A few weeks ago, I had the misfortune of locking eyes with my thighs…thighs bared by the shorts I was currently wearing.
That’s when I saw it.
The beginning of cellulite.
At least that’s what I think it was.
I thought maybe it was the angle of the sun shining down on said legs; however, I have studied my thighs under natural lighting, fluorescent, and the sun.
Either my veins are rearranging themselves to resemble cheesy curds, or the cheesy curds are lying just beneath the surface, ready to pop out.
Ugh.
Now you guys. I am not overweight. I know that. But, I am out of shape. If you don’t work out your body parts, they start hanging out in funny directions.
That’s when I decided to take action. I gave myself until the end of the week to cut out sodas.
That was in May, and I haven’t had a soda since (applause please – this is a BIG deal for me).
With the dawn of summer vacation, my days are calmer, and I’ve had more time to myself.
Along with the start of summer has also been the long-awaited World Cup.
Ahhhh, World Cup.
Men’s drama played to the hilt, along with skills that rival any other sport.
Well, last Monday, I took one look at my treadmill, another look at the TV (can’t remember who was playing), and my brain made a connection.
It was time for me to get busy.
With the TV’s volume cranked up to the max (nothing like hearing the commentary along with watching the action), I started racking up the miles. Each day, I posted updates on my Facebook page as my own personal exercise diary.
Folks, I don’t know what got into me, but I actually started running on the treadmill…for more than a few minutes too!
Running is NOT something AuburnChick is known for, unless it’s running to the candy aisle to grab chocolate.
That’s why I was so surprised! The fact that I wasn’t passing out mid-stride came as a shock!
In fact, it amazed me that I could still walk after each session.
What also surprised me was how GOOD it felt to watch the miles go by.
I don’t know who has taken over my body, but I like her!
Anyhoo, there I went, three days in a row of running.
The fourth day, I did my run, got off the treadmill, hunted for my lost abdominal muscles, and then went about my regular “mom” business.
And then I felt it.
Pain in my left foot.
Bad pain.
To the point where it hurt quite badly to walk.
What in the world?
Now, I’ve had pain in my heels and shins before, but I had taken care of that with the outrageously expensive sneakers I bought last summer.
This was new, and I did not like it.
Well, I pretty much ignored it the first day, except for the complaining I did to the Mr. and the kids.
The next day, I got back on the treadmill and did my thing again, notching up even more mileage. By now, I was doing between five and five and a half miles on the machine, interspersing walking with running segments and actually running MORE of the session than walking.
The pain was nearly unbearable when I got off.
I took the weekend off, wrapping my foot and doing some research.
I think I might have Plantar Fascilitis, irritation and swelling of the tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot…
Now, I realize I am self-diagnosing myself, but the symptoms are EXACTLY like what I’m feeling, so I’m fairly certain that this is what’s happened to my foot.
I found out that my foot needed support, since the problem seems to lie with the tissue that provides arch support.
You guys…I am a Southern girl to the core. I spend as much of my time without shoes as possible. Plus, I have wood floors. Add to that fact is that we do not wear shoes in the house…a house rule that I put into place years ago to keep us from tracking junk in and grinding it into my expensive flooring.
I ran to Target and got myself some slippers…
Aren’t they cute?! They have padding inside too, so my feet feel really good with these little guys on.
Although I really like my slippers, ultimately, I am not happy.
It would seem that every time I try to get more fit, something happens. Last summer, I got really sick while trying to do the C25K program, and I had to stop for a while. Of course, by the time I was better, I had given up.
Ugh.
Yesterday, my foot didn’t hurt, so I laced up my sneakers to give it another go.
Oh you guys. The joy I felt as I put in another 5.5 miles. I ran 3.5 miles straight and after a half mile walk, I ran another mile…a total of 4.5 miles running! I was so happy!
I tend to set the bar high. I know that. I push myself, and that’s why I excel at things, whether it is work or play.
However, the pain came back after I got off the machine.
Ugh.
It was so bad, I could hardly walk last night.
Double ugh.
Being the stubborn person that I am, I got up, determined to work through the pain.
I made it seven minutes before giving up.
Sigh.
The pain was intolerable.
With resignation, I stopped the machine.
Instead, I settled down for some ab word and light leg work.
I have been cautioned by those who care for me to let my foot heal or else I might cause permanent damage.
Sigh.
I’ve been derailed, yet again, and I am not happy.
Oh, I said this already, eh?
Sorry. I am just frustrated.
I think that while I let my foot rest, I will continue watching what I eat and will also focus on stretching, ab work, and upper body exercises. I will also do some low-impact lower body work as well.
Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: exercise, plantar fascilitis, running injuries | 5 Comments »
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