Body Revival.

So, I guess I have crossed the threshold into the era of injuries with unknown origins. AND- they last longer. Which may mean they are actual conditions instead of what I am used to, which are injuries that can be traced back to a specific incident and are gone so quickly that I don't give them much thought. Someone once told me that this starts to happen in your mid 30's, and well, here I am.

Just as I got used to my finger, which may be early arthritis (tbd), I jacked up my knee on Friday. How? I don't know. All I know is that I was standing in line at church, MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS, and I had this acute, severe onset of twisting pain in my right knee. I have a pretty high pain tolerance, so I know whatever was going on was bad because it was excruciating. It's been almost 48 hours, and it still hurts. It's better but still stiff, swollen and sore. I'm on day 3 of not working out, and I think that may be the biggest issue for me. I have felt the wisest decision is to rest a few days, advil and ice it. It's improving, and I am thankful.

So, why am I blogging about this? It's not to whine. Well, mostly it's not. There are a couple of reasons. 1) I have it supremely good to most, and I am not in a position where I feel entitled to complain too much about this (so, I attempting to just spill it and hand it over).. especially since I successfully completed the Warrior Dash and had a couple of really hard runs on pavement and hills last week. Chances are- my body may not have liked all of that. Chances are I may have to modify and not run outside so much because those days may be past me. AND...2) I am learning some things about my body from the last couple of months that I just need express.

There have been times I haven't been kind to my body, times I have selfishly taxed it beyond what is reasonable and fair. But it's always come through for me. I've maxed it to the limit in situations, and it met me where I needed it to anyway- and it surpassed any expectations I've ever had of it. Overall, I must say, it's been good to me. However, I'm realizing how much I take it for granted. In my pursuit to take full advantage of it because I know that an able body is a gift, I have neglected along the way to take care of it from a well-rounded view. For example, rest.. and what I put into it or forget to put into it when I know full well it needs more than just exercise.

I take a lot from this relationship and don't always give a lot back. Like any healthy relationship, it's got to be a two way street. So, I want to publicly apologize to my body- and now, it's time to pour into it in a different way. A way that isn't always comfortable for me or my "go to".... it gets some rest, some time, some acknowledgment that I hear its signals and will honor them accordingly. And I will eat more good stuff, remember my supplements and respect its boundaries. Better to work with it than against it. AND... if it's failing in some way beyond my control, forgive it and be tender with it because it's life is temporary.