... So today started off ok... My 9:00 tutee cancelled, leaving me some coveted time to read and relax this morning. I was the only tutor at the college today (from 10am-2pm, which is the full time the tutoring center is open), so I was a bit apprehensive. It turned out mostly ok.
There was one woman I just wasn't able to help, though. I had *completely* forgotten how to do 2 of her problems, so I think I caused more inital confusion than good. (With the help of another tutor who was just "hanging out" there today, we got everything done, but it was still frustrating.) Eventually (after messing up a second time), I put my head down out of sheer exasperation with myself. I excused myself to the bathroom, where I actually cried!! Egads! When I'd composed myself a few minutes later, I returned to find that the kindly off-duty tutor had helped our hestitant math tutee. Thank goodness!
Aside from that, tutoring today was fine. When I was calming myself down, I promised myself a nice, long run when I got home, and that made me feel much better.
I got home, and shortly thereafter, my roommate and his parents came in. We all hung out for a bit, and then off for a run I went!
I was aiming for 55 or more minutes, which should put me right around 5 miles. Around minute 35, my right foot started KILLING me with a stupid blister I get from my running shoes. (To combat this, I usually double-up on socks or wear a bandaid, or both. Today, I had a bandaid.) I stopped at minute 36 to tighten the laces on my shoe, but the pain was still pretty bad. At minute 37, I stopped again and pulled the bandaid off. At minute 38, in sheer agonizing pain, I stopped completely, tears welling in my eyes.
Usually around 20-22 minutes, I get chest & shoulder cramps. Today was no exception, but I ran through them. I was feeling strong and capable after that. That's why it was SOOOOO maddening to have to stop becuase of my foot!! Usually the lungs are the things to hurt the most, but after running through that, the foot pain was unbearable. I cried (again!!) for a while, absolutely PISSED that I had to stop.
"What if this happens in the half-marathon?" I'd wondered. With this thought, tears ran down my face.
"What if my shoes cause excruciating pain during a race and I have to stop?" The thoughts kept coming, and I felt indescribably angry and sad.
Luckily, my iPod was still crankin' away, so I walked briskly for 30 minutes to the tunes. Since I'd planned on taking a long run today, I went farther from my house than I normally do (today, about 3 miles out). That meant I had to limp back a LOOOONG way, the sun beating down on me, which made me even more upset!
While I was walking through the pain and self-defeat, another runner and I crossed paths. This made me feel even crappier!! :( He was truckin' away at a good pace, and gave a friendly smile & wave. I tried my best to look like I was in awful pain (which I was!), and I returned a half-hearted smile.
"What the hell else?!" I wondered, angrily, at God/the Universe/the powers that be/nature. "Are you gonna send people I know this way, so I can be super humiliated? Will I also twist an ankle? Will I get horribly sunburned??" Ugh!!
A few minutes later, I decided to change my attitude.
I told myself I was grateful for being able to walk, and that I'd be able to run again soon. I set up a course of action: rest up a day or two, and bandage up super well for the next run. Next weekend, when I'm in Phoenix, I'll get fitted for (and buy!) a pair of shoes that actually work for my foot! After that, I'll be golden!
The music really helped, too. I played some good "pissed-off" songs, and then gradually let the "powerful" songs play.
Then it happened: my second wind and determination!! It was just the right combination: the sun was diagonally behind me, the wind was refreshing, the right song was going, and there was a downhill grade ahead. I started walking faster, and before I knew it, I was jogging, then in a full-out run. Yes, the blister HURT like a biotch, but I pushed through it.
...And I kept going.
I finished up my run for a total of 57 running minutes and 35 walking. A super workout!!! Of course, my foot was SCREAMING in pain at the end, but I'd done it: I'd run more than 55 minutes!!
It was such an invigorating feeling that I just *had* to share!! :)
As an aside, I was planning this entry out as I walked/ran. When I first had to stop and walk, I was going to title this "Mb and the Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." However, when I was able to run again, I decided on the present title. So there!
Thanks, faithful readers, and I'll catch you later on.
P.S. Photo credits are here for the runner and here for the iPod Nano. :)
2 comments:
I'm proud of your efforts but be careful about running through your pain. Blisters can get infected and cause you greater pain! Stop when you need to stop and walk when you need to walk.
IF we ever get rid of our snow, I'm planning to begin walking around the neighborhood. Right now it's a winter wonderland outside.
You have inspired me to begin walking and then possibly a slight jog. We'll see if running ever enters into the mix!
Momita :)
(Psst...it's "canceled," not "cancelled).
I'm pretty sure you're the only person who I actually go out of my way to correct, nowadays. But that's only because I expect the same from you :)
Grammatical pickiness aside...very eloquently worded blog, MB, considering the topic was about a blister ;) I can easily see you heading up a Health section of a newspaper someday.
Hope your foot's all better by now. Let me know the next time you're gonna be in Flag, and I will set up a game of ultimate frisbee!
Hopefully I will talk to you soon. Take care of those feet, MB!
BK
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