I actually RAN today!!!!

In the end everything will be fine, if everything is not fine, then it is not the end! - Keith Cameron Smith

 

JUST kidding……I mean, I technically did "run", but it was in my head, in a dream.  Of course I knew it was a dream since well, I've got this on me.  Being injured and wearing a boot hinders the whole running thing.  Here is me and my friends daughter, who recently broke her ankle, so the two of us hopped around her brothers soccer game while I was in Cleveland hanging out.

Meaghan and I

 

Well it’s been awhile…..for a lot of things.  48 days since I have laced up the shoes and ran.  24 days actually wearing this stylish black boot on my leg.  Been 21 days since I last blogged and I've only sporadically checked others, which bums me out since I've learned I enjoy it.  Has been about the same time since I have done anything productive, as far as activity wise and frustrates me.  Part of me can’t get focused and other part tries to make excuses I suppose.

 

I have managed to keep myself busy and like everyone, looks back and thinks….Man, where did the time go.

 

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I spent 2 weekends in Cleveland volunteering at the area prison.  A friend of mines mom founded a non profit group called Wings Ministry.

The goal of the Wings Ministry is to connect spouses, caregivers and children of inmates with the nurturing and supporting relationships of Christian people in local churches. (ok, so I copied that from the site...lol)

It's really an eye opening experience.  We start out with games with the inmates and their children/families until everyone arrives and gets settled in.  There are songs from the prison band and interaction from everyone.  After that they act out a story from the bible.  Everyone participates, which is one of the "rules"  So the kids and families and volunteers get picked from the crowd and dress up for the story.  Once that is complete, the director speaks with the families while the kids and their dads go to the tables that are set apart so they can spend some "arts and crafts" time.  They can make cards together, decorate cookies, make necklaces out of cheerios and pretzels.  This is that part I enjoy, just watching them interact and seeing the joy in their eyes, doing something so simple.  Once that is finished we get into groups and have pizza and cookies, with at least one volunteer per table.  Spending time talking, answering questions and relaxing.  After dinner is cleared up we grab a bag and everyone gives one person at the table a new "outfit".  Creativity, with only newspaper, ribbon, paper plates and odds and ends.  It sounds corny, but its pretty fun.

Watching them leave is the hardest part.  Not a dry eye in the place.  In a way its hard to actually "explain" everything that goes on, some of which almost has to be experienced I guess. (if anyone gets the chance, come check it out)  Here is the website:

 

Was able to spend some time with most of the Cleveland 10 Miler girls, which was awesome.  It was sort of a way to celebrate some birthdays that happened in the past few weeks, mine being one of them…..I’m not a big birthday person, at least when it comes to me.  I’m all about everyone else’s and yes, that may be hypocritical, but that’s life…heehee  Heck, if it were not for facebook I’m not sure how many people would have known when mine was anyway.  But that’s fine, as I have been told, we all need our special day.  The less time the spotlight is shining, the better.  Dinner with friends is perfectly fine way to celebrate.



Mellisa, Me, Deb, Kim and Nell



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I've spent the last week animal/housesitting.  Watching animals can be fun and frustrating all at the same time.  Cats, pretty easy, low maintenance.  Dogs, they are like kids.  Need to schedule everything around them.  Everywhere in the house you go, they go.  Plus they have yet to learn to speak English.  I mean, hellooooo, isn't that what Rosetta Stone is for, to learn to speak new languages?  Have they not come out with a dog version?  LOL

Luckily my friends have a back yard, so I can let them outside rather than walk them around the neighborhood, since I'm pretty sure one of the labs would drag me around.  But it's like a mini vacation.  Of course, it's still in Ohio, I still have to go to work, just a different place to sleep.  Ok, never mind, not like a vacation. 

 

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I had a follow up with the Doctor this week.  I didn’t expect the worst, but also knew this little thing called pain was still there when I am without the boot, so nothing he said really shocked me.  The boot stays on….for now.  He has a plan.  He wants me to slowly work my way out of the boot, and no, that doesn’t mean I attempt to take it on or off like an 80-yr old w arthritis.  Starting next week, each day I take time without the boot, working my way up to a full day.  Both the stress fracture in the right leg and the stress reaction in the left leg were tender but the pain when he poked around was minimal.  The foot however hurts like H E double hockey sticks….(That would be ‘hell’ for you non spellers)  J

He is starting me on physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the muscles in and around the foot.  I also need to get some sort of orthopedics or special padding for my shoes, especially if I am going without the boot.

So no plans of training, in regards to running.  But I can still daydream and look ahead.  I may or may not search the sights to find any cool half marathons or triathlons when I get bored.

 

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Speaking of running, I will be participating in a 5k tomorrow.  The Lifeline of Ohio Dash for Donation.  I signed up before I was injured and this little thing won't stop me.  Now before you get any crazy ideas of yelling at me, I am NOT running.  I will however be walking (or hobbling, however you classify it)

Worst case it was brought up that they would get me a wheelchair and my buddy would push me the whole way along with his kids.  Told them I would pass on the wheelchair, as funny as that would be.  It's for a good cause and with some good friends.

Here is an article about the family and the race.

 

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I’m also using my “down time” towards reading.  I guess it helps when there is nothing but crap on to watch on TV, but I feel more productive this way.  I was about to start another Myles Monroe book and I’m itching to read Rex Crain’s new book, but I came across another book and started reading “The Amazing Results of Positive Thinking” by “Norman Vincent Peale“   It’s actually a great book so far and highly recommend it.

 

Yes, it sucks being injured.  Yes, it sucks wearing this boot.  But hey, it could be a lot worse.  It could be broke and have to be on crutches....It could be permanent.  The world does not stop, so you have to adjust.  I know it will be awhile before I am able to run again, but it’s all good.  Doesn’t stop me from planning my next race (which yes, I have looked into)  Granted, another marathon is not in my foreseeable future.  If someone put a gun to my head and asked when that would be, I would have to say 2013 at the earliest.  There’s always fun races as well as triathlons that are ahead before that.

 

I’ve at least gotten a plan of sorts, for a few things.  While it still sucks to drive by seeing everyone run, I don’t “have” to run.  I’ve found that I do actually enjoy it though, so coming from a swimmer, its weird to say.

 

Life doesn’t always go according to plan…..But that’s ok.  You need something to rock the boat every now and then.

 

Until next time…….

 

Side Note...Special thanks to my friend Kim who FORCED me to blog today.  Yes that's right, made me....and yes, by force, I mean suggest that just because I am not running doesn't mean I should stop blogging.  My blog was a way to hold me accountable during marathon training, as well as get me out of my comfort zone.  So since I currently have no race to look forward to, I can still hang out "outside of my comfort zone" and write about others things (as boring as it may be)  :-)

Of course she also threatened to physically harm my other leg if....ok, ok, ok, I'm just playin around.  Heehee  thanks