So….I’ve got good news and (unconfirmed) bad news.
The bad news: I think I might have a stress fracture. In my calcaneus? (Does anyone know what this is? I think it’s a SF because it hurts to the touch, although thankfully it’s not to the point where it hurts when I’m walking).
The good news: Surprisingly, I’m not as upset about it as I thought I’d be!
This could be for a number of reasons:
1. Stress fractures almost always heal if you take time off from what caused them (for me, running). I’ve had 4 stress fractures before (though the last was 8 years ago!) and out of all my injuries, they are actually the easiest for me to recover from.
2. I have other things I’m doing, and LOVE: for one, biking. I’m so, so excited to start biking outside with my friends this spring! Admittedly, I’d always "psshhhed" (that’s a noise) biking because I didn’t think it was a "good enough workout," like running. Well, one look at all of my hardcore cycling friends tells me I was totally wrong! As long as you push yourself to go FAST, it can get your heart rate as high as when you run.
I’m also (grudgingly) swimming, taking Pilates once a week, spinning, lifting weights, and hope to get back into yoga more regularly once my schedule settles down.
3. I have friends who do other things with me. Piggy backing off of number 2, I’m so thankful to have found people who will bike outside with me, take spin classes with me, take Pilates with me, and swim with me. It makes me feel less alone and I have less of an opportunity to feel sorry for myself if I’m working out with other people SOMEHOW!
4. It’s not racing season….yet. Though we are close! I had my heart set on doing a half-marathon in May, but my heart told me not to sign up for it quite yet. It’s still 9 weeks away so it could be a possibility, but I know myself – and I don’t like to do things unless I can do them 100%! 
And there is always the fall – filled with TONS of half-marathons (and fulls…..oh, full marathon, how I want you again in my life).
5. I realize that it’s possible for me to be in good shape when I’m not running. Last year right around this time, I was definitely in better shape than I am currently because I was concentrating more on lifting and power yoga since I couldn’t run yet. So here’s to getting those muscles back!
So, instead of making a mental list of how many running injuries I’ve had in my 14 year "career," I’m embracing this positive outlook. Let’s just hope and pray it continues. 
If you’ve ever been injured, what was the most important factor in your recovery process?
Enjoy the rest of your weekend….I’m taking my road bike out for my first ride!!!
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