Last Monday (11/22), we moved into our new house. It was quite a busy day. We moved out of our apartment, closed on our new home and--oh by the way--moved in. Anne and I divided and conquered, really pulling off quite a whirlwind day. Over the weekend we got down to our last box and capped it all off by hanging pictures and fine-tuning our new digs.
So life in our new house is...wonderful. We love it. The views of the mountains from our back deck, great room and bedroom are breath-taking. I can't decide what's more beautiful--the snow-covered mountains glowing from the sun rising in the East, or the sun setting "behind" the mountains to the West. The city lights at night are pretty awesome, too. We have a big map of the Colorado Rockies hanging next to one of our windows, along with some binoculars and books about the mountains nearby.
Our new house is situated at about 6,150 feet in the Parker "hills." Our temporary "downtown" Parker apartment, where we lived from April to last Monday, was at 5,900 feet. I have been surprised by the fact that an additional 200 feet this high up can make a difference. I went for a very hilly 13-miler on Sunday and was working pretty hard at certain points. Or maybe I was working hard because I've lost some conditioning as a result of my foot injury.
Which brings me to an update on this incredibly stubborn case of plantar fasciitis (PF). This PF is without question the worst, most complex and unpredictable injury I have ever endured. It will not go away, but it is slightly better. I guess the wonderful effects of the cortisone have tapered off. I've changed back to stability shoes, am emphasizing calf stretching and am wearing my splint every night. I've even cut back my mileage...a lot. I went back to Dr. Ng last week and he wants me to wear runner-specific orthotics. I'm not sure about $375 inserts--I've run almost 20,000 miles without orthotics--but I am keen on the physical therapy he prescribed, so I'll definitely explore that option.
I do think I'll eventually beat this nasty case of PF, but it's going to take time. I just really hope it's over and done with in time for a spring marathon PR and the start of my Leadville 100 training.
***
"Rudy" is among my favorite films of all time. When you get down to it, "Rudy" is about am ambitious kid with limited athletic abilities who chases his own dream and doesn't let the world hold him back. With a little relentlessness and wearing blinders, he defies expectations and believes in himself enough that he achieves something far beyond his perceived limitations. In the process, he served as an inspiration to those around him. That's the way to live, and "Rudy" in my opinion demonstrates that most dreams are attainable if you go hard after them. It's the fear of failure that aborts dreams and ultimately leaves you wondering what could have been. Better to try hard and fail, having shed blood, sweat and tears, than to never have tried at all. And if you fail, try again! But I believe that if you try, you will succeed. That's what "Rudy" is all about.
And my favorite scene:
Hey Wyatt
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new house.
Best of luck with the PF recovery, you've got a great attitude and I agree with your reticence to go for the orthotics especially after 20,000 miles without. Unless you have a severe structural imbalance (such as leg length discrepancy) I believe all the usual runners injuries (ITBS, PF, runners knee, etc) can be overcome by a specific program of stretching and strengthening.
Fingers crossed for Leadville,
Andy