Before and After... the wrong way

** Title acknowledgement goes to Mark E.

I'd like to start off by saying thank you to my best friend in the whole world, Chaw, for enduring probably the most excruciating marathon she will ever "run" for as long as she lives-- that is me whimpering about how displeased I am with my running shoes. I must have told her a million times at least that they are heavy.. no, massive, and how I want to increase mileage post ITBS (an injury of sorts... details would just bore you) but my shoes weigh me down, literally.

Okay, my pair of Adidas Salvation is not all negative. True to its name, it was indeed my salvation during the first couple of weeks since my ITB (that part of the leg that actually suffers from ITBS. Surprise!) threatened to give up on me. And to give it credit that it is due, my pair of motion control shoes is the only thing that allows me to run until now... even after one doctor's advice that I give up running altogether. DUH! That is exactly why I love my second doctor, the one who prescribted the shoes. He's a runner himself and his approach to injuries is aggressive. Not to mention he's the doctor to professional athletes! So yes, I kinda feel big time by association.

But I digress. So this afternoon, I bought and took my sleek and spankin' CW-X compression tights for a spin. God bless Wacoal for not just making hot lingeries but also for diversifying their products and making runners happy and less prone to injury with tights that really work. Of course I should expect Chaw to have turned into a monster since she started running this year. But what I did not expect was for me to eat her dust. In our post-run analysis, there I was again in my usual sorry plight. It's the shoes for crying out loud! I've done everything conceivably possible to improve my game -- do rehab for my ITB, strengthen my quads, keep my lungs healthy, stay away from alcohol, run more, buy fancy running accessories (just in case it should do the trick) and just recently, use compression tights AND YET NOTHING. I have not significantly improved my time in the last 8 months that I have been using my Adidas. So now tell me it's not the shoes.

It's one week to big race day and I of course would be stupid to shift to lighter stability shoes. Besides, I have not consulted my doctor if I may even if the guys from Runnr Hight Street say I can. But then again they're in the business of selling shoes. Right now I'm eyeing on Asics 2140 stability. I hope your ride is the answer to my prayers. I can't wait to be my usual self again because truth be told, I feel like I've already paid my dues. It's been far too much time spent with my Adidas already. Time now to turn the right way and let the "AFTER" take on its more appropriate form.

I used to be schizophrenic. But we're okay now.

Dear Body,

I'm so soo sooo sorry for not having listened to you. No, make that, for having ignored you when you tried to say something.

I know the days leading up to November 8 are now flagged as days you wish would never happen again in your lifetime. I am sorry for subjecting you to stress levels that could actually heat the earth's core and cause polar wandering (oh, you were there when i saw 2012. I thought it sucked big time. How about you?). I am sorry for depriving you of enough rest and zzz's. I am sorry I did not take you out for a run. Not even one time. Sigh. I am sorry I was rather abusive of your services.

But let us not allow my recklessness taint the glory of your efforts to do damage control. You held up so well. You really did great and you should pat yourself on the back for that! I hope the last 2 weekends with absolutely zero work did you good. And look, you're starting to gain all the weight you lost over that damned period in our lives! Oh you'll be needing that for Corregidor! =)

Anyway, I gotta skip now. Running night. I'm so happy to be in touch with you again! And even happier you seem to be your usual self these days! =)

I love you!

Always,
Wins

Champion talaga si Manny in more ways than seven! :)

Talkin' about fine lines...

Never apologize for your success.
That's totally different from letting them get into your head.

***

The reason you don't see the fine line between having a strong opinion and being condescending is that... well, you are probably stepping on it.


***

Just for this one sweet, short moment, lemme pat myself on the back...

God knows how much of yourself-- time, talent, cerebral activity, determination, and every effort not to snap-- you've put on this project that you are working on. Now that the pieces are coming together nicely, forming some semblance of substance, I just wanna say that you, Rowena, are the man!

There's still a long way to go and until you have crossed the final hurdle on Sunday, you can not declare this battle won. But until then, rejoice in the fact that that you have just crossed a fine line... from being a pawn to being something a bit more posh than that. Check you out, you are now a bishop! How's that!

Go go go Wins!!! You can do it, babe! :)


P.S.
I am in awe of your new-found patience. Now get you butt back to work! :)

***

Ad mojorem dei gloriam :)

54 days to go till Christmas!

I felt it last night. That familiar and comforting chilly air of Advent...

I'm really looking forward to Christmas but I just miss Summer too.