Almost.

There was an interesting turn of events today at the gym. I have had a very controlled list of what I am allowed to do and what I am not allowed to do. This week I have been given more and more things for the "allowed" list - within the understanding that if any of my lab work comes back even a little off, I will be pulled back down a bit and work my way back up slower.

So I rowed 2 miles. Yay. But - boring. I mean - on open water or going downriver in my kayak, it's one thing - but on the little machine overlooking the senior women water aerobics class in the outdoor pool... it gets old. Quick. I was then allowed to walk a lap at a fast pace. I handled it very well. So, I was told to run a lap. What? I did a double-take. Did you say Run? Like, really run? A whole lap?!?! He said yes and I took off before he could change his mind. One lap. No problem. Quite sweaty and a bit out of breath, but I wanted to go again. "No, now you will walk another lap." Ugh. Okay. So I walked. "Okay, good, now try running another lap." My face must have lit up. Really!?!?!?!? Off I went again. It felt amazing. I was so happy to feel the rhythm of running again that I didn't care I was on an indoor track. Finished the lap easily. No problem. I walked another lap on request. Then he made me leave the track. Before I began pouting about wanting to run another lap, I was told to do my normal strength workout we've done for the past two weeks. No problemo. The funny part is - I'm actually able to lift, push, pull, press and curl heavier weights than before I got really sick. It's been one of the few positive points in this ordeal. I am definitely getting stronger.

When I finished the strength portion, I went to get water and ask a different trainer a question. As I was talking to two trainers, a man I'd noticed on the track came over and patted me on the shoulder. He said, "You were really hauling it out there on the track. Nice job. I'm a pretty fast guy and I was struggling to keep up. You're really fast!" I'm pretty sure I looked at him like he was crazy - but I managed not to laugh. Never have I been told I was fast. Never have I had anyone refer to me as being speedy or hauling it. I found it rather amusing, especially since it was the first two laps of any kind I've run in 9 months. The trainer said I must have a race horse mentality - the gate was finally open so I was busting out of there as fast as my feet could take me. Pretty sure this won't help much in the endurance for getting back up to running 5Ks and 10Ks, but it was nice to enjoy that moment. 

I got back to work and kept going through the routine, and at the end of the hour he asked the magic question, "So do you want to try to run again?" Did he really have to ask?? So I did the obligatory lap walking, then took off for a lap of running, followed by another walking lap, another running lap, and another walking lap, a third (!) lap running, and a final lap and a half walking. During the second lap of running I think every trainer in the building spoke to me. One called out, "nice pace - keep it up." Another said, "way to go - keep pushing." I was in heaven for those very few laps where my feet were in running stride. I asked hopefully if that meant I could do the 1 or 2 mile race on Wednesday in town. I got a, "No - but thanks for asking." I think he thought I was kidding or being sarcastic. But the answer was absolutely not. Boo. But - I RAN!!!! And apparently I ran at a good pace. I still can't believe the guy called me "fast" - but I will take it! I don't care what my pace is or how fast I was going - only that I got to run. 

Normally I only work out Monday and Wednesday with the PT trainer, get labs Thursdays, and do my own workout within the prescribed limits on Fridays. But, with this Wednesday being a holiday, we are working out tomorrow, I'm doing my own workout Wednesday, labs as usual on Thursday, and Friday on my own again. Out of curiosity I asked what the plan was for tomorrow, because they don't like me doing the same thing two days in a row. He smiled... I got scared... and then .... he said....  "What did you think we were warming up on the track today for? A swim tomorrow?" I must have looked like a child at Christmas when I said, "Do I get to go for a real run tomorrow? Outside?" He said.....

YES!

But only for a mile or perhaps, maybe two depending on how my body reacts to it. 

I am so flipping excited. A real run!!!!!!!!! No race - no time - no pacing - no Garmin - no anything. Just a real, honest-to-goodness outdoor run. Please, please, please, please, PLEASE pray my body cooperates and that this is the beginning of the last leg of the journey back to running. I don't know if I could take getting to run only to have it taken back away again. I want this so badly...