67/98 It's All About the Shoes!

Tonight was Day 2 back in the shoes since Tendinitis and I was really looking forward to sharing some pictures of me conquering the hill.. err... mountain outside my home. Like a champ! And then I realized that would be a terrible idea... Because while the 70 degree weather makes you forget that it is winter, my face is a fantastic reminder that Santa was just here. And apparently he forgot to take Rudolph home with him! Helloooooo puffy redness! It's possible the sight of me scares children under the age of 4. You might think I'm being superfluous but... I've seen myself in the mirror and am comfortable admitting I shuddered. Fabulous!

So instead... let's focus on the other end! Feet! I'm learning how to take excellent care of mine! I'm actually learning a lot about shoes. For example a "great" shoe is really a relative term.

My blue suede shoes for example are divine! But there is a strong chance wearing them up and down Bourbon Street for hours at a time contributed to the problems I'm having today. Pain for fashion is one thing - and I assure you the night warranted these beauties - but I think next time I'll show off my legs in flats.

Fortunately I have discovered a cure to Tendinitis. The Germans - Bless them. I'm not kidding! I just got my Birk soles replaced (Thank you Shoe Doctor! You do amazing work! And my dogs will keep you in business for years to come.) These shoes have made a world of difference. They provide excellent arch support - and even support under my toes! I swear all my healing happened from the moment I put these puppies on and not a bit before. And the sturdy sole? Protects my driving foot.

And the Birks make everything else possible! These next  babies are my life blood. They have been with me since the beginning and have nearly 300 miles on them. They are loyal, spacious, and... coming apart at the seams. I love them. And someone (most likely my doctor) will have to pry them from my cold dead hands. Do you know what these shoes have seen? Trails, mountains, beach, sand, lakes, tracks, NOLA, blood, sweat.... they are an extension of me in so many ways. I love them.

But I can't rock these forever. Eventually... I will need to retire them. Which means it is time to introduce a new pair and break these suckers in before they take over full time responsibilities! This is a nice blend of both worlds, really. They are as beautiful as the pumps... and as functional as my ADIDAS. Do they make you drool a little bit? It's ok, I did the same thing. Did I mention they were a gift form a fabulous friend and co-runner? Miss Ashley Dunaway from Atlanta. Of course she has taste! Did I mention they come with a nick name? Just call me Blue Lightening... 

Now we seem to have covered the gamut of shoes, yes? No, of course we haven't! Aren't you a girl? Shit... I could do this for days!! But I'm still sick and my 10:30pm bedtime is quickly approaching. So with bedtime, rest, and winter chills in mind... let's conclude with something comfy. A gift from Santa a few years ago... these lovelies have withstood the test of time and give my feets the warm and fuzzies they deserve after a long run.

Now if you will excuse me... my slippers and I have a date with the covers. Sweet dreams!

66/98 Hello Road, I've Missed You!

So I woke up this morning sick. Awesome! Actually, if I'm being honest... I felt it coming on this weekend and choose to ignore it staying up until 3 and 5 in the respective mornings. So despite retiring early last night my fatigue announced itself this morning with the grand gesture of ignoring my alarm and making me late to work. By the time I returned from work just short of 7:00 this evening... all I could think about was crawling into bed. But, if you remember correctly... today is also the first day I've been able to run in a week.

Fuck you sore throat and running nose! You will not keep me down! My body might be tired but... I'm doing this! So I strap on my new shoes, grab a flashlight, blow my nose, and hit the pavement with Mya in toe. It was... GLORIOUS!!!

You know that last bite of sundae that's slightly melted with the perfect proportion of fudge smothered all over it? This was better.

You know the satisfaction of a hot bath after a long day at work? This was better.

You know that nice romp after a dry spell in the bedroom? This was better.

Because a good run doesn't make you fat, make your pruney, and its lasts as long as you'd like it to at your preferred tempo. There is nothing better. It really was glorious. And my head? I wish you could hear my brain sigh in relief as the stress vanished into the dark night.

I would not have traded that 20 mins for anything! I even ran up my mountain! If you've been to my house in Roanoke... you should know that is no easy feat. Walking up this beast is enough to wind most! And I climbed it like a champ.

