About
A tale of chronic pain, a bum knee, and some healthy eats.
The Pain Game
Two and a half years ago my foot started to hurt at a wedding. Within 3 months, the pain had spread to both feet and both of my hands. It was unrelenting, unmanageable, and undiagnosable.
After 6 months of sitting on the couch feeling sorry for myself, I’d had enough. I grabbed my sneakers from the back of the closet, and set out on a run. My feet were going to hurt regardless; I might as well be running on them.
They couldn’t take much though, so I picked up swimming and biking to carry me through.
You can get the nitty gritty of it all here: Stinky Feet, Part 1 Stinky Feet, Part 2
Somehow, in the back of my mind, I knew I was going to coming out on the other side of this whole deal ok, and I thought I might want to look back at where I started; to see how far I’d come. With the hesitant click of button, SoS was born.
Not-so-injury-free
A semi-successful triathlon and two half marathons later, I royally screwed up my knee during an innocent marathon relay. I’ve spent the last year rehabbing and longing for the day I can run again. To put it mildly, my knee is stubborn and it’s taking awhile…
Healthy Eats
You can only talk about pain and injuries so much before it becomes a major drag-fest, so I fill the gaps with some of the things coming out of my kitchen. I’m an RD and healthy cooking is just a part of my life; it seemed silly to leave it out. I’m a fan of REAL food, and adamant about the fact that anything can fit into a healthy diet.
About Heather
Heather Neal, MS, RD, LDN is a registered dietitian specializing in sports nutrition and social media. She received her MS from Northeastern University in Applied Nutrition: Sport & Fitness, a BS in food & human nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and completed her dietetic internship at Johns Hopkins in MD. She now runs a private practice nutrition counseling and consulting company. This year she’s president of the Greensboro District Dietetic Association and on the board of directors for the Junior League of Greensboro. She’s also a freelance health writer, blogger, runner, triathlete and iced coffee lover.
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Live Healthy, Live Happy!
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
Email me at rungirlrunn at gmail dot com
I’d love to hear from you!
{ 37 comments… read them below or chime in }
There are far too many people that see healthy as all or nothing. Moderation is key! I love your outlook.
Thanks for posting on my blog so that I could find yours! I totally agree with what you said! I am a nutrition manager and i get the same thing! I feel like people always judge my food choices and at first it used to both me…now I just laugh and try my best to educate people that eating is not a bad thing….
hi!! thanks so much for stopping by my blog! love reading about the training . . . i’m so impressed that you swim for XT. i’m excited to also be doing the tobacco road half — should be so much fun! do you live in the triangle??
YES!!! eat eat eat!! REAL FOODS! = a plant, or something that once ate a plant… that’s what I classify as “real.” If it was “made (manufactured) in a plant”…. it’s not real!
that’s kinda my way to classify “real” food. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Balance and moderation! Amen to that!! Love your blog!!!
You’re absolutely right, it’s about moderation. It’s amazing how many people think they have to completely do away with the things they like to be considered healthy.
Like you said you just have to find what works for you.
Love the blog, you’re doing a nice job with it.
Love this!
Thanks for the comment on my blog!
Hey Heather!!
Thanks for the comment on my blog! The first sentence above totally sucked me in
Downspin=story of the last 2 years for me. I love your header!!
I love your philosophy on eating! I have been in similiar situations and it really bothers me!
I trained for a triathlon to distract myself from injury too! It worked great and I ended up finding something that I really love!
Great blog title/header!
love your outlook girl!
Love what I am reading!! Great thoughts!
Thanks for your comment on my blog
I totally agree with your philosophy about moderation and healthy living. Love it!
I really like this and feel the exact same way. I am healthy most of the time, but it is about balance and enjoying some treats every now and then.
ha! I’m also an RD – I completely understand the “dinner table” scenario. oof. we need a code-word for Dietitian!
Love the blog!!
What a great philosophy on health!
I love your message here and I completely agree! Just wanted to let you know!
Thanks so much for commenting on my blog. I’m glad it led me to find yours. I can totally relate with the injury part. Mine is nothing like yours, but I go through the same frustration, anger, and not wanting to whine. I wouldn’t mind adding a happy ending to my story, either. I really hope you get your part 3!!
Thanks for the comment. And your job sounds amazing to me, my sis and I are aspiring to become dietitians as well=) Great blog!
