Running my Life

There are two sets of people I envy: Writers and Long Distance Runners.

Being very left brained (let's save the left vs right discussion for another post), i have always looked with awe and great appreciation on those who can weave words together that mesmerize; be it a line, phrase, poem, song or an entire tale. My aunt, a great english teacher, once told me that my essays were pure bones, no meat. I have never forgotten these words which were said to me when i was still in primary school, and though i am still convinced that the skeleton is what is important, and the meat is unnecessary drivel adornment, my envy remains. I think in part this blog was to help me face that envy head on.

Running has always been a different kettle of fish.

I was very athletic in my youth :), athletics (100m), tennis and netball in high school; volleyball, football, cricket at university and even a short stint playing for my country in volleyball. But what i could never do was run for any length of time. Excruciating shin splints, knee issues, back pain, all would surface if i tried to run for even 5 minutes. Thankfully after finally getting it all checked out, the issues seem to be pronated feet and an underdeveloped quad (vastus medialis) and with some rehabilitation and semi-customized insoles, i have been able to jog on the treadmill at the gym with no adverse effects. I thus decided to participate in a 5k for charity last weekend in the driving rain of the system that would become TS Nicole. I chose to run, thinking i would walk more than run, but wanting the option to run just the same. I finished (albeit 172nd out of 267 entrants) in 36:22 having run (jogged) at least 85% of the distance. I have been jogging consistently in the gym since and have decided that road racing (uhmmm participating) will be my new thing. I am off to get running shoes, customized insoles and proper socks.

I feel invigorated, energized and unstoppable. I feel like I can conquer the world.

Runners beware!!