Starting Again

Just an update... I have been on injured reserve since approximately mid-November. Two years ago I broke my foot. I was having an increasing amount of pain in the same area (the long metatarsal at the arch on my left foot.) It managed to get to a point that everything hurt - running, walking, the eliptical - even swimming. Three different doctors (my MD and two Orthopedic Surgeons later) it's still up in the air. I definitely have some arthritis in the joint and some rigidity or lack of range of motion. My ever-too-high arch has started to fall. Dr. Noland (the 2nd Ortho - whom I liked much more than the 1st) also thinks I have some nerve damage from spraining my ankle a few times too many.

So to be safe, Koach has started me on a very conservative training schedule. My first run was .25 miles. Yep - you read that correctly a quarter of a mile. There was definitely pain but part of this process is to learn that this pain will always be there and to distinguish it from the "hey-there's-something-wrong-here" pain. As long as I know that it's not doing any further damage, I can live...errr run... with that.

So what have I decided to do about it??? Run of course! I am taking the positive road and have signed up for 2 races. One in April and one in November. I'm sure there will be others but I LOVE Rockin K put on by the Kansas Ultra Runners. Phil and Stacy Sheridan are the nicest people! The race is November... Mother Road 100 - its the final time they will put on this race.

For as much as I love trails, I also like roads. They fill different needs for me. On trails you must be "in the moment" or present. You are part of nature and all that is around. You see things the average person will never see. At an event in Arkansas (3 Days of Syllamo) I offhandedly said to Koach "Why do we do this?" as we were heading up a long climb. It was almost like it was planned, he said "because of this" and waved his arm toward an opening in the tree line on the cliff. The view beyond was stunning! The creek, the mountain on the other side, the sunning peaking through... I was humbled by it. Only God could create something so breath taking!

As for roads, it's where I zone (I have the scars to prove it!) I can let my mind wander. It's when I solve problems, make plans. My most difficult decisions are often made on a long run. The long run is where I find peace. It allows me to catch up with me and my mind settles. So the Mother Road 100 will be my first attempt at 100 miles. It will also be my major fundraising event for the Touched by Cancer Foundation here in KC. I'll give you more info on donations later in the year!

That's all for now! Gotta get my .50 mile run in!

Believe,
bat