Recently: Orthotics, Hail, Kickoff, Faceplant, Layoff

As the title of this post suggests, a lot has happened since I last updated the blog. Due to recent events, I will be able to update it much more frequently, but more on that later... Here's a quick rundown of what's been going on...

So remember that burning in my calves? Turned out to be peroneal tendonitis in both legs. Fast forward 7 weeks and I was slowly back to running after breaking in custom orthotics--just in time to start the DRC half marathon training program for the DRC Half Marathon and White Rock Half Marathon. We did the Independence Day 5k on July 4th as an unofficial start to the training program. Many thanks to Craig, Ashley's husband, for taking the photo of me finishing the race. If you can't tell, I'm in pain. It's a work in progress!

The night of the kickoff meeting, my friend Ashley and I decided to get a quick walk/run in on the Katy Trail. The sky looked a bit ominous to the east but there had been no mention of rain in days, so we didn't think much of it. Then it got pretty windy... then it started sprinkling... then raining... then pouring... then hailing. In July. In Texas. All while the sun is shining. It was crazy. We had intended on taking it easy and just walking, but given the hail and torrential downpour (and our white t-shirts), we ran the rest of the way.

The following Saturday was the first group training run, and I was thrilled to not have any pain at all during the run. I'd also bought a new pair of running shoes--the Asics Gel Nimbus 11s--the day before, so I was excited to try them out. We're divided by pace, so Ashley and I are in different groups but another girl I met during the RunOn social runs is in my pace group, so we ran together. Our group was going a bit slower than we'd have liked and it was really packed since it was the first run, so we broke off and went ahead. Thank goodness we did because right around the beginning of the last mile, the toe of my left shoe catches on a root/crack in the trail, and I faceplant. Hard. I felt my knees hit, then my quads, hips, stomach, and then I kinda arched/skidded and rolled onto my girls, then my chin and my face. All I heard was “uggggghmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmfffffffffffffffffff,” which was me falling/breaking my fall, and my first thought was “my teeth!” followed by “my shoes!”, “my ipod!” and “I hope my knees are ok!” I immediately popped up and yelled “Let’s go!” to my friend and we took off again. I couldn’t see my face, obviously, but I attemped to spit the dirt out of my mouth and survey the damage as best I could. My shirt, shorts, quads, knees and hands were covered in dirt. Hands and knees were a little bloody, but not too bad--nothing dripping or anything. So while we’re running back I noticed that people are looking at me kinda weird and my friend kept asking if I was sure I didn't need to stop or get help cleaning up or anything. I knew that I was going to my dad’s for breakfast right after the run anyway, so I just skipped the meeting-up thing afterward and ran straight to the car and left. Upon looking in the mirror, I realized why my friend kept asking if I needed a towel or water or anything. DIRT EVERYWHERE. Allll over my face. Road rash (trail rash?) on my hip/stomach and legs, bits of gravel shoved into the cuts on my palms, etc. I looked like I’d been through an obstacle course. My left knee was absolutely huge and green all Saturday and I had some pretty awesome bruises, but everything healed pretty quickly. It's one week later and pretty much all the scabs on my knees are gone but there's still cuts on my palms and dark bruises on my knees.

This morning's run pretty good. Had a few tinges of pain at various points, but nothing that really lasted, so that's good. Going to keep up the icing, ibuprofen-ing, stretching, etc. I'm looking forward to doing more strength training, pilates, etc. during my new-found free time. As of this morning, I've lost 10 lbs. so I'm excited to see what I can do now that I have more time to concentrate on working out. What gave me all this new free time, you ask? I got a little surprise on Thursday in the form of a layoff. Not so bad really--at least I don't have to commute any more or get dressed up in the morning! I've been so busy the past few days, I haven't really had time to let it sink in, but for now I am pretty excited to have some time off and to decide what I want to do next. So many possibilities!!!

Anyhoo, that's about all the big things going on as of late. Oh, and I saw the new Harry Potter last night--it was awesome!