Monday, April 4, 2011

The pilfery of pavement...

It took some time, but eventually I got over the jet-lag I had carried back with me from Japan. I adjusted to the cold again. And for the first time in the many months of tendinitis I was starting to see paces in the low 8's on my short-to-mid distance runs and comfortable long runs in the 20+ mile range. Signs of spring began to show themselves and I daydreamed of ultra season. Setting sights solidly on several. Another epic birthday run was in the works, then the snow began to melt and the pavement quickly had it's pilfery.

Harsh pain in my left shin shattered the silence of my sleep before the sun had even risen 18 days ago. While a certain degree of soreness is a common companion, a byproduct of my endeavors, I knew instantly that this was different. As tears rolled down my cheek and onto the pillow case I tried to choke down the disappointment. The light at the end of the tendinitis tunnel had turned dark & cast it's injurious light onto the opposite leg.

Waiting out the potential of a stress fracture, unable to run again until the pain is gone, is a mental feat more than a physical one. Discouragement and disappointment is harder to treat. The desire to be accepting of another bum leg must outweigh that of self pity, knowing that pity starves hope and clouds faith.

Skies cleared on Saturday when Maggie joined me for a speed hike thru the woods and hills of our home terrain. Snow had deterred us from from the trails all winter, but to my reprieve it was hike-able throughout and that made for a beautiful day. Every hill was ours for the taking, whether the trail traversed over it or not, we did.






Last May a strain in my quad threatened my early spring season & I struggled with the same doubts I have now. Instead of focusing on the doubt or failure, I will put my hope in the Lord not wanting to forget His healing work and the stellar race that followed that painful period. It's all just part of it and in the end all worth it for those moments when everything comes together. Often times the fight to the finish starts before even reaching the starting line. That's where I'm at.

One week later...

A week to the day after my husband & I returned home from our travels in Japan, the Tsunami & Earthquake hit.

I still see the faces of the Japanese businessmen, fathers, mothers & children on the train as we made our first leg back to the States and I can't help but wonder how they have faired. My heart has struggled with sorrow. It is such a beautiful country/culture that has suffered so much loss. Seeing image upon image of the devastation is different when you recognize what has collapsed or been swept away. Much is broken down, but all is not lost, so here are a few shots from my time there as an alternative to the frames of destruction...

My hubby w/ our new-born nephew, Ricky.

Temples, trees & tarmac during one of my runs.

Naqua Shirakami. Snowboarding on the side of a Volcano.

Brilliant blue skies over rice fields ready for planting on the edge of town.

You may not know that most of my husband's family lives in northern Japan. While they were still hit with the quake, the town in which they live was only nominally effected. However towns just 15-30miles away were not so fortunate, experiencing extensive damage.

When my in-laws were called to Japan over a handful of years ago it was with the heart's desire to serve the Japanese people in body & spirit. On the wings of this recent disaster the need for this ministry has greatly increased. Our parents are literally out there in the mire helping in the clean-up efforts and their doors remain open to those in need.

For information on what they are doing & how you can help: http://www.misawahospitalityhouse.com/

Please continue to pray for the people of Japan & those still hurting in Haiti.