An Update Post Surgery from Stillness, Missouri.

Samantha, my amazing daughter, running her first cross country race at McNair Park, the same place I ran my first high school meet. Each of us on a separate honest to truth journey that is running life- strong! I can't wait to see how this sport shapes her into the strongest version of her beautiful self - steady or speedy - all self inspired.

Serene was not a word you could put to STILLNESS, Missouri. Especially after the haphazard bits of training I was lucky enough to hold onto - if even for a brief time. CONTENT, as a word, was better. But, it did not apply to all around me. And this will be the crux of it all. The true test. Or even just the true test of where my true motivation lies.

This new sectional we purchased last month is nice- it fits all of us- so no one feels crowded or annoyed by my breathing - lol (teenagers!) We can all gather here - me reading by the lamp, Jon editing on his laptop, Gwyn crawling back and forth between Jon and I - laying on us like a warm blanket, Sam making special appearances and controlling the youtube videos of funny skits that grab sporadic glimpses of our attention- oh AND the puppies behind our heads....yah, we got a huge coach- ha.

Almost makes me think the UNIVERSE or GOD- whichever you choose- is looking out for me- for us. That who I am at the core will always be a runner, a doer, a bit impatient with those who talk a lot and don't ever actually do the thing: posers. And now, I am in the midst of figuring out how I will return to my run training - right in the middle, in other words, can I walk away knowing there is soooo much more left in the tank. Can I walk away knowing that elusive feeling of completing a monstrous Marathon workout leading up to a goal race, I may never feel again.

Many will say, you CAN still have that. Well Sure. But maybe these opinions have never really felt what I've felt. They "played around" in training, but never risking taking that tempo out to 10, 14, 16, miles and finishing fast is scary stuff - that I loved- truly an experience of getting over the impossible HUMP in a workout where you feel you cant take another step, but come to realize after, you can take a million more and are STRONGER IN THE LATER MILES- happens every time!!!! Every time! But some don't ever get over that hump - I taught myself how to do this and I found field of wildflowers that were my triumph.

Or maybe, these opinion are just "teenagers" in the sport of run training, with years and years AHEAD until they reach the town I am currently residing in. And For them, KEEP DREAMING , KEEP GOING. KEEP PUSHING. Within all the discomfort and disappointment - there will be TRIUMPH over and over again - trust me! The lessons you will learn amongst the disappointment will build you a heart of gold and a wisdom only stubbornness and grit can earn.

It's your turn: EMERGE!!!! You have not yet arrived!

Many will say, you can still do that. And, I know better than anyone that it's not good for me anymore. That after 3 years post 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta being off and on crutches and scooters- my mind being able to take any amount of suffering and elation all in one, my mind fueled by the miles and pace, but my body telling me: been there, done that, baby. It's TIME!

So many of my competitors have been looooong retired; I honestly feel like I've been as highly competitive longer than anyone male or female in the area- I know that sounds hubristic from someone who was raised to stay humble - but it's true! I just keep coming back -again and again. I've gotten so smart about how to soothe the body and mind into a training lifestyle that includes correct recovery, balancing out my body and strengthening my core along with including the correct prescriptions of progression and load. I have worked under the best coaches in the country and I've learned so much.

But, now, I am at a point where my sweet girl Ferrari needs more rest, more stillness, more contentment in others triumphs.

Back to the Universe or God looking out for me: The couch! My career change, My clients, My athletes, My own family are waiting for ME.

The whole me.

The entire, complete Jackie to show up.

Because we all know that while I will never, ever, regret ANY race or training cycle - injury or f******monster fit - win or forfeit, the life of an (HUNGRY FULL OF PASSION) athlete takes a bit of selfish attention. It's good though. I like that my children saw first hand, a mama excited about something outside of work and motherhood, they have lived with what it looks like to wake up at the exact minute needed in order to get the training in for the day before showering and rushing out the door to life and then on Saturdays, in the late afternoons after an early 20 miler, some family fun, mom takes a recovery snooze before making dinner and coming back together. They see me fuel my body for strength and mental clarity and acuity. They see me full of energy even amongst the training load. I want them to find this "thing" in their lives. Whether it's running, art, reading, writing, computers - whatever. That thing. If I can give them one gift - it's the gift of finding and completely knowing they have a relationship with a personal interest. Something that launches their little spirits to the stars.

I am here now:

Full of experiences that are unique to only a woman who has been running competitively for most of her life.

Full of knowledge on the anatomy of a runner and how to build and maintain an efficient running stride and body.

Full of perspective of how to soothe the mind to endure and even thrive in the REAL work it takes to reach an audacious goal.

Full of resources like who to see when you are injured, burnt out, or just not progressing.

Full of ideas of how to healthily move when dealing with an injury.

Full of friends - friends who come to me for support, calm, and wisdom. How cool to be in this position.

Full of co-workers who love and care about me at Emerge Fitness- they've had a front row seat to ALL of it; the amount of hours training under many of the experts in that gym over the past 15 years provided me with the necessary tools in creating a monster marathon and ultra marathon runner -all out if out of broke college kid.

Full of stories of people along the same journey I am on. They may be on page 1 like my daughter, others chapter 5, and some page 200 nearing the end of the competitive years. The point is, I have felt a lot so far and I know, I will feel and learn so much more all. I like to say I am an expert on running, but the truth is I have so much to learn about what it's like to run forever- this kind of running looks different all of the time- at least I can imagine. Stay tuned!

