First, let me give you a quick update.  I’m still here.  Patiently Waiting to heal.  I’ve been to the physical therapist twice now.  The good news is that I am doing MUCH better.  The bad news is that I’m not quite ready to start running yet.  My therapist doesn’t seem to think I am dealing with bursitis.  She mentioned SI joint dysfunction and said that could cause the pain in my lower back (right side), hip, and down the front of my right thigh as well.  So, I’m not feeling very confident that I even understand what is going on with my body, but I am scheduled to continue therapy twice a week through the week of Christmas.  I am feeling so much better physically this week.  I even “ran” down my steps yesterday.  I didn’t even realize it until I was at the bottom of the steps.  I was so excited to tell Steven what I had just done.  I’m walking up the steps much better too.  I still have a little bit of pain on the steps and a limp when I walk, but I have made a LOT of progress. 

My therapist does not want me to even attempt to run until I my limp is completely gone.  When I am able to run again, she wants me to start very small and work my way back up.  This means I will not be running the Key West Half Marathon in January.  Bummer!  My flight and hotel are already booked so I will still be going and I will still participate, but a walk/run combo is much more realistic.  I’m trying to look on the bright side though and remind myself that I will still be in Key West.  The scenery will be fantastic.  If there was ever a route that was meant to be taken in slowly, I think this might be the one.  Plus, I’ll still be able to cheer for my friends (or most likely they will be cheering me on since they will finish way before me).  My therapist also wants me to hold off on body pump just yet.  She says I could go and skip the squat/lunge tracks, but I’m not so sure I’ll have the will power to sit them out.  I probably shouldn’t tempt myself.  I will probably start incorporating arm/chest workouts at home though.  She also says I can bike and swim, but again, I have to remember to gradually build up.  She stressed that I should not do too much too fast.

Since I am basically finished my races for the year, I have compiled a list of my favorites of 2015:

FAVORITE OVERALL RACE EXPERIENCE – Crawlin’ Crab Shell Yeah Challenge.  This was such a fun weekend!!  From the time spent with my bestie to the after-party!  And a PR to boot, this was hands down my favorite race weekend.  We had a blast and J&A races really know how to make a runner feel special.  I am trying not to repeat a ton of races next year, but this is a race I would definitely like to repeat!

FAVORITE RACE COURSE – GW Parkway Classic 10 Miler.  This was an absolutely gorgeous course.  I got to experience it for the first time last year at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon and fell in love with the course..  This year I opted for a 10 mile race along the GW Parkway instead.  It’s a point to point race that starts at Mt. Vernon and runs north along the George Washington Parkway (right along the Potomac River).  It ends in Old Town Alexandria.  Perfect weather.  Perfect scenery.

FAVORITE MEDAL – My favorite medal of 2015 is the Richmond Half Marathon finisher’s medal.  I think it’s beautiful.

FAVORITE (and only) COSTUME RACE  – Superhero Half Marathon.  I really struggled with this race (heat & humidity), but our costumes sure were sweeeet!  I won 2^nd place in the best costume category.  Who wouldn’t want to run in a superhero race dressed as Wolverine and Mystique (comic version)?  Surprisingly, the only part of the costume that bothered me was my wig.

FAVORITE “PROUD MOMENT” RACE – Hospice 5k with Gabby.  Gabby set a PR at this race.  She was so determined.  She finished in a time of 31:31 (10:09 minute mile pace) and came in 7^th in her age group.

FAVORITE RUNNING QUOTE – Pain is temporary, but your finish time posted on the internet is forever.

FAVORITE RUNNING RELATED PURCHASE – Nathan hydration vest.  Sometimes I feel like its overkill, but then I remember the days of trying to pin my bib on with my hydration belt getting in the way.

These are just a few of my favorite things from 2015.  I’m looking forward to all that 2016 has to offer!