12/13/2025
SWIPE>>> Last year (2024), before law school started, I had 3 surgeries within 4 months. An oral surgery that took weeks to heal, a left hernia repair and a (benign, thank God) tumor in my left foot that I thought was a stress injury after my last half marathon... I did everything I knew to do, everything I tell y'all to heal me ASAP: I went in eating clean, I ate healing foods after, I walked and worked out as quickly as I was cleared to, went back to boxing (modified) when I could. I was still flying for shifts on crutches, getting around and staying strong in my core, arms, legs as much as possible. To keep myself motivated, I bought a pair of racing shoes in '24 and held them for when I could train for my next half.
It took me a year to drop the weight from the way my body responded to the stress of multiple surgery, being more sedentary than usual. I felt strong. I got consistent and eventually attempted a race (a 5k) in May of this year, but it was so awful. I wasn't ready. I ran my fastest (still slow) half mara mid '23, and I forgot how hard and long it took me to build that endurance. I was angry that just one year could cause me to backtrack so much. Then I got busy with school and work but I tried to stay active, like walking stairs instead of the elevator etc.
Last month, I got sick of being upset with myself and started walking: regular walking, walking with a weighted vest, outside, on the treadmill, just walking... 20 minutes, 30 minutes, whatever. It's finals so time is scarce. This week, I started jogging intervals, walk 1 min, run 1 min.... 10 times. I barely told anyone because if I failed miserably, I figured no one would know. It's been a challenge but it doesn't feel so bad. Maybe I just needed time last time.
But I'm running. Which means I've earned the new shoes. I have worn them to run my intervals all week like a badge of honor. And I signed up for a race next November... either the half or if I am crazy enough, my first marathon. But it's day by day and I have almost a year. If a year could knock me back, a year can move me forward.
If anyone wants to join me, to reach any distance, at your pace... DM me. We can do it together.
