Thursday, July 5, 2012

Time to Go Back

As I said in my last post, I'm in the midst of another injury.  Something is wrong with my knee, and I'm pretty much just wondering what it is at this point.  It's about time to go back to the doctor.

Sitting in front of my computer tonight, I found myself reading through old posts.  This one particularly struck me: Get Better Everyday.  I remember feeling on top of the world when I was writing that post.  I need to get back there.  Eating healthy, cooking healthy, working out, and having a healthy mindset are the things that help the rest of my life stay positive and happy.  I haven't been doing my best lately to truly Get Better each and every day.  It's time to get back to that.

It was funny reading that though, because I said that I didn't know if I'd be spending this past year with someone special.  Lucky for me, I've spent it with someone amazing.

Thanks for the support...I'll get there!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Don't Forget!

In the midst of yet another injury--this time it's Bursitis (fluid) and a small ligament tear in my knee--I am reminded why I love to run.  This picture says it all.

Happy running everyone!

Monday, March 12, 2012

It's official!

Yesterday was a day that I honestly started to believe would never come. I ran the 408k Race to the Row. I ran my first race in one week short of a whole year.

When I went to the doctor on March 22, 2011, I thought I would leave with a slap on the wrist and a suggestion to ice more. But I left on crutches. Crutches! I have spent the last year battling a stress fracture, tendonitis, and severe shin splints. I have tried different shoes, insoles, taping, ankle braces, icing techniques, physical therapy, and very careful training. All of that made me absolutely determined to get back to running. I was craving that "finish line feeling".

Yesterday, I finally got it. I finally crossed a finish line. I trained for about 2 months for this race, increasing my distance more slowly than I had the patience for. I had started to believe that maybe my body just wasn't made for running. Something inside of me refused to fully believe that, though. And yesterday, I proved to myself that I was wrong. I ran every single step of that 5 miles (an 8k is 4.97 miles), including refusing to stop at the water stations and spilling the water all over myself while trying to run and drink.

My next personal goal is a 10k. I refuse to do it until I can run the entire thing with no pain. I did experience some pain yesterday in my leg, and I can't deny that. I started to get a little sore around mile 4, but the pain went away by the end. I iced twice yesterday after the race, and am still a little sore (I believe it is the tendonitis; when I wear good shoes, the pain pretty much goes away). In terms of distance running, I don't think my legs can handle another half marathon. I think the one I ran was my one and only, but I'm okay with that. I enjoy running, and don't mind running 10k's or less. It's not giving in, but I think it's important to not do permanent damage...I need both of my legs! And quite frankly, I never want to be on crutches in a kindergarten classroom again. I did embrace the "Robocop" nickname I got with the walking boot, but I'd prefer to not do that again, either.

Thanks for all of the support from everyone that allowed me to reach the point of running again. I know that I would not have kept with it if it weren't for the encouragement of everyone around me to continue fighting to get back.

Oh...and I also got an all-time personal best time in the race yesterday...47:58!

(Post-race with one of my main motivators: Vickie Wagenaar)