Dooley Noted: 4/29/2014
You like to do something that is active.
You like to walk, or run, or bike, or swim.
Maybe, these things come naturally to you.
It came naturally to me to run a marathon.
It was easy: I could just lace up and run for hours.
What I didn’t realize is that what came naturally was actually just behavior.
And behaviors can change.
If I could have coached Marathon Dooley, I would have made her lift weights to build protective tissue around the joints she was compressing.
It didn’t come naturally for me to lift weights back then. What would that have done for my running?
I hadn’t been coached to preserve what comes naturally by building protection for it.
When I got injured, my behaviors changed. Running wasn’t natural anymore.
Now, it’s somewhat unnatural for me to run. I still love it, but my behavior changed. You see me spending much more time lifting heavy things – including my own bodyweight.
But now, I can run anytime, any distance without having to worry about a lack of protection for my joints.
Behaviors can change your semblance of what is natural. I hope you do what you love, but protect yourself with some things that may not come naturally – yet.
Get assessed. Get corrected.
Learn how subjectivity and objectivity don’t always match your behaviors. But with some help, you will keep yourself safe, doing things you love.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley