Max Riffner

The Parlor

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Doubtful Phoenix

Monday, I was able to successfully walk for 30 minutes without pain. The significance of this event is huge; I have been unable to do much activity at all due to my Achilles tendon injury back in April. As such, I’ve probably gained about 12 pounds. I was running consistently 5 miles every other day, so the last 6 months have been brutally depressing, especially coming to grips with the idea that I may never be a runner again.

That, and the fat.

One day not too long ago, I woke up, looked at myself in the mirror, and just felt bad. I looked different. So, I started going to the gym again finally for weight training in the morning (I hate going there in the evening). One day I tried the elliptical machine for 30 minutes and experienced no pain. The combination of the two has helped enough for me to walk (that is how sensitive the tendon has been).

This week has been rough with getting a house and just having a general feeling of malaise. I haven’t been to the gym once. I know enough now not to beat myself up over this, and I am in fact really excited and busy due to the house. One reason to be excited in particular: I am now close enough to bike to work. Biking is enough of a low impact exercise that I should be able to do it, and I’m pumped with preparing for it. My brother is giving me his old mountain bike, which I’m told (by those in the know here in Omaha) will do well in the winter months commuting. If I get into it enough, I may even break down and get into cycling.

Will I ever run again? I don’t know; with as many injuries as I had doing it, I am not sure it was the sport for me. But hey, even Lance Armstrong incorporates some running into his training. Maybe I won’t be as committed to it as I was, but I might not necessarily have to give up the joy of the road under my feet after all.

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