One Measly Mile

I was born with the usual 10 fingers and 10 toes. Unfortunately, my toes happened to be facing the wrong way, as were my feet. I was born with bilateral club feet. It was a fairly severe case. I endured some surgeries, a lot of physical therapy, and special shoes (they were so ugly!) to correct my feet. My feet are, for the most part, corrected. Although, I do walk with a slight "hitch" in my step. I sport some really crazy scars on both feet - scars that have made me extremely self-conscious.

I never thought that my feet held me back in any way. I felt like I was pretty athletic as a kid. I was constantly running around our yard. I horseback rode; I was in gymnastics. My free time was spent doing flips on the swing-set bar. I could out push-up, out pull-up and out sit-up everyone in my grade. But when it came to running the mile. . . I came in dead last. . . every time.

It wasn't until a few years ago that I realized why. I had twisted my foot one day - it hurt. I went to the podiatrist since it had been an age since I had had check-up on my feet anyway. The doctor took x-rays and was impressed at how the doctors had put my feet back together again. He also noted that I was missing a few bones in both my feet. Bones - who needs 'em? He then asked me to do a few simple movements of my feet. And I couldn't do them. AT ALL. He determined that I had some non-functioning muscles in my feet and ankles which prevented me from moving my feet in a few certain ways.

So, there it was. After so many years of failing at the mile, I understood why. But, it didn't excuse my failure. People with prosthetics run marathons! Here I am with two fairly-functioning feet.

Game on! I have challenged myself to run a measly mile. One mile - by the time I turn 35 (sadly, only a few months away). I have the backing of an on-line motivator who has kindly tailor-made a running program for me that should have me running my mile in about 8 weeks, if not sooner. I've had some set-backs, but am fully committed to doing this.

This blog serves as my place to record my progress, shortcomings, and inspirations on this journey of a measly mile.

*picture from http://www.vagabondish.com/running-cultures/