Learning to Pay Attention to My Body

During this whole process since April I have really learned to listen to my body.  Knowing when to stop eating and knowing when I'm really full and that doesn't mean stuffed! 

Learning to eat everything within moderation.  Sarah if you had ice cream yesterday you really shouldn't have it today! 

But I've also learned the difference between pain and soreness.  If you've been reading my blog at all, you've probably read at least once that I have Plantar Fasciitis. 

What is that?  Well according to webmd.com  "Plantar fasciitis (say "PLAN-ter fash-ee-EYE-tus") is the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue (ligament) that connects your heel bone to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot. If you strain your plantar fascia, it gets weak, swollen, and irritated (inflamed). Then your heel or the bottom of your foot hurts when you stand or walk."

What causes PF? 

Plantar fasciitis is caused by straining the ligament that supports your arch. Repeated strain can cause tiny tears in the ligament. These can lead to pain and swelling. This is more likely to happen if:

• Your feet roll inward too much when you walk (excessive pronation ). 
• You have high arches or flat feet. 
• You walk, stand, or run for long periods of time, especially on hard surfaces.
• You are overweight.
• You wear shoes that don't fit well or are worn out.
• You have tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles.

I fit about 3 or 4 of those causes perfectly thanks to my high resting arch and I wear dress shoes a lot, or I used to until last September, now it's just too painful to do. 

That's why you see me posting pictures of this a lot

wearing my boot while watching Real Housewives of New Jersey

I was really worried when I first started out walking back in April that having PF, would limit me in exercising and even cried on some walks because it hurt so badly and was mad because by the time I was actually motivated to do something I now might be limited in what I can do.  However, running in fact doesn't make my feet hurt at all.  As long as I wear my boot regularly, it doesn't bother me. 

However, level 2 of the 30DS irritated my PF, more than I would have ever expected and after much hesitation and not wanting to feel like a quitter...I took a break from the 30DS this weekend.  I'm listening to my body and since my feet are kind of important and I don't want to end up with surgery, I'm listening loud and clear to this pain! 

I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to do the level 2 of the 30DS.  Hopefully I will someday.  But I do plan to do level 1 again starting this week after a few more days of resting and icing and hopefully the pain will be gone. 

I'm not quitting.  In fact this weekend I ran a little over 5 miles and it felt amazing.  Running is where my heart is right now and I love it.  I can't believe that just came out of my mouth...wow!

Saturday morning I went out for a run and the temperature was the coolest I've ever ran in.  I took this picture too late after my run because it was actually in the high 40s when I headed out. 

Saturday run....I was actually out running a little over an hour earlier than this picture was taken. 

It was chilly out!!!  I wore running capris and a long sleeve T-shirt and I was cold at first during my run but towards the end I was hot and annoyed with my long sleeves.  I hate running in cotton tshirts, I need to go on the hunt for some long sleeve running shirts for this fall.  Yes ladies....cotton is actually a lot hotter to run in even though it's "breathable" it's hot and if you ever run in an actual running shirt, you'll notice the difference right away! 

I absolutely loved my runs this weekend.  I ran by myself, at my pace and I was out alone with no music, barely anyone outside yet and it was perfect.  I was with my own thoughts. 

Saturday morning  was thinking about all those people running the local air force marathon this weekend and how next year I want to do the half marathon.  I can do that.  I know I can.  It was a great run Saturday morning. 

After my run I showered and ran to Starbucks and got my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season

And then I headed out to the soccer fields to watch my baby girl do cartwheels in the goalie box.  That's my girl! 

Sunday morning I ran again.  Feeling very determined and wanting to go a new route and push myself.  It was again, very chilly out

Sunday Run

But it was perfect.  I love running outside when it's chilly out.  I started out walking and thinking about where I wanted to plan my route out and when I kind of had an idea I took off running.  I met a few guys running a long the way and they gave me one of the best "good morning" greetings I think I've ever gotten from other runners. 

They treated me like I was a runner.  "Good Morning, isn't it an awesome morning for a run...people are missing out"  And even though I could barely say "morning" to them...they were right.  And I was out there catching in that awesome morning for a run...I was doing that! 

I went down a country road on the edge of town and then turned into a newer subdivision and ran around that some.  Thinking about how far I was from home and how cool it was that I did that by running.  My legs felt great, my feet felt great and I had my groove.  Even just thinking about this morning it's giving me chills again now how great it felt. 

I turned out of the subdivision and headed down the street with the sun in my face.  It felt good against my face with the chilly air.  I turned again down into another subdivision and then curved into another private community.  Slowly everyone was waking up and heading out to church I would guess as most people were dressed up in their minivans and cars.  I ran past my street and turned away from it and kept going.  I was going to hit 3 miles, I had to, but I felt great and it made me nervous I was only at 2 miles and I started to feel let down with myself.  But I didn't let that ruin it, 2 miles is great I told myself...and this has been a great run.  I got to the end of the street and turned back around to my house and this was the hardest part of the entire run.  But I wanted it bad, I wanted to finish strong and keep going and pushing through it.  I had no idea how long I had been running or how far I went because I left my phone/ipod at home and so I knew I couldn't stop, not yet, I had to be close to a good distance. 

I stopped right at my street and walked home and looked at my shadow on the sidewalk and felt proud.  I told myself, Sarah, you just had an amazing run.  You felt great during the whole thing!  I felt strong.  Oh my gosh did I feel strong.  I can't even describe how strong I felt but it was amazing. 

I walked into my house and sat down for a little and was trying not to let myself go get in my car and drive what I just ran.  I wanted to be satisfied with how well it went and not need to know the distance....but that only lasted maybe 15 minutes and then I needed to know.  So, I jumped in my car and got to the end of the street and set my odometer in my car and started off. 

I was scared.  I didn't want to see 2. any kind of miles...I wanted to see 3 something.  I'm so over 2 miles and want 3 to be my new thing.  It crept up to 1.5 miles and I started thinking abut how much further I had to go and wasn't sure if it was going to be enough and started to get a knot in my stomach. 

2 miles hit....could there really still be another mile left?  I wasn't honestly sure...tears started to come and I was afraid.  I have no idea why I was so nervous but I was almost afraid to look down in my car to see what the number was.

I turned out of the private community and slowly went down to the end of the street and right at the stop sign it hit....3.1 miles. 

I did it. 

I have no idea idea why that number means so much to me but it does.  It's like it finally makes me a legitimate runner or something.  I laid my head down on the steering wheel and just smiled and fought back happy tears. 

I did it! 

It was one of the best runs I've ever had.  I didn't cut back on my route, I actually made it longer while I went.  I didn't let any soreness make me think I should stop...I pushed through and I felt AMAZING!! 

I needed that run as much as it needed me I think.  With feeling somewhat defeated by my feet not letting me do level 2 of the 30DS...I needed to feel like I could still do something.  And right now...running is what I can do.  I need it.  I need that quiet time where all I hear is my feet on the road and my breathing and my thoughts. 

Even though I was beating myself up Friday and Saturday for not doing the 30DS, I did what my body loves me to do and that's running.  I needed that!  Listening to your body sometimes may suck...but sometimes it sets you  up for something great as well!!