The 18 month rollercoaster

Training returned to Olympic Park tonight. My first real session back there since I ruptured my achillies. I have trained there since, but not in the same capacity. A typical cold winters night. Beautiful, none the less. As the darkness of the cold Melbourne night set in, the city comes to life the radiant AAMI park roof lights up. I could stare at it all night, the tiny coloured glistening lights. With the darkness brings peace and stillness in a strange way when you are in the middle of the chaos.

Our session begins as this place has a unique ability to immerse me in the moment. Pacing up and down the grass, I feel like I’m floating. I haven’t run like this in a few months yet the feeling is amazing. I truly love running. The others idle with athletic chitchat, as I am completely absorbed in the moment. The soft grass takes my impact and I concentrate on perfecting my style. Striding out, I lift my hips, relax my shoulders and freely swing my arms. The cool air freezes my face, my body moves. There is nowhere else I would rather be.

As I trundle past the very spot my achillies snapped (a quick calculation in my head) exactly 18 months ago to this very day (ironic in itself), thoughts of my journey of returning to running come flooding back. The past 18 months has been an incredible roller coaster, physically, mentally and emotionally. A time that seemed could not pass fast enough, is simply over and I have popped out at the other end. A place I never thought I would reach at the time. Emotions deluge my mind as a lump builds in the back of my throat. I feel I finally can realise the ride I have been on. The amazing ability the human body has to heal and recreate itself. Most of all the true understanding of achieving something you set out to do. After they hype and excitement of the moment dies down. Believing in yourself and the unforeseeable future. I did it J.