Ok so I'm still sick... and beyond exhausted. And the foot is still slightly swollen after an icing. But I'm confident I can run again tomorrow... still taking it easy. And for now, there is a hot bath, clean sheets, and an early bedtime in my immediate future. I am looking forward to all three!

Nite, nite!

Skipped/98: Tendinitis is a Jackass

Running does more than just shrink my boobs and build up my calves. It also clears my head. It is as though the forward momentum creates an open space in my brain to shake out the cloudy thoughts that distract me from my real priorities. The drama and the superficial details of my day just fly away with the dust and scatter in my wake. And in doing so... my runs always end with a sense of resolve and peace. So I count on my runs. And when something is on my mind... I run extra. I run all the confusion and frustration out of my system.

I have not run in 6 days. Today will be day 7. My legs itch and my brain is on fire.

I have about 60 reasons to run. About 60 things I need to get out of my head. Little things like preparing for interviews, prioritizing my to do list, and casual emails that somehow become complete mind fucks.

But I'm not allowed to run. Because I have tendinitis.

Apparently rest is important. You should train for 5 weeks and take a week off. Then repeat. I've been running 5 days a week for... at least 4 months. My only down time was the 5 workouts I sporadically missed over those 4 months. Oops?

I'm hoping this will not become a chronic problem and that the rest will actually be enough that I can continue with my training unhindered. (I promise to incorporate rest! After my Half.) But in the interim, I just keep cursing my foot and wandering aimlessly around my house looking for something that can empty my head and make my body sweat. Here is what I've come up with: Dancing like a maniac in the shower. And sometimes in the kitchen while I wash dishes. It's only a matter of time before my neighbors walk by and have me hauled off to Catawba.

And while the dancing, along with the lip singing into my hair dryer, shampoo bottle, or spatula, is certainly enjoyable... it's not the same as an 8 mile journey that cleanses my being of anything old and tired and stale. I'm antsy. My intention was to sit down and write a sarcastic diatribe about the trials and tribulations of an athlete suffering from a painless swollen toe. How difficult it is to sit around the house and care not about bed times, hydration, or fueling your body. How awful vacations from routine and discipline can be.... But in the end, I'm just too distracted by the nonsense in my head to entertain you.

Tomorrow I get to lace up and take it easy for a 20 mins. Never have I craved a couple junk miles the way I am pining for tomorrow... And I'm praying that my toe and foot cooperate. It'll be touch and go: my toe is still not back to its normal size. But  I can't go another week like this.

My Passion? Say What?

So this post has nothing to do with running. Sorry. It has to do with something more important: Me!

Recently I was asked, "What are you most passionate about?" I scoffed at the question initially and thought, "I'm too old to have passions; I have a couple hobbies. Nothing that I'm 'passionate' about... who has time for that?" I told this person nothing came to mind and rambled off a couple interests like running or wine.

I thought about it later and it occurred to me that I should have passion! And tonight it hit me. Hard. My Virginia Tech volunteers. Of course, they aren't really "mine," I don't own them... they are people after all. But I claim them. Like a proud momma. They are a group of people who choose to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. They are not afraid to ask for the world because they know they've earned it. And they have. They do not accept no for an answer and failure is not an option. When you meet them, you understand why they produce the #1 Collegiate Relay in the Nation year after year. It is because they handle themselves with poise, never brag, and believe in a legacy of talented individuals who insist on setting the bar higher and serving their community.

These young ladies and gentleman have no competition. They are in a league of their own. So like any talented runner... they compete with themselves. They compete against those that came before them; each determined to leave a larger footprint behind. They are humble. They are wise. And they have the energy of a firecracker! They also each have a personal story that connects them with cancer. Stories that break your heart. Stories that motivate me to.... run a little longer. Send another fundraising email. Get to work on time. Work long weekends. Stories that motivate them to change the world.

And let there be no doubt! These students will and are changing the world. The world you know is a better place because of these students. I believe that and I know that. And I have the honor of spending a couple hours with them each week.

