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In high school, I was aswimmerand water polo player.
Courtesy of Zahra Barnes
I struggled my way around the basketball court like a puppet with most of her strings cut.
My body was made for water, not for land, I’d joke.
So, back in September, I decided to really giverunninga shot.
Courtesy of Zahra Barnes
I wondered if maybe I would soak up some of his speed via osmosis.
(I did not.)
Just getting to be there was special.
Enjoying a Snickers Ice Cream bar in happier times, before they were capable of causing my complete mental unraveling. Courtesy of Zahra Barnes
I wanted back in.
Soon after, I emailed my editors and suggested I run a 10K just a few months later.
How exactly was I supposed to run 6.2 miles in D.C.’s swampy July weather?
My boyfriend, who supported me during every step of my training, with the unreal sign he surprised me with on race day. I love bulldogs so much they have a spot in my Twitter bio. Perfection. Courtesy of Zahra Barnes
I made myself start bit by bit, then amped it up to make up for lost time.
It was going fine.
Until the pain kicked in.
Courtesy of Zahra Barnes
Correcting running mechanics as a beginner is almost more intimidating than the running itself.
But like clockwork, the flames flared up.
Naturally, I sought comfort in a Snickers Ice Cream bar.
Hurling this culinary bar of gold was the wakeup call I needed.
I hadnt experienced that kind of emotional outburst since my teenage years moonlighting as an actual demon from hell.
(Dont worry: It was still wrapped and able to be salvaged for another day, thankgod.)
At that point, I knew I needed help.
First, I talked to sports medicine doctorJordan Metzl, M.D., a dedicated marathon runner and author ofDr.
Jordan Metzls Running Strong.
But after describing my situation in detail, both Metzl and Miller thought I could still make it work.
Miller recommended I pay attention to my cadence, which Metzl also mentioned.
That helps put less stress on your lower legs.
Yes, the pain reared its ugly head.
But Ishortened my strideand made sure to go slowly, and after 2 miles, it disappeared.
But it didn’t matter.
Finally, the finish line came into view, and I sprinted to meet it.
That savoring every moment ofgetting strongercan feel just as good as the end result.