I miss running.

A valid statement. A statement I have said for the past 14 months since having my hip replacement. 

I tried elliptical and walking. Walking isn’t bad when the weather is decent, but I struggle because walking is slower than running. Elliptical isn’t bad either except I can hear my computer ping me and work constantly calls. 

I have been in a funk for a few months. Work is crazy busy and I don’t have an outlet. I miss running. I would never use the D word, but I will say not having the running outlet put me in a dark place mentally. 

I finally had enough. I’m not a resolutioner that seeks immediate change. This surely isn’t my first rodeo as I have been into fitness for 28 years. Running was my constant. 

I live close to a local gym. I searched vehemently throughout their website in what I could do as a different run. I signed up for a three-day pass on Thursday. I didn’t hesitate and signed up for a body pump class. 

Covid shutdown put me in an awkward place. I’m comfortable being a hermit so pushing myself to go to a gym…and even more so, a group fitness class, was way out of my norm. And yet here I was. 

I left my favorite water bottle I had for years on a plane a couple weeks ago on a business trip. I was so bummed and shared it with my boss on a call. What do I get for Christmas from my boss? A brand new bottle…and an added carabiner to keep it close. It had to be by my side for my first class.

When I walked in the group ex room, there were three people already there ready with equipment. I approached a lady to ask what I needed. She immediately started gathering everything and literally set me up. That’s a positive.

The class went well. I had an amazing time. I even felt that runner’s high. I think I’ll go back.

On Friday I decided to try the pool since I was off. My legs were a tad stiff. They haven’t had a good workout in 14 months. I enjoyed the pool and even swam a few laps all the while thinking I was going to die from lack of conditioning. I took a picture of accountability.

I planned to do an 8 am class this morning (Saturday) to complete my three-day pass. During the night I would scream in pain from my quads being so sore. I fell onto the toilet to go potty because the pain is too much to bend my legs. 

What the hell?! 

I could barely roll out of bed without severe pain. Am I glutton for punishment? I must be. I was thinking this as I pulled up to the gym. 

Am I dying? Is this hell? I cannot sit to pee, much less take another class…but yet here I am.

The instructor turned off the lights and set up flashy disco balls. Are we exercising or having a party? 

Both….we did both. After the warmup, I knew I was right where I belonged. A fancy remix of “Ice Ice Baby” came on. My favorite song. Did they know I was going to be here? Are the fitness gods telling me I’m home?

The class was so happy and fun. A catchy song came on I never heard and had to laugh. I get this since I’m married to a Jim. 555

“Hey Jim, it’s me
I don’t know what you did to me last night
But my body is so freakin’ sore!”

The workout ended with a remix version of “Oh Mickey”. I remember when that came out as a young kid. I was teased it was written for me since my family and friends called me “Micki”. I still smile when I hear this song.

As my extremely sore legs waddled out to my car for the drive home. I smiled. I left with the amazing runner’s high. I’ll still use the term runner’s high. It’s a different runner’s high, but still a runner’s high.

I will always miss running. But this is a great alternative. I call it a different run.

Peace out, trouts! Thanks for hanging me during my many months of absence. This may be the last year of blogging, but I’ll try to be more active.