Injury, Not Running, And Running Again

A Personal Essay by Gina Felicetti

“The beautiful, dependable gift of running down the street to the park was no longer there for me. And my running buddies — that never-to-be-taken-for-granted-again dose of human connection — was just not there. ”

It seems everyone remembers the last time they dined out before the COVID lockdown, the last time they saw a movie, went to a museum, walked a crowded Manhattan street, hung out at a bar with friends, had a meeting in the office...before that all ended.  

I remember, too. I also clearly remember the last day that I ran before the lockdown. Back in February, I could not run, walk, bike, practice yoga or use my foot at all, as I had sustained a stress fracture while training for the Queens Half Marathon, just a little bit before everything shut down.  

Playing cello during the NYC-wide fanfare for essential workers

You’re probably thinking, "Well, that was convenient: she had to be home anyway." But I despaired. I wanted to have an in-person doctor appointment. I wanted to be fitted with a boot to protect the fracture and speed my recovery. Instead, I was stuck in one place, living between couch and bed, and the only exercise available to me was chair aerobics. Chair aerobics! Yes, I made myself do that. 

Enter depression. I felt as if I had been a happily dancing puppet, and suddenly, all my strings were cut. I lay on the floor, slumped and stunned. A full calendar became empty. Human contact, gone. Goals, passion projects, striving, all my purpose. Gone. And the beautiful, dependable gift of running down the street to the park and running in circles till my legs were too tired was no longer there for me. And my running buddies, that almost-taken-for-granted (never-to-be-taken-for-granted-again) dose of human connection was just not there. 

I spent a solid three months worrying I would never get my running back. Trying to remember that this was temporary. That COVID-19 would not always be with us. I always had to remind myself that I was fortunate: I was not sick; I didn’t have to go to a job where I would be exposed to the virus; I had food, shelter; I had company (two cats and Tyrone Sklaren). I had a terrace! Still. I was in a dark pit too often, wondering where joy went.

After three months and a month of run-walking, the clouds parted, and I could just plain run. And bike. I could safely and jump up and down just for the joy of it, and I did. 

Kayaking, a new favorite activity

And then I joined my running buddies and the sun shone and my mood improved, and my energy for life came back. Running in circles in 90 degree weather with a mask on became the best thing in the world. I am so grateful to have running and my running buddies. Now I am just inhaling it all: biking, yoga, pilates, weights, kayaking, dancing. 

Exhaust me. I love it. The joy comes freely now and everything seems infinitely more precious than it did when I sat on a couch and limped around my living room.

Thank you running, thank you running buddies, thank you running community (and thank you, body, for healing)!

PPTC is a diverse and supportive team. We want to showcase and celebrate the diversity of our club and membership, and encourage everyone to share your stories with us.

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Text and photos: Gina Felicetti
Edited & produced by: Alison Kotch