Take Off Your Brace

I'm 48 years-old and I went for a run the other day.  It was a short run, about 2 miles.  Not a big deal, right. Well, for me it was.


Let me flash back a few months.  I enjoy running.  It's good for my body for sure, but I believe I do it because it's good for my mind, and great for my Soul.  In mid-November I was in Denver for a company retreat. We'd finished our last day about 3:00 pm and I wasn't flying home to Philly until the next morning.  It was a clear, cool day in the Cherry Creek section of Denver and there was a nice walk/run/bike path out the back of the hotel that twisted along a small river.  I felt good as I began my run.  About a half-mile into it I decided to turn off onto a dirt trail that led down to the river.  About 8 strides into the descent I stepped on a camofaluged rock sticking out of the leaf-covered ground.  I rolled my ankle almost all the way over and immediately went down.  I tied my shoe as tight as possible and noticed the clammy feeling overtaking my body.  You've got to be kidding me, there's no way I broke my ankle.


I limped back to the hotel and did the elevation and ice treatment until I went to bed that night.  After a busy month, and after many suggestions from my wife and kids to perhaps go to the doctor, and me replying, "It'll be okay.", I finally went.  It was diagnosed as torn ligaments.  I was instructed to wear a black, lace-up brace for the next month so it could heal.  Limited exercise. No running.  I listened to the doctor now, after my stubborness put me a month behind in rehab.  Time passed, it felt slightly stronger, and my doctor said I could try to run again, "But, wear the brace, and take it slow."  Little did he know I had no choice relative to speed.  Slow was my only gear.

My ankle continued to grow stronger, but my running was not at the level it had been prior to this injury.  Initially I ran with the large, black lace-up brace on.  While this brace certainly provided support, it was confining.  I went to the drugstore and purchased a smaller, lighter Ace bandage brace, you know, the elastic kind--sort of like a girdle for my ankle.  This was better, but I was still focused on the brace.

So, I ran the other day.  I ran without a brace.  I ran easy; my pace faster than any since November.

Here's the two-part lesson that hit me upside my head as I reflected on this.  #1 - While I was running with the brace on I was focused on just that--the brace.   #2. - This focus allowed me no space to be better.  Once I removed the brace, there was still the lingering pain and twinges in my ankle--but I began again to focus on running.  I began to be better.

I've had many self-imposed "braces" in my life that I've left on for far too long. 

Here are a few:
- "Why'd I major in Accounting?"
- "I just can't find the right job."(remember: "Life isn't about finding yourslef.  Life is about creating yourself."  George Bernard Shaw)
- "If they would only see it my way."
- "They just don't understand."
- "I'm glad it's them and not me."
- "What if they don't like me?  And what I have to say?"
- "I still can't believe she did that."
-  "It didn't work last time."
- "What's the use of even trying?"
- and on and on and on...

So?  What braces might you still have on that need to go?  After all, we only have right now.

I'm 48 years-old and I love the lessons life continues to offer me.  I think Forrest Gump knows what we're talking about here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2-MCPa_3rU

Be well.
Danny