A few days after the 5K race last month, my shins hurt a lot and I knew I had shin splints.  The only thing I could do was rest them, which meant not running.  

I sat out for nine days, and I hated it.  I felt like every day I missed running, all the momentum I had gained in the last three months was slipping away.  I tried to be proactive, and I read up on shin splints so I would learn how to treat them, and also how to prevent getting them again.  I think adding sprints to the end of my running is what caused me to get them in the first place.  I increased the speed that I ran these too quickly.

I also learned I wasn’t stretching my calves as well I could have, so I learned some deeper calf muscle stretches, and some other stretches just for the shins.  My two Uncle Mike’s, both former marathon runners, suggested that I start landing on my heel more, versus the front of my foot.  The Chi Running method also incorporates this- and teaches you to put more of your weight in the middle of your foot.

After taking nine days off, and not feeling shin pain, I set out last Tuesday to run again.  I only ran two miles to take it slow.  At first I didn’t feel any pain, but the last quarter mile I started to feel the slightest pain.  Two hours later, my shins hurt again.  Obviously they weren’t healed.  I was bummed, but several people told me, and I read that if you keep running while you have shin splints, it can lead to further damage and even surgery.  I was encouraged that even though I only ran 2 miles, I ran those at an eight minute pace. 

The next few days, my shins started to feel better, but I had come down with a bad cold so I wasn’t going to run in the colder weather while I was sick.  On Saturday, I had no shin pain whatsoever, and my cold was getting better.  I decided to try out the 3.2 miles for a 5K distance, but go very slowly, incorporating the new running methods I have read about.

I started out well- there was no pain at all.  But I noticed right away landing on my foot differently, changed the pacing I was used to.  This caused my breathing to be off, and as a result, I got a terrible pain in my side.  Just like when I first started running!  I realized I was going to have to find my pacing and breathing all over again!   I decided to concentrate on that, and completing the 5K distance for the rest of the run. 

When I was about half-way through, I got a shooting cramp in my thigh.  That had never happened before to me at all, and I think it was from the new way I was landing.  I never did find my breathing and pacing rhythm, and at the end of the run, I realized I forgot to time myself.  About the only success I had was there was no shin pain, and I was able to run the 5K distance with a cramp in my side and thigh.  Not exactly what I was hoping for.

If I decide to keep running, I am going to have to start out slowly again, and build back up to where I was.  I have to start all over again!  I wanted to enter a 5K race this month, but there is no way I am ready for that right now.  I am mad at myself that I got shin splints to begin with- I should have been more careful.  It seems like it is a fine line between pushing yourself to do better, while at the same time not pushing so much that you end up injured.  

I admit after that horrible run on Saturday, I was frustrated and disappointed beyond belief!  I have been thinking about just giving it up.  I wonder if I really have it in me to start from square one again?  I thought about asking a few people that have been really supportive of my running, what they think I should do, but I know I have to make this decision for myself.  It would be easier to not run, and just wait until the weather warmed up and I could start riding my bike again.  After all, I only started out running to run one race, and I accomplished that and more. 

I have no shin pain, and in theory I could start again from square one.  Tuesday is a day I normally run, but I haven’t decided if I am going to start again today.  Part of me tells me not to quit- that I can do this, and another part tells me I’ve done what I set out to do.  Is that enough for me?   Will I always wonder what else I could have accomplished if I stop running now?  Is it worth it to risk more injuries and all the hard work again?

When I can answer these questions, I will have a decision.

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When I was a new mom, one of the biggest changes was how much stuff I always had to take with me.  My purses that previously held all I needed in life were not bigger than a piece of paper.  After having a baby, I couldn’t leave the house to go five minutes away to the grocery store without taking a bag that made it look like I was going on an overnight trip.  Packing the diaper bag became a part-time job in itself. 

And if you did not pack the diaper bag every time, than the baby God’s knew this.  If you didn’t pack a clean outfit- baby spit up over everything.  If you forgot the binky- baby needed to suck.  If you didn’t have enough diapers- well, you can imagine that.  Probably every new mom does this once, and only once.  Then the diaper bag becomes your reassurance.  When it is you and baby out, and against the world, the one thing that can save you from every potential disaster is your properly packed, 25 pound diaper bag.  (Yes, the diaper bag weighs more than the baby for several months.) 

So three and a half-years after having my last baby, why am I still lugging stuff around? I don’t have a “diaper bag” any more- now I have reusable Envirosaxs, which can hold even more stuff than a diaper bag, and weighs more than my youngest child.  Instead of diapers and clean little baby outfits, I am transporting books, toys, sports shirts, water bottles, soccer balls, jackets, boots, gym shoes, hats, snacks, and the list goes on.

I figured out something the other day.  This never stops.  I had it easy with the diaper bag.  From here on out, the “diaper bag” only gets bigger and changes names.  When the boys start playing sports regularly, then it will be a duffel, or sports bag.  As they get bigger, the equipment gets bigger, and the “diaper bag” gets less and less fashionable.  Last time I checked, Kate Spade doesn’t have a soccer duffel bag line. 

I realized the diaper bag’s job is to train you that you can never, and I mean never, leave your house without some sort of equipment bag.  I think the diaper bag should be renamed The Mom Equipment Bag.  Because diapers are only the beginning.  Your real job as a mom, is the equipment manager.

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One of the first things I’ve been asked to do as a member of the American Cancer Society Blogger Advisory Council is to dedicate a blog post to someone I love with cancer.  The first “person” who came into my mind was all of my blog readers who have thyroid cancer and have written to me with their stories. 

