Shila, The Shin Splint

"What if I'm never able to run a 5K?"
~Defeatist to Support System while icing an agitated shin splint

I should have known the minute I was in my good sleep, drooling, happy dreaming and The Sun headbutted me at 4:40-something this morning that it was going to be a peculiar morning workout. He didn't go back to sleep right away or relatively quickly. First wave alarm (5:20 a.m.) came and went. Second wave (5:30 a.m.) came and went with my sun looking at me wide eyed and rubbing the area he bruised... guess he saw irritation in my face. We lay there quietly... last chance wave (5:40 a.m.) silenced... I tried to will him to sleep but he was just too strong. Finally we both dozed off at some point. I woke up at 8 a.m. to him snuggled up under my arm. *sigh*

Not to be outdone, I got up and got ready anyway.. after all if I am going to run the 5K this fall, I have to stay on schedule. So since beginning training I been feeling really great. Each day was cool... slightly challenging in the calorie-burnin department... I felt I was really making some progress. I resumed Chalene Extreme this week and Burn Circuit 2 was yesterday and I woke up with tight hammy's... little did I know that was the least of my problems.

I got new shoes Monday and was so looking forward to using them on the second day/run of week 2 (W2D2) because that damn Shila was irritating me and I figured it was because I needed new shows... well I put those sexy light puppies on today and my Shila's ass started screaming again. She gets on my nerves. She and I have been kicking it since 1996 when I overtrained for regionals (track and field) and we been hanging tough every time I up the amount of my vigorous workout. She is the reason I've steered clear of running. She just doesn't like me to do it. But I've read conflicting articles that there is really no cure for this strain and you just kinda have to care for it and hope for the best... what's a girl to do?!

I did finish my run, but I felt like sh*t afterwards. Not because Shila was still screaming, she calmed down once I was off, but because I don't want this damn runner's injury to haunt me for the rest of my damn life. (You know I'm mad cause I said "damn" twice!) I want to RUN a 5K. I know I was a sprinter, but man... I'm old and I want to do some aerobic activities like long runs. I already know I can do anaerobic ones (quick sprint-like activities i.e., 100-yard dash, shot put, etc.). Further... I should be able to run.

I also think it might be my stride. Again, I haven't really ran in ever and I am trying to figure out HOW to run... I mean, my Wii Fit will rudely tell me that my balance is quite awkward and I don't walk evenly... but not sure how to fix these kindsa things besides doing what I'm doing. Core exercises, strengthening all my muscles etc. W2D2 only requires me to run for 90 second intervals... wtf am I supposed to do when it wants me to run for two minutes, three minutes... hell, 25 minutes?! I'm just feeling like I'll never get this done... and it's bugging me something fierce. I am hoping I left it all on the treadmill and just gonna do some serious stretching b/t now and Friday morning... let us not forget, I have Burn Intervals cardio to do today and Burn Circuit 3 tomorrow for Chalene Extreme.

One thing is for sure, I'm GOING to run a 5K. And I'm gonna keep running them... so I have to figure out some good preventative measures because I just can't afford to will not fail.



"Calm down, SHILA!!"

"Independence"

"Girl I didn't know you could get down like that"
~ "Independent Ladies" Destiny's Child

So as I rub on my flat(ter) full stomach sitting on my couch watching old school cartoons on Boomerang... I must admit, I feel great. I just had my breakfast (egg white omelette with fresh spinach, minced garlic and topped with soy cheese, 1/2-cup brown rice and a cup of sliced strawberries), I'm sippin on my liter of water, and just feeling... great. On this Independence Day, I am inspired -- with all it's great meaning -- to celebrate my own independence from the lifestyle that once had me so shackled I thought it was normal. I stare at the picture of me that I found from 1996... looking back at me was this fit, happy teenager with a body to d-i-e for. She loved to workout, her shoulders were fabulous and her gluteus maximus was propped up like it was holstered by buff boys... oooh wee! lol I was prolly a good 125 lbs on that picture and a size 7/8. (I told ya'll I've always been a muscular, stocky lil something... that weight on my height is usually like a size 4... but anywho..)

I will never have that exact body again, besides having five more body arts, more stretch marks and cellulite, my body has morphed some by gaining different muscles in places I didn't have them before (I didn't do a lot of strength exercise then, just cardio with all the basketball and track and field practice). SO when I emerge a new 13-year older butterfly my body will be different, but maybe -- just maybe -- even better. I'll have filled out some and be muscular vs just thin.

Last night I went out with my sisters to a comedy show and didn't drink. I'd mentioned to my homegirl that I was not going to drink until I hit goal. I realize this is a difficult task to accomplish, so I modified it a bit to drink in moderation. Afterall, if I am ever going to prove I can maintain my weight, I will need to show myself that I can act right when tempted.. drinks, fatty foods, I will need to be able to control myself in these situations. So it made me feel truly ecstatic that I was out with my girls with everything feeling like normal but for this evening I decided NOT to partake. They all were looking at me a lil sideways because it's unnatural for me not to imbibe, lol, but they will have to get used to the new healthier choices me. Sometimes she will drink and IF she does, it will be an alcohol with a low-to-no calorie mixer (i.e., seltzer) or a glass of wine ... something I can account for. So, I will moderate my alcoholic consumption when I choose to drink, which won't be often, but I will not drink any juice or pops. I will stick to crystal light and water. If I choose to have whiskey (which I do often) I will drink it straight... no Coke and only in moderation. This is more feasible than trying to set myself up to fail. Yanno?

Anywho, I am feeling absolutely great today and I just wanted to share with you... what are you independent from today?