PF ... No not Changs

Not sure how many of you out there ever battled Plantar Fasciitis (PF). I think most know what it is and the problems it bring for those who have the issue. The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band of connective tissue originating on the bottom surface of the calcaneus (heel bone) and extending along the sole of the foot towards the five toes. It can stop you from starting. I have battled it since December and tried rest, massage therapy, stretching, night splints, motion control running shoes (made the knee hurt), Cold therapy, I have orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications, rolled the foot on ice calls ad many more, but just can not shake it. I am thinking of taking the injection of corticosteroids, but hate that thought.

Anyone have advice. I know a big one is LOSE THE GUT but that is also hard when you limp from PF.

SO I continue to bike, walk and yoga to get batter balance. The yoga seems to help most. One thing that is really hard is standing on my feet for hours. So I know my tennis officiating is not good as I will be on my feet for 6-10 hours each day. I have assignments 8 out of the next 10 weekends with one of the off weekend volunteering at Surph the Murph. So I need to think of ways of minimizing the impact of standing all day as the weekend after an event I limp quite a bit for a few days.

Today at tennis I had a 12 year old boy really act up and made many of us frown at his behavior. I recalled a story I told him it to explain his behaviour. Then afterward, I felt little bad as with me not running as much I have been a little grumpy... These life lessons are there for us all, not just the junior players. I am sharing the story with you all and maybe you will use it on your own youth or get remined of the importance of controlled emotions and comments to others...

Enjoy...

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily, gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said "you have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one." You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there. Make sure you control your temper the next time you are tempted to say something you will regret later.

Carry on my friends...

Busy but excited...

There have been four reasons for decreased blog activity this past year.

First, with two big surgeries and recoveries, I have gained weight and just feel like crap. I have officially made the 50-pound point. That means I gained 50 of the 94 I lost in 2006.

Second, I need only a little physical activity to get me back on track.

Third, the job that supports my habits has been killing me. I love that I have not faced a layoff like many have in this economic downturn. We are down about 1/3 of the staff, and things are picking up. I have been working 55-60 hour weeks. My son and girlfriend keep yelling at me as I do not write down the overtime. I have a job to do, and I get it done. I should write it down so the higher up see we need one more staff person. Then still so, about 10-15 hours of tennis officiating on weekends. However, I have taken a few weekends off from tennis and feel less exhausted...

Finally, I have accepted the nomination to be on the USTA Northern Board and USTA Sectional Chair of Officials. This is one of those Jobs where you start with a low salary, and they add a zero every year. (You know, $0.00 to start.) But like volunteering for races, this has satisfaction built into the duty.

With all that, I want to share the Superior 100 volunteer time, which inspired me. There is the Surph the Murph in a few weeks, and I will get another dose of inspiration as I hope to get an aid station this year. Hope for great weather like last year. Nice and cool for the runner, and I got 10 hours at a great campfire while supporting good friends. (If you want inspiration, see the link for this YouTube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SbXgQqbOoU) I lost 3 pounds last week and had some good workouts (no running yet as my right PF is still so painful... may seek a shot. I Hate to, but it has been all year!). But I did get 102 miles biking over the weekend! Cool! Love the cool, brisk bike ride in the morning! May go the whole month without filling the car!

Anyway, I hope this is the upswing, just in time for the great fall ahead (no pun intended). May I get on the trails with many of you soon? Drop a line if you are off the trails now and want to start. This overweight guy is slow and could use the support as well. It's fun!

Carry on, my friends...

Should be an update ...

On my wonderful ST 100 volunteer experience, but...

My job is getting insane with the demands placed on me, and I am just so busy that when I get a chance, I need to take it, or I lose that chance. So tonight, I relaxed after a demanding workday and watched The Notebook. I needed to relax after a difficult meeting. I also wanted to watch it as it really is a whole bunch of emotions, which makes me remember not to expect an explanation for the unexpected or think that I can't accept no explanation, just keep the faith and move onward. Some who have seen it may agree with me, while others may think I am way off base.

But this also made me think of the challenge a fellow blogger is facing. She writes about the "C" word and how life has thrown her a curve. (an that is not the "C" word) I think about the wonderful and welcoming sharing she has given me through her blog, even though we have never met. The love and support amongst her family is so wonderful. She has the best tools to beat the "C" and get her desired NYC Marathon, all in good time.

But the Notebook and my fellow blogger made me think... Will my heart ever allow anyone to be that close to live for the moment together or to support me through a very difficult ordeal? Opening always means an increased risk of being broken. Like how I feel about my DNFs at the ST 100, I ask if I lack the desire to train to avoid another dejected feeling one gets from the DNF. Strange correlation for some, but in my over-analytical mind, I wonder...

But just like a 100-mile race, we have to keep our hearts in it, or we will fail. In The Notebook, the man dies doing what he loves (which is a great part of his life), keeping the love of his life. May we all find love and never let it go. Even if it is one mile at a time, the end is so rewarding.

At least, that is what I have read from the pals, now proud owners of the elusive red jacket!

Carry on my friends, and never look back without a smile...