Small Victories

Throughout Grandpa's cancer treatments, we're going to have small victories. Days where he doesn't feel tired at all, news that the blast counts are down, steady creatanine levels, solid hematocrit counts, solid platelet counts, no fevers, etc. In my marathon training it's very similar - first crossing into double digit miles, first negative split, doing an extra rep on the hills, cutting 10 seconds off quarter mile sprints, forcing myself to do planks, etc.

Today I had a very very small (and yet significant to me) victory. Everyone who gets involved with Team in Training is undoubtedly doing this to save lives - that is a given. But there are some other reasons to participate as well: things like being part of a team, meeting new people, and getting in quite possibly the best shape of your life are very enticing aspects of the program. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to take advantage of all the training to shape up a little bit. I've always been a pretty active person, but I haven't felt as fit as I was in high school since pretty much graduation day. We had cheerleading practice 5 days a week for 3 hours a day, and during tournament season 6 or 7 days a week, plus we had tumbling classes, plus I swam, etc. I strolled around with all my fellow cheerleaders in tight little t-shirts and our infamous very short soffe shorts that said "Cheerleader" or "NCA" on the right 'leg' (and by 'leg' I mean like 2 inches of fabric).

Since high school, I can count the number of times I've worn shorts in public on one hand. I have just not wanted to have my legs on display to the world. I really really hate my knees especially, and while in high school it was cute to be short, in the real world, not so much. If I could stretch my legs out even just 2 inches, I'd hit that elusive 5' 4" mark. Sigh...

But I digress. A couple weeks ago I was at Jack Rabbit in union square and I saw this super cute pairs of Brooks shorts. I tried them on and I thought I didn't look heinous, so I bought them, and I've had them on display on my dresser ever since. I'd wear them around my room, not really wanting to launch them on the general public yet, not entirely comfortable with the way I looked in them. Well today, I decided to just say "Fuck it." I put on the shorts and I went to the gym to do my strength training, since my physical therapist is on vacation. When I say 'gym' I mean the gym inside my building, where my audience was limited to an old Asian lady and what I can only assume was a vapid college frat boy, BUT STILL. I made it out the front door of my apartment in shorts. Small victory.