Updates....life happens.

I had to rush home last week to be with my family. My younger sister is going through her second fight with a serious eating disorder and was admitted to the hospital last week. I went home to spend time with her, and to give support to my parents. It is so hard to be away from family at times like these, but I also consider myself lucky that I am just a few hours away and have the means to get home when necessary. It was a rough week emotionally for everyone, but things are looking up.

While in the hospital, my sister was 're-diagnosed'. What they originally had thought was anorexia, and had treated as such in her first battle two years ago, they now believe is a phobia. The doctors believe she has a phobia of throwing up, which manifests itself as a fear or eating/food. Needless to say, the treatment for this is VERY different for the treatment of a serious eating disorder, and my family is in the midst of trying to figure out the best course of treatment. Luckily, my sister was allowed to go home last night after a week in the hospital.

While home I had some long and intense conversations with my mother about the situation. I have a very interesting relationship with my sister, as i am 10 years older, and in some ways am more of a parental figure in her life. However, I 100% admit that I can in no way understand the range of emotions my parents are going through right now. The situation just leaves everyone feeling so powerless and wondering what went 'wrong' and how it can be 'fixed.' But when all is said and done, I just have to remember how incredibly lucky we all are to have a family that is so incredibly close, loving and caring. My sister could not be in better hands, even though it is painful to have to be away from her and my entire family during this time.

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While home, I was able to go on a great run and really clear my head. It confirmed how much I rely on exercise as a release and crutch to help me through difficult times, and made me realize how lucky I am to have bounced back from my injury so quickly. There are times when I am frustrated that my 'long' run is only 5 miles at this point in the season, but all things considered, I am blessed to be running at all and not still be injured, or have pins in my femur.

I was also able to push the pace on this run just a bit, and it felt AMAZING. It is a 1.4 mile out and back on a rolling, hilly hiker/bike trail, and I went out in about 15 minutes, and came back around 11 minutes. My legs felt strong, and my lungs were screaming but I was loving every second of it.

I also did a 5 mile run Saturday back in Central Park that felt great- no pain at all.

I will be incorporating strides 1/week from now until my sprint triathlon I have planned in June, just to get my legs ready for race day effort. I am sure multiple posts will follow over-analyzing if/how I should 'race' this tri, so no need to start worrying about it yet.