feeling defeated...

Yesterday I ran an 8 mile recovery run with the group. It went pretty well. However, when I got home my left knee was feeling a little funny. Right now, it's not doing so well. I can walk and do all that stuff, but when I bend it or when I try to do a squat it hurts. ugh! Not that I thought injuries were beyond me, I just wish it wasn't my knee. I think something is wrong with my knee cap. I'm going to try to get a doctor's appointment tomorrow and have it looked at. Hopefully I'll get a good doctor. I hate going to the doctor because they really don't do anything except tell you to take some motrin and call it a day. Let's hope tomorrow will be different. It's in a brace right now, but I think I need to invest in a better one.

I also have some pain in my arches. Yesterday I learned why running in the sand is not a good idea. Some sand got into my shoes and socks and started rubbing against my arches (imagine sandpaper glued to your arches as you run). I tried to dust off the sand and re-apply body glide. However, the damage had already been done. No amount of body glide was going to help.

Lately, I've been experiencing nosebleeds. This is mostly because of the weather (or maybe even the stress?). I hate having them because let's just face it, nosebleeds in public just aren't sexy. Needless to say, I'm feeling a little defeated right now. My knees are not 100% healthy, my arches are blistered up, and every now and again, a stream of blood flows out of my left nostril. I know these are minor things, but I feel like physically, my world is crumbling down on me... and it's taking its toll on the mental. Oh, did I mention that I've been seeing a chiropractor because of a few corroding disks in my back? If any of you have some sound advice, that would be great.

Finally, I haven't been as academically productive as I would like to be. As I get older I'm realizing how personal problems really take a toll on one's ability to function. I'm also realizing that as I get older, people care less and less about what you're going through. So there goes that...

On a lighter note, I received my first donations for the marathon. Thanks for all your e-mails, calls and letters. Keep them coming!