Learning as I go

Have you ever noticed that when you are a child, you constantly ask, "Why?" Then, as you get older, you are taught not to question. We don't question our parents; we don't question authority, such as the police, our teachers, etc; we don't question our bosses; and, we certainly don't question doctors. If I had adhered to this last power, I would have burned my running shoes. But, never being one to go down without a good fight, I went for a second opinion. You see, since May, I've had an orthopedic who just can't get it through his head that running is a way of life for me. On my last visit, his nurse (he didn't even get on the phone with me) stated with finality that I had another stress fracture and was not to run under any circumstances, and that the doc didn't need me to keep my follow up appointment unless I had any questions. Huh? What? No treatment, no prognosis, no nothing? Now, I'm not in the medical field, but that just didn't sound right to me. After an evening of devestation and a lot of tears, I decided to do something about it. I called a sports medicine ortho and got an appointment for 2 days later. After taking in reports, films, and history, it turned out I have shin splints and the hot spot, previously declared a stress fracture, was more than likely what had healed over the summer. I could run. And not only could I run, I can still do my HM on February 2. Sure, I'm on some anti-inflammatories and a deep tissue rub and need some new shoes, but that's a heck of a trade off. If I had listened to Dr. Kevorkian and not questioned what I was told,

• I wouldn't have run a 5K yesterday (with an admirable 35 minute time);
  
• I wouldn't be watching the weather forecast to see what I need to pack for Tybee Island
  
• I wouldn't feel good about all I've accomplished so far and all that I have to accomplish in the future;
  
• I wouldn't be able to run with those that I have encouraged and motivated to become runners; and,
  
• I wouldn't feel like the person I have become over the past year.

Now, running is not all that I have in my life. I am blessed with a wonderful family, friends, job, and a bright future. But, running is an outlet for me. It is a place where I can work off stress. It is something I am good at. And, as the girl always chosen last in gym class, it is nice to have something athletic that I can do and do well. It is the discipline of running that I love. The fact that I can push my body and set and exceed goals. It is the competition against myself for every run that I love.

So, the next time someone asks you, "Why?", instead of brushing them off or answering, "Because", realize that if it didn't mean something in their life, they wouldn't be asking. And, don't be afraid of asking the questions yourself, no matter how hard they may seem or how hard the answer may be.