Ok, I am ready to get back into my running shoes and get back out there and run.

Wait, did I just say that? I didn’t say it out loud, but I did just tell you guys, so does that mean I mean it? I guess it does! Who am I?

I’ve had problems with my feet for a long time, I have bunions on both feet and my feet hurt when I used to get up after sitting too long and after about 4-5 miles walking. My feet would also blister like crazy and easily!

I thought I was being a hypochondriac and I didn’t like complaining so I went to a podiatrist, Dr Julian, in Atlanta, he’s terrific by the way, go see him! He listened to all I had to say, took x-rays and it turns out, not only do I have bunions, but I have heel spurs, I saw the x-rays, it looks like an alien’s foot! There’s actually a spur [looked like a hook] off my heel! I was so relieved! Not that I have heel spurs, but there really was/is something wrong with my feet! It wasn’t me just complaining! I was also wearing the wrong shoes.

So, the order of things: Super feet, WOW! These are inserts I put into my shoes, it was amazing the first step I took, there was no pain, thank gawd! I will never be without these things! I can’t put them in every pair of shoes I have, but at least in my sneakers, what I wear when I walk the most. Next, exercises. I am supposed to stretch my feet 6 times per day, I admit, I don’t do the exercises like I am supposed to. I go through phases where I am golden and do exactly what I am supposed to and then i drop off and I pay for it.

Next, the right shoes. I finally got a pair of running shoes that I can walk and run in, why they don’t just make me a runner, I don’t get. hmm… I actually had to get a wide shoe to fit the insert, but I’m ok with it, if my feet feel this good [or at least, not that bad!], I’ll do whatever!

For the bunions, we talked about surgery, but it means 2-4 weeks off my feet completely and then 8 weeks no running, walking nothing, HUH? So, for now, NOT HAPPENING! other options please.

A few races ago, ha ha, in February, during the Diva Dash, I did something to my knee, I wasn’t wearing my smart feet in my shoes because I was terrified of getting them dirty [I have learned my lesson 5 r aces later] SMART FEET IN SHOES OR NO RUNNING!!! Am i getting the message? Not sure, only time will tell. I was coming down a muddy hill and felt something almost snap in my knee and I took a step and felt my heel! oh brother, when will I learn? So, my knee felt like it was being pinched and I couldn’t straighten my leg, I woke up from the pain. I iced and kept it elevated. After a few days, it felt better, so what did I do? another race of course and coming down a hill, ouch.

I finally talked to an orthopedist after a race and he told me a few of the issues I needed to see a professional for, he wrapped my knee with Rock Tape [I was a Rock Star!] and it helped a lot. I know I need to make an appointment with an orthopedist and I will, just need to do it.

So, it’s been about two weeks and I am finally starting to feel better, it’s been hard enough taking a step, let alone walking a long distance or running and I have felt like crud! I am saying it out loud… I am ready to put my Mizuno Wave Runners [my new sneakers] on and start running. I’m sure I should walk and then run, so I’ll do both.

I have two goals for this year. One: Run a full 5k start to finish, I know I can do it. One A: Finish a 5k in 33-37 minutes. Two: Train for an obstacle race, really train so that I can run it and do all the obstacles [ok, if I NEVER climb over a 7 or 8 foot wall, I will be OK with that!]. I want to be able to lift myself, jump, climb and get through it.

I have 3 races scheduled for April and 3 for May, let’s see what I can do.

Send me good vibes and root for me! I’ll make you proud!