Lessons of a Broken Runner
What brings you to the mat? We all have something we get from yoga. Miranda shares her lessons learned as a broken runner.
I can remember the day as if it were yesterday. I was wandering around the small town of Wilmington with an immense amount of dread looming deep inside of me. I kept thinking to myself "who in their right mind agrees to run a marathon in the middle of the day?!" It was as though I had already made up my mind that this run would be terrible and funny enough, it kind of was. My hips ached from mile 10 all the way until the end, I didn't have my headphones, the course wasn't what I had expected, and to top it all off, I tripped at the 26 mile mark. At the time, I had no idea that would be my last run.
The days following the race were pretty normal. I gave my legs and body what I felt was an appropriate amount of time to heal. However, that first post-race run sadly ended in excruciating pain in my left knee. Fast forwarding a little bit. I took small breaks here and there but each run had the same outcome, this unfamiliar pain that I couldn't seem to shake. It's now been over three months since the race and I can honestly say, I still cannot run. TGFY--Thank Goodness for Yoga!!!
It's been a little over three years that I have integrated yoga regularly in my life. By no means am I anywhere near where I want to be, but I am precisely where I am supposed to be. I firmly believe this practice has helped me to deal with most situations in a much better way. Running gave me a sort of freedom that I have always craved in my life, and yoga, to me, gives the same opportunity but in a slightly different way. The moment I can start to feel the mat beneath my feet, it's as though my body has received permission to move in a way that creates energy, warms the heart, and brings meaning to my life. This whole "loss of running" experience has allowed me to explore my practice on the mat more consistently and with a deeper appreciation. The practice of yoga has encouraged me to take better care of my body by listening and understanding its many needs.
Before yoga, there were so many days where I didn't feel great, but pushed myself anyway because that's what you do, right? You push yourself constantly to be better, because you can always be better. But what if you just be? Be exactly what you are in that moment and that is absolutely enough? Maybe I could push through my knee pain just so I can be better but after almost 28 years, I have decided to take it a little bit easier on my body and do what feels, not only appropriate, but good. As I look to this body with understanding, patience, and gratitude, I have challenged myself to remember to love it fully, as well. Running was always a good way to keep in shape and without it consistently in my life, my body has changed in just three short months. I've had to remind myself every single day that change is neither bad nor good, just change. And by golly, change is not only okay, but inevitable and an opportunity to grow.
Yoga has opened up my mind to see the body as this amazing object that is capable of unbelievable things. And if that's not amazing enough in itself, it's YOUR true home. I have developed a much deeper appreciation regardless of the changes taking place or the reflection that I may see in the mirror. As strange as it tastes to be saying this, I am overly grateful for this experience and its miraculous timing. Yoga has had a remarkable effect on my life that I am so much more aware of now. How beautiful it is to be able to connect with yourself every day in a way you never knew was possible. My self-love and gratitude continues to grow on a daily basis despite whatever setbacks or downfalls I may be dealt. At this point in my life, as long as I have my body, my mat, and some quiet moments to myself every single day, then everything is exactly how it should be and I am doing just fine.
