I’m usually a happy camper on this blog but I feel like I should admit something. For the past two days, I’ve cried because of my leg issue and my inability to run. Especially on Sunday, after my friends and I spent the day walking around and I had to start limping because of the pain…I feel like I just started to feel stronger, to run longer, to run with more force and conviction and now I can’t walk more than 2 miles before feeling a sharp pain my leg 
I’m going to see a doctor once I get back from New Orleans and I know that running injuries are very common but I’ve started to depend on running as a form of stress relief, as a physical challenge to counter the emotional stress and all that crap that life throws at us from time to time. I finally started to get excited about something and have to stop. I just hope that I can tough it out in Nawlinz…
Back to regular scheduled programming:
I completed my civic duty as a juror today by sitting in a room from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. I was never even called to be questioned! Now, I’m off the hook for eight years. Eh, I can live with that.
Before I left my house at the crack of dawn, I had a bowl of stove top oats:
1/2 cup oats, 1 cup water, 1 banana, flax, berries + raw almond butter
After sitting around for half the day, we were able to go and get lunch. Since I interned at the District Attorney’s Office nearby last summer, I knew all the good lunch spots and hit up an old favorite, Cafe Metro, with an excellent salad bar.
I got a small lentil soup:
And an amazing salad with sesame ginger dressing on the side, which I barely used.
- Grilled chicken
- Spinach
- Mushrooms
- Beets
- Boiled egg
- Carrots
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Red onion
- Avocado
- Broccoli
The whole meal cost me $10, a great deal! I also picked up this bottle of water, which was on sale at a nearby health food store.
It tasted a little bit off from regular water and I think it actually made me more thirsty? I wouldn’t buy it again but it was nice to try it.
My mom made me dinner because I was sulking about my leg and she refused to let me make anything. I wasn’t too hungry, so I had some tomato + fresh mozz salad, and a slice of warm kchachapuri, a Georgian bread filled with brinza cheese. We buy it from time to time.
I need to go pack now and hit the hay early, our flight leaves at 7 a.m! I won’t be commenting much for the next week but I’ll sneak in some blog reading while the boys are sleeping for sure 
Check back for reviews and other fun stuff throughout the week! I’m off to let the good times roll in Nawlinz, limping leg and all.
I’m so sorry about the leg situation Olga!! I know it’s tough, but just wait it out and eventually you’ll be able to get back to your old running ways!
Have a safe trip! ps-Those oats look delicioussss!
im so sorry to hear about your injury :\ i hope you start to feel better soon.
on the positive side – your oats are fab!
Aww I’m sorry to hear about the running injury… what a pain.. well literally I guess haha. But I’d be upset too, when you’re so darn used to running and then that’s taken away from you, that’s incredibly disappointing. I’m sure you’ll get it worked out soon though, I’m sending good vibes your way!
I feel for you Olga
Running injuries are much harder mentally than physically. I also depend on running for stress relief. I hope the doctor can help! Being in pain is never fun, especially when it impedes you from doing things you love. I hope you are feeling better (mentally & emotionally as well) today.
Stay positive and consult the doctor and insist on hearing how it can be healed.
i’m sorry about your leg dear. i have gone through much of the same thing with my left quad and know how frustrating it can be. just take some time and remember that letting it heal will make it that much stronger later on. it’s hard, but patience will pay off.
have fun on your trip!!!
i’m so sorry about your leg!!
Hope it gets better quickly!
aw sweetheart i’m so sorry to hear about your leg — i know when i had to stop cardio it was super difficult and stressful.. but just try to remember that taking care of it now will make it healer sooner and you’ll be hitting the pavement in no time! Hang in there, girl!
<3
I’m sorry about your leg. I had a big injury that kept me from running (and almost walking) last summer. Definitely not fun. Running gets in your blood. I hope things get better soon.
*hugs* Olga I totally understand what you are going through. 100% I’m glad that you’re going to see a doctor when you get back. A sports med doc will tell you what’s up and how to fix it.
Please have a great time in NOLA and eat and drink lots of yummy food!
Oh how I feel your pain Olga. When you use running as more than a form of exercise, when it is your release, it is absolutely MISERABLE losing it.
Have a blast in New Orleans and hopefully the leg will improve. Enjoy the mental release from work and “real life” for the week while on Bourbon street!
Happiness Awaits
Ugh, sorry to hear the pain’s got you down. Take care and you’ll get better faster. On the upside, so fun to see the eats from a Ukranian family shindig! I could definitely live with that kind of party food.
I hope your leg feels better!
great job getting jury duty over with
i hope you have a safe trip!
I’m sorry about your leg Olga
hopefully the trip will provide some stress-relief/relaxation time and the doctor will have some good avice when you get back!
I love Cafe Metro (and Europa- have you been? overpriced chain sandwich place but I love some of their stuff!)
have a great trip! xxx
I’m so sorry, I hate to think of you so down!
I hope this trip to Nawlinz is a blast, and you’re able to let go of some stress and enjoy!! Sometimes a getaway is what we need 
Injuries are no fun, and lack of exercise always wreaks havoc on my mood. I’m sorry that you’re dealing with that right now. I have chronic injuries in both feet, so I’ve come up with a some (mostly) injury-proof workouts I can do when one of my feet starts acting up, which helps somewhat. I hope you heal up soon!
I’m sorry about your leg
give it time, you’ll be back to normal soon!
I’m sorry about your leg and that you’re frustrated! Can you try another activity for stress relief? (Maybe just walking would help? Or swimming?) I hope you feel better soon! Tell grandma to make you some delicious, stress-free borscht!
I’m in the same spot as you right now with the injured leg. I want to cry about it too! I thought after a few days rest I’d be able to get back to running but it hurts even more
I feel so lost and lazy without being able to exercise. Injury aside, I hope you have a great trip!
I’m so so sorry. I know what it’s like– I’ve cried because of my knee problems, too. It’s so frustrating when it’s like your body is working against you. I hope you can figure out what’s wrong with your leg. *Hugs* And about running as stress relief… I’m having surgery soon, and the doctor said I can’t run for at least 6 weeks. I almost cried in the office. Running is my love, and it’s going to be so hard to not even go for a quick run (or even workout for 4 weeks). Ughh I’m not looking forward to it.
Anyway, your eats look delicious! I love those oats, yum. Have a great trip!
aww that sucks about your leg, have a great time in New Orleans though!
I’m so sorry Olga
I know how demoralizing an injury can be. Hang in there — it can only get better if you’re resting and treating it right!!!
Can’t WAIT to hear about your trip!!!!
aw girlfreynd i’m so sorry. I can feel you on that 100%, I get so down in the dumps and I know the mental/emotional stress that injuries and workout problems cause
I got stung by a stingray (!!) last summer, and i couldn’t ride a bike, walk, dance, really swim, or do anything for only a week…but it felt like forever! I guess I just grinned and bared it, and we can thank the Lawd it isn’t permanent. Good luck girl and have sooo much fun!! 
ooph that sounds brutal, but at least you don’t have to do it again.
I’m so sorry your leg is giving you troubles!! I hope it’s all good and you can start running again at the level you were at.
Your oats look simply fabulous!!!