Not getting me down

I pulled my calf muscle again.  Walking down the stairs to the garage to take out trash.  I could let this totally put me in a funk, but I'm not.

Nope, not this time.

1.  I HAVE to stay positive or I'll never run again.

2.  I had two of the best runs I've had in a long time this past week.  I mean, I felt great after each one.  So I can't let this set me back.

Nope, I'm not going to get down about it.  I'm simply going to rest for a few days, keep it wrapped up in an ace bandage and research some stretches to try to keep this from re-occurring.  I do think the muscle wasn't completely healed from the first time and that's why it happened.  I noticed the day before yesterday that my calf was tight after my run.  But it didn't hurt and felt ok so I didn't think much about it. 

I HAVE to start paying more attention to what my body is telling me.  I do not like these injuries.

Now I don't know if I'll be ready for the Lickety Split 5k on 6/9 in town or not.  I was really hoping to run it again this year since I won a medal in it last year.  (Hells yeah!) I don't want to overdo my calf though, and this course if VERY hilly.  I'm debating.  I have about 2 weeks to really decide.  I can even wait until race day and register and run it.  I just don't know if that would be a smart move. 

I ordered some calf compression sleeves to wear while I run.  I *hope* these help with my muscle tightness in this leg and help me prevent from pulling this muscle again.  Purple ones of course, because I want to look cool and fabulous while I run.

Oh, and Al and the kids got me a Nike Fuelband for Mother's Day.  Can I just say that this thing is way awesome?  AND I got a free shirt in the mail from Women's Running magazine.

Do you not see the signs?  I CAN'T stop now - hurt calf or not!  So, wish me luck on resting up and then getting back at it.  Again.

For the 100th time.  

Frustration

My frustration with running has gotten the best of me lately.  I know I suck at running, but I haven't given up. But I came close.  The last week has been pure torture.  I can't think of a single run I went on that hasn't sucked.  Usually I'll have one or two really good days where I feel I did great, but not lately.

I seriously thought of quitting.  First time EVER.  I cried.  Al looked at me like I was crazy.  I cried more and told him I wanted SO BAD to be better at this.  That after all this time, why couldn't I run longer?  Why had the weight stopped coming off?  Why was so-and-so better than me?  Why do I even bother? 

I feel like a joke.  I try to motivate myself - hell, people tell I'm motivating THEM to run and be healthy.  Wow - if they only knew how sucky I was at running they'd probably just go eat a whole gallon of ice cream.  I know I would.  I guess you can tell Running and I are not on speaking terms.  It's been hard.  I have goals I want to accomplish, goals I want my kids to see me accomplish and learn a life lesson.  So when they saw me crying my eyes out over a crappy run earlier this week, I felt like I'd hit rock bottom.  It's not a pretty place to be. 

So what am I going to do?  I'm taking a few days break from running.  The silent treatment is what I usually do best anyways (ask Al!).  But I do plan on sticking it out.  I posted on FB how frustrated I was and I had so many friends give me great encouragement.  You guys have no idea how much I needed to hear (see, whatever) that!  Al is super supportive too....he's even willing to start my training program over with me.  He hasn't ran in a while either so we should be on even ground.  (Although Al has always been a better runner - he has a push that I haven't been able to muster.)

Running hasn't beat me yet.  It's definitely giving me a RUN for my money though!  (Pun intended) Up and down are normal folks and I guess I'm in a "down."  I'll get back up though - maybe one day you'll read this blog and I'll actually say "I LOVE RUNNING!"

I wouldn't hold my breath though if I were you.  :) 

Fila

You know I suck at running.

But I look damn cute sucking at it.  And now Fila has come out with Skele-Toes which are the COOLEST ever.

I want a pair.  I will get a pair.  And I will still probably suck ass at running.  But as I slowly run past some old women on the Rail Trail, I'm almost positive I'll hear "Did you see that cute girl's (because I still look so young) shoes?"

And I'll probably be wearing my "Forget glass slippers, this princess wears running shoes" shirt as well.

Damn, I need to model.

How's your runs going?