Love your outlook! It is so refreshing : )
OMG, I can definitely relate to you!! As a fellow dietitian, I know exactly what you are talking about and that “look.” Thankfully my family has stopped constantly scrutinizing my food choices but whenever I meet knew people…it seems to be the topic of convo…What is Erin eating!?? Oh the profession we chose…………
Hi! So glad to find your blog!
I’m an RD too….seems like there are more and more of us in the blogworld these days- love it! Love that question at dinner tables….
Look forward to reading more!
Hi! I just stumbled across your website and wanted to tell you how fantastic I think it is! You’re a real inspiration, and I love your balanced approach to life, health, and fitness. I can’t wait to read more!
Hi,
I just found and subscribed to your blog today so I wanted to say hi. I love it! I cannot wait to read more. I almost feel like I should apologize that I haven´t been reading it sooner
wonderful! And, best blog title ever.
Great site!!! Love the recipes. As a former triathalon in my 20′s and 30′s I now have brought with me many aches and pains heading into my 40′s. Other than my five beautiful children, my ice packs are my little best friends. Since I spend so much time with them, I’d love to have a cute one or two. Can you tell me where I can find the ice packs ones on your homepage???
Here are my favorite 2 ice packs: http://www.sideofsneakers.com/2010/12/20/gift-guide-for-the-injury-prone-runner/
Wow. I am stunned by your story. And so inspired. You are
amazing for what you’ve been through and how far you’ve come and
STILL to be in chronic pain? That is just unreal. And shows how
much faith you have. I am inspired. (I found you through Tina at
Faith, Fitness and Fun) btw! I’ll be at Fitbloggin’ and now cannot
wait to meet you and to hear more about you! Thank you for sharing
such an inspiring story with us!
Jess Just blogged…Spontaneous…with a lower-case “s”
Aww thank you for your sweet comment! I look forward to meeting you at Fitbloggin!
I spent about an hour on your blog this afternoon (probably not including the time I spent drooling over the food.) I can definitely relate to the identity crisis with running and I love your attitude.
Jenny Just blogged…Big Sur Training Recap – Week 2
i was just thinking to myself: i wonder how many of the foodie blogs i read are by dietitians and then i just stumbled on your blog! way to go girl! im heading in that direction too, too bad im only in first year, i have a lonnngg way to goo ahaha
Connie Just blogged…Feelin’ Good
Wow. This is so interesting. Do you still work at your job full-time or does your condition prevent that. This is so inspirational – I have to go back through posts to find out more about you.
Hi – nice to meet you by the way
Baking ‘n’ Books Just blogged…I’m Squashed…
Hey!! Sorry for the way-late response. It did interfere with my job a lot- I’m actually self-employed now though, so it isn’t an issue any more!
Resilience, it’s your most beautiful quality <3
Congrats on pushing through and finding a balance between health and happiness
P.S. Just came across your blog–can’t wait to read more!
Kiah Just blogged…our story, part two
I’m so glad I came across your blog! I’m currently a college student at Elon University… right up the road from Greensboro. I feel so fortunate when I meet fellow nutrition buffs, runners, and cooks who share similar interests… and who live so close! I look forward to reading the many recipes you have and hope you future success in exercise.
Feel free to check out my food blog @ http://www.ohshineon.com
xo,
Katie
Came across your blog because you’re in my SITS31DBBB group, and I’ve spent the last little while reading your blog and getting to know you. Can I just say, WOW! I have a lot of chronic illnesses (most of them mental but thanks to a car accident when I was 2 there are some physical ones as well). I know how pain can literally just paralyze you, and wow . . . you are an inspiration.
I’m currently overweight dealing with a few of my own limitations, and I’m really looking forward to reading your blog to get inspired to get moving again.
Untypically Jia Just blogged…Getting Real with Mental Illness
Hiiii! I just wanted to say that your story was so compelling and encouraging! You are such a great inspiration and you literally had me THIS close to the computer screen.
I have to admit, your condition sounds very scary, but it seems like your positive attitude has been taking over the fears–so congratulations, and you have a great blog! 
ps: Amen to the fact that nothing in our lives, nothing!! should ever be taken for granted.
Ellie@Fit for the Soul Just blogged…Protein Packed Breakfast for Champions!
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