Will There Be Interesting Snacks?

Running was proving difficult for me this spring. With another go at the Gore-tex TransRockies Run on the race calendar, long miles were a must. But an ever increasing list of injuries made me realize something had to change. Resting, different shoes and lots of cross training and strengthening had not made a difference--not true, I did have stomach muscles, but they were doing nothing to help my plantar fasciitis.

Which is how I ended up at a Chi Running camp, this past June. If Danny Dreyer and his crew couldn't fix me, then I was going to quit running forever. I know, real mature.

But fix me they did! They gave me the skills to achieve proper alignment, the first step to good running form, and a checklist of micro adjustments to make during any run, when twinges or niggles send their warning signal, "Hey you, just because you're tired, doesn't mean you can be sloppy!". Crazy but true, before the week of camp came to an end, my ITB problems and shin splints were gone. Within two weeks, even plantar fasciitis was no longer an issue. My first few steps every morning are still hesitant out of habit, but no more shooting heel pain!

John even noticed my stride was different. His exact comment was somewhere along the lines of, "I wouldn't exactly call it pretty, but you look like you can keep it up forever." And this was when he saw me at mile 15 of a 17 mile training run.

I'm still slow and far from perfect, but this new direction is good. I even smile when I run, a welcome change to my former grimace, alluding to dark, pain-induced desires to push people off their bikes and drop kick small woodland creatures.

So you can imagine my excitement for the free Chi Running workshop offered in Carbondale tonight. One of the teachers from NC will even be speaking. Time for a little review and form polish.

Now the question is who's going--ahh, the endless summer shuffle of wants and responsibilities. John has decided not to go in order to cut some new trails at the house. Which means the girls may stay or go. Adair is pretty sure she'll go--final decision hinges on whether she gets to operate any trail clearing equipment or just clears debris. I know the answer, so she'll be coming with me.

After thinking about it a bit, Taylor wanted to know the time, length and format of the event. She then asked, "Will there be interesting snacks?". Ugh! Explaining that the focus was running and that we could eat before, after and even bring our own snacks for during wasn't enough. Considering the child requested pad thai for breakfast, no standard cocktail fare will prove interesting. Thankfully Harry Potter does. Taylor will be right here, reading.

And yes, I'm going to jump back into writing weekly updates, hopefully, after a two month and three week unplanned hiatus--it's my blog after all. I am sorry, but life, deadlines and I'm not sure what else, have been conspiring against me. Next time, maybe I should have some interesting snacks to help me bridge the chaos.