I had a physical the other day. I needed one so I could go to school...I don't know why a grad school would need one...Lisa didn't need one, and Ben, you never said if you needed one, but I had to get one, including a tetanus shot, and I have to get a tuberculin skin test within the next 6 months.
The tetanus shot did not hurt as much as I thought it would. Actually, I didn't feel it at all. The nurse must have been good, probably the best in the whole world, because when she said "here comes the prick" I didn't feel anything at all! I would have felt a leaf on my skin more than I felt the tetanus shot.
However, now the arm is a bit sore. I iced it a couple times, and made sure to stretch it sort of, so it is all good. No PT the past few days, and probably not for another 2 or so...but it is a good rest. I am feeling a bit weak since I have been back in Nebraska. Maybe I picked up something on the plane.
The day after I got back (the day after my physical), I went for a 10 mile run. It should have been easy, but it wasn't! I had to stop and take a lot of walking breaks on the way back...at least once each mile. It was the crappiest run in a long time.
Later that day, I started getting a headache, which prevented me from going to the UNK's women first ever soccer game. I took about 3 naps that day...dang sickness! Or was it the tetanus shot? Do shots make you feel sick the next day?
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Another interesting fact I learned at the physical was that I have lost weight since last weighing myself more than a year ago. How is this possible? I have been doing PT regularly, and ate a lot of donuts, wine, cheese, fruit juice, and chips over the summer. Maybe that is the kind of diet you need to lose weight?
I am only about 2 pounds heavier than I was when I ran my one and only half marathon. This was probably my best race in the history of my running. This was 3 years ago. Now, I probably would only be within 8 minutes of it...
But should I worry about those fast times back in the day? I have been focusing more on ultras the past 2 and a half years, so why I am still worried about how fast I used to be able to run? I don't want to run fast, really...I just want to enjoy myself and get in some sweet long runs. Ben seems to know what's up. He doesn't seem to care about running a fast mile or 5k...he wants to get out there and do a long ass run, just for fun. That's the way you should do it!
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In West Virginia, I had no problem busting out a 15-20 miler in the morning...now, here in Aurora, it is sort of hard to run far. I don't know why. Maybe it is because the town is only a square mile. Sure, I can go run out in the country, but it gets sort of boring.
I would have to say that Morgantown, West Virginia, is one of the best places to run. At first, I thought it sucked, but then I found a route from Lisa's apartment to the trail which was awesome. It had 2 dreadfully long hills that sometimes made me stop to walk. That's some good stuff right there.
And then there is the trail that goes along the river. That is magnificent! It never got boring...no wonder I could run for 2.5 hours without getting bored...
But here in Aurora...I will have to be psychologically strong.
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I move to California in about a week. I was going to live out in the country, but now I might live on campus. It will be better to live around people my age...and it will be a lot more fun too! Also, I won't have to worry about biking at night. Cal Arts has all kinds of performances and other events that would be good to go to...and if I live on campus, I could go to all of them if I really wanted to!
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Well, this post didn't have much to do with running, but that's how it is sometimes. Sometimes running has little to do with running, like when you are trying to get away from a rabid animal.
Then it is about survival.
Thanks for reading this whole thing, if you did. If you didn't, that is okay. I understand.
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2 comments:
Okay, I admit, towards the end there, I was only reading about every 5th word or so...
Hopefully, it's just the tetanus shot making you feel bad. I've heard that can happen, even if it didn't hurt so much going in.
I had some other comments about your running times and weight and stuff, but now I forgot.
I was not required to have a physical, but it's good to get a baseline of blood results and vitals at our age.
Yes, people can have flu-like symptoms after having a flu shot, but I'm not sure about tetanus. Apparently it can.
It's good to know that you're motivated to do an ultra! I hope you enjoy it. The first 20-25 miles seem to be the hardest mentally to get through. After that, you've found your groove and it's time to enjoy the scenery.
I can understand how your long runs have become boring back at home. Unless there is something significant to occupy your mind it's hard not to think about fatigue where there are no other distracting stimuli around. The runs will become much much easier when you get to California. In fact, you might even become overstimulated and freak out!
Keep us updated with your moving progress. I'll want to hear a lot about your new home.
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