What I Have Learned From Not Running

So as you guys know, I am not running right now and I won't be until I heal from my surgery (cross my fingers for June 21st date! (that'd be 6 weeks, supposedly the fastest healing time)). But its tough. I have learned a few things from not being able to run. Let me share them to you.

• When you don't run, you gain weight. This sucks. Not running for over half a year, including the dreaded holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas, makes you put on weight. Since I can't run, bike, elliptical, or even speed walk/walk for a long period of time, and if I swim, I sink to the bottom, doing any sort of cardio is tough and when I go to the gym, its hard to lift if I cant warm up or if I am stuck looking at the treadmills/bikes the whole time. 
• Beautiful days are the worst. Knowing that everyone is out running or enjoying the weather, sucks. Waking up to see my phone saying 50-60 degrees and sunny and knowing that the trails are packed with people, is rough. I can put my running shoes on and walk outside for a while, but if I experience any pain, I have to stop.
• Stress is horrible. This is probably one of my most stressful times of my life. I am graduating college in 3 weeks, I have come to understand that I will be in debt for a while, and I have to find a job. There is a lot balancing on my shoulders right now. Running used to be my stress relief. I even had our career services professional tell me that I should go for a run to help calm me down some. (I cried a bit when she did..oops...). It is so hard to relieve stress, I have tried yoga, but as I am flexible already, yoga doesn't feel like much to me. 
• Hearing others talk about running is hard. This is similar to the "beautiful days are the worst" bullet. But, while I work at a running store, people come up to me and tell me about their running stories and woes. I wish I had running woes right now. I would kill for a story where I got chased by a bird or I got drenched on a run. I have them from a while ago, but I want more recent pieces. 

I dont mean to sound like I am complaining, I know it seems like I am. Its tough not running. It really is. I am sure there are others who have been through this as well. Let me know if you have similar experiences or what else you have learned.