The Recovery Chronicles; or, how I learned to keep a public journal and still be a man

In general, things are looking up! I'm easing back into short, short runs and trying not to feel guilty that my weekly total of 20 minutes is probably less time than I spent trimming the crazy straggler hairs in my beard.

I should probably keep a progress diary, in case something works extraordinarily well or causes a horrendous relapse. My plan is to gently push the limits of what I think it can handle. Based on recent experiences, two hours of standing at a bar and three hours of dancing is off limits. But 10-minute runs, even broken down into three parts, are good!

Monday, January 17

• 2,400-yard swim
• 10-minute run on the treadmill. I was a little disappointed not to run outside, but it was cold and icky, and I wanted this experiment to have airtight controls. The incline function was broken on the only available treadmill; I usually use a 1% grade to make it feel more natural, but what is less natural about running than doing it on a mechanical belt stationed in front of FOX News?

        I ran in my Mizuno Waveriders, trying to "feel" the ground and stay light on my

        feet. It didn't work well; I could feel the clumsiness of a stride that had

       atrophied for three months. But my knee no pain during the run, and no 

       (unusual) soreness Tuesday. Verdict: Success

Wednesday, January 19

• 2,500-yard swim
• 2-minute run on the treadmill. I know. I found one with working incline, and wore my Brooks Launch. Still felt awkward, and though my knee was OK, my old friend Morton('s neuroma) showed signs of a flare-up. So I put on my old XC flats and ran for 4:37 in the field outside.

        To the casual observer, I probably looked delusional running with outstretched 

        arms, head cocked over my shoulder, at a haulin'-ass pace. But in my mind, I 

        was running the most natural way possible: as if I were trying to catch a Hail Mary

        touchdown pass. What has more impetus than that? You have to run fast, run

        loose, run relaxed, run free. It felt great, until my thigh muscles reminded me that I

        shouldn't sprint yet.

        At home, I jogged for another four minutes without the screaming from my 

        hamstrings. Maybe a little Thursday and today, though. I can't really tell. I didn't 

        push it today. Verdict: Inconclusive

Friday, January 21

• 2,250-yard swim (just for the record)

I'll try again soon, with updates. Until then, run happy!