Learning to Rest...

Boohiss. I hate rest. I hate not being able to do what I love. But, my body doesn't always care how my mind feels. I try to bribe it. I try to tell it I'll be good to it, but it knows better. My body is one smart cookie. Sometimes I need a lesson. I need to know that I am not capable of everything, that I am vulnerable, and human! So lets see... it all started after the Kaiser half marathon at the beginning of the month. Well, it probably started before that as I was doing lots of hard, long runs back to back. I felt good, so I just did what I tend to do, I went a bit crazy. A fast 18 mile, a track workout, running up Diablo, etc, etc. I noticed my left calf was one huge knot and instead of doing my typical yoga, swimming, and so forth, I decided the solution was run more, and more, and more. If this is you, STOP! Running does not make your calf more flexible as much as us runners like to think. Anyway so the week after the Kaiser half I am running a track workout and I notice a weird twinge on the outside of my left foot. But it goes away and the next morning I do a mellow 12 miler. Then Friday I wake-up going what the fuck! But my solution, run. Oh, but then I do stop as something was not right. I take Saturday off, no pain, so I try to run, nope pain is back. So I have stuck to swimming for the past 9 days. I have peroneal tendonitis. My recommendation for all of you, don't get it, it stinks! Anyhow I am trying to have a good attitude. I didn't take those 2 weeks I promised my body after North Face 50 miler, so I figure my body needs this rest so I can perform well again this year. Sometimes we learn the hard way. I trust my body will heal up when it's ready. Plus, it is giving me some more time to reevaluate this year. I most likely will be pulling out of Way too Cool 50k and build my training back up slowly. My main goals for this year: listen to my body, try for the mountain running team, qualify for olympic marathon trials, and of course, have fun!

Ummm...

for those that know me, I can be kind of random especially when it comes to thoughts on life, advice, and so forth. I tend to collect what I've been told over the years and just mix it all together. Sometimes it makes sense, but most the time it doesn't although I can be rather convincing. So here are some random tips of advice (to be followed up by a soon to come video interview).

- Don't look at your watch, just run.
- Laugh
- Own a car, at least for grocery shopping
- Eat Eggs
- Dance, but if you don't know how, make sure you have a few drinks first
- Wear Smart Wool socks, they are f'n great!
- Eat Vitamin C with your iron intake
- Take apple cider vinegar before meals
- Lucky thongs are a must, but boy shorts are up there too
- Do backbends
- Laugh
- Eat meat
- Begin having conversations with your body. It might not listen, but it will humor others
- Be nice, not because you have to, but because being an ahole is so not attractive...
- Smile, but don't be phony about it because then you just look weird
- Don't run to escape, run to be present
- Rest (even though it sucks)... buy a TV, it makes it easier...
- Brush your teeth 'cause bad breath is so not attractive
- Drink coffee just because you like it... there are worse things in the world
- Drink beer just because you like it... there are worse things in the world
- Swim just 'cause it makes you feel out of shape even if you're in the best shape of your life
- Own a pair of crutches if you're a trail runner, chances are you'll need them
- Do headstands
- Do cartwheels
- Eat oranges
- Love your body
- Shoot guns, not people
- Buy an iPhone, it is the best boyfriend ever
- Be single at some point in your 20's, you'll learn a lot
- Own a pair of down booties, they are the best
- Go winter camping at some point just so you can appreciate warm Nalgene bottles at the bottom of your sleeping bag
- Realize when people say your snoring is "cute", they are in fact just being nice
- Sleep a lot, but wake-up early
- Complement people, but not just about their appearance
- Own microfleece sheets
- Hot tub
- Paint your toenails (even if you're a guy, it can be fun)
- Talk to strangers from time to time
- Be random and spontaneous from time to time
- Acupuncture is amazingly wonderful, try it!
- Try Trader Joes plantain chips occasionally, there pretty yummy
- Even take moderation in moderation (its ok to be extreme once an awhile)
- Buy a glittery limbo stick, you never know when you might need it
- Tap dance
- Speak in another language even if you don't know what your saying
- Be honest, but also don't share completely unnecessary things... really...
- Do things you love and try to love the things you do
- Pizza without cheese is so much better
- Don't own an umbrella... completely unnecessary... a rain jacket is ok
- Be consistent
- Make snow angels
- Own a lot of hoodies, they are the best piece of clothing ever (ok, along with socks and undies)
- Try to get the unstoppable giggles at least once a week... it's good for your health
- Don't worry about tomorrow or bills, they'll show up, today is what disappears
- If someone pisses you off, tell them
- If someone is awesome, tell them
- Cook for yourself and for others
- Eat with chop sticks sometimes
- Dry your laundry on a line, it saves energy and it's just fun
- Eat pickles and sauerkraut
- Be flexible, both mentally and physically

I am sure I'll have much more, but I don't want to put you all to sleep either...