i have just begun running. i crave it, i have always craved. always wanted to be one of those people who ran, for "fun". i could see something in them. spinal surgery at a young age prevented me from running, and then life happened, work, kids, family. i had a motorcycle accident 10 years ago that caused much damage to my left leg. they said i wouldn't be able to run. but i have decided, this is not true for me. and have embarked on the slow and sometimes painful journey of "becoming" a runner. i am training for my first ever 5k. yesterday, i ran a solid .25 of a mile. i feel this same way about writing. i have always wanted to "be a writer" and i have written on and off most of my life. but i crave the life of a writer, no matter how strained and challenging it can be. i crave the forced solitude. the deep inwards. thank you for this sharing. it offers me much hope and a warm feeling of being seen.
Thank you for these heartfelt words. I can only imagine the level of pain and struggle you had to overcome. Your words have moved and inspired me. I’m so happy that you are embarking on your own journey in running and writing—welcome to a trying but beautiful life 😊
It’s been a year and a half since my surgery and I can feel I’m still recovering. I have great days and bad days—where I feel weak. It’s not easy but I push through. It’s a lot to do with the fact that I’ve learned how much work it takes to stay fit and pushing through discomfort is part of getting to where you want to. I learned at an early age. I have been cycling since I was 12yrs old…It takes commitment, dedication, consistency. I have a strong mind. For me—enjoyment is key. I have also learned to push through discomfort—it is necessary in order to get to a place of ‘enjoyment’. Even when you arrive—you haven’t arrived. It’s never easy, not even when you’re fit. Small things set you back, and then you have to start all over again. I also had shoulder surgery 2 months after the spinal surgery, so I’m still hurting from that. I also think I am used to pain.
Spinal surgery at aged 49….literally changed my life. I was so sick at one point—I thought I was dying. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. You naturally think the worst….especially when you are young and by 10am you need to lie down. I had a lot of pain in my neck and referred pain down my arm and numbness. I was losing strength in my arm and had extreme nausea and dizziness all the time. Anyway, it turned out I had no discs at C4/5 and 6. It was a relief to find out I was not dying. I was scared though and reluctant to do spinal fusion as I’m a very active, young person and prognosis isn’t-great (I.e. fusions leads to more fusions and further limited range of motion). I took a deep breath and started investigating disc replacement. To cut a long story short. I was lucky enough to have disc replacement surgery. I’m not going to lie. It’s a VERY slow recovery. It took me at least 9months to feel half normal. Nerve damage takes a long time to heal, so it’s a long road but I am running up and down Lion’s Head in 45minutes. It’s a good time and although I have months where I fall back, I feel so blessed that I’m able to move the way I can and ride my bike and trail run again. I still have pain but that’s normal. I’m extremely grateful for my chance at an active life.
Thanks for your reply. I just love nature and the outdoors, so It really depends on how my body is feeling, but I try to incorporate a hike and a ride weekly—as well as a gentle daily yoga practice. I’ve always placed a high value on my health and well-being. It’s never easy though, and as I’m getting older and recently had major spinal surgery…even harder. But I am accepting of my limitations and do the best I can to maintain mental and physical health with all of life’s complexities thrown in.
Thank you for sharing your experience. What an intense journey you've been on. Good for you for coming out of it stronger, more centered, and hopefully more confident in how to make the best choices for you.
I'm curious: if you don't mind sharing, what was that recovery process like?
This piece really resonated with me. It speaks to something I've often pondered - the intricate dance between our minds and bodies. We often treat them as separate entities, but they're so deeply intertwined. When we push our bodies, we challenge our minds, and in that struggle, we find a new space for creativity to emerge. It's almost like we have to get out of our heads and into our bodies to truly unlock our creative potential.
That is so very true. I often put too much pressure on my brain and give it a form of stage fright. I think most embodied movement, where it is about settling into your body and your kinetic power, leads to a more relaxed brain that can do its thinking thing without all the scrutiny.
I love this so much, I started to do yoga as a way to just slow down, I tend to be a doer... someone who is always doing and yet, taking time to feel my body and allow myself to let the world sink away and focus on my breathing and how my body is flexible at my age is pretty darn cool. I loved this article. Thank you for sharing.
I love this. Thank you for your kind words. Movement holds an almost indescribable magic within it, especially if you are moving in a way that brings you joy and emotional release.
i have just begun running. i crave it, i have always craved. always wanted to be one of those people who ran, for "fun". i could see something in them. spinal surgery at a young age prevented me from running, and then life happened, work, kids, family. i had a motorcycle accident 10 years ago that caused much damage to my left leg. they said i wouldn't be able to run. but i have decided, this is not true for me. and have embarked on the slow and sometimes painful journey of "becoming" a runner. i am training for my first ever 5k. yesterday, i ran a solid .25 of a mile. i feel this same way about writing. i have always wanted to "be a writer" and i have written on and off most of my life. but i crave the life of a writer, no matter how strained and challenging it can be. i crave the forced solitude. the deep inwards. thank you for this sharing. it offers me much hope and a warm feeling of being seen.
