A RUNNER'S PARANOIA

A RUNNER'S PARANOIA

You would have liked to know my mother.  She was kind, compassionate, with a good sense of humor.  She had an earnest desire to be what she called "an every day Christian". She passed away at the age of 92, so you would naturally assume she must have enjoyed reasonably good health.  That, however, would not have been her story.  In truth, she had her own view of the medical profession.  If she didn't agree with the diagnosis of one doctor, she would simply go to another.  Then she might decide on the way home if she would follow the directions of either of them.  At any given time she might have prescriptions from three general practitioners; but not be taking any of them according to directions.  She could read of almost any serious illness; and work up most of the symptoms the some day.

I loved her dearly and we had a great relationship together, so I want you to see only humor in her peculiarities.  You could simply say (especially during her last years) that she enjoyed bad health. I'm not sure she would have known how to live any other way.

The point is that, unless we are careful, those of us who run become just as paranoid about health matters as I thought my mother was.  We also read about symptoms; and immediately begin to hurt in all the right places.  We feel a twinge the morning after a hard training run, and decide at once that it is going to be serious.  There are probably more hypochondriacs among us than almost any other segment of society.  There are, many things which contribute to this situation:

1. RUNNERS ARE UNUSUALLY HEALTH CONSCIOUS.  We almost have to be, simply because running holds such a special place in our lives.  It is not surprising, then, that we eat more fruit.  We take more vitamins.  We are generally better read about potential injuries. These things are mostly good; but they can also contribute to our dilemma.

2. IT SEEMS THAT DOCTORS EVEN ADD TO THE PROBLEM.  Runners have found, for example, that most general practitioners have very little understanding or sympathy for runners.  Most of us have come to resent, therefore, those who immediately say: "STOP RUNNING". No matter what the injury, we are told: "IF IT HURTS, DON'T DO IT".  Instead of solving the problem, this has sometimes made us hesitant to seek professional help even when we really need it.

Frankly, runners don't go to a doctor to be told to stop running!  We could have done that on our own.  Rather, we go, to be told how we can get back to running in the shortest possible time.  We know that not running may one day be our only option; but we want everyone to know that it is right up there close to having a leg amputated! So while most doctors view our running as a purely recreational activity, runners view it as a lifestyle...something very close to having a life or not having a life.  It is almost as serious to them as living or dying.  Until a doctor understands that mind-set, he or she is hardly ready to deal with a committed runner.

3. TIME ITSELF CAN BE A GREAT HEALER.  Most of our injuries, thankfully, don't last long. Three days to three weeks can make a world of difference.  With care and attention, patience and rest, wonderful results can be forthcoming.  This is one of the marvels of the human body. Yet we must allow time for this to take place; and only in the most extreme cases will it require us to stop running completely even during the recovery.

4. YOU CAN ALSO DO A LOT TO HEAL YOURSELF.  There is a world of good running material out there.  Much of it deals specifically with injuries, their cases and cures.  Even before you begin to hurt, you may know the best remedies that are available.  It is now just a matter of putting them into practice.  BUT you must be willing to do that, with patience and commitment to doing it right.  Results may come slowly; but they will come!

Understand that some injuries are very real; and serious problems require professional help. You don't just will them to go away.  The "Serenity Prayer" recommended by AA says, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.  Courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference." SO if you can decide on what are real problems, plus laugh at your own paranoia, you have already taken your first step toward recovery.