I went on a test run today.
It’s been a WHILE since I have done any running of any type (excepting my barefoot sprint across the Great Room in the castle so I could fetch my camera before I got to see the wine cellar), and since I have all these big hilarious plans to do an Ironman, I figured there’s no time like the present to see just where I’m at with regards to well, where I’m at.
Let’s start at the bottom.
Feet: Feeling good. I need new running shoes, but the feet are doing okay at present. I had a little bit of pain yesterday just walking around (I landed wrong coming down the steps) but that was a non-issue today.
Ankles: Yay, ankles! After years of fucking them up on the treadmill and/or rolling them because I am so incredibly graceful, the ankles are doing all right. I know my shinsplints stem from my weak ankles and that’s why I can’t run on the treadmill. It’s been a LONG time since I’ve been on one, and I’ve been paying attention to strengthening my calves and stuff, so the ankles are protected a lot better than they have been.
Shins: Shinsplints do not appear to be happening, which is making me SO VERY HAPPY.
Knees: Knees are problematic at the best of times, and I did a good mile and a half before the left knee went “pop.” Whoops. It wasn’t a catastrophic sort of pop, but it wasn’t good and I had to walk the last half-mile. This could be a combination of factors, starting with the weather. It’s been fairly blustery all day and is probably going to rain later. Also, the left leg is the one that does that weird sticky-outy thing due to how I was crumpled up in the womb. It’s not noticeable until I’m running and then it causes all sorts of fun things to happen. I have been assured by two doctors that it shouldn’t be a huge deal but I do have to adjust my stride to compensate for it. BLEH. So the left knee is currently iced and I am going to give it a stern talking-to later.
Hips: Hips are good. Ever since I started working out regularly, the hip pain I’d been having has disappeared. That can only be due to the fact that the muscles are stronger and my weight is shifting. I’m not LOSING ANY GODDAMN WEIGHT WHAT THE FUCK but I’m definitely carrying it differently than I did a year ago. So that’s good.
Back: It was only 2 miles. Ask me again after a 10K. The muscle that I pulled yesterday is feeling all right until I try to turn my head to the left. Then it goes “OW FUCK STOP IT.” So… there’s that.
Arms: Good arms! Form is good, which is something I usually have trouble with.
Lungs/Heart: So far, so good. I am battling a bit of a cough and got a little wheezy here and there, but I don’t think that’s anything to worry about. Once this cough goes away, I should be in pretty good shape here. The EIA that I suffer from on occasion doesn’t seem to be as big of a factor as it has been in the past, so that’s good. I might still ask the doctor to give me an inhaler, just in case.
Boobs: You know, I was flat-chested until I was almost 25. And even then, there wasn’t a whole lot going on up there. Now, at 36, I am rocking these humungous boobs that I DO NOT WANT. Through a series of compression bras I am able to immobilize them for the most part, but MY KINGDOM FOR B-CUPS. Sheesh. I’m hoping that with time and weight loss I will get back down into a non-porn-star bra size. However, a quick glance at most of the women in my family doesn’t give me much hope.
Head: The head is working on it. So much of what I’m trying to do is mental – the belief that I CAN DO IT is the one that I have to keep working on. That’s part of the reason why I’m going to try to write here as often as I can. I know I can do it. I just have to keep reminding myself of this. I have all the tools and all the ability – I just need to refine it all and put it to work.
No day but today.