One Month.

In one month, everything I've been doing this winter will matter.

In one month, I will do my first half marathon.

One month later I will do my first half ironman.

Last Sunday I ran farther than I've ever had the patience to run. I did 13 miles. I know - it's pretty stupid that I've never gone that far considering the two races above. But it's not because I can't do it; it's because I haven't wanted to. I just don't have the patience for those long runs. But last Sunday was a different story. It was nice. Even I pulled my soleus and suffered through the run, I wanted to run. So it wasn't the smartest thing in the world to do.... I'm realizing that now. But it was such a beautiful day... and I was so disappointed when the dang thing popped after the first 2 miles. I had two choices: I could either turn around and hobble home and be pissed off, or I could slow up the pace... and hobble through the rest of my route. So I did the latter. And I felt proud that I did the miles!

Throughout the week my calf hurt. But I'm an ATHLETIC TRAINER. I knew what to do. Lots of ice.. ibuprofin... whirlpool treatments... and ice massage.

By Tuesday it started feeling a little better so I went to my spin class. The leg felt pretty good. So Tuesday afternoon I jogged an easy 2.5 miles.

Then Wednesday. Ouch in the morning... the foot is REALLLLY starting to hurt. The distal insertion of the peroneus brevis muscle (that's on the side of my foot between the heel and the metatarsals). I did my swim workout - a long one (2 hours!) and it loosened up a bit. But I didn't run.

Thursday came. Foot still hurt... calf feeling better just tight. I did a great spin (1.5 hours) and then bricked it to a 30 minute easy run. Foot hurt. More treatments.

Friday. Nothing. Foot still hurting. Is this thing EVER gonna feel ANY better?

Saturday. That's today. I biked it for 2 hours. No run. Can't. Foot hurts like heck.

So ... what's the answer? The "textbook" says ice, REST, and ibuprofin. I can handle the bookends.. just not the rest.

I've got a month until the race that will determine whether or not I can do my 70.3. I need the CONFIDENCE to know I can go the distance, and my DAMN foot is blocking me from being able to challenge myself right now.

I've got the Boise Super Sprint Tri in two weeks. Tri season is here. Now if I can just get my body to understand that.