Getting better every day

When the wind is howling outside your window and snow is pouring down from the sky, it doesn't help to shake your fist at the sky and yell ”But it's spring!”. There is no one up there who cares, unless you're into anthropomorphising weather. It's hard to believe that summer is but two months away.

Then, the weather turns. The wind lets off. The sun comes out. Suddenly, you find yourself running a long run in a t-shirt with the corners of your mouth apparently stitched to your ears, because that's just how good it feels to be experiencing this run on this glorious day together with friends. No hills, no ice, no mud can wipe that smirk off your face, because you're high.

And when the planned group run has come to its end and you've had a chance to refill your energy levels with a muffin and some coffee, you want to keep going. And your body responds with an enthusiastic cheer, because it's been missing this so much it hurts.

When you get back, tired but not exhausted despite the 30 km you've just covered, you notice the birds in the trees and you hear their lovely spring song. Life is beautiful and summer is most definitely on its way.

TLC

The fact that a whole month had passed since my last long run was painfully noticeable during the last couple of kilometres of my 27 km run yesterday. My legs, that had recovered beautifully after Thursday's heavy gym session, were now wet noodles, and my breathing was laboured.

What was neither painful nor noticeable was the ache in my right knee that had forced me to cry ”Runner's knee!” four weeks prior and had kept me away from my beloved long runs. Nothing. Not even the usual niggles I always have, and have to ignore in order to be able to run.

My left knee, on the other hand, was miserable.

”What is it?” I asked it, feeling very concerned.

”Nothing”, it replied, doing a very convincing impersonation of Eeyore.

”No, really, what is it? I can see you're upset”

”Oh, don't mind me. I just want to be alone for a minute”

”It's hard to leave you alone. You're attached to the rest of me”

Then it would pull itself together and help me move forward without a sound. Until it couldn't take it anymore and started mopping around again.

My knee's obvious attention-whoring was subsequently met by indifference on my part. I think it was just jealous that I'd given my right knee so much tender loving care these past few weeks.

The rest of the day was spent in the company of good friends. Even my left knee was happy about that.