Summer is my second favorite season next to fall. I love that I can wear my flip flops everyday. I love that I do not need to layer up to head outside in a Chicago winter storm. I can ride my bike instead of driving, I can sit out by the river for some zen time. I can be free to do whatever!
As a kid, all of my summers were active. I was on a swim team as a kid, I swam competitively for 13 years. I rode my bike to and from the pool everyday and I ran without ever wanting to stop. I played baseball and softball, I was mega active.
Of course, life as an adult can alter this usual schedule. It can change all the rules we know. As for me, it changed dramatically in that I had kids, got married, got divorced, gained a ton of weight and lost a boat load of self esteem. I became the polar opposite of everything I was as a child.
Now, flash forward to this past year, to this summer: I have decided that I really have no need to sit around watching life pass me by. I have weight to lose, sure...but what says I cannot be the girl I was as a kid? NOTHING! There is no set of instructions that came with me saying I needed to stop at a certain age. There is no handle with gentle care label tagged on me. I am amazingly strong and I am showing it.
This summer I have run two 5k's, I have biked well over 20 miles in a day, I biked daily 8-10 miles every day to and from work. I swam twice a week and I worked out an additional three. I set a new level of goals and I pushed harder than ever before.
I also, played softball again this year. If you know me...you know, softball is a way of life for me. I am the coach of our team, The Black Jackers. I'm also the catcher, a trash talking, throw you off your game catcher. I am bad ass and I know it. I protect home and never need my pitcher to come save me at the plate. I am all or nothing.
Sadly, This summers activities have been halted. I tore my achilies tendon. It is a bad enough tear that will leave me in a cast for one month and then in a boot for 6-8 weeks. I have cried, been angry, and sad. I have felt needy and burdensome. I have felt alone. This is not the way I would have scripted my summer this year.
So, with injury in place...I made a new plan, stay in bed, sulk and hope for a better fall. Then I realized...my summer is not over due to a cast. My trainer, Jillian Jr. made sure I knew that I could still stay on track eating and with workouts that do not include my leg. I have had friends offer to make sure I get to work and home and even shopping done. I have realized, I am not alone.
My team sent around emails stating that they would win the season and the championship for me, They would dedicate each win in my honor. I in turn promised them...injury or not, cast on my leg or not...I will not miss one game, I will not walk away from them. I will be the coach that I started out as and I will stand with pride no matter what the outcome is.
So, to sum it all up...sure. I had a busy summer already, I had a pretty hardcore injury, I made great new friends and enjoyed time with old ones. I got to play ball, to swim and to run. I bbq'd and have been to the beer garden. I saw the Sox play and have sat in the sun soaking all of summer in.
I have had an amazing summer and I do not intend to let one little injury stop any of the fun...not today, tomorrow or even into the midst of fall.
