The Taper – Heidi

Martha and I attended the last Suburban Striders track practice indoors at Babson College today and were asked where our blogs for the week were. It seems as though our writing abilities are slowing with our mileage totals. We’re both alive and well but ran in the back of the pack today and kept a conversational pace throughout the workout. While we’re both stiff and achy, we managed our 10-mile run of the weekend without too much trouble. It seemed like old times when a car roared by on a small road, nearly forcing us into the brush. When we got back to Martha’s house, it was bittersweet to realize that we’d completed our last long run (other than the big one on April 16).

My body is definitely ready for this “cool down” period. I got great advice about my calf soreness from Cathy, the Suburban Striders’ coach and from Gayle Olson, who manages the Shipley Fitness Center at the Hospital. Gayle has also been kind enough to twice manipulate/rub/pull my feet and legs. Her hands are magic and the tight areas are so much better. A new annoyance has been olive-size lumps on the tops of my feet, which according to my Internet surfing must be ganglions. While they are bigger and somewhat tender after a run, they shrink by the end of the day. As Martha said in her last blog, these small setbacks are so trivial when one considers the insanity of life in many parts of the world and one looks around at neighbors/family/patients who are battling a whole range of medical and family issues. I take strength from those that I see facing adversity with bravery and a positive outlook.

I am honored that the two of us have provided a bit of inspiration to others in their exercise endeavors. Who would have thought our little blog would get to MaryAnn, who I presume is in Hawaii. MaryAnn, I lived at Fort Shafter, Oahu for two years during which time I attended Punahou. I haven’t been back since, but would love to return and snorkel all around the Hawaiian Islands. Good luck with the Kona ½!