In the blink of an eye...

Hello Runners!

Today's topic is how fast things can go wrong...

My leg is starting to feel like a leg is supposed to. So, of course, on a run last week I managed to roll my left foot. I was pretty sure I had managed to break it in half. I rolled it one time in my college days, and ever since it has been a little touchy. I was just running along and stepped on a rock or something and... BAM!! Pain. I was furious! Finally back on track (kind of) and lost it again! I cut the run short and took the next day off. Luckily all seems to be well now.

It just goes to show you how all the preparation in the world can be derailed by a rock in the road. I was going for a very easy run the day before a half marathon a few years ago and stepped on a stick and rolled that same foot. I was, of course, in a state of panic. I managed to win the half, and my foot made it through ok. The panic was for nothing. I could have easily talked myself out of a good performance.

I guess one thing I've learned is that you can't control much outside of your body (or in it for that matter). There are going to be sudden tragedies. There are going to be colds. The weather is going to be terrible. You may even step on a rock and twist your foot. You'll run through the things you can and take time off when you need to. What I haven't learned is how to stay positive. It's one thing to say that these things are going to happen, and that they are just a part of running. It's another to believe that when it all goes wrong, but I'm working on it.

Keep it up!

Devin

My First Day at the Store, Sciatica, and More!

Hello Runners,

Today I am working at R3. Trying to learn the ropes a little. There is so much to learn about all the the shoes, and of course, picking the right shoe for the right runner. I'll be watching and learning mostly, and helping out as much as I can. I will be bothering my coworker with a lot of questions! We are having a sale on tights this weekend. 15% off. It's a good opportunity to pick some up before it gets cold.

I actually went to the ortho last week and got a few interesting results. First, I have sciatica. Which is actually what I thought it might be. After some x-rays, I was prescribed some prednisolone, and have a PT appointment for Monday morning. It's good to finally be doing something about it, but at the same time I think it won't be an easy fix. It was stupid to wait so long. I could be training for real right now. I could be planning for the Clarksville Half Marathon. Hindsight is 20-20. We runners always seem to be learning a lot in hindsight. We are all driven to keep going by unseen forces. Unfortunately, that drive usually pushes us past when we should realistically take a break.

The second thing I learned at the ortho is that I have an extra vertebrae. It isn't the cause of any of my problems, nor does it come with any extra benefits. Just a bit of Devin trivia.

Keep it up,

Devin