For the past two years, running has been a steady rhythm in my life. It has shaped my routines, anchored my weeks, and given me a familiar sense of ongoing progress and productivity.
Like many runners, I have grown accustomed to measuring time in miles, tracking the ebb and flow of training cycles, and moving through seasons defined, at least in part, by race calendars and personal goals.
But this season looks different.
Right now, I am in the midst of what I can only describe as a forced pause.
It’s not from a lack of motivation or burnout, but from necessity. After undergoing hand surgery a month ago and preparing to have my second surgery tomorrow, running has been set aside. Not forever, and not without some FOMO, but set aside all the same.
This break from running was not something I chose, but it’s something I’ve made peace with. It was simply what my body required.
And although I miss it, I have come to realize that stepping away has its own quiet lessons to offer.
Rest Is Not Wasted Time
There is something deeply ingrained in many of us that makes rest feel uncomfortable. When running is part of your identity, taking a step back can feel like losing part of yourself. At first, I felt uneasy without my stress-relieving jogs around the block or the familiar routine of a weekend long run.
But as the days turned into weeks, I began to notice the subtle ways rest was working on my behalf.
My body, which has weathered two years of marathon training and early morning miles, has welcomed the break. My longstanding plantar fascia pain has finally resolved. Recovery takes time, and stepping away from running has allowed that process to unfold without barriers.
In the long run (pun intended), periods of rest can actually be beneficial. Reduced impact and stress on the joints, tendons, and muscles can help prevent overuse injuries and contribute to longevity in the sport. While returning to running will come with its own challenges, I trust that this pause is offering my body something valuable: a chance to heal fully and completely.
A Shift in Focus Creates Room for Growth
Without running occupying its usual space in my life, I have found myself leaning into and finding joy in other pursuits. Strength training, which often took a backseat to miles and training plans, has become something I look forward to. It feels good to move differently, to feel strong in new ways, and to work toward goals that have nothing to do with pace or distance.
Outside of fitness, I have rediscovered hobbies that have taken a backseat. I have spent more time reading; I’ve poured energy into launching this blog; I’ve also begun mapping out our homeschool plans for the upcoming year — something I feel deeply grateful to have the margin to do well.
In all of these activities, I have noticed the gentle truth that when running takes up less space, other areas of life have the chance to flourish.
Letting Go of Fitness (Temporarily) Is Not the End of Progress
I won’t pretend that I’m immune to the nagging thoughts about all the fitness I’m losing right now. Runners know how quickly endurance and speed can fade during extended breaks. It would be easy to let that reality stir up frustration or anxiety.
But I’ve made peace with it.
Fitness can be rebuilt. Pace can return. The strength and endurance I have lost will not be gone forever. What matters more in this season is that I am giving my body the grace and time it needs to heal properly. I’m constantly reminding myself that jumping back into running too soon would serve no one.
There will be time, eventually, to push again. Right now, the discipline I am practicing is restraint.
Healing Deserves the Same Commitment as Training
As much as I miss running, I know that healing is its own kind of work. Prioritizing recovery over races may not feel as exciting or as Instagram-worthy, but it is necessary.
This season has reminded me that fitness is only part of health. Rest, patience, flexibility, and the ability to listen to my body matter just as much, if not more, for longevity in the sport.
There will be finish lines again someday. My run club isn’t going anywhere, and neither is my love of running.
For now, the miles can wait. They’ll be there when I’m ready for my comeback.
If you’ve found yourself in a season of rest or forced pause, know this: running will be there when you’re ready. For now, let healing be enough.