Whining, Just a Little

    I know I have been whining about this all winter, but I cannot get my running back on track. I have been so prone to injury and every day pain that I haven't been able to spend much time in my running shoes. To say this is disheartening is sheer understatement. Deep in my heart I wish I could be an ultra-runner. I know that no matter how much I wish this could be, I know it is very unlikely. As they say, "The spirit is willing but the body is weak..." or some such prattle. I hold out hope that the right balance of anti-inflammatory diet, supplements, strength training, and the right shoes will create some sort of miracle cure.
    I have been doing a considerable amount of run specific strength training. Working everything from my core, to hips, to quads, to calves, and even down to my toes. Plyometrics, body weight routines, lifting, stretching, even running in the pool. I am constantly on the lookout for strength training routines aimed at keeping runners' hips, knees, and feet strong, healthy, and injury free. My body is not being as coperative as I could wish. I am pretty sure I have developed rheumatoid arthritis in several joints in my feet. After a day at work, standing and walking on concrete, I feel as if I have broken bones in my feet. I can empathize with the little Mermaid (the original, not the Disney version), who, once she had feet, suffered the feeling of walking on broken glass with every step. See, like I said, I'm whining.
    I follow the tenet, "What You Believe, You Will Achieve." I believe that I am a runner. I believe that I can learn to run relatively pain free. I don't know if my body is willing to cooperate with me at this point though. I do have my run bag in the car, complete with favorite hat, socks and trail shoes. Once the time change hits, and we have a little more light at the end of the day I am going to make sure I get out and trail run a few times a week. There are several good trails in easy range of work. The Eco Park in Canby has a nice little loop. Only a half mile, but it is paved with wood chips to keep the mud at a minimum, and has good terrain changes. Another good spot is the Molalla River State Park. I used to walk my dogs there religiously and it has a long path along the Willamette, but this time of year it is a bit swampy. There is another short trail along the Willamette just north of Canby at Coalca Landing. Another place I used to take my dogs. It has a narrow trail the follows the river bank for a mile or so. It is a beautiful spot, and lightly traveled. But also rather swampy this time of year.... but then honestly, what part of this region isn't swampy this time of year?
    So there is nothing for me to do but keep doing what I am doing. Hope for a tiny miarcle that would let me run pain free, or relatively pain free. I need to set my fears aside and jut make it happen. No, I don't think I will ever be an ultra runner. An ultra swimmer? Yes. Runner? not so likely.