Funny how I choose to write about self-care over the last couple of weeks and the Universe decides to send me a bonus opportunity to raise my own level of self-care. Thanks Universe … errr I think!
I’ve been training for the last 3 months to run the Great South Run this coming sunday. It’s a 10 mile run and quite a challenge for me – I am definitely in the slow and steady category. There’s been a whole gang of us training together in the village and that has made it a lot more fun. I was particularly looking forward to us going in a party bus together, and even more so the journey back once the hard bit was over!
But alas on Monday I sprained my ankle. I was out on an easy short run as part of the final week prep and not long after saying ‘I’m worried I’ll get injured or ill before the weekend’ I landed on a tree root, which was covered with leaves, and sprawled on the floor. Lesson 1 – be careful what you end up thinking about as your thoughts create reality and you could inadvertently invite crappy stuff in. I could have been visioning myself enjoying the event and feeling fit and healthy, but instead I was fretting about not getting injured. And I paid for it. D’oh.
Having sprained my ankle (ouch) and grazed my other leg (even more stingy ouch) I’ve spent the week trying to recuperate. I have pretty much done everything to try and be ready for the race on Sunday. And it’s been really dull & uncomfortable – lying around, foot raised, ice on, drinking disgusting mugs of turmeric tea, popping Nurofen (not great for someone who hates taking medicine), not really walking anywhere, hardly being on my feet etc etc. My waking up thoughts have been ‘how’s my ankle?’. My going to sleep thoughts ‘I’d better try not to move in the night to help the ankle heal’. And all thoughts pretty much in between have been fixated on healing the ankle.
But today I realised that actually I just needed to let go and accept the reality. To give up on any foolish notion of running on Sunday and let my body heal itself in good time. After all, it’s only 1 event and there are others. It really isn’t a big deal. Yes we’ve all trained together and I really wanted to go with the group, but I don’t want to be in pain. There is no point if I’m not going to enjoy the day and being in pain or worrying I was damaging the ankle more would not be enjoyable. I’m not being sponsored so pulling out doesn’t let anyone down. I just had to put my sensible head on and really step into proper self-care – not the lying around all week putting pressure on my ankle to heal quickly. But actual true self-care to realise that the race on Sunday is not going to be a good idea as even if the swelling goes down as I need to build up running gradually again and allow my ankle to strengthen in good time.
Self-care also means REALLY listening to your body, helping it to heal and making wise decisions on its behalf.
Meanwhile I can now spend my Friday night enjoying lovely wine with the Husband – every cloud! Please like/share and look after yourselves lovely people because you’re worth it. Sue x