My mystery illness. Solved?

     For the past year or so I've had a ridiculous amount of doctor's appointments. Mostly they are during the work week, too, so on my work calendar above my desk, I write them in, but use special initials or code names like "personal appointment" so that my co-workers and boss wont think "wow this girl is always sick (or a super hypochondriac) and never at work." Granted, I'm in grad school, so I have some flexibility in my work hours, but I still feel guilty about the amount of time I've taken off in my attempts to get healthy.

     I've seen multiple doctors, physical therapists, and a chiropractor, and was not getting any answers to why for months I was crippled with pain from my shoulder and ribcage.

Hills, hills, hills...

My neighborhood hill of doom

   
     I've kind of been taking it slow the past few days because I am still in recovery mode from last weekend's race. Yesterday, me and Craig went on a short trail run, and going uphill really made me exhausted quickly, even when I was going slow. I swear, someone could have walked faster than me while I was jogging uphill. Also, it was difficult to find footing. If I had continued much longer, I would have tripped on a branch or something. But I also enjoyed it because of the challenge.

I follow rivers

Finishing up the race. The entire run was along the ravine of the snake river. 

     Yesterday I ran in the Snake River Half Marathon. I kind of waited in the very back at the start. I've found that starting last is best for me so then I don't push myself too hard in the beginning being around faster runners. I even had Craig give me a back massage at the official start time while I was waiting for everyone else to clear out, and a minute or so later I crossed the starting line. In the beginning, there was a pretty wicked head-wind, and the first half of the race, my eyes were watering from it. It may have appeared like I was crying, but that was definitely not the case. I really enjoyed the race.

Determination: Wenatchee trip

 

    This weekend, Craig and I drove over to Wenatchee, WA to attend his grandfather's memorial service. On Saturday morning, before the service, I was excited to go for a run to explore the new terrain. We were staying with my Aunt, and her neighborhood seemed flat, so when I headed out the door, I was expecting an easy run. The air was crisp and no one was out yet, not even other joggers.