I made it through the 9 weeks of training for the Rainbow Run. However it didn't happen without plenty of blood, sweat and tears. Ok. I lied a bit about that last part. I never did cry. However, I did sprain my ankle last weekend (while running) and I "wanted" to cry.

    It all went down in one of those "eye of the tiger" Rocky Balboa inspired moments. I was in the home stretch of a 3 1/2 mile practice  run along Kanawha Boulevard. I was tired and hot and I wanted to quit. Yet a voice (a crazy one) in my head kept saying "power through it, you can do it." Ahead of me, I saw a hill that always gets the best of me. The voice wouldn't stop. "Jessica" it said. "Don't stop bathing suit season is almost here!" So, I listed to that voice (the crazy one). I ran up that hill like a speed demon. I felt like a champ. I felt like a winner. I felt....my ankle hurting like...(insert expletive here).

    I sprained it. It's been swollen and throbbing ever since. Despite my first running injury, I haven't stopped running. I KNOW that I should let it rest. I just don't want to stop until the race is over. Because of my sheer stubbornness and stupidity, my ankle is now a swollen puffed-up cankle. It's a battle to get my heels on. I missed out on a fabulous girls' night Saturday because it hurt too much to walk. I will give the cankle lots of TLC when the race is over this weekend but I simply can't stop now. I've transformed myself from a tried and true couch potato to a running addict.  Anyone who knows me will say that this is almost laughable.

   I really think it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. Ankle pain aside, I feel incredible. I have more energy and I look forward to exercising! WOAH! Plus, as Bridget Jones would say, I'm seeing some improvement in my "jiggly parts". I've also seen a lot of the ladies in our training group come a long way. Women who weren't able to run 2 minutes are now charging ahead full speed for 30! 

   Most importantly, this was all inspired by a chance to raise money for HIV\AIDS programs at the Covenant House.  Who knew that one little race could have such a positive impact in so many ways?  When I cross that finish line Saturday, my journey into fitness isn't ending. Really, it's only the beginning.

 Jessica