Thank you for these heartfelt words. I can only imagine the level of pain and struggle you had to overcome. Your words have moved and inspired me. I’m so happy that you are embarking on your own journey in running and writing—welcome to a trying but beautiful life 😊
I totally relate, only my ‘letting go’ happens on the bicycle and in the mountain where I like to run too. I love to write too
It’s been a year and a half since my surgery and I can feel I’m still recovering. I have great days and bad days—where I feel weak. It’s not easy but I push through. It’s a lot to do with the fact that I’ve learned how much work it takes to stay fit and pushing through discomfort is part of getting to where you want to. I learned at an early age. I have been cycling since I was 12yrs old…It takes commitment, dedication, consistency. I have a strong mind. For me—enjoyment is key. I have also learned to push through discomfort—it is necessary in order to get to a place of ‘enjoyment’. Even when you arrive—you haven’t arrived. It’s never easy, not even when you’re fit. Small things set you back, and then you have to start all over again. I also had shoulder surgery 2 months after the spinal surgery, so I’m still hurting from that. I also think I am used to pain.
Spinal surgery at aged 49….literally changed my life. I was so sick at one point—I thought I was dying. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. You naturally think the worst….especially when you are young and by 10am you need to lie down. I had a lot of pain in my neck and referred pain down my arm and numbness. I was losing strength in my arm and had extreme nausea and dizziness all the time. Anyway, it turned out I had no discs at C4/5 and 6. It was a relief to find out I was not dying. I was scared though and reluctant to do spinal fusion as I’m a very active, young person and prognosis isn’t-great (I.e. fusions leads to more fusions and further limited range of motion). I took a deep breath and started investigating disc replacement. To cut a long story short. I was lucky enough to have disc replacement surgery. I’m not going to lie. It’s a VERY slow recovery. It took me at least 9months to feel half normal. Nerve damage takes a long time to heal, so it’s a long road but I am running up and down Lion’s Head in 45minutes. It’s a good time and although I have months where I fall back, I feel so blessed that I’m able to move the way I can and ride my bike and trail run again. I still have pain but that’s normal. I’m extremely grateful for my chance at an active life.
Wow, you've overcome so much.
I am still processing all of this.
It's beautiful that, even through everything, you were able to get back to a place of meaningful movement.
Thank you for walking me through your journey. I hope you've had very supportive people by your side.
Thanks. I haven’t had supportive people but Im ok. I keep trekking. It’s not easy but I’m grateful
It’s always a pleasure to meet a fellow writer, welcome!
I love that you have multiple ways of letting go. That’s beautiful.
Do you find yourself gravitating towards one over the other depending on your headspace?
Hi Olu
Thanks for your reply. I just love nature and the outdoors, so It really depends on how my body is feeling, but I try to incorporate a hike and a ride weekly—as well as a gentle daily yoga practice. I’ve always placed a high value on my health and well-being. It’s never easy though, and as I’m getting older and recently had major spinal surgery…even harder. But I am accepting of my limitations and do the best I can to maintain mental and physical health with all of life’s complexities thrown in.
Thank you for sharing your experience. What an intense journey you've been on. Good for you for coming out of it stronger, more centered, and hopefully more confident in how to make the best choices for you.
I'm curious: if you don't mind sharing, what was that recovery process like?
This piece really resonated with me. It speaks to something I've often pondered - the intricate dance between our minds and bodies. We often treat them as separate entities, but they're so deeply intertwined. When we push our bodies, we challenge our minds, and in that struggle, we find a new space for creativity to emerge. It's almost like we have to get out of our heads and into our bodies to truly unlock our creative potential.
Thank you. I am happy to hear that.
That is so very true. I often put too much pressure on my brain and give it a form of stage fright. I think most embodied movement, where it is about settling into your body and your kinetic power, leads to a more relaxed brain that can do its thinking thing without all the scrutiny.
What is your embodied movement of choice?
I love this so much, I started to do yoga as a way to just slow down, I tend to be a doer... someone who is always doing and yet, taking time to feel my body and allow myself to let the world sink away and focus on my breathing and how my body is flexible at my age is pretty darn cool. I loved this article. Thank you for sharing.
I love this. Thank you for your kind words. Movement holds an almost indescribable magic within it, especially if you are moving in a way that brings you joy and emotional release.