My JourKNEE Back

The point of the "Running Water for The Living Water" relay race that I am participating in on November 8th is to fundraise for Global Partners in Peace and Development to help the organization build clean water wells in South Asia and Uganda. On top of soliciting funds from our friends and families, we also decided to do a soup fundraiser. I do not consider myself a good cook. In fact, my motto is "the only thing I do well in the kitchen is clean it." I also do not make soup often for my own family of four so, to me, making soup for others was quite an undertaking. However, it all went smoothly, and I hope whoever ordered my soup finds it tasty. As I made the soup, I noticed analogies when it comes to running. 1. Start with a good base. When I began my running journey, I needed to start with shorter miles, not expecting too much at first and slowly increasing mileage as endurance improved. I also know a good base would be to improve my strength, balanc...

Last week, I posted my 100th blog and I thought that should not go unnoticed. So, now you know.  (cue the confetti!) I bought a long-sleeved running shirt last spring just as the cooler weather season was ending so I didn't get to wear it very much. I pulled it out of my closet this week since the weather, at least in the morning, has been getting cooler. The shirt has a running skeleton on it with the slogan "Tortured Runners Club: Comfortable Being Uncomfortable." I immediately liked it as I am uncomfortable on ninety-nine percent, okay, maybe that's exaggerating but I'd say for sure eighty percent of my runs. As I thought more deeply about it, though, I realized I am not comfortable with being uncomfortable.  If I'm honest, especially on my solo runs, when I begin to feel uncomfortable, I may "push through" for a few minutes before seeking ways to become more comfortable. Whether that's slowing down, cutting my runs short or even trading the r...

Hello Reader! I won't keep you long this week, but I did want to give an update since in my last writing I was experiencing some foot pain. It did continue and concern me enough that I called the Orthopedic office Monday morning to see if I could make an appointment. One was scheduled for Wednesday of this past week. An x-ray was done and no visible signs of a stress fracture were seen, as expected. Stress fractures are hard to see in x-rays, especially with a new injury. After discussing where the pain was located, it was determined that perhaps I have the beginnings of arthritis or something could be irritated and inflamed. He recommended a steroid anti-inflammatory and to reduce my mileage, after I made the request to be able to keep running. If things didn't improve in two weeks, he would order an MRI.  I am unbelievably happy to report that this plan seems to be working. In my obedience, I ran two miles on Friday morning, worked Friday evening and ran only one and a half m...

This blog was started after an injury, "intended to track my progress from meniscus surgery back to my goal of being able to run again." It was a slow, frustrating process. I remember it all too well and have not taken my ability to run for granted. I am thankful for the ability to move my body and for all the parts that carry me along the miles.  When I fell and broke my hand at the beginning of this year it was, yet another setback. Six weeks of not running set me behind again.  I went from ending 2025, considering the low probability, but still possibility of signing up for a half marathon to being scared to commit to this five-mile relay race. As you know, if you are a regular reader, I did commit. I've been putting in the miles and playing around with running straight miles versus various interval timing. I've met up with the other ladies on the relay team. Most importantly, I've fundraised, so close to attaining my goal. Currently, the team is selling soup a...

"A person's heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9 (CSB) Can you ever truly be  prepared for something? Obviously, you can take steps to prepare by educating yourself, training, and setting forth simple goals to be as prepared as you can be. You can feel prepared as you embark on the very thing you've trained for, but I'm not sure you ever truly are prepared. When the challenge is facing you head on, there are always changing factors that can affect your reaction and, ultimately, your outcome. I have been preparing for my four-person relay race coming up in November. I have educated myself on what the course looks like, although, I still have to study the map to know where my leg of the race begins and ends. I have talked with the other teammates who have run this race before and asked them my questions. I know how timing works. I know there is a van that will transport me to my starting point. I know there will be aid stations. ...

Thursday, I stepped out my side door to wait for "J." She normally meets me at 5:30 a.m. and the current time was 5:27 a.m. I looked down the street and saw no signs of her. I pulled my phone from my pocket to read this text, "Head my way. I went to the couch to sleep and never brought my phone down. 😭I just woke up." I replied, "okay" and headed her way. As I began to run, I felt a heaviness in the pit of my stomach. Is this anxiety? I have had this feeling at other times, but I can't pinpoint exactly what the feeling is and why it randomly shows up. My breathing felt labored and I told myself to "calm down," "slow your breathing," "take it easy." Before I knew it, I was falling. I guess I didn't pick up my feet enough and tripped on the sidewalk. As I was going down, I had flashbacks from January when I fell and broke my hand, resulting in a cast and a six-week break from running. Thankfully, this fall only resulted...