A few weeks ago, before the full weight of the flu symptoms hit me, I headed out to take pictures of Vancouver’s Sun Run.
The Sun Run is a huge deal in this city and features 50,000 participants!!!! It’s no surprise that it’s the largest race in Canada.
As I stood there taking pictures early that Sunday morning, I realized it had been over a year since I last ran. What began as a stress fracture induced hiatus turned into plantar fasciitis and an undetermined leave of absence from the sport.
And while I can admit that at first I was sad not to be able to run it soon became a fact of life and I found myself embracing other forms of cardio (Zumba anyone?!?).
Which is all to say I was alright with my status as a non-runner. Those days were behind me, I told myself. Surely I was better off without the stress of running on my body.
All lies.
During the Sun Run 2012, each time a new wave of runners started I would feel those old undeniable emotions. That mixture of excitement, nerves, and adrenaline that told me I had to be out there!
So for the past few weeks, a couple of co-workers and I have been following a learn to run a 10k program. I’m starting from scratch but that’s okay – it feels absolutely glorious to be back pounding the pavement!!!
Because the next time 50,000 people run the streets of Vancouver – I intend to be out there!!! 
Question: Have you ever taken an extended break from a sport you used to love? Did you ever go back? How did it feel?
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
How have you been feeling since your return to running? Any pain?
That’s what the next post is about – no pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY DANCE!!!!!!!!!!
Toronto Girl West recently posted..The Return of the Runner
I was so happy to read this post!! I kinda knew it was coming.
Obviously it’s great that you can do it for exercise again, but it’s even more exciting that you can enjoy it! Sun Run, here you come! Yaaaaay!
I know!!! It’s so cool that I can enjoy it again – when I go out for pain free runs I can’t help but thinking that this is what it was like for normal people all along!!!
Toronto Girl West recently posted..The Return of the Runner
The day before you posted this, I made plans for a 10K at the end of August. I’ve been missing running to, but without a goal I was finding it easier just to sit on the couch. Here’s to getting back into running!
Maybe we’ll see each other at the Sun Run next year
AndreaClaire recently posted..Memories of a Mzungu
Ack. I hate finding typos after I hit ‘submit’.
I miss running toO.
AndreaClaire recently posted..Memories of a Mzungu
Sun Run 2013 it is!!!
Toronto Girl West recently posted..The Return of the Runner
I’m currently on a 4 year and counting hiatus from skating due to school. At first it was weird, because I had skated for all of eternity before that. But now I don’t know if I want to go back…it’s a big cost and time commitment, and I’m really enjoying doing other things with my free time now. I don’t think I ever really realized how much I gave up/missed out on to skate all those years. I don’t regret it, but I may not need it back in my life either.
Marianne recently posted..Taste Test: Nature’s Path Carrot Cake Granola
I kind of get that – I feel the same way about playing an instrument. I played the flute and piccolo forever. Loved it and missed it like crazy after I stopped playing in orchestra. NowI think about picking it up but I know I would have to re-learn a lot of things and drive my condo neighbours crazy in the process.
Toronto Girl West recently posted..The Return of the Runner
Sometimes an absence makes it feel that much better to do it again. Enjoy the return to running!
(and great pictures! the sun run sounds like a fun event!)
Kristen recently posted..montreal half marathon: yay for unexpected PRs
I’m loving it – and you’re right – absence made the heart grow fonder!
Yes, I had a similar running break. Not a stress fracture, but plantar fasciitis. And it’s really been a year of off and on running, with a real return to running just happening recently. It was like every time I tried, I just couldn’t get back into it for an extended period… But these days it’s good, I’m back in a running groove and starting to feel stronger.
Good luck with getting back into it!
Bronwyn recently posted..A little Running Story: Part I
How did you get over your plantar issues? I’ve used orthotics and they’ve been a life saver but I’d love to hear what you did!