About that…

…running thing.

Being sidelined when my ankle decided not to cooperate was a wakeup call. I won’t say that it was a realization of the fact that I’m no longer a high school soccer player who can run all over the place, because I think that whole concept of the body breaking down is utter crap when I’m not even 30. I have folks twice my age running past me on a regular basis. I will say, however, that it was a realization that I need to actually start following a program, rather than just doing what feels right in the moment and then leaves me in an air brace for two weeks.

I worked my way back in relatively gingerly. I picked up a lace-up ankle brace for the Reggae Ramble (the 5-miler I worried I wouldn’t be able to run but totally did and felt awesome) and have been wearing it since. I have new shoes – shoes that I’m not crazy about right now – but will offer extra stability until I head to the running store to be fitted for the perfect shoes for me.  And this week, after I felt completely confident that I was back and capable of running without ankle pain, I started my official training program that should, if all goes well, have me ready to run the BAA Half Marathon this year.

Additionally, the trip I mentioned in a recent post? Chicago, baby. Nicole and I will be running the Hot Chocolate 15k on November 1. You read that correctly – I used the words “hot chocolate” and “15k” together. Intentionally. I will be closing out life as a 28-year-old running along the Lake Michigan shore and then heading off with a dear friend to enjoy a much-earned S’more. WIN!