I could write about Holly who is 37, and a mom of three, who after having a thyroidectomy in September, and radioactive iodine last month, is facing the possibility her cancer has spread into her lymph nodes.  Holly had been told her lymph nodes were fine, but they discovered an area of high iodine intake.  If this spot turns out to be lymph nodes, Holly could be facing another surgery to remove them. 

Or I could write about Patricia who is also 37, and a mom of two.  During the past year, Patricia had a huge lump in her neck and with the urging of her children’s father, she decided to follow up on it. It turned out to be a 6.5 inch goiter.  She had a biopsy done on October 15th, and found out early this month it is cancer.  Patricia is facing a thyroidectomy surgery within the next two months. 

There is Nicholas, who is a physician with three small children, who had a thyroidectomy and a neck dissection in June.  He is still having drainage and medication issues. 

These are just three people out of the many who write me about their experiences with thyroid cancer.  A common theme in many of their letters, is they are looking for support and someone who understands what they are going through.  Despite their cancer, and challenges, these cancer patients and survivors continue on in with their lives.  They are there for their children and spouses.  They are there for their parents who have medical issues themselves, and for the others that rely on them.  Most importantly, they continue on for themselves. 

I have never met Holly, Patricia, or Nicholas, or many of the other people who have written me.  But I admire and love their spirits of determination and knowledge that they will beat their cancer and will be healthy to be around for countless birthdays.  Just the fact that they are sharing their stories, shows that they have taken control of their cancer, so they can fight it. 

Anyone can join the American Cancer Society in the effort to celebrate More Birthdays.  Just dedicate a blog post to someone you love who has been affected by cancer and celebrate them.  You can check out other posts on the American Cancer Society’s Birthday Blog for inspiration. 

Birthdays are good!  Let’s have as many of them as we can!

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Last year my sister, Mara, who is a second grade teacher at a very impoverished school outside of Denver, had her students write a letter to Santa Claus.  She had never done this before, and was expecting typical requests from eight and nine year-olds.  The letters were anything but typical- they were heartbreaking.  She sent an e-mail to her family and friends with some of the requests, asking if there was any way we could help out these kids.

The letter that touched me the most last year was from a little boy who asked Santa for “socks with no holes in them.”  I posted her letter in a blog post, and asked my readers if they could help.  The response was overwhelming, and you can read about it here, if you missed it. 

Last year, Sergeant Alex from Buckley Air Force Base read about these kids on my blog, and showed up with four other officers with presents for these children.  Many readers sent gift cards and care packages- people that had never met these kids or my sister.  Family and friends in the area helped as well, with the result of every child in my sister’s class having a Christmas they never expected and will never forget.  

This year the entire second grade has written letters, and my sister has decided to try to make sure every child in her school’s second grade receives not only the items they need, like “socks with no holes,” but also a fun toy. 

Sgt. Alex, along with other Air Force officers and their families have already offered to help out, but there are 110 children in second grade, in a school that has several homeless kids, and where over 95%  of the students qualify for the reduced and free lunch program.  Some of the letters are even more desperate than they were last year.  Here are some of the requests, as the children wrote them:

“I nide food for my famli beause my dad has a boss woo doesnt want him to work anymor.”

“…a penciles and an eraser because I have none.”

“…two pair of shoos because my are ripet on the botom. I also need a bed because I never had one.”

“……I need some new sock and shoes because mine sock are riped back at home.”

“…I would please like to have some more frute and some glofs because I did not have some before.”

and the request that made me tear up:

“…I don’t want nothing but my sider needs a coat.”

I imagine my own two boys and how they love each other, and when one of them is hurt or upset, it pains the other one.  I can only imagine how sad and desperate this child feels to have to watch her sister go without a coat. 

Here is the information if you can help, as stated by my sister:

We’ll take anything EXCEPT cash/checks. Gift cards to Wal-Mart would be the most helpful because we could trade them in for gifts and the Wal-Mart here in Commerce City gives us tax-exempt status. We’d also love any chapter books, school supplies, etc. I will take care of making sure every child in the entire 2nd grade will get something new this Christmas.

Please send what you can to:

Alsup Elementary School
c/o Mara Corzine
7101 Birch Street
Commerce City, CO 80022

Again, thank you for caring about these kids. Anything you can send us will be greatly appreciated!! Let’s show these kids that people do care about them and that they matter!!

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  I’ll be writing an update when we go shopping for the kids again, and this year I hope to be able to be there the day the kids receive their gifts. It was the highlight of my Christmas last year, and I want to see the look on the little’s girl face when she sees that her “sider” finally has a coat!

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I am excited to announce that the American Cancer Society formed a new blogger advisory council in September.  Their purpose from the press release: 

The Council members will work with the Society to determine how best to use social media to galvanize the movement for more birthdays in the virtual world by encouraging women to take an active role in fighting cancer. The Society’s movement for more birthdays seeks to save lives from cancer by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures and fighting back against the disease. 

I am very pleased to let my readers know I am the newest member of the Council!  I am beyond thrilled for this opportunity!  I am looking forward to working with the other Council members, and providing additional ways to help all cancer patients fight their cancers.

I obviously have a keen desire in raising awareness on some of the issues around thyroid cancer, many which I have written about on my blog.  I feel working with the American Cancer Society on this new council will maximize and build awareness for thyroid cancer.  

To all my blog readers with cancer who have shared your stories, your fears, your struggles, your triumphs, and comments with me, thank you.   Hearing your stories helped me understand I wasn’t the only one experiencing many of the feelings and issues I had when fighting thyroid cancer.  These stories, and my own experience has made me realize how much more support thyroid cancer patients need. 

I am honored to be able to serve on this new council, and I plan to make sure our experiences with thyroid cancer will raise awareness and provide help and support for all cancer patients and their loved ones. 

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