An interesting couple of days have left me with a sense of accomplishment; I had some challenges that left both my left and right foot with some minor injuries which almost convinced me not to run long today. But, I reconsidered my recent published quote (on facebook) that asked if I was going to be a wimp or be strong today (-peter maher)... guess what I decided? Mind over Matter, You won't regret it when you are done (I hope), Just Do It!, Stick to it... these were all a few things going on in my mind as I contemplated all of my options.
I will share that I had very sore feet after a concert on Friday night and soaked them when I got home. I woke up the next day and the bottoms of my feet were very sensitive... nothing like I ever get from running. So, I soaked the feet again on Saturday and proceeded through my day and in the afternoon, I went out to the garage and got a shard of glass or cactus needle in my left foot... I attempted to get it out with tweezers (to no avail) and again, I soaked the feet. Throughout the day, I could not get the little bugger out, it was impossible. I continued to consider my long run for the next day (Sunday).... the most important training run of the week. That night, with something in the left foot and with the right ankle feeling the pressure of walking oddly from the day (because of the thing in my left foot and the bad concert feet). AARRGGHH... I decided to take ibuprofen and soak the feet, I looked up info on the i-net as to how to draw out the "little bugger" that was in the left foot. I followed the best suggestion I could find: find a bar of IVORY soap and cut off a few slivers and tape/band aide it to the area to draw out the foreign matter...then, off to bed with a plan established weeks before that said I was to wake in the morning and run 6 miles. I woke up at 6:30 and and when my feet hit the floor, I though... oh no.
My right ankle was really tight and I wasn't sure that I could walk (let alone run). I hobbled to the kitchen and got a coffee and sat down to take off the band-air... how was the left foot this morning? Answer: hard to tell... not as bad as last night, but - wait till I stepped on it or hit it straight on, I will hit the roof. Thinking positive, I dressed for a run and filled up the water bottle. I hobbled out the front door and was sure to take my phone (in case I got a certain distance and couldn't get back home). I hobbled for 5 minutes or so and then started a very slow job. My right ankle was really tight, like nothing I had experienced before (even after running a half marathon). After about 10 minutes, I was feeling surprisingly good and picked up the pace... I kept my options open on the run and gave myself permission to slow, walk, stop, turn-around, or whatever made sense while I was out there. Guess What? I continued to feel better and better and ran 5.7 miles! I was feeling great and had an awesome stretch when I got back. The Chi Running techniques that I follow taught me to be open to listen to my body, to relax, to allow chi to run through me... and it did. After my great stretch, I took the shoes off, the water belt off, and stuck my feet in the cool and refreshing pool AAHHHhhhh... SUCCESS.
I took more ibuprofen after the run and have not taken any additional for the rest of the day.
Both of my feet and ankles are fine. WOW! It is important to say that if my injuries had been more serious or if I had signs that I should turn back, I would have. But, I went out with the hopes to stretch out the tight ankle and that I did. I have not felt another twinge in my left foot... the IVORY soap trick must have worked! The slow, gradual movement in the right ankle really was helped by my nice jog today. What a wonderful day.
Plus, my daughter Hailey came in from out-of-town today... She is also training for her first full marathon and will probably come to phoenix to run it with me in January 10. That would be soo exciting.
Today's Tune? Well, it has been a favorite of mine for years, was at Friday's Fall Frenzy at Tempe Beach Park. The amazing LOVE SHACK from the B52's ! What a great song and has incredible energy... I would say that the B52's definitely have CHI running through them!
Their flow of energy is magnetic and they were great in the concert the other night!
Week 1 is officially behind us and beginning tomorrow, I am only 17 weeks away from the BIG day! Until tomorrow - Kelly
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