The Best Laid Plans....

A week ago I finalized my race schedule for Year 2011.
There were 8 races on that list....2 of which I've completed this past month.
Others on the list:  a marathon, a 185km bike tour, a marathon mountain run, a Half Ironman, and even an Ultra....something I never dreamed I would THINK of attempting.

It seems ironic that my last post was on feet...and being grateful for them, because as I sit here typing- it's with my left foot up on 2 pillows wrapped in an ice pack.
I have had one physio appointment already and another tomorrow...and a bone scan booked for next week. There's been talk of just bruising...or something to do with tendons in my foot.....even a possible stress fracture.

Who would have thought?
The best laid plans..huh?

Funny (but not so funny) part is,
I was to begin a "job" as a running instructor just yesterday.
(The call to cancel my "instructorship" was most difficult.)

And my first ever marathon is only 60 days away.
(I have had offers already for my bib number...disheartening.)

I'm not ruling out my scheduled races. (Or trying not to.)
And I have a few people being optimistic for me and saying it will right itself before long.
My fingers...(and toes if they could move)...are crossed for a speedy recovery of whatever it is.

But whatever comes of it....I TRULY am trying to grasp a positive outlook on it all.
And TRYING HARD  not to mourn the loss of a run whenever I pass a running route of mine.

If nothing else...I'm going to be a improved long distance swimmer, as that is about the only sport I can participate in without having my foot swell up the size of an ugly baseball. This week I've already swam 11kilometers....of back and forth and back and forth ...and back and forth.
Insanity.

Whatever happens.....I promise to try to remain positive, realize things could be worse, and continue to gaze longingly at my running roads as I pass by them on a daily basis. From my vehicle.

Here's to ice packs
and
sweet Physio workers
and
a "positive" bone scan result.

And no missed races if possible.

The Best Laid Plans can still happen....even if there has to be adjustments made...or routes re-routed.

{ Learning to Fall and get Back Up}

From pretty to pretty ugly.

Three years ago when I started all this running/triathlon business...

I thought my feet were the only nice thing I had on me.

I loved sandal weather.

I wasn't worried to take my shoes and socks off.

Baring my feet at the beach wasn't scary at all.

Now....

after the hours in chlorinated water swimming lanes,

and hours of pounding gravel and pavement in my numerous pairs of runners,

and cycling in bare feet inside my fancy clip~less pedal shoes?

Those feet are gone.

I used to cringe when people posted pics up of their battered feet and toes. And cover my ears in disgust when they relayed the gruesome details about foot information after a run.

Missing toenails, callouses, strange shaped toes and blisters....

It was all just wrong.

Now...I'm turning into "one of those people".

I don't think my own feet will ever be the same.

Funny thing is....I don't even care.

I go back to the saying....

"It doesn't matter what something looks like, it's what's inside that counts."

True.

I finally figured out that the pride I have in my pretty-ugly-now-feet comes from what they can do for me.

And I think that this summer....regardless of the 3 missing toenails and strange bumps...I'll still flaunt my feet at the beach.

~~~

Being thankful for the Feet that Have a Purpose and serve me well.

Much better than being pretty;)

"Second Place is not Defeat"

I signed myself and my 4 kiddos up for a 5km Fun Race a couple of months ago.

We ran it last week.

I have to say races are so much more enjoyable and fun when there are people in it 

that you know and love and enjoy being with.

We good~naturedly all  tried to outrun the other...through the dark of the evening, over ice, through snow drifts, waiting at stop lights,

inspiring each other in a competitive way to run just  a bit faster.

Of course, I didn't come in first- 

(but I like to think it was close;)

~Post-Race Photo of 4 of my favorite running partners~

~~~~~

So I guess the quote for me after this particular 

race would have to be:

“Second place is not a defeat. It is a stimulation to get better. It makes you even more determined.”

Carlos Lopes quotes  (Portuguese Marathon Runner Olympic-gold-1984,

Arizona Running

Alberta....where I normally live:
currently covered in snow and -4 degrees Celcius.


Arizona....where I traveled to on the weekend, to hang out and absorb heat for a week:
+18  to +25 degree Celcius, sunny. 
With palm trees.


In the mornings I head out on a 4-5 mile trail.
I wear a tank top and shorts.
It's perfect running weather.


Strange thing is...people here look at me like I've lost my mind. 
While I run in summer-wear, they are walking, biking, running- in layers of clothing and toques and gloves.


Funny thing how climate affects us all:)

I do believe I could stay here all winter to run.


I don't miss my toque or mittens.


In the least.