I'm back to aqua jogging, and I hope it's a good idea. My orthopedist had told me as of three weeks ago that I could go in the pool as long as I don't touch bottom. I waited an extra week just to be sure.
The first time I tried aqua jogging, I thought it was mind-numbingly boring, especially since I can't listen to music while I do it. This time I feel different about the whole thing. I have been very stressed lately, and I thought that my mind would be racing while I was in the pool. That's one of the reasons why I like music while I run; it drowns out the scary Voices in my head. (Read this post for further explanations about what goes on inside my head. Spooky!)
As I drove to the pool at five in the morning, I made a list of things I should be working over in my mind. Then I added some hypothetical challenges to my day that I anticipated having to overcome. What I actually thought about when I got in the pool was. . . nothing. I just kind of zoned. It was actually very relaxing.
It started when I was trying to pay attention to my foot to see if there was any pain during pool time. Then I decided to use the opportunity to work on my running gait. Before my injury, my coach was encouraging me to practice a mid-foot strike without taking huge steps. I focused on making my legs look like the Road Runner's, a blurry circle. This is surprisingly difficult on a track but easy enough in a pool.
I now know how people can take more than five minutes to "scan their bodies for information," something that I used to think was bizarre. I was continually thinking about my legs, feet, and arm motions as I ran. It made for a quick forty minutes.
I'm seeing the orthopedist on Columbus Day, and I'm hoping for good news!
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