This calf thing is giving me some new and healthy perspective. No wonder professional athletes try to come back too soon from injuries, overextend themselves and get injured again. Here I am, feeling frustrated and rusty recovering from this minor thing for three weeks. And for me nothing but my own habits hang in the balance, while they have a livelihood in the balance.
I went for another run today. It looked nice and sunny but it was actually a few degrees below zero and pretty windy to boot. I felt like a wheezing old man with a worn old body. Still strong in mind, knowing just what I wanted to do and how it should be done, but my worn old body woefully behind its old days; frail and bound to break down even more should the pressure ever become even slightly too great. I stumbled on, stubbornly, in the cold sunny air. After a while, I had to grudginly admit that once again the calf felt clearly better than last time, and my steps were again straighter, more natural and less strained. I passed some fellow runners but was never passed myself. I even relaxed and let my steps flow a bit lighter downhill. That felt pretty nice too.
Mindset quite clearly changed, I headed for a wonderfully warm shower. That cold wind can really get to you.
And by the way, I am not bitter, sad or broken. I am just amused at how much in that direction my mind drifted before I noticed it. Also, I guess I enjoyed doing it. I have rarely been in the grumpy old man mindset before.
So, perspective. Good thing. Try it and cherish it whenever possible.