Saturday, November 20

November 20, 2010 - Heal with Heels!

Last week, after the 5K with hills, I went to a fancy-dancy shindig at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.  This year I did not wear a long gown. I wore a cocktail dress instead. Of course, with a shorter dress I was not going to get by with flats. I had to wear heels to complete the look!

I normally stay faaaar away from high heels due to the health of my knees, but last summer I got a bit envious of some cool shoes my friend the Food Nazi purchased at Banana Republic. I traipsed around in her new shoes for about 10 minutes and realized my knees are not bothering me near as much. Later that week I bought myself some very conservative one and a half inch sandals that I adore.  Definitely, being 70 pounds lighter made heels easier to wear.

After the 5K I stopped at the outlet mall on a mission for some heels for my dress.  When I got out of the car I immediately felt the typical calf pain I feel after these races. Basically, I need to work some additional strength and flexibility in my lower legs. I had awful heel pain as I walked to the store.

I was immediately drawn to a pair of 3-4 inch heels at Famous Footwear. I trotted around the store until I fell in love.  All the way home I wondered how I was going to wear the heels all night.

On the way to the car, I scuffed the bottom of my shoes as much as possible on the pavement.  As I walked to the entrance of the ballroom I practiced racewalking by putting one foot in front of another (much like a super model) to keep my balance in the shoes.  I am sure I looked like a loon, but I FELT like I looked pretty daggone good. LOL

As I walked around making my silent-auction bids, I noticed my heels were not hurting as much. In fact, they were not hurting at all!  Weird.   The pain that travels up my calves after a 5K was gone. Completely!

 Soo....
If you are ever looking for me after a Run/Walk event, I will be the idiot in workout clothes and 5 inch heels.

Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

Sunday, November 14

November 14, 2010 - The Hills of Brown County

Quick story....

I did a 5K in Brown County. Most of you like to go to Brown County for the scenery and the rolling hills. Try walking or running them!

Fortunately (or unfortunately), I know several of the roads in Brown County. My sister lived there and had a shop in Nashville.  I also worked there several summers.

After checking in, I took a very quick glance at the course map. Honestly, I thought it was going down Jefferson, turning before the hill out of town and swinging back the North side of town.   Ummmmmm...no

The course traveled out of the High School lot and turned north on Main Street. I know a sound escaped my mouth that signaled impending doom. Before we started down the short 45% hill I was saying to myself; "Please, please, please do not have us going straight." I knew what was next.  Going straight would have meant that we would be walking 45% up a hill that is about two-tenths of a mile.

When the deputy pointed us to turn before the Fairgrounds I was ecstatic. I even told him so, but I did mention I did not want to walk up the hill we just finished. He laughed and said he would see me in a few minutes.

I did not know what to expect walking down the road next to the Fairgrounds. I do not believe I ever drove down it in my life. I can say that the traffic the deputies were letting through were playing chicken with the runners.  Sheesh... 

Because the road is on the side of the hill, it slanted but we did not have anymore hills to climb.  However, because the road slanted I was having trouble with my inner foot. The slant was forcing my food inward and rolling my ankle. By the time I got back to where we were to walk up the hill again I was limping a bit.

Well, I was last (or so I thought anyway). The deputy laughed because I was grumbling about the hill I was going to have to climb.  I noticed they were letting one lane of traffic through; I asked him which side of the road to take. I think he took pity on me since I was limping. He had traffic completely stop so I could walk down the middle of the road.  LOL

All in all, my pace was about the same. The hill added about 30 seconds to my pace which I believe is expected.

Lesson learned?  Deputies in Brown County are nice AND I was reminded that the hill would have been impossible a couple of years ago.

Later,
Kristi
Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

Sunday, November 7

November 7, 2010 - Peaks and Valleys Part 2

A long time ago I wrote a blog entry about a book that was recommended-Peaks and Valleys.   The blog entry is here: http://kristiasher.blogspot.com/2009/03/march-18-2009-peaks-and-valleys.html

At the time, I was not appreciating the book very much.  Now, I have a new perspective. I DO highly recommend this book.

You see, for about 6-7 months, the dark cloak that sometimes darkens my eyes and weighs heavy on my shoulders has been covering me more often that anytime in the past couple years.  It would lift and things would be bright again for a short while.

When the world seems a little brighter, I start to plan.  I plan big. I feel I must make up for lost time. I have more and more things I want to get done, things that will make life easier, tasks that will take me to new and exciting places.  I guess it is this planning that I think will make the cloak burn up and go away.  However, it never does. It lands upon my head again.  Obviously, the plans made when life seems a little brighter do not work.

I am currently in the middle of one of those lulls right now. Getting out of bed is a chore. Exercising is a drudge (even though I feel better doing it). Work is boring. All my "fun" activities are dreadful.  I do not want any human contact.

Yesterday, while cleaning, I came across Peaks and Valleys. I began to read. Now, I get it. Ultimately, valleys are good. It is when we are in a valley that we must plan, watch, and learn. It is inevitable that the dark cloak will return. Embrace it. Learn from it for next time.

While on a peak when must do more of what got us to the peak, but do not overextend. Get to bed on time. Do not commit to too much. Ultimately, save energy.  Getting off balance might cause falling off the peak a bit quicker.

Lessons for us all.

Later,
Kristi



Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com