Warmer weather!

Today was an amazingly beautiful 50 degree weather day, especially after this really harsh winter. I celebrated with an 1.5 hour bike ride and an hour run in shorts and a T-shirt! I haven't felt this motivated to work out and overall rejuvenated since qualifying for Boston in November. It's great to have some skip in my step. I also realized I am long over due for new shoes and I think that might explain why I have been having so much ankle pain lately after runs....no support. My shoes are the same ones that I did my 100+ mile training week for my fall marathon and ran the Madison Marathon. Needless to say they have a few holes and are not getting me the support I need. Definitely time for a new pair! In the words of my wise anatomy tank mates, "you have to take care of yourself!"

Arthritis has been feeling okay, with the exercise a lot less stiff. I woke up last night with the usual elbow issues after sleeping on them bent up so I did a few of the physical therapy exercises which helped. I also remembered to order my medications; amazing what one flare will do to help you remember things like that.

This week in school is busy with my younger brothers basketball team making it to the WIAA state tournaments and playing Thursday and the beginning of spring break on Friday. Hard to stay focus or have any motivation especially after just finishing exams. While working out today, I thought about how I'm not sure I would have had the discipline and determination to have survived medical school if it wasn't for running and training for my first marathon. There are just so many great analogies to real life. You hit walls, you get injuries that set you back, you feel at your highest high and your lowest low all at the same time, but you always ALWAYS get up and keep going to the finish line, no matter what life/the race throws at you. I think my training for Ironman alongside my work with the Arthritis Foundation will help me learn something new about myself and continue to push me.

Today, I am thankful for my ability to compete in races and the skills that being an endurance athlete have taught me.