Latest Physical Challenge

[cjsmith]

To help myself get and stay fit, I have the idea of setting physical challenges for myself. Ideally, a challenge will be something I secretly fear that I cannot do, but also something that with sufficient training I might at least attempt without seriously injuring my knee.

The first one was hiking to the top of Half Dome. That fit the bill, and I was immensely happy having done it. My knees weren't comfortable at all, but as far as I could tell neither one was damaged any further, so that was a success.

My most recent idea was to run a 5K. I wanted to find a road race and give myself enough training time for it. I never did find a race. I ran more than 5K on one of my training days, and for this goal I will content myself with that.

So here's my latest idea: Bay to Breakers.

Pro: I am secretly worried that I can never do it, because of my knee.

Con: It's 12K, longer than I've ever run even before my knee injury, and there's one killer hill.

Pro: It isn't until next May, so I have lots of time to work up to it.

Con: I have a friend who runs it every year with no training whatsoever, and this is the same friend with whom I injured my knee, so there's a lot of resentment I'll have to fight through. This race is symbolic not only of his good luck and my bad luck, but of the punishment I get for hanging out with a good-luck person. Every day I train I will be angry.

Pro: If I finish, that would be really cathartic. It would show that I can do difficult things without perfect luck. I would be immensely proud and happy. Maybe even better than the Half Dome hike.

Con: It will be really crowded. I don't do well with crowds.

I'll keep thinking about it.

Comments

Re: physical challenges

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

In part it's an effort to overcome (as much as I can) the trouble with my knees. I know that this type of knee problem responds well to stretching and exercise. I know also that there is long-term damage involved, at least on the right knee, and that by using my knee well and wisely, I can minimize any further damage. So in a sense it's about reminding myself that my limitations aren't any worse than they really are. I can do MOST things a healthy-kneed person can do... just not as fast, and not on a whim like they can. I'll need a lot more training time.

Also, I happen to love hiking, and I don't happen to love (for example) swimming. If I'm going to stay fit, I'll have a better chance of that with hiking and running than with something I don't enjoy as much. It is kind of ironic, though, that I'm picking some of the activities that are hardest on knees!