There are no words to describe their vision or their passion for what they do. And they don't just possess passion. They bred it. It is tangible and contagious in the VT Relay atmosphere. And its more than passion! Its genuine love for their family and one another. It's a capacity to care for someone in a way you can't imagine. It's like being a Hokie - indescribable to those that aren't.

Have you seen that poster with the phrase, "If you can dream it, you can achieve it?" Well, ok. It's a profound concept, right? How often do you make your dreams come true from day to day? Not your goals... your dreams. This is not a profound idea at Virginia Tech. It's everyday reality. They make their dreams come true everyday. They dream big and fight for their vision. They are remarkable. And they are my passion.




Wednesdays are terrible days for me. They start early and I'm never home before 10pm in the Fall. 11pm in the Spring - if I'm lucky. They are brutal. And I dread them. Until I get to VT and it never fails... I always drive home excited about my job and life and full of passion. Yup, passion. I've got it! For my students. I'm on pins and needles waiting to see what they do with their lives and honored - really, honored - to watch them grow and develop over the course of the year. I could gush about them all day! And night... And I have. Because... someone should. And I'm grateful to have found my passion.

If anyone asks... I'm a Hokie at heart.

(This would be a good time to help my volunteers... and myself... in our fight for a world without cancer. Click here to donate! Please!! I'm so close to $1,000!!)

29/98 - Running in Raleigh!

So I've run in Roanoke... and on the Siesta Key beaches... and now: Raleigh, NC!

This weekend I took a getaway to the shallow south of NC and refused once again to let anything get in the way of my training. (I'm so hardcore these days!) Following the advice of a local..  I went for a run at Lake Johnson. It was beautiful! Despite a gloomy day, the paved route around the lake took my through the woods, over a bridge, and I never lost sight of the water.

 I encountered kids, fellow runners, dogs (including an Aussie puppy!!) and even some bikers. It was encouraging to be surrounded by all the other active people and the new terrain included a couple of hills which was a new challenge for this track addict. The loop was about 3.5 miles and it is really engaging to check out the new scenery. Not know what to expect around the next bend keeps you thinking about every thing other than the wheezy, gaspy sounds coming from your throat.

What I am coming to appreciate about running that it is something I can do anywhere. I can take something which is really... kind of repetitive and dull... and morph it into an adventure by changing the scenery up a bit.  I am anticipating that my race won't be the end of my running nor the end of my blog. Travel runner here I come! The list of trails and paths in this world is long and that means I have lots of adventures to look forward to...

24/98 - Something About a Man in Uniform....

Attention Roanoke Runners!

Are you looking for some new scenery? Tired of the mountain view? Looking for something with a tighter end? Perhaps you want a route that stimulates more than just your legs? I've got you covered.

An early morning appearance at the nearby high school track started like any other run... me, my shoes, and a 5 minute warm up. Then all of a sudden... all these cars started to roll into MY parking lot! I was immediately offended by the audacity of these fools! Who did they think they were invading MY running space?

Then they got out of the car.... Helllllloooooooo Roanoke's Finest!

That's right. I shared the track with an Army unit as they completed their PT tests. And managed to sneak a couple pictures like the creeper that I am.

My first thought? Yum.

My second thought? I'm so glad I wore leggings today and not sweats....

Did I mention that some of these gentlemen were kind enough to wear shorts? Which provided an excellent view of their... assets? There is just something about a sturdy, lean, and proud pile of man in dog tags to make 5.5 miles fly by...

I have to admit: I was sad when they finished. In fact I considered writing a letter to their supervisor (Obama, of course) and suggesting that the running portion of PT tests include an extra mile. I just feel strongly that it will help the nation in the event of a Zombie Apocalypse... and most likely send a message to the terrorists. Right? I mean... it would send a message to me: Scout tracks used for PT tests. Invest in spandex.

Now I know what you're thinking.... these guys are asked to put their lives on the line and it is incredibly rude to objectify them in this way! I mean... there's that.

But let's be honest..

I was rockin leggings, out pacing the slackers, and the only girl to be seen. They saw my wedgey coming way before I did. And I'm ok with that. In fact... their next PT test is on my calendar with a reminder to invest in spandex. :-D

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