SIA, For the love of the game

The other day at the allergist's office, my doctor expressed concern that I might be developing sports-induced asthma. I believe he was mistaken. However, I do appear to have a related condition; One that often goes undiagnosed but based on my observation, is very, very common. The condition I am referring to is Sports-Induced Anxiety (official abbreviation: SIA).

I am trained to assess general anxiety, so I know what is is supposed to look and feel like. Generally, I can honestly say that I'm not very anxious. I do have some anxious tendencies, but for the most part, I'm pretty chill. However, if you throw on a sports game that I care a lot about, everything changes.

I diagnosed myself with this condition after observing myself during Michigan State's tight 2nd round matchup against USC last night. Symptoms of restlessness, feeling 'keyed-up' or 'on edge' (apparent from my incessant pacing, jumping, stretching, and general erratic movement around the bar), irritability (if you texted me during the game, I did not respond for fear of saying very vulgar things and subsequently losing friends), muscle tension, and a combination of sleep disturbance and fatigue (present later that night) were all present more often than not yesterday. And I don't think yelling at the TV is really a normal anxiety symptom, (although perhaps it goes along with irritability?) but that was definitely present as well.

Luckily, for my heart and the hearts of those watching with me (especially Tom Izzo's), we stayed in the game and pulled out the W. Next game is Friday evening versus the Jayhawks. Now that I've identified this condition, I know how I'm going to feel on Friday (okay, I probably didn't need to identify a condition to know that, but still). But let me be crystal clear: I am NOT complaining, just stating facts. Bring on the SIA. Until April would be nice. I'll just borrow some valium from Tom, he's gotta have a mega-stash somewhere.

Side note: I've been known to propose to standout players in Spartans (okay all) sports. A side effect/symptom of SIA?!? Who knows. But Travis Walton, you keep this up... and you might just be next. Its called Spartan Love, baby.

Turkey in the rough

Apparently, once I make a commitment to something, I will do it. Even if it takes me 10 months.

Okay, fine, that is totally untrue. The piles of unfinished drawings, stories, dance choreography, and notes on project ideas and dance choreography that are stacked in boxes upon boxes in my mom's basement would suggest otherwise. Unless of course its acceptable to take 12 years to choreograph a 7th grade talent show routine to "Mo Money, Mo Problems"... because in that case, Holly and I are pretty much on track.

Similarly, and sadly, all my "summer bucket lists" (aka lists of the most random and ridiculous things that my friend Tarah and I would try to complete in our 3 month summer break from elementary school... including "eat a whole tomato" - because we both despised tomatoes at the time, and "build and fly a kite;" neither of which were checked off at summer's end) were also left half-completed.

So there you have it - although I wish I always completed things, even if it was years later, this does not seem to be the case. However, this weekend, the previously stated and generally untrue statement, was true one time (small victories should be celebrated).

After stating plans to explore Philadelphia's running options, particularly Forbidden Drive, I finally went! Forbidden Drive is a old road that is now closed off to cars and runs along the Wissahickon creek.

My succinct analysis: Very pretty. A little muddy. Very natury and birdy. Overall: pretty freakin' cool.

I say birdy because I ran into a pretty cool bird right before I turned at the halfway point through the 8 mile loop. He decided to chill on some nearby tree branch, and later a rock, so I decided to take pictures of him. I'm not sure what kind of bird he is... wild turkey? Anyway, we kinda bonded and then he mocked me for doing the 8.5 mile loop Saturday after Saturday and not coming out sooner. And then I mocked myself for imagining conversations with random birds.

All in all, a very natury and awesome day. And as a city for potential long term settlement, Philly just earned a couple more points. Making the completely arbitrary running total something to the effect of this:

Michigan: 5 (-10 points for run-interfering snow/ice)

Colorado/Oregon/Washington/anywhere with big mountains: 15

Philly: 15 (*recent increases*: +2 for cool people, +2 for cool running trails, and +11 for good beer... duh)

Back on My Feet: 1 Month Report

The ever-so-familiar song is blaring from my cell phone that is strategically placed across my bedroom. As I stumble towards it, my head is fuzzy and I kinda feel like I was hit by a bus last night. I glance at the clock. '5:00 am?! What the heck am I doing up?!' my confused brains asks. And then it hits me. I made a commitment to a group of people. The girl who usually does her Saturday "morning" runs at 2:00pm agreed to run at 5:30am. 5:30am. 5:30am. Necessitating a 5:00am annoyingly cheery cell phone ring. I stared at the clock again. 5:01am. 5:01am. 5:01am. 14 minutes to get my butt out the door.

I stumble into my winter running gear. The weather.com application in the corner of my computer tells me it is 27 degrees. Awesome. Spandex tights, check. Sweatpants, check. Gloves, headband, neck warmer, fleece, check, check, check, check. I purposely don't leave myself time to think about what I'm doing. There isn't time to assess, I just gotta go. I made the commitment. The commitment to running with a group of people all working towards different, but comparable, goals. The only difference: some of the group members currently live in a shelter and happen to be working towards getting out of that situation, that is, getting "back on their feet".

So what does this cute little play-on-word phrase really mean? For those of you who aren't familiar with Philadelphia's revolutionary running group, let me try to explain. The group's mission statement is as follows:

Back on My Feet is a non-profit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of the homeless population by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem.

I am a very new member of this organization. I've been to 4 runs and 1 social event. I'm just beginning to understand the benefits of membership for all of those involved, but even on my way to my first run it started to become clear. As I stepped out onto the street at 5:15am and started jogging the mile to the group's meeting point, I took a deep breath of frigid air and the 5:00am brain-fog began to clear. Its really quite simple. I was heading to spend time with people who, just like me, are working towards their goals in life.

Having run with Back on My Feet for 4 weeks now, the same idea becomes more and more clear. Although you may be able to achieve goals on your own, it is easier, and much more enjoyable, to do it alongside someone else.

Caption: This picture was taken after the first social event I attended with the group (a lecture on injury prevention by a doctor from Penn). Pictured here are just some of the members of one of the six chapters in Philadelphia.