Shannon's Scene: Take Two

Lessons from a Toe

So it has been a while since I’ve injured myself to the point where it hinders me from activities I do for enjoyment.  In this case, a mere broken toe proved a bit of a setback in my training, and really my lifestyle.  Personally, I learned through various life circumstances that identifying emotions, feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, is an important skill to master when moving through a process.  Identify that feeling, face it head on, let it go.  Sometimes I hang on to those moments, especially when they are few and far between, and fixate on what I should learn from it.

What can a broken toe teach you, you might ask?  For me, the theme for my lesson was humility.  So I had a setback.  In the grand scheme of life, a broken toe is no deal breaker.  What about those who have a passion for a hobby, a true gift, a talent, and have succeeded, inspired others, and continue to press on… only to have it taken away due to injuries, disease, or setbacks much greater than I could even fathom?  I’m thankful I will return to my loves of running and yoga.  I’m humbled.  It could always be worse.  I will take this with me on my marathon course.

That said, I’m grateful to report after two weeks of a true test of my stubbornness (I blame genetics for that) and patience, I stuck to doctor’s orders, and am back in the game with my first comeback run under my belt.  I set out to do what I was able, mindful to quit if the pain crept into my foot or became unbearable at the toe-level.  I buddy taped it for good measure and was extra conscious of my form, which is always good, and something I too often sacrifice.  The heel-to-toe footfalls are going to be of extra importance, and maybe it will become habitual again (I was much better about my form earlier in my running).  Funny enough, with my new shoes, I was so distracted by the fact that I tied the laces on the opposite foot a little too tightly and it dawned on me that I didn’t even notice the near mute talking my toe was doing in there on the other foot.  It was tolerable, not unbearable, and didn’t feel overdone.

Since I missed the first 20-miler last weekend, I’m going to aim for back-to-back big runs.  However, I plan to split this week’s long run into two days, with 10 miles Friday morning (heads up coworkers: you have permission to wake me up by whatever means necessary when I nod off at my desk), and 10 on Saturday morning.  Next week, I’ll aim for the full 20 in one setting…before getting on a plane to Dallas.  Let that sink in.  I haven’t yet, so maybe you can do it for me.