Things You Don't Even Realize You Miss

Stuart and I were talking this afternoon, and we both acknowledged how much you don't always realize how much you care about something until it's gone. Yes, I know, possibly one of the most trite and overused expressions in the English language. But there's a reason it's overused -- it's true.

I miss running. Now, I've never been fast. It's never been pretty. But the last two years since tendonitis first reared it's ugly head, I haven't been able to suffer through 17mile slogs. I haven't been able to bitch and moan about hill sprints. I haven't been able to just run and not worry about whether my leg or my lungs will give out first. The doctors have assured me the tendon is solid, and it won't give out. But I'm still not convinced, and therefore am not willing to just "push through the pain."

Today wasn't about running, though. I have almost always hated swim training. I feel self-conscious, slow, and easily irritated by others in my lane. Stuart usually has to drag me to the pool, which explains why I haven't been in two weeks since he's been unable to swim himself. But today, I did it. Overcame the inertia and headed to the local high school. It was packed. I mean, 5-in-a-lane packed. And yet I didn't quit. An easy pyramid, 2500 yards. But, it felt good. There was no pressure. I wasn't doing intervals. I just swam. And, I enjoyed it.

I usually put off swimming, convincing myself it's a pain. But maybe I like it more than I realize. Maybe I was missing it these past few weeks....and didn't even realize it.