Hey guys!! Sorry this post is a day late, I’ve been studying my little heart out learning ALL the bones of the body. It’s kind of an Anatomy overload, but hopefully, this studying will pay off.

Let’s start out by mentioning something that has really frustrated me this past week. For the past few weeks that I’ve been training for the Route 66 Half Marathon in November, I’ve been feeling, not really a pain in my ankle, but more like I just needed to stretch that area on my foot more. When I ran, my foot was totally fine. I wouldn’t feel anything until a little while after my runs. I’ve been having my mom massage it on the weekends, and that seemed to help. I know that last week I pushed my miles a little bit more because I had the Great Land Run 5K race on my schedule. I really wanted to keep up with my brother so I pushed a little harder during the week so I would know that I could keep up. I was okay the whole week, and my foot felt fine during the whole race. I even PR’d with a time of 29:45 which I thought was awesome for me, and I also won first in my age group. My hard work definitely paid off. The problem now is that I really can’t continue with my training because I can’t stand the pounding on my foot from running. I took off three days to let my foot rest, and I tried to run Tuesday night, but I barely made it a 1/2 mile running. I was really upset afterward that I really wanted to throw my running watch (real mature, I know), but I refrained since there was a cute guy from my Anatomy class;), and I didn’t want to look like a brat. It was just really frustrating because I’m wanting to get better, but I can’t. I never realized how much running means to me. Whether I run by myself or with others, it’s one of the few things I can call my “own.” This is my own thing. I’m not the best at it, and I know I will never be an elite athlete or the best at it, but I don’t care because it makes me happy. No one else really understands why in the world I want to run 5 miles, let alone 13.1 miles, but it’s something I don’t think I can explain. You just have to have that one run where it becomes clear why people love to run.

I’m not going to lie, but 2011 was not a great year for me. I had a quite a few downs to the point where I didn’t even know what I wanted to do in life. It had been a while that I had even felt a feeling of accomplishment, until I finished my first half marathon. Finishing the half marathon made me realize that I was capable of doing anything I set my mind to. Finishing the half marathon was the perfect confidence booster that I needed. It wasn’t easy, but what I have set out to do isn’t going to be easy, which is why the half marathon was the perfect thing to accomplish for me. Running  helped me believe in myself again. I think that’s why this small injury has made me pretty upset. I really believe that the Lord put running in my life to help me. To help me deal with stressful situations, to teach me to stay calm, to enjoy His beautiful creation called Earth. I’m so thankful that He put this in my life. I think that if I hadn’t found my love for running, I would not have realized all the things that I have realized. I am a completely different person than I was a year ago: a much more confident person.

I know that I’m going to become really good friends with the elliptical so I don’t injure myself worse. I have a doctor’s appointment set for next week, so I hope it isn’t anything too terrible. It doesn’t feel like it, but I’m not a doctor. I’m definitely going to stay positive so I can come back better. Maybe this small injury was for the best.

Alright, lets move on to the Zevia winner!!

I used random.org

Jenna, you’re the winner!! Please e-mail me at jessicadgomez@hotmail.com! Congrats girl! Thank you to everyone who entered! I will have another giveaway coming up soon.

What is your way of relieving stress? Running? 

Have you ever suffered from an injury?