transformation continued....

2010 has brought some challenges for me, and along with that, frustration. i guess you can expect that when you start anything and really mean it!! i have continued to track my miles religiously every week; i think i helps me stay focused and motivated. A high school friend asked me to consider the Des Moines marathon early in the year and it's been on my mind ever since. Some days i feel like i could do it, others i think, "i've got to be nuts". So i focued hard on testing myself and pushing some limits since January.
Tried the elliptical machine early this Spring and really enjoyed that; so much different than the treadmill but ended up with more problems with my toes, the first of my challenges. The toes on my right foot go numb and cramp up, which ends up being extremely painful, after about 2-3 miles. Then came the blisters and sores on my right toes, which i have gotten some very good advice on how to ward them off. I have had one toe on my left foot which has lost its nail twice, but not as problematic. As the weeks went on, i became more frustrated and decided to try a few remedies on my own. Bought some shoe inserts from Scheels, which didn't help at all. My first "real" running shoes were calculated to have about 300 miles on them, so i thought i'd try that route. My first shoes were Adidas Supernovas that i bought in Sept 09 and i really did like them. I had started reading my Runners magazine and saw an advertizement for a pair i thought i'd like. Tried the Muzuno Wave Creations in March and was sorely disappointed! Came recommended from a runner at Scheels, but ended up giving me more problems. i only put about 50 miles on them, and i couldn't stand wearing them any longer. Took a trip to The Running Room and was recommended my third pair: Asics gel nimbus 12 and i am still tracking miles in them. i won't even mention how much money was spent in that month's time.....
March 27, 2010 marked my first race: Rebuilding Haiti 5K...it was extremely cold, and i was extremely nervous!! Not knowing what to expect, yet this was a small race in Pleasant Hill. It gave me the first experience i needed and absolutely nothing is better than seeing your husband and kids at the finish line!!!!!
My next stop was a foot doctor i knew from work to help with my toes. I haven't seen a foot doctor in 13 years since my foot surgeries so i figured it was a good step to take. Orthotics were recommended for me, since i have such high arches and the symptoms i was experiencing. So i headed to the foot store and about lost it when i found out how much this was going to cost!!! i was molded for orthotics and was waiting in anticipation to get rid of this problem..........
May 1, 2010 marked my second race: C.A.R.E. 5K in Waukee will forever go down as the longest 5 K ever! That was a very hard race to finish, for what reason i'm not sure. The weather was beautiful, the race was very well organized, i just struggled but i finished!
May 5, 2010 marked my third race: Cystic Fibrosis 5K and i wanted to do this one for Isaac Johnson! We ran around Racoon River and the weather was great again.....i felt like i continued to be in the middle of the pack no matter how hard i tried! Looking around the pack, you see runners of all backgrounds and then you start questioning yourself as to why am i here. i thoroughly enjoyed every race and just to say i finished and gave to a great cause!!
i have to say the orthotics haven't been the answer to prayer i was hoping for, but there is some improvement. Right now im dealing with some right knee pain, which is starting to really hinder sleeping. i am stretching every night and continuing to do upper body weights several days a week. Although i have gained 6 pounds in the last year, i keep telling myself it's muscle weight!! i see myself changing and my clothes feel different, but sometimes it's nice to see it on the scale.
What im striving for is a healthier, stronger me and i know im achieving that! i never want to loose the motivation to run or forget why i love it........despite the fact that i may never finish a marathon or win a race, i love the way it makes me feel and i don't ever want to forget that! i am so proud of myself regardless.......i will surpass 400 miles this month YTD!! Pretty cool....