Talked Off the Ledge.....Just a Bit

I've calmed down a bit. Just a bit.

The day started with a wonderful wake up email from my childhood friend who knows just what to say when I start to doubt myself.  Without going into details, she reminded me that this race "does not define me" so I need to trust my body, trust the universe and realize that my fitness goals go far beyond the San Jose Rock N Roll 1/2 Marathon. Determination is the key, keeping my head in the game is key and no matter what happens or doesn't happen this Sunday, I am still on a journey to a better me and this is just a bump in the road. I can decide to walk the entire thing, run/walk or not go at all, if my body is protesting. I cannot and will not ignore what my body is telling me. Thank you, my friend, for reminding me that I am so much more than this one event. (btw I haven't had a chance to respond to your email but look for it) :)

However, that said.........I am just competitive enough to be thoroughly bummed if this one event doesn't happen. I will get through this and over this if need be.

So today I saw my chiropractor, who assured me that my pain was not serious, just my body complaining. It's a tendon, and he gave me stretches with strict instructions to do them OFTEN in the next few days. I think part of the problem is that although I am stretching after my runs, I am not stretching enough. I get off the roller when the pain is too much. I control the pressure of the stick and back off when it is too much. So I really need to pay attention to the stretches, get more intimate with my foam roller and take better care of my body. I have been told this in the past, and Alex would smack me if he could, I'm sure. It's not that I haven't been doing them; just not enough. Point taken.

Dr. T thinks I will have no problem with this on Sunday, even if I have to walk. I will go on my run tomorrow, but walk longer and if it feels okay, see how the knee feels. We talked about stretching before and after, and about walking out any pain. I am only to ice after my run/walk, and use heat prior to stretching on the off days. Advil is my friend. I am also to wear either my running shoes or other athletic shoes every day till the event for more support, since the sandals aren't cutting it. Doesn't do much for my "look", haha. Got some strange looks today - capris and running shoes? Oh well.

I am relieved, I am hopeful, I am continuing to visualize myself finishing. I will ask for guidance and support and I will listen to my body.

Whatever happens, I am proud of what I have accomplished in my journey. I showed Dr. T the before pictures of me from 2 years ago and he told his office assistants how petite I am now. HAHAHAHAHA!!! Me, petite? Cracked me up.

Then I left and had a massage. She worked, per his instructions, on my quads, my hamstrings, gently on my knees and my shins. I walked out feeling good.

Still have some discomfort, more of the tightness that tells me to stretch. I am relieved and hopeful.

And off to bed. Last night, sleep evaded me and caused me to be late for work. So off to dream of my journey......