My first subject for today is toes. As a runner ... or something like that ... I have had many problems with my toes. I've given up on the idea of ever having nice feet again. Well, as long as I'm able to run, that is. When I first started running, I had problems with my big toenail. I hadn't learned yet that one of the secrets of distance running/walking is that you have to get a shoe that is at least half a size bigger than what your real size is so your toes won't get crunched. Because, well, after 10 miles or so you feet swell to at least a half a size bigger than normal. Also the pressure put on your toenails by all that running can be, to say the least, excruciatingly painful at mile 10 or so. But even with that acquired knowledge I still have problems. For some reason shoe companies think feet are shaped like an oval...I'm here to tell you my feet are shaped more like a rectangle. Another problem I have is my second toe is longer than my first. Why do they taper shoes? I'm starting to think the only way my feet will be comfortable is if my shoes are custom made.
So, back to the toenails. My big toe had so much pressure put on it that no only did it hurt, it stunted its growth. It no longer grows like a normal toenail. After changing shoes, I solved the problem with my big toenail and had problems with my longer second toe and its toenail. I had to cut them back to nothing to get them to stop hurting. Anyway from one shoe change to the next I've had problems with each toenail. One of these days I'll find the perfect shoe!
My second subject: TREADMILL. Or as I like to call it "DREADMILL". Where 3 miles seems like 10 and 6 miles seems like 20. No distraction seems to be enough to make the time fly on a treadmill. Unfortunately, here in Southern California where the weather is so often HOT, running outside is very unhealthy and with the smog can be hazardous. Looking forward to cooler weather and less dreadmill.
As far as transcribing....I'm a medical transcriptionist - yes, one of a dying breed. I find myself quite often planning my long runs while I'm transcribing. Where shall I run this weekend? Should I include hills? Should I stay on the flat? Should I drive down and start at the bottom of the hill and work up and end down? It's an interesting habit I have of thinking about these things while I'm working. But it's a happy healthy distraction.
