Winter wonderland!
Last night, on my way to the gym, I saw the most beautiful sights in the world. The city was empty, there was nary a person walking through the streets. It was cold and quiet in Adams Morgan. The air was still. Everything was topped with snow and it felt like I hadn’t ever spent a proper snowy winter in my life. I’ve lived in DC for 5 out of the last 6 years and for the first several years, I somehow was shipped out by the Feminist Majority to work on campuses warmer climates during the winter. Perhaps they knew my Mexican blood was extra sensitive to the cold (not really.)
I remember throwing snowballs at Roz last winter, but I really never felt the kind of happiness from a snowy night like I did last night. One rowhouse had lights in the front yard and it completely illuminated the bushes and leaves in a heavenly way. I was so happy, everything seemed like a first. My first snow covered walk through the city this winter, my first trip on ice, my first snowflake fallen on my tongue, my first snow-covered piece of litter on the side of road… even trash looked good with a layer of snow on it.
I was so happy I decided I would push myself to run further than last time. After 55 minutes of running non-stop (well, I had a 2 minute walk break after mile 2) I ended up very happy and accomplished with my 4.5 mile run. I thought to myself, this time last year I would have been rolling around in the snowy muddy lawn of my building in a drunken ecstasy… or something. I went to sleep feeling really good.
All of that happiness would end today as my back has decided to split in two! My back is aching SOOOOO damned badly. I don’t know if it was the run or the crunches I did afterwards, but I want to die right now.
Who wants to come over to my house tonight and give me a long massage… PLEASE! I’ll pay you! Please? It’s soOoooOOOOooOOOoOOoO un-bloody-believably unbearable.
Calgon–take me away!
December 6th, 2005 at 3:45 pm
Be careful with the running. About 4 years ago, I was in the habit of running a mile a day, which I increased to 2 miles/day because there’s nothing in the world like a runner’s high. Then, when I was doing 2.5 miles, I got shin splints so PAINFUL that I couldn’t even walk. The doctor told me to stop running for a while & get corrective shoes. Apparently, my feet were not hitting the treadmill correctly, and it could’ve lead to knee problems, and then eventually back problems. The first week after taking a break from running, I was so DEPRESSED because I missed my runner’s high. After that, I never ran again. I do the elliptical (ski machine) now.
Chances are, your body is not in the right position (trainers call it the “neutral position”) while you are running. Get a trainer to correct your position, and get to a doctor to check out your back.
Also, I learned that you HAVE to exercise in moderation. People that run for 30-45 minutes or more on the treadmill have probably had some special (marathon?) training in the past. I have not, and it sounds like you haven’t either. We have to increase the mileage GRADUALLY, like successful long-distance runners do. Good luck!!
December 7th, 2005 at 5:11 am
Thanks Ruby. My back feels okay now, but I was reminded that I need to slow down and not try to push myself too hard!
Sucks that you got shin splints. OUCH!