Born to be Injured

Here it is February 2012 and what kind of training have I been doing? Decided that it was time to address my foot discomfort. I managed through all the marathon training and marathon with little complaint. High tolerance for discomfort, I guess but also living in the world of denial, which can be a bad thing, of course. So on December 26, 2012 I confessed to my mothers podiatrist that my feet were in constant pain. That started the journey. I was trying to keep up my distance running after the marathon, I didn't want to lose the ability to run 13 miles with little thought of distance. Well, after going to get my feet x-rayed and back to the podiatrist, I found out that I have a heel spur on my left heel, arthritis in my left ankle and plantar's facsitiis that would take physical therapy to fix.

Six weeks in, still going to physical therapy. The PT dude says I don't run. The marathon finishing time, my form do not define a runner. I just go out to run but cannot claim that I am runner. I don't run. I was not pleased with the small revelation because it meant that no running outside until I change my form. So now I am trying to finish Born to Run, running with a metronome in my ear and lifting my leg to more than 90 degrees, working my calves and hamstrings more than ever. 5 minutes t 5.5 with the cadence of 160, 1 minute rest x 3. Seems so simple, not. It's not easy to go 15 minutes and end my relationship with the treadmill there. On to the elliptical or bike, no stair mill. That's just more difficult than I care to acknowledge. The sunny crisp weather is depressing me so I am taking Vitamin D before I cry eery weekend stuck in gym. So this week was 15 mins. at 6.0 to 165 twice. Oh piece of cake, NOT. Calves howling, harder now to keep the beat...one two one two...I couldn't make it 30 minutes. 27 at most. Depressing.

At work we are doing The Biggest Loser which I should not be at the top of the losing list, but I am one of the biggest losers while these 200+ women are at 5 pounds in 5 weeks. I am on weight watchers and at the weight of my 30s now, but if I keep losing I will be down to my weight in my 20s. Lifting weight more regularly, every other day, running every other day, cross training all other days, so the weight is melting off. When will I have the confidence to run outside? I don't think it will be any time soon. I now notice the cadence of the real runners outside and realize that I really am not a runner. I am a plodder who just runs in the most dangerous way, just out there. While it may be brave to most, it's dangerous. As I get through Born to Run, I realize now how reckless I have been and how lucky I am not being injured more seriously. I have a new attitude but will I have the confidence to go out there even tho I do plan to do the marathon one last time.

More later