This is why I run…

Some of you may or may not know that a year ago I had massive jaw surgery.  I won’t get into the details here, but as you can tell by the pictures it was intense.

Let’s just say – now I can chew my food and no longer have to swallow things whole.  Who knew, right?

This is two weeks after surgery - I am smiling as big as I can.

Due to my surgery – I have massive nerve damage to my chin and lower lip.  As recently as two months ago – there were parts of my lower lip that I still could not feel.  As in dead to the world!!

My doctor informed me that to attempt to repair the damage I would need to get my blood flowing.  So, that is what I tried to do.  I hate running – or exercising in general, and I am not all that great at it – but I gave it a whirl.  I started slow – walking for a minute – running for 30 seconds, and have gradually increase my stamina.  In the last two weeks, I have noticed major changes in the feeling in my lip and chin.  The “dead zone” is MUCH smaller, and the rest can feel tingles.  You know what that means – the nerves are growing!!  Hooray.

I am now running 10 minutes miles – 6 miles at a time.  Some people run for their heart – I run for my face.  (and lift for the rest of my body).