Kalmer ’ s CORNER
Our Modern Athlete Brand Ambassador ’ s Blog
BACK TO BASICS
The saying goes , “ Remember that a 12-minute mile is just as far as a six-minute mile .” Well , over the past couple of months I have developed new respect for this quote .
– BY RENÉ KALMER
Four months post my hip surgery , my orthopaedic surgeon finally gave me the green light to start training again . This time , I actually cried happy tears in the corridors of Fourways Life Hospital . The circle was finally complete after a very frustrating 18 months of battling with a mystery hip injury . I was overwhelmed with joy , but at the same time terrified to take the first step of my comeback ! What if my hip was still sore ? Where do you begin after a five-month layoff ?
It took me four days to call my coach to share the good news , and I made peace with the fact that I was once again a beginner runner , starting off with 1min jog / 1min walk intervals . Then I was upgraded to 4min jog / 1min walk intervals . I was over the moon when I started to hit 4:30min / km pace in my intervals . I haven ’ t seen Mr 4min ( forget about the seconds ...) for a really long time on my Garmin watch !
Taking Baby Steps
After four weeks of slowly getting back into running , I was finally allowed to do a 20min non-stop run . Normally , 20 minutes is just part of my warm-up routine , so this was quite an adjustment . Added to that , the first 20min run was scheduled on my birthday and I was all pumped , but my excitement only lasted a few steps . I was 20 weeks pregnant at that time and baby just would not allow mommy to have a comfortable run . I barely dipped under a frustrating 7min / km ! A few days later I met hubby , Andre , after work for another shuffle , but after 2km I was begging
him to rather walk the rest of the way . Andre could not believe that he would ever hear those words come from my mouth . I now have new respect for beginner runners and finally understand why they sometimes don ’ t enjoy running as much as I always have : It is hard to run when you are a bit overweight , your joints are hurting , and you find it difficult to breathe .
Thankfully , some runs are definitely more pleasant than others . I enjoyed my first parkrun at Delta Park five months after my surgery . I look back to where I was five months ago , stuck to a Game Ready Ice Machine for two weeks and being on crutches for five weeks . Still , as a former Delta parkrun record holder , it was quite tough to be one of the backmarkers huffing and puffing up the hill – I didn ’ t even count how many dogs were in front of me , and Andre is enjoying every moment of this pregnancy-joint-comeback attempt , as he says he can finally keep up with me on a run now – but I have learnt to celebrate the small victories on my road to recovery , and to be grateful for mobility again .
Facing a New Reality
Most importantly , I have made peace with the fact that I won ’ t be able to be one of those mommy ’ s to be that runs right until they are about to give birth . That ’ s why I ’ m really grateful to Uday Raniga for helping me out with an Elliptigo . Basically it is a cross between a bicycle and an elliptical gym machine , designed to simulate the movement of running without the impact on your knees and hips . I truly believe in the benefits of staying active throughout my pregnancy , even if it is just to keep a positive state of mind . The Elliptigo allows me to get my heart rate up without impact on my joints , and the opportunity to train outside instead of stuck inside a gym .
I have also figured out that morning runs are more comfortable . Maybe it is just my imagination – or wishful thinking about the future – but I think my baby enjoys sleeping in as much as her daddy . And even though the ‘ Watermelon Lady ’ is attracting a lot of attention when training , I ’ m planning to keep going as long as my body allows it .
Images : Courtesy René Kalmer
PUT AN END TO PAIN
Drug – free Treat & control pain Promote healing
Available from : www . painmastersa . co . za Sports Shops & Pharmacies Call 083 268 3217
11