TWO DAYS.

EXCITED AND TERRIFIED.

First injury bleah

Distance: 7.668 miles
Time: 1:09:47 i.e. 69:47 mins
Feel: A little good, a little bleah.
Weather: Cool autumn morning.
Dog sightings: Fat black lab ambling into the Mystic lakes, BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG, fluffy collie-like thing.

It was a nice day today, not too chilly. Even so, I should probably wear gloves next time I start out - could not feel my hands. Or rather, my right hand was warm but my left hand was a little cold. Weird feeling, though it could have been my watch. Anyways, starting out was a little hard. I started a little late because I was waiting for my toast (toast with Nutella? DELICIOUS). Eating should really happen earlier, since eating just before running always makes the first half a struggle.

Had a couple of thoughts today. First one - you need people, be it on the run or in general. Like I mentioned, the first half was really hard. It has been a rough couple of days, emotionally and mentally, and I have been a little worn out. Also, I got stitches for the first time in a long, long while. STITCHES. Few things are as bad as running with bloody STITCHES. Well, injuries are pretty bad too, but with stitches you still can keep going, it just SUCKS MUCHLY. So I am slogging past the entrance to the Mystic Beach Park Thing when I see P. going the other way. She cheers, yells "There she is!" and gives me a high five. And suddenly, I am running so much better, so much easier than before. I find myself relaxing into a rhythm, which I was not able to get for 3.something miles. Usually it takes me about 2-3 miles to get into the swing of things, but today it really took an enthusiasm boost from someone to bump me into it. And I guess it is the same with life too. You cannot go through life on your own, or rather technically you can, much like running on your own, but in some ways it sucks. Sure, you can go at your own pace, but you need people to break up the monotony once in a while.

Also, I am a twit for running 7.6 miles after not running for a week. Stupid, stupid, estupido. Now I fear I may have shin splints. Gah.

THE HAMSTER IS BACK!

Yes indeedy! I am finally going to run the Boston Marathon, for reals as it were. I've been running for a couple of weeks now with the Tufts Marathon Challenge (TMC) team to get back into shape (how on earth did I let myself go so much?! If not for summer frisbee hat league I would be DYING) and it's really gratifying to see my splits from from 10 to 9:30 min/mile. But I digress, and this is just to let you know that I AM BACK and looking forward to running and all that money that was donated will BE RUN FOR :)

Awesomesauce.

Oh well.

I guess I should admit to myself - yes, it looks highly unlikely that I will be running the Boston Marathon. A ton of apologies to everyone who donated - I really appreciate your support, and I am very sorry that I will not be able to live up to my end of the deal this year. I definately will be running next year, though. So if you would like me to return the donations, just drop me an email at i n o c u l a t t e [at] g m a i l, sans spaces, plus .com. Although, I will be asking you next year :) On on.

Of Crutches and Ultimatums

First off, I must admit that me going to the Boston Marathon is looking more and more unlikely. Until five days ago, I was on the list of selected runners - we have to shortlist people because there are just too many who want to run, and not enough spaces. And then, they realised that a) I was a freshman, and b) bigger seniors were kicking up a fuss because they wouldn't get to run. Don (the PMC coach) was really kind and apologetic about it, and I understand where he's coming from. I don't want to put him in a spot by insisting I run, and I suppose it's all for the best since I'm injured anyways. Final decision on Thursday, because they're submitting the names by end January. We'll see.

Speaking of my injury, Nick (the sports medicine guy) gave me an ultimatum: if the hip still hurts, you're going on 24-hour crutches. Which, needless to say, sucks. I really don't want to go back on crutches, especially considering that Tufts is on a hill and my dorm is on top of aforementioned hill. And, of course, the sports facilities are at the very bottom of said hill.

On the plus side, it's snowing! On the downside, it's snowing! See, snow is a marvellous thing for a tropical hamster like me. Little fluttery snowflakes are the most fascinating thing in the world. However I'll probably only enjoy it for the first foot or so. After that it's likely to be a nuisance. Especially if I have crutches.

Of Injury and Seniority

After my session at the sports trainers, they determined I've pulled my hip flexor. I have no idea how, only that it hurts really bad. So they gave me ice and stim treatment, as well as ultrasound to break up the scar tissue. The result: it hurt like billy-o the next day. Really badly. But I have to keep up the treatment for the rest of the week, and hopefully with the swimming I'm doing I won't regress too badly. It's supremely frustrating to be unable to run, but therein lies the danger I guess - impatience. I have scores of friends who have recurrent injuries due to impatience - in fact, I have a few myself. So there's nothing for it but to wait, I guess.

Yet another frustrating thing - I may not get to run due to me being a lowly freshman (aka grub). Since some of the seniors are on the waitlist, and this is their last year, it's entirely possible that I'll be put on the waitlist so they can take my place. Funds-wise, this isn't a problem - the funds I raised can be used for next years run, if it comes to that. It's just somewhat disappointing, even if I've no problems with the reason. I'm seeing coach today to sort this out, will let everyone know how it goes :)

Back In Boston

Wow, I'm back in Boston and it is COLD. currently -10ºC out there, so I'm not heading out yet. Was supposed to join the Tufts marathon group for a run today, but didn't because 1) they were training at 7am, and I have no spandex to run in i.e. I will freeze, and 2) am not feeling too good. It's probably the change in weather - coming from Singapore with it's average of 26ºC/80ºF to Boston with it's average of -5ºC over the next 6 days cannot be good for anyone.

In any case, the summary of my exercise in Singapore would be: a week of running, followed by a lot of pain and water exercise and crunches. I will be (hopefully) seeing the sports trainer in half-an-hour, so maybe I will be able to figure out what is wrong with my hip. It still hurts, even while walking.

But while the Singapore leg of the training was not as great as I had hoped it would be, the Singapore leg of the fundraising was supremely heartening. Many, many, MANY thanks to the wonderful people of the Singapore Hash House Horrors, particularly the Joosas! When they heard that I was running the Boston Marathon and was raising money, they did not hesitate to offer me the chance to take advantage of the fact that they were organising a run to raise funds. So I got 25 bandanas (courtesy of the Joosas) embroidered at the army market at Beach Road (urban legend has it that what with all the spare parts you have there, you can make your own machine gun), and they looked like this:



The Hash run was, as all Hash runs end up in this weather, wet and muddy. Although I squelched through the water with some trepidation as the Tufts cross country team suffered terrible rashes the last time they ran through water, the whole thing was fun. I even have photos!


Natalie, Sijmon and Ella enjoying a bandana split! Sorry, I couldn't help it…


The Laraia boys + Uncle Slime (aka Virginia Slim)…


…who gracefully sprawled on his car, since it matched the color of his bandana.


Uncle Funny was enjoying himself.


So did the kids, who were playing "Traffic Light".


Hash was quite fun :) good times. Now for sports medicine man.