I can't- I'm icing.

Hey friends- I thought I'd share some pics of all the many, busy things I have been doing this past week:
I went to see my sister Carrie Lyn.

Becky cut my hair, and Elaine's and Vicky's.

I worked.

I watched some TV.

I read my book club book.

Notice a common thread?!?!? ALL I DO IS SIT AND ICE! Let me tell you, trying to find time to ice 2-3 times per day makes you be creative. What kind of marathon taining is that you ask? It's NOT training, thats what! I am trying any kooky, hokey, or even slightly reasonable thing I can think of to help my traitor shins heal. Heal dang it, heal! This has been the hardest week of trainng so far. I did not run last week, which makes me about as happy as a girl who hasn't been shoe shopping. I think Adam went on a business trip OUT OF THE COUNTRY to get far enough away from me!

There is no food allowed in the freezer, it's too full of ice-packs. Sorry-I'm not making dinner- I'm icing. Can you get me a water? No -I'm icing. Get up to bear my testimony at church? Nope, I'm covertly icing my shin under my dress.

I may never be allowed back into the City Park Center. I am swearing under my breath, scoffing at the local news anchors on the giant TVs, and hogging the elliptical machines for HOURS. People will literally get off of their treadmill and move to another one further away from the crazy person. I swear to you- I NEVER want to be on another Elliptical machine in my lifetime. (I'm sure the park center shares the sentiment.) So to sum it all up- yes- I've been incredibly pleasant.

I acutally have been amazed at how difficult this training week has been. Not running has thrown off everything in my week. I've eaten like I might fall off the planet next week. I literally gained 2 pounds. It's discouragment eating. Kristin makes me sound like the devil, but really I will admit I do not make a good patient. I'm too bossy to BE a patient patient. You should see my house- it's the only house on the block to have had an interior earthquake. Too bad I can't be bothered to clean anything up. I no longer have the will to MAKE dinner, unless you count the chocolate chip cookie dough that I made a double batch of and then ate a freshly baked-batch every night instead of something healthy. I did this for 3 days until I was so sick of myself that I drove the rest of the dough over to Kristin's husband Matt to get it away from me. Thats one of the 12 steps to recovery right? Spread the problem to your friends? I'm sure its in there somewhere.

I've watched more TV this week then I have EVER. Not even kidding, I sat and watched a 2 hour tv show "with" my friend Elaine. I was too lazy to actually go the 3 blocks to her house to watch it together. Instead I sat and iced and texted her about every 3 minutes with random comments. This is an actual text conversation between us:

Me: That was awesome.

Elaine: Yeah- loved it.

Me: Cool.

Elaine: Super cool.

I need HELP!!! I Seriously need my running therapy! My house, friendships, and marraige may not survive my shin's revolt.

Luckily- I have the best running partners, friends, family, and cheerleaders in the world! K showed up this week with a cross-training basket- full of stuff I need to withstand the horrors of the park center- hand sanitizer, I-tunes gift card, fresh fruit ( I think the chocolate chip cookie overdose scared her) shape magazine etc. It was so great! But the best of all was a binder of letters from my friends that had funny letters that I only get to read WHILE I am cross training. She is FABULOUS! Thanks K- you are the best!

Vicky came and cross trained WITH me at the park center- I think she thought the other patrons might be happier if I talked to someone I actually knew. It was so much better with Vic- I was beginning to feel like myself again. (maybe that is scarier)


I was "allowed" by my over-cautious, yelling friends and doctor to run the weekend mileage- which was 15. To be honest, by Saturday I was a mess. I was crying before we got through the first mile just because of the pressure I was feeling. Poor Suzy and Kristin had to put their couseling skills into overdrive. I had determined that if I couldn't get through the 15 miler- I may have to give up the race. Yes- with Adam- THE MOST SUPPORTIVE HUSBAND EVER out of the country, and not even reachable, my week long pity party and eating extravaganza, and the general depression, I was totally ready to give up. I think I cried over the stupidest stuff for about 9 miles, and then realized- hey- I'm doing this! I'm actually getting the mileage in and the shin pain was completely tolerable! We finished the run and I felt good! I again spent the next 2 days doing nothing but icing- and I have been feeling really good since. Adam came home and I am so much happier. So my friends- I think I can work through this! After being the poster child for depression world-wide, I am now back to my regular crazy self. Thanks for all of your prayers and thoughfulness- I love you all! And- feel free to stop by anytime to visit- let yourself in- I can't get up- I'm icing.