Running In Place

It’s not a bad thing, I’m just kind of silly, that’s all.

I wonder if maybe every time I have an ache, pain, cramp, sniffle I’m going to have a mini freak-out. Probably initially - I’m so scared that the slightest little thing is going to put me down again - I expect it will wear off - geez I hope so!! I did, in fact, call a few different PT places and the story was the same - doctor’s prescription needed, private pay - not covered by insurance, sure we’ll look at your gait but we don’t make footwear recommendations, maybe we can fit you in when we’re done with all the local HS and college track & field teams. So off I went to my local sneaker store and was greatly helped by Scott in deconstructing my foot (which turns out to be quite enigmatic - like crop circles or the Sphinx) and finding (hopefully) the right shoe. Without belaboring the less than heart-stopping details - I have a high rigid arch but a pretty neutral footfall. Evidently, because my arch is so tight, it does not conform to the arch of the shoe, leaving open space and too much movement mid-foot. We talked about Superfeet and other such inserts but in the end I sprung for the Asics Gel Nimbus. They are super comfy/cushiony, nicely snug at the arch, and I don’t have that sensation of my feet rolling towards the center line. Being nearly 6 feet tall and no beanpole, I usually feel like T-Rex smashing through the forest when I am running down my trail - I wouldn’t say these make me light on my feet but they definately blunt the impact. I’m really hoping that all that cushion is going to be a benefit in avoiding stress re-injury.

Following Wednesday’s shopping trip, I went for a test run and was wholly pleased. No back pain, ankle was fine. Thursday: gym, Friday: beer drinking with the gals, Saturday: family stuff. Sunday - oh what a nice day - I’m going to spend just a moment reminiscing.

My neice’s birthday party at noon. Had salads to make, legs to shave (pool party), etc. so I knew I had to get up and go early to get a run in. Let me briefly preface with: I am not a morning person by design. Most of my life I have worked 2nd or 3rd shift and the fact that I now have to work a standard day - plus the fact that I’ve been conditioned to wake up early even on weekends - does not make me any more spry in the AM, even though I may appear to be awake and functional. So, frankly, getting up and hitting the trail at (don’t laugh at me, Chris ) 8 AM was not the least enticing. But ya know what? It was definately delightful! Very foggy, cool (46 F), no one else around, peaceful - very peaceful. Athlete that I am, I cranked the running up from 30 seconds to 1 minute, alternated with 1 minute of walking x 15 reps. Went well - ankle got a little sore about half way through but the soreness did not increase as I continued on - so I continued on. I don’t expect I will become a devout AM runner but I am going to shoot for one AM per week as there is definately something special about it!

Later in the day I swam some laps (and by “laps” I mean glorified dog paddle) in my sister’s pool - which I NEVER do. Swimming is not at all my thing but I was trying to keep warm till everyone else got in the pool to play volleyball. I am surprisingly exhausted and sore today. I am no tri-girl for sure