If you have followed my last two blogs (this one and KV Challenger), you'll know I am a big fan of the Irving Nature Park. It's a short drive from my house, or a quick jog if I am feeling especially ambitious. I would guess that over 15 percent of my runs take place at the Nature Park, including many of my long runs. If I need to get the lead out of my legs and it's still light out, chances are you'll find me there.
My last run in the park, however, left me with a bum knee that took a week to heal, so I was eager to retrun to my place of injury and right some running wrongs. After a small but tasty meal of pasta and steamed veggies (cooked by yours truly), I changed into my running gear, hopped in the car, and ventured to the park. Time for some payback.
The gates were locked and the sunlight was fading as I entered the park. I jogged slowly around the barriers, monitoring my right knee in hopes that it wouldn't cause me any discomfort. This, of course, make me hypersensitive to every creak and moan on the right side of my body. I passed through the first kilometer pain free, but very slow. I picked it up for the second kilometer, but did not hold the pace, eventually settling into a slow groove that I figured would last until I exited the park.
That is, until I heard someone say, "Excuse me, do you have a cell phone?" I looked to my left and there was a young man in running gear, favouring his leg. Apparently, he twisted his ankle during his run (it was the size of a baseball; another unfortunate Nature Park victim), and was unable to walk to the exit. I couldn't help at that moment - I had no cell phone on me, and supporting him for three kilometers wasn't an option - but I figured that I could find someone with a cell phone once I left the park. I told him I'd do my best, and bolted for the exit.
Worries about my knee faded during those last three kilometers, as my increased pace did nothing to aggravate last week's injury. Sure, I wasn't breaking the sound barrier or anything, but I was running relatively hard without any hint of pain. Even the last downhill section, which I thought would give me grief, was no issue for my beat up body. I peeled out of the park in a little under 32 minutes, which, for an easy run, is pretty darn fast.
And, on a happy note for my injured friend, help was on the way upon my exit. The fire department arrive within minutes with keys to the park, and he was whisked away in no time at all. Hopefully it's just a sprain.
Chuck is running the marathon in support of InterAction School of Performing Arts Capital Campaign. To find out how to donate, please click here.
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