I've Been Quiet but Happy

The past week or so has been kind of quiet.  Hard to believe that the Boston Marathon was just nine days ago.  Hard to believe that we ran it in almost 90 degree weather.  And hard to believe that I haven't run even a mile since then.  But certainly not hard for me to believe why.  Boston took more out of me than anything I've ever done before. Unlike many of you that ran it, I did not just bounce back right away and start running ten mile runs and training for the next marathon.  My body has taken a hit and I'm trying to be patient as it heals.  Lots of rest, love, and caution here.  I'm desperately hoping that my body is just tired and there isn't anything serious going on.  However, the aching pain in the front of my pelvic bone (off and on since January) is telling me that I need to be extra cautious. I was pretty sore after Boston but the one thing I ended up icing was my pelvis due to the pain. My new coach encouraged me to get an MRI.  In fact, he insisted.  And he has strongly suggested that I rest as much as possible until the results come in to rule out any sort of stress fracture or stress reaction.  I did try to run just a bit yesterday (nice and easy) but stopped as soon as I felt the pain in my pelvic area again. After just a walk to the school today, I'm feeling it again.  Praying that this is nothing and that I can start training again in just a couple weeks.  


Despite, my body being so run down, there are so many positive things going on in life and I'm thankful for this break from running so that I can soak it all up.  I'm thankful for the time I have to just BE.  I have been enjoying the extra moments with my kids and honestly, I've loved not having something on my training schedule.  Having these down times in life are so necessary for me to feel a balance between the intensity of training for a race and the lull that comes with just waking up and planning my day as it comes.  With this comes lots of extra time to be present with my kiddos.  Now, if I'm injured and don't have a choice as to whether I workout or laze around....then there might be some issues!  Ha!  For now, I'm focusing on the positives and "choosing" to be quiet and still.  Being optimistic seems like the best approach.  


Some things that make me smile lately:


Team Nuun
I'm happy to announce (and most of you already know) that I was chosen to be part of the Nuun Hood to Coast team for 2012!  I'm certain that this experience will prove to be a wonderful lifetime memory where I will be able to run my heart out while representing a great company and making some awesome new friendships.  For more information about this you can read here. 

New Coach
Starting Runninghood was a decision that has led to so many wonderful opportunities, friendships and connections.  With each new friendship I make, my life gets richer.  So many doors have been opened. And as time goes by, new opportunities to grow, get involved, and gain strength as an athlete have occurred. Right before Boston, a friend of mine passed on a name of a coach to me that she thought I'd work well with.  One e-mail led to another and now I can officially say that I have a coach.  We'll see how things unfold once I can start training again but just from the phone calls and e-mails we've already exchanged, I'm really excited about things.  We seem to click quite well and he has already given me SO MUCH advice, direction, and encouragement. I'm ready to trust, listen, and work hard to reach some new levels with my training.  For now, we are in rest and recovery mode but I am eager to test "our wheels" together.  Soon enough.  I'm so thankful that he has come into my life. He really seems too good to be true. 


I love how things unfold.  Even during the times where we feel our lowest and things seem a bit dreary, there is hope that good things are yet to come.  



Amanda