Blog #2. Which means this should be easier right? Well this will be happier so at least there is that! To update you all from my last blog, I have had zero hip pain for almost 3 weeks now! 3 weeks! I have ran inside on the Y's trusty treadmills, swam, biked, attended core class and spin class (devil instructors) and managed to still be pain free! Ok I am thrilled but also can you believe this, I haven't ran outside in 3 weeks. Coincidence? Probably. We will find out tonight as I am taking it to the streets to see how it goes. Can I ask you all to cross your fingers, send a little prayer my way, chant, cheer, whatever you can to get me off that awful dreadmill that I am starting to like so I must be losing my mind. HELP! QUICK! Ok there's for the update. Happy - check! Hopeful - check!
So last year at this time I was honored to be the female to receive the runner of the year award. Me? Seriously, ask my grade school basketball coach, my high school cross country coach, my band teacher - to receive that kind of an award, they would have said "Not Niki Lake, there must be a mistake?" I just realized my last name rhymes with mistake, that can't be good! Anyway, I was beyond excited and appreciative that people would actually nominate me for that! I am not the fastest by far, I do great, especially in my own happy world, but seriously, there is always someone better than yourself. So I treated this like it was some antique vase. DON'T SCRATCH IT CORY! BE CAREFUL WITH IT! It was my baby, my pride and joy! Nothing could make me happier than it EVER, right? Wrong! I was wrong. Very wrong.
So everyone knows about my hip injury. I don't know who spilled the beans, I was really trying to keep it a secret geez... Just kidding we all know how much I like to talk! Anyway, who would have thought that something so bad would be so good. Yah that made sense right? Really! Ok before said hip injury came into my life I was obsessed. Seriously obsessed. Has anyone found that runner's addict anonymous group? I could have used it. That plaque was a constant reminder! I had to race every weekend. I had to win my age group. I had to PR. Every weekend was about doing whatever it took to be able to race the best, no matter who I hurt, what plans I broke, what non-running friends I blew off. So when you are faced with the opposite, you really get an eye opener. I was bored, I couldn't run every weekend, I couldn't worry about the upcoming race, I wasn't exhausted just thinking about the races! It was great! Seriously, I missed the running, my running friends, etc., but the constant worry and trying to push myself to be the best all the time, I needed a serious break and an eye opener. It was completely my fault, I let the thought of trying to be perfect take over me and who am I kidding, I was far from perfect and getting farther away with each obsessed filled race.
So I was happy. I was cheerful. I was odd. I mean I had a smile attending races I couldn't run, cheering on competition I couldn't compete with. I was happy, relieved, excited to cheer on my friends. It was refreshing. You know what is also refreshing? CHANGE! Which I learned would have to become a part of my workout schedule. Not that, "Hey Niki, for the next few months you must cross train, stretch, and strength train or you won't be able to run." It was, "Niki, you have to do this for the rest of your life." HUH? Yep, no more 30+ races a year with a speedwork and long run packed into every weekend. No more. I can run 3 days a week and you know what, that is ok with me! I have found I love cross training! I love swimming, biking, hell I love core class and the crazy spin instructors! I have no problem with mixing it up! Especially because my doctor didn't give me permission, but told me to do TRI's!!! So here we go with a new obsession. Just kidding! Mom, Cory, it is ok, breathe please! I won't let that happen again! Cory is right now mumbling, "YAH RIGHT!" haha!
But here comes the conclusion! I was honored this year with the Spirit Award. I feel like I cheated because I was happy! I cheered on my friends! I was supportive! But I feel like I was also relieved for myself. It was like I finally was able to just let go of the notion of trying to be perfect, the best. When that was finally taken away I just felt at peace and was able to give some of that peace back! The Spirit Award meant more to me than anything in the world. Julia Williams and I had talked about this last year. Andrea Stack could win this award every year and she should. She cares more about everyone than herself!! And Murelle Plotner was a pure example of keeping up the spirit when in life you are hit with something so difficult. She made it look easy didn't she. So the fact I received this award meant more to me than any other award, especially after all the feelings I just described to you! And who to honor me with this award, my best friend. Michele Marcus is a rare gem. She is quiet, talented, energetic, kind, supportive.... I could list much more but you would all think you should warn Lee that I may have a crush haha! Seriously, I would not have made it through this year without her, without my friends! I was honored and I do not think I will ever feel more proud of myself as I did when she gave her speech and handed me that award, even if I wanted to give it back to her for all she has done! She deserved it to.
Anyway, just remember, it may be the worst thing that has ever happened to you and the best thing that has ever happened to you..... All you need is friends! Haha and you thought I was about to quote The Beatles!
