Stress fracture = no running for at least 2.5 weeks

DANG!!!

Over the last two weeks, I had been experiencing weakness and pain in the middle of my foot whenever I put weight on the ball of my right foot. As you might imagine, this is a problem when you're running.

I didn't ignore it...but my body compensated by putting weight on the outside of my foot. And, after 20 miles a week of training, my ankle and calf did not like this one bit. So, the last 2 days, they have been staging a full-blown rebellion. It took me more than twice as long to walk anywhere, as I hobbled about. And this is a problem when you work in a big hospital. The bathroom is about 1/8 mile from my office!

So, today I went to see the lovely sports medicine doctor, Robyn Fean, at UW Hall Health. She is young, kind, and a runner herself. And she had my foot x-rayed. She says I have an early stress fracture (which is funny because I'm never early for anything!) Treatment? Stay off it for a week, and only moderate walking for a week and a half after that. Then, we'll see. I guess I'll just work on resting up and drinking milk until then. But man! It is so frustrating to not be allowed to run! The irony here is that during all those busy weeks of school, work and training...there were many days when I felt bad for myself that I had to go run. Hmmm...maybe God is trying to teach me to be thankful for my normally able and fit body.

I'm allowed to swim and bike as much as I like. But this may be a challenge...since I don't have a swim suit, belong to a pool, or have a working bike (or helmet). Nice curve ball, Life.

Successes so far...and some room for improvement

Successes!
1. Minimum fundraising met at $1260! (Now 100% of additional donations goes directly to blood cancer research...thank you!) My new season goal is $1800
2. After my longest training run yet (6 miles) I felt like I could keep going :)
3. I can now spit without getting it all over myself. Although, I do still do a funny little skip jump when I do it
4. My team has raised almost $100,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!

Room for improvement:
1. Working on waking up for morning runs during the week (so I'm not tempted to miss them after 8 hours of work and 3.5 hours of class)
2. Figuring out how to eat enough...and how to make time for eating (not easy when you're not someone who cooks in the first place)
3. My apartment's cleanliness has gone to the wayside. I'm interviewing a cleaning lady next week
4. It's harder than I thought to maintain work performance, school performance, training, and relationships...but I'm tryin!

Minimum met...now 100% of donations goes to research!

Thank you all for helping me to reach my season fundraising goal of $1260!!! It is official...either you're VERY excited about supporting blood cancer research, or I set my goal too low. Either way, I'm so thankful to all of you who have donated so far.

The best part about having raised my season minimum so early, is that EVERY $1 I raise from now on goes ENTIRELY to blood cancer research and to help families dealing with blood cancers. No administrative fees, nada. All of your hard-earned dollars will directly fund the work that is so badly needed in finding better treatments and cures for blood cancers. So, if you haven't yet donated, please do! Or, if you have donated and would like to donate some more...you can do that too!

Just because my goal has been met, the work does not stop here. Just as I am up to 60 minutes for my long runs and am building up to 180 minute-runs eventually, I hope the fundraising wagon can keep on truckin'. Thank you again for all you have given and for visiting my blog to see updates!

This amazing thing called generosity

To my giving friends and family,

I am so humbled by the generous donations that have poured in from you over the last few weeks. Thanks to your support, I am only $34 from meeting my season goal of raising $1260 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! And my race isn't until JUNE! Thank you for all that you have given and continue to give. Your donations are going to a wonderful organization and to research to fight blood cancers. Individuals with these cancers, and their families benefit directly from the money you have given. It is my hope that more people will decide to donate, and that you will all consider attending my fundraising events later this season.

The best part about having reached my goal so early, is that every cent raised above and beyond $1260 will go COMPLETELY to blood cancer research. I am so proud and so happy to be able to make a difference like this. I could not have done it without you. THANK YOU!!!