Day 10-12 in the desert 13 miles

2/21/2011

Suffering makes a person more compassionate and understanding. Perhaps the pain is something necessary.The past three days have been an ordeal. I decided to give my body a rest on day 10 and try to walk on day 11. The shin splints had it in for me. Each step felt like a sharp nail was being driven into my shins. I tried to push through but my mom, and JC thought it best for me to call it the day and try to continue my recovery.

I am laid up and waiting for the muscle tissue in the legs to grow back. Each moment I check to see if my legs have recovered. I am anxiously awaiting that moment when my body tells me to go ahead. I know I will be much stronger than before. I got shin splits once before and I overcame them in record time. I’m trying everything I can to make the legs heal faster.

In the meantime, my mom, JC, and I went to visit Cindy, a dear friend of my mother’s. My run goes through Parker Arizona. It’s a one square mile town and I lived here for my years in middle school. We drove through farmland and somehow navigated ourselves to Cindy’s house. It wasn’t too difficult. Luckily I was able to remember the area of the home. Also everyone knows their neighbors in a small town so we were able to ask around. When we arrived on the property we were greeted by a pack of dogs. They were there for protection and barked their heads off but after a a smile and a pat on the head I had them sedated. Being on the farm made me remember some of the simple pleasures I used to enjoy. I realized I miss a slower paced lifestyle and friendly neighbors. Being close to the river and the animals felt natural. City dwellers just don’t know what they are missing.