September, two and a half weeks after a near-fatal car crash(fence beam about six inches from my head, passed out and drove 13 miles before the crash), I remember running Asheville, coming around the final corner after the Walnut St climb and feeling like a champ down OHenry St with the crowd cheering me on, and look, I missed a PR by 5 seconds, but felt like a champ. Feeling after quitting during a run, quit a half mile in to a five mile run due to sciatica, walking back to the house, changing out of my running clothes and crawling back to bed, worst feeling ever, wonder "am I ever going to have a run worth a hoot again?" Advice: Take the small victories as they come and SLOWLY build on them, if you do increase distance, remember no more than 10% than the week before...best of luck on the comeback...
JulieWunder says
Thanks Dan! And I'm still wishing you the best of luck in your marathon training!!
Joyce says
Congratulations Julie, I think you are doing great.. I am impressed...
JulieWunder says
Thanks Joyce
Lori L. Clark says
I'm so bummed. I ran a half marathon earlier this year. I'm signed up to run the Solutia Rock N' Roll 1/2 in October. 3 weeks ago, I broke the 5th metatarsal bone in my left foot and I can't run at all right now. I'm going stir crazy!
Good luck on your road back! 🙂
JulieWunder says
OHHHH that stinks!! I am so sorry. I hope you have a speedy recovery.
Allison Bosco says
Julie- I remember very vividly a moment running along Lake Erie where it all came together and I knew my place in the world and felt on top of it all. I also had a big setback when I was training for my first marathon-I had a furnace blow up in my face and had 2nd degree burns of my face and right arm.The slightest breeze hurt-but after about three months I was out training again and did run that November. I guess I always used the "I think I can" mantra when the run really sucked. Because some will and some won't but most are not even memorable-kind of like life. Hang in there. I met my husband training for my first marathon, and now, 21 years later we no longer run but hike all over.
JulieWunder says
I like that... "I think I can!"
What an awful thing to happen-- congrats on that comeback. Even though you don't run now, what a great memory to have!