Dear Diary, I am [not] a runner. Love, Amy

On May 10th, I decided that it would be a good idea to train for a marathon that occurs in October.

I started my journey of training on May 11th by running 3 miles.  I didn't run the whole way; I walked for about 1/2 mile in the middle. By May 20th, I could run all three miles without stopping.  Not bad.  I'd gotten shin splints by then, but after talking to my brother and doing some online reading, I realized that I needed to stretch before and after each run (as well as stretching every day whether I run or not).  Bingo! No more shin splints.

On May 11th, I also spoke to my chiropractor about my grandiose plans.  I told him that I've had some knee pain in the past and after describing the location and severity, he said it sounds like I have early symptoms of arthritis in my right knee (great).  He told me about an herbal supplement I can take to help with that, so I bought it.  Also, I heard about drinking cherry juice to help with inflammation, so I've been drinking a small glass nearly every day.  Bingo! No knee pain.

On May 25th, I ran four miles without stopping!  Progress.

On June 3rd, I started having ear pain in my left ear.  (Wait... what?!?!? I know... bear with me.)

By the morning of the 4th, my ear and the whole left side of my head (including my jaw) was throbbing.  Being the idiot determined person that I am, I decided to go through with my plan to run 5 miles for the first time anyway.  It didn't really go all that well, as I had to walk close to a mile of it.  This might have been due to the throbbing in my head; who knows.  When I got home I told The Hubs that I couldn't hear out of my left ear.  Uncharacteristically, he urged me to go to the Dr, which I promptly did.

I waited for about 30 minutes (half in the waiting room, half in the exam room).  The Dr. came in, looked in my ear for 2.5 seconds and said, "Yes, it looks miserable in there. You have Swimmer's Ear."  My surprise must have be written all over my confused little face because he said, "Have you been swimming a lot lately?" I shook my head, "I haven't so much as stepped a toe in the water yet this summer."  He nodded, "Been sweating a lot with ear buds from your iPod in your ears?" Bingo! 

Who knew???? Aside from the pure sickness factor of having an infection (bacteria is growing in my ear. *shudder*), I would NEVER have thought that such a thing could happen!  The Dr. told me that I need to put rubbing alcohol in my ears after I run to keep it from happening again.  He prescribed "very potent" drops to get rid of the current infection.  Time Dr. entered exam room: 10:47am.  Time Dr. exited exam room: 10:49am.  Not even kidding; there was no way I was in his presence more than two minutes.

On June 6th, I ran 4 miles again (no stopping).  I'm going to try for 5 again this Saturday.  I will keep you all posted (I know you're on the edge of your seat) on my running progress.  I am running in an 8k race on the 18th, and a 10k race in September, so it should be interesting.

P.S. For anyone who is going to ask me how fast I run, let me clarify: I do not run.  I jog, and for most people it is a fast walk. :)  The point (for me) is not to win any races... I plan to finish the half-marathon in October.  That is my goal.  Right now, I'm doing really good to run a 10-minute mile.  And that does NOT happen every day.