Sand! Paradise for footkind and hell for shoes.

The first image from a contributor!

These feet look pretty happy. They are young, and I am sure they feel a lot younger when they are on a beach like this. They look like they have been playing in wet sand for a while, and now they are taking a much deserved aeration with first row view of the ocean.

Where are they right now? They are warm, the envy of color-changing hands, likely walking down the halls of the pediatric floor in a certain hospital of Santiago, Chile; maybe kicking (deservedly, for sure) some resident's ass?

First Donations

I am up to $125. We'll see if the mails are effective.

Thanks to Francisco, the first contributor. He already told me he will be submitting a picture for the blog.

My ankle is recovered, but will do cross training the next couple of days to let it rest.

Maybe, if things go right and my left foot doesn't fall off by thursday, I will run a 5k on Saturday. It is also cancer related, so I will really try to go.

If the foot falls off, I'll take a lot of pictures.

Fundraising Messages Sent

Sent the fundraising email out today.

If you are coming referred by the link on my email.

• I thank your junk mail handler for not deleting my message.
• Thank you for not deleting my message.
• I hope you are not annoyed by me asking for money (it's for a decent productive cause, much better than spending it on gas).
• Please check the previous post Fundraising Idea to see what yo uget for making any donation.

First Group Run

Today was the first time I went to a group run. I enjoyed it a lot.

The trail we go to is really green and shaded, and reminds me even more of the south of Chile.

The group seemed very nice and relaxed.

The run was great, but towards the end I started having pain in my left ankle that has left me limping. So I guess no running for me for the next couple of days, maybe I will do something else, aka cross training.

Ice is my new best friend. What did people do before the age of refrigeration? I guess put something hot on it, withstand the pain, breath better air and then die from gastric cancer.

Note to self: Bring Camera and come early next time. Morning light will probably be great for pictures up there.

Zen running?

Today was a really stressful day. Just full of tension and conflict. Not even patient care issues.

At least I finished early, and went for a short run.

It really cleared me up, like turning off the stupidity of work and starting clean for a more productive rest of the day. Remembering to focus on things that I care about.

Now all I have to do is clear the mess at home :) Maybe I do not care that much about it.

I do not believe in spiritual stuff or in any religion or philosophy. But maybe it is that exercise just relaxes you. And when you are relaxed, you think better.

For many it may be just plain obvious. Not for me. I am happy to get this side-effect.

Car wash

I have always thought about getting out of the car when I am inside the car wash. Is it dangerous? I doubt it.
Maybe next time.

Paucity of ideas

I am somewhat blank. Well maybe I am bland too.

And since I have been writing a paper for the last 6 hours, bland mush is what would best describe the state my brain feels like. Plus, for some reason, my computer kept freezing every time I tried to open PubMed. Not good, since that forced me to put some "original" content.

Will try to get some sleep to stay semi conscious at work tomorrow, and hopefully run some in the afternoon.

Thinking of Jonathan Swift, I am going to bed. Explanations tomorrow.

Abrupt Monday weight loss: I found my scale!

Run a 3 miler today. Nothing much. Almost run over a couple of guys on the track, not because I was running fast, which I don't. And this time it wasn't people using walkers.

I just realized I broke the 200lb mark this week. Finally. I just found out today because the scale was beneath a pile of unread JAMAs and boxes I have in preparation for my move. The boxes I have for packing. Bought them at one of my favorite stores in the planet, just a warehouse with incredible amounts of boxes (www.abcboxes.com), and cheap!. The JAMAs I have to make a pire before I leave. I am making the list of things to throw in, and I am welcome to suggestions.

I have a couch to burn, but that special occasion requires meticulous preparation. Otherwise, to my aunt it will return.

Looking for new shoes online is not particulary easy, I will have to go to a store an try them on (duh). The new ASICS seem pretty nice. I hope they fit my overpronating feet!.

I found this: "drinking large amounts of beer the night before the race doesn't constitute "smart" carb-loading". Guess so. (I do not want to think about the headache)

No photos today.

Fundraising Idea

I have committed to raise 1800 dollars (at least) before the marathon. The go to the Lymphoma & Leukemia Society.

Again, if you want to donate, check the link on the right of your screen, right below my feet's profile.

I guess it could be more interesting. So this is my idea:

- For any contribution ($5 minimum) I will post a photo of your feet. You have to email it to funkymetatarsal@yahoo.com.

- For a contribution of $25 the photo can go with a biography or fiction, whatever you want.

- For a contribution of $50 I will take the photo of your feet, post it in the site, and send you a printed copy. There is a geographic limit to the Baltimore/Washington area.

- For a contribution of $100 I will post a photo of you or any part of your body. Decency limits are determined by me (and maybe Blogger). No biography if you want.

- For a contribution of $500 I will take that photo, and give you the prints.

- For a contribution of $1000 I will make you the best tiramisu my hands can make. Of course, plus the prints. :)

I guess I will get a lot of $5 contributions. They are all welcome!

Saturday Run

Went running in DC today. Just around the national mall to the Lincoln memorial.

The day was great, finally some sunshine. It reminded me of the summer in the South of Chile. Yeah, spring here is like summer there. Lots of rain, lots of intense light aternated with shiny shade when the sun hides behind the white clouds of sun of the day after the rain. And windy.

Perfect for runnning.

I went with my cousin Isabel. We both concluded we need new shoes. Had to stop because of foot issues, mainly avoidance of blisters.

Here is a picture of her left foot after the run. She was amazed at the veins. I looked at them with professional interest.

My feet are ready!

You've come here following the steps of my funny feet. They have inspired my hands (and also, intermittently, my brain) to create this space.

As you read on my email or my Team in Training page, I signed up to run the Marine Corps Marathon in October 29th, 2006.

My feet feel pretty proud of this task I have commited them to do. The legs are a bit jealous of all the attention, but well, sometimes it is good to give some praise to the bases and ignore the middle man.

Follow here the progress of my training, along with other details about running, training and feet (not only mine, of course, I don't want them to get too full of themselves).

If you want to make a donation to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, please visit http://www.active.com/donate/tntmd/tntmdPaoloF