Not gunna do it: A long-winded rant

Okay, so I've resigned to the fact that I'm not going to walk this week. Or not like the big huge walks. And that crushes me. ... it really does.

I went back to RunTex b/c they called and said my shoes were in. They weren't at the store they were "supposed" to be at, but the guy who helped me before was. I told him of my ails and he seemed pretty perplexed as well. Shouldn't be that new shoes could cause shin splints, and maybe it was something else?

I told him it was new shoes, old route, familiar street surface...What's wrong with me?

I had to walk up and back in a bunch of different shoes, with inserts, without... Up and back...New shoes, no shoes, pants rolled up. (He said my left was definitely stronger, so it was odd my left was bothering me.)

So he made me return the other shoes--even though they were so cute. And the second pair was the same kind, which I already paid for and crap! I have to find that receipt. So what a mess. I hope I can get the right shoes! I'm down to like 5 weeks.

Anyway, all that to say I'm going to take it easy this weekend. And, really, it does kill me not to be able to walk. But I know in the long run, that's all for the better. I've gotten lots of emails from other walkers (yes, friends and parents have said it, too, but coming from my cohorts who Get It seems different). Really sweet, nice, supportive emails.

I figure if I can rest this week, as I have (only like 2 miles the whole week), tomorrow and maybe even Sunday, I'll be good. Or maybe a light walk Sunday. Or something.

I know it'll all be fine. Really, it will be. It's just tough. And great. And life-learning experiences.

Mom told me how proud she was of me--made me cry--and then said that if I didn't walk, that if I only made it 10 miles, that would still be okay--cried harder. Because, as someone in an email said, it would be a bit disappointing not being able to walk the whole thing. I know it's okay not to, but it would be disappointing. Mom did say, though, that if I needed to, I could be like Rosie Ruiz and get on the sag wagon up until a mile before the end.

Anyway, although slightly disappointed not to walk a bajillion miles this weekend, I am looking forward to sleeping in. No alarm. For the first time in a long time.

Shin splints

Last Sunday, I had to do 6 miles. I did it in my neighborhood, since it was such a small amount. Part way through, though, my shins started hurting.

Yeah, I think I got the shin splints. Just in one leg, though. And not that bad...

Couple thing against me--new shoes and lots of hills. Two things people asked me about when I told them of the shins. I really hope it's not the shoes. I just got two pairs of the same shoe. Almost out of desperation. I need to break in my new shoes, and there's a HUGE walk this weekend, so I felt like I had to get the shoes this past weekend.

I've been icing it some, and wore an ACE bandage for about 2 days. I feel better now. Will do lots of stretching before my 6 miles this evening. I want to gear up for Saturday, but I also know to take it easy.

I really do think I am lucky enough to have a mild case...especially after some of the horror stories I've heard about.

Hopefully next time I write about my new shoes, it will be with praise and adoration and not of "These stupid shoes ruined me!"

Wish me luck!

Words of Wisdom....

If you think about it twice, you better go.


Truer words have not been spoken.

What a relief!

Today we walked 10 miles. Met at the Randall's and walked to Town Lake, did a short loop and walked back. We were relieved--relieved!!--to only have to do 10.

Last week was tough; next week will be even harder. I'm nervous about it. But, the thing is, I know I can do it. I can't use the excuse of "I can't," since I already have. (Next week is 18 and 15).

But that means a new sticker! I'll just keep that silly little sticker in my mind!

It was a nice walk today. It started cool, and stayed relatively cool most of the walk. We were also in a lot of shade. And the non-shaded parts were under 9:30 sun, not 1:30 sun. Also, it was less than 4 hours, not just under 7.

Today was good. Hopefully enough of a boost to keep me going for next week!

Accountability

These days, now that school has started and the miles go up (on weekdays, too), it's sometimes hard to get out and get going. .... I've found myself calling or instant messaging people, basically telling them to tell me to go.

I know I need to, I know I'll feel better if I do. (Even though I sometimes get discouraged with the hour and a half to two hours of my precious weeknight gone.) But sometimes I need that extra little push.

So, thank you to my friends who know when I need you to say "Go! You'll be glad you did!" and when to say, "It's okay to take a break this time."

Some of my friends....

A little far away, but the 8 that did the 18 on Saturday....
Left to right: Barbara W., Karla, Barb, Gina, Erin A., Jessica, Maria, and Kim is "the lone shortie in the front"

Check this out!

This looks much worse than it really is. ... It's really my only one, too, which is a really good thing at this point. If you want a closer look, I'll gladly take you up on a foot massage! (I think it's basically a blister under a callous.)