Runner's Blues

Just bench me already.

Although, I may complain as though I don't have true feelings for it, running is one of my favorite hobbies. Some days I feel that my thoughts are such a whirlwind that I need the steady rhythm of my feet to enable me to figure it all out. As though once I can convince the major parts of my brain to control my feet, my breathing, my heart rate, my decisions about what turns to take...I'm finally in a place where I can focus on whatever has been on my mind.

I love the alone time. You can run with a buddy, but as far as I'm concerned that battle is just between yourself and the road. Every run I bring all that I have: my prayers, my great days, my stress, my worries; knowing that afterward I'll be completely exhausted and ____ miles stronger than I was before.

I never know what will happen when I lace up my "chocolate and champagne" colored sneakers before I head out. Some days I own the road, but there's definitely days where it owns me.




And here's the rub...
Every time I train for a race, I injure myself. A little too fixated on my goals, I make a plan and go for it, forgetting I'm not the woman of steel.

Last weekend, I somehow slipped in high heels and went for a run later that day. Some point during the run I noticed the arches of my feet aching more than usual. The next day, said pain prevented me from walking down the porch steps when I was about to go for a good 7 mile jaunt.

I feel like the new horse at a race, just too excited by the fact that he's racing to realize pain means you're supposed to slow down.



Now I'm sitting on the couch, icing my elevated foot and popping advil like it's Mike & Ike's (I don't even like those, but it was the best mental picture I could think of). I'm dreading the necessary doctor's appt in the morning, worried that the race in May is out.



It would be so convenient to blame someone right now...but there's no one to point a finger at except that road and me.


Song of the Day: Someone Like You by Adele