AND FINALLY,

I am FULL, FULL, FULL of LOVE and APPRECIATION. It's natural for things to change in life. Once the doer is now the sharer. My "doing" focusing on helping others to CREATE. And for me, I still see movement, lots of movement: RUNNING WILL NEVER CEASE IN MY LIFE; EVER! But, I can now share that energy in helping my community to learn from me, to take from me, to share with me a knowledge and love of our sport.

Julie and I after coming back to work Thursday morning (surgery Monday) and we had a blast!

AND FINALLY AN UPDATE on recovery:

I am on day 8 post femoral surgery. I have lived the post I described above. I couldn't wait to get back to work: NOT OUT OF GUILT or financial woe, but out of PASSION. God had filled my heart and soul with passion to show up for my people, to solve any pain, problem, or struggle for my people: my clients, my athletes. They are like family. They deserve the best. And I can see clearly the build up of my curiosity and hunger for knowledge of all aspects of health topics- only to come to this very precipitous. The gift, I am living a dream. I am in control of my schedule, where I go, what I do, and who I decide to help. This career of mine has not been easy to build but I'm doing it; and I keep showing up- better and better and better. My goal is to be THE BEST version of myself as a trainer and coach I can be- this is a purpose, what also lights me on fire- like running.

OMG I went off again up there - lol - yah, so my hip - it feels healed. My energy is back. My passion is back. EVERY DAY- I wake up feeling stronger. I can literally feel my body growing stronger. People can't believe I have been working post surgery day 4, 5, 6, and 7, but I am. And I am doing it out of energy and love.

Here are some things that I have done post surgery that may be helping my strong recovery:

I SLEPT WELL.

I made myself sleep the first 48 hours as much as my body would allow. And on the days after, if I could not nap. I went to bed with a book instead of my phone. I slept through the night and if i didn’t, I again picked up the book and fell right back to sleep as opposed to my phone where I could scroll and light my brain up for hours- only to complain I couldn't sleep the night before. I know better. Grab a REAL BOOK. oh, and a quick midnight spray of melatonin when I really woke! BOOK AND SPRAY - sleep all night! Many people take melatonin to fall asleep, I like to save it for RANDO- middle of the night wake ups.

I READ.

But, I read some fiction. A great book my mother-in-law left for me on my back porch a couple days post surgery (along with watermelon- my favorite - love you mom 2). Reading allowed me to teach my active brain and body to be STILL. Because that is what I needed most at that time - to be still and feel zero stress hormones pulsing through my body. Just Green Tea and Fiction.

I ATE.

Lots and lots of the right foods and drinks! No matter if I was hungry or thirsty or not. If I wasn't, I would make huge protein and berry shakes. My parents brought every colorful vegetable on that planet (cut and peeled) and put it in my fridge. I ate tomatoes, onions, spinach, broccoli, bell peppers, brussell sprouts, zucchini (thank Charles, neighbor and friend for always supplying me from your garden), avocado, tempeh, tofu, and of course dark chocolate a little everyday! I ate enough and the right foods that would heal my cells and body. I know for sure I didn't want to waste any of the calories going into my body that did not promote healing and clarity for my injury and my mental health. Now is the time to enhance all the good things I consume and leave the poisons or the "crutches" behind - no pun intended - I still have crutches- real crutches i mean - like my armpits are sore from hobbling around the gym - haha.

GOOD PEOPLE:

Spending time ...not watching the time... with my family, my friends, my clients, my athletes working towards big races.... has all filled me with joy - lowered my stress.

Watching my daughter CHOOSE for herself to joint he high school cross country team and completing her first meet at the same meet and course that I ran on as my first high school meet. Talk about a sign of full circle - this last week, I spent hours researching the best spikes for her this season instead of looking for my own latest technology, fast girl shoes - lol I loved it!

BUT, I see the doctor tomorrow, and I am hoping they tell me I can just walk with the brace - I have zero pain walking without the crutches when around my home. I have had zero pain for the past 5 days! Miracle

FOOD, SLEEP, LOW STRESS, LIVING MY DREAM LIFE (-running) = FAST FAST RECOVERY. IT really does work.

After all, the reason I would get injured in the first place, yes has to do with my training age, but it all comes down to this: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS OVERTRAINING, ONLY UNDER RECOVERING (when prescribed a progressive program). I was always trying to light the candle from both ends. It worked for a REALLY LONG time, and now. I have clarity.

ZERO REGRET.

100 percent FULL.

Love you guys - keep believing in yourself. Don't quit until YOU KNOW. Trust me, you will know. Otherwise, keep going, keep traveling that road, keep thriving, keep failing then, keep getting back up. Listen to yourself, not the internet. Talk with your coach, don't listen to people who have opinions about your who DO NOT even know YOU. Listen to your heart and your people.

Happy training!

Coach Jackie

Reach out if interested in a coaching call individualized by your curiosities, goals, and lifestyle. Whether you are a parent, coach, or an athlete yourself, I'd love to chat with you and help you find clarity, trust, and hope in your dreams. Click here for the INITIAL COACHING CALL https://www.coachjaxtherunner.com/plans-pricing

If you are interested in virtual or in person run and/or strength and conditioning with me, reach out. I work with highly motivated indivuduals of all ages and speeds: those learning to walk again to reconrd setting runners. https://www.emergefitnesstraining.com/

If curious where the doctor put the pins in on the tension side not the compression side(see previous post for more info on specifics).