A Painful Reminder from the Body
After an incredible summer, an annoying challenge has emerged
I’ve had one of my best summers on memory. The highlight reel is something I will definitely look back on (through this blog, hopefully) with fondness. While I normally don’t support highlight reels as being something to latch onto to portray satisfaction, when “everyday life” has been super fulfilling alongside, I think it makes for a nice combination.
A few of the best moments from the last ~4 months include:
Attending the Canada vs. Argentina semi-final match in the Copa America at MetLife Stadium. Unfortunately Canada lost, but it was an unreal experience to be so outnumbered in the stands, and to see Lionel Messi score in person was a check off the bucket list.
Hosting Chad and Stacey in our small NYC apartment for a memorable weekend of food, drinks, Mets game, boat cruises in the New York harbor, breweries, and countless laughs
Traveling to DC, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Dallas, Austin, and Boston for work trips
Visiting Lynn’s parents for a week in the south of France where I ran every day, consumed untold amounts of baguettes, and even had a visit from my Aunt and Uncle who have a summer home less than an hour away. We capped that trip off with two unforgettable nights in Barcelona, one of my new-found favourite cities.
Visiting Dan, Steve and Finn in Toronto and spending 4th of July long weekend at Nora’s cabin in beautiful Muskoka, Ontario
Running the 4x4x48, tackling four miles every four hours for 48 hours through the streets of NYC. This was the fourth successive year of conquering the sleepless endeavor, raising over $3500 for Roads to Success - an NYC-based charity that supports underprivileged youth with programming, mentorship, tutoring, and college prep.
Welcoming Dan and Finn to NYC, which I always love. We bopped around, took Finn to parks and shops and experiences, and had a really enjoyable catch-up. I especially loved the coffee hangs and walks through Central Park with Dan. It’s so fun to see how Finn experiences the city differently as he grows.
Heading home to Winnipeg with Lynn to visit my parents and friends, while overlapping with more family (Dan, Steve, Finn, and my uncle Keith were all in town at the same time). This annual trip never disappoints and was filled with lots of laughs, catch-ups over runs, cycling, golf, fantasy football, and beers.
Hosting Lynn’s parents from Europe in our tiny apartment which is actually a ton of fun (and happening right now). They are super chill, fun to be around, and we make incredible food, experience the US Open, and get tons of steps throughout New York.
Now I find myself just 8 weeks out from the 2024 New York City Marathon, and while training hasn’t been going great, I was feeling reasonably fit and ready to take on the high-mileage weeks ahead. I even bought the new Nike Pegasus 41s which are a perfect everyday shoe to slog through long runs with.
Unfortunately, I came home from a 7-mile run before work on Thursday (where I met up with a friend who is much faster than me) and felt a pain in my achilles heel. This has only gotten worse over the last three days, to the point where walking, particularly downstairs, is quite painful.
I haven’t been injured in what seems like forever, and I’ve consistently been running over the last 6 months (see 50km race and 4x4x48 challenge), so this is super concerning, and most of all, frustrating.
It’s a painful reminder that health is truly at the top of the totem pole (both physical and mental). This is pretty much the only thing I can think about right now, and when it impacts every step you take, you’re constantly reminded that nothing else really matters if your own shop isn’t in order.
My goal now, which I also lean on at work and in management, is to control what I can control. Ice, stretch, and rehab as much as possible to give myself a fighting chance to get back on the pavement in the next couple of weeks and avoid this becoming a chronic issue. This will also require me to step up in the other aspects of my health. When logging lots of miles, I don’t have to worry too much about what I eat or drink because I know I’m burning lots of calories. That won’t be the case now, so it’s a good chance to hold myself accountable to prioritize sleep, lower inflammation, and make a challenge out of recovery.
If anyone has any tips for mentally getting through an injury that significantly cuts down your physical limitations (and therefore messes with your emotions), I’m all ears. Otherwise, I hope you put your health first - we all take it for granted until we lose even a piece of it; then we’d do anything to get it back. Just ask Achilles.
Thanks for reading,
Mike