TIL: From My Podiatrist

 

For the past few months, I’ve been getting back into the habit of running. Mostly for my dad who, after doing a 15k with me and my brother, would like to do a half marathon together as well. I’ve never been much of a runner and frankly, I’ve always hated it, but for my family — of course!

During and after my runs I’ve experienced periodic foot pain, so I’ve been experimenting with run schedules, running surfaces, shoes, shoe fittings, shoe lacing, etc. Unable to figure anything out on my own, I finally made an appointment to see a podiatrist.

I got bad news, but it was a very informative appointment. After she asked about my injury history, checked out my stance and walk, and x-rayed my feet and ankles, here’s what I learned:

  • I have hypermobile joints. People have always pointed out that I’m weirdly flexible — not in a manner that’s useful of course; only in bizarre, pointless ways that elicit reactions like “EW how are your arms/wrists/whatever bent like that?!” So, this was an official diagnosis of what I already knew.
  • I have extremely unstable ankles, thanks largely to my past injuries and the aforementioned hyperflexibility.
  • Inherently flexible individuals are highly accident and injury-prone, and have a tough time becoming rigid. It’s all coming together…
  • Due to my foot shape (furthest right on this image), certain areas of my foot bear the brunt of the impact when I run.
  • When standing, my feet are very flat, which can be problematic for running.
  • I have a bipartite medial sesamoid in one foot.
  • If my ankles continue to worsen, surgery is an option — down the road.

My podiatrist’s conclusion: I’m simply not built for running, and I shouldn’t run at all.* I should instead focus on low-impact, strengthening activities like yoga, barre, and pilates. I should also wear ankle braces, boots, or high tops at all times to support my ankles.

Huge bummer. But I’m glad I have a better understanding of my body and how I can prevent further (or permanent!) injury.

*I asked what my options are if I insisted on running: custom orthotics and specific shoes.

Update: I saw an orthopedic surgeon for a second opinion. He also concluded that I shouldn’t be running… but for completely different reasons. 🤔

Nostalgia

I came across an email I received as a freshman in college (more than a decade ago!), that touches me deeply to this day. I’ve been fortunate to have such wonderful people in my life, and I hope everyone knows that even if we aren’t in touch anymore, they remain a part of me.

Here’s to living honestly, vulnerably, fully.

 

Ok, so my roommate just read this long nostalgic article about how when we leave here we go back to our homes and we won’t ever have this dorm life again. Anyway, it is just making me think. I know you are busy with all of your homework, and I know that I should give you space, but you know, I don’t want to go home this summer regretting the time I had with you down the hall. I can’t think of wasting months of having you so close, being able to be with you so effortlessly. It’s not going to be like this again. I don’t mean to come off too emotionally (I feel like I can say what I am really thinking around you, otherwise I would never have sent this). So I guess tell me what you think, but I don’t think I’m going to try to “give you space.” I’m just going to hang out with you like you’re my friend. Screw the rest of the emotions, I just want to be able to hang out with you and not feel any sort of tension because of other feelings.

 

Wonder

Last week I checked out the Renwick Gallery’s opening exhibit, WONDER. I went solo, and because it was a weekday, there were gloriously few visitors. I’ve included few photos and (Snapchat) videos that don’t do it justice.

The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed.

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Dvorak

About a year ago, I made the switch from QWERTY to Dvorak. It was frustrating, and on more than one occasion I found myself questioning my decision; I struggled to keep up in work, in conversations, and with my thoughts. I wondered if I’d ever type at a reasonable speed again.

I’m happy to discover that I’m finally almost back to my QWERTY speed and accuracy!*

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*I changed keyboard layouts with the goal of typing more efficiently, not necessarily more quickly, in hopes of avoiding repetitive strain injuries. Getting my typing speed back is just an added bonus!

Against the Odds

My parents aren’t very romantic, but I can tell my dad is getting more sentimental as the years pass. He recently reminisced about the beginning of his relationship with my mom.

Your mom was a country gal, and I was from the big city. She’s 6 years older, highly unconventional for our generation and culture. Your mom’s entire family was against our marriage and impending move to the U.S., predicting that our relationship would die within the year, leaving her stranded with nothing and alone in the states. We’ve been married nearly 40 years.

Yoga on the Labyrinth

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I’ve spent my last two Tuesday evenings at Grace Cathedral, participating in their (mostly) weekly Yoga on the Labyrinth.

It had been on my to-do list for years, and thanks to a yoga-craving, I made a date with a friend to finally experience it. I’m so glad I did.

It’s extraordinary, for countless reasons. The opening mediations. The ethereal, live instrumentals. How gratifyingly small you feel when you get lost gazing up at the cathedral’s ceiling as you lean into a pose. The otherworldly manner in which every sound and voice echoes. That you’re doing yoga, in the middle of this beautiful, chaotic city, with hundreds of strangers. Your inability to hear your own voice in the harmonious, reverberating, and perfectly in sync chorus of closing oms.

It’s surreal and stirring. I walk out feeling tranquil, happy, recentered — I can’t recommend it enough.

You can’t calm the storm… so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.

Conversations with Lily

I’ve only spent an hour with her today, but my heart is already bursting at the seams. When I’m with her, nothing else matters. I’ll never forget her reaction when I surprised her this morning — it’s forever seared into my memory.

A few snippets:

“Jen Jen, would you like to play with me?” Always irresistible, always in a slight British accent.

“Hey Mochi, what’s the matter?” Said in a sweet, comforting tone to one of her dogs, who was looking mopey.

“Mochi, it’s not for doggies, for pete’s sake.” I laugh, and she smirks because she knows exactly what was so funny. “Yeah, I say ‘for pete’s sake.’”

“Turn on the music, so we can dance, ok?” A gal after my own heart. But I prefer my dance parties after 8am.

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Don’t worry, she gave me a mask too.

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100% Jenny Zhu

I recently signed into my 23andMe account and spotted something I hadn’t noticed before: Ancestry Composition. As a Chinese woman whose parents (and grandparents, great grandparents, and so forth) were born and raised in China, I foolishly never gave much thought to my ancestry.

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Turns out I’m maybe only 88.8% (that percentage though!) Chinese. And that’s based on their “Speculative Estimate.”

The default Speculative Estimate corresponds to 51% confidence – this provides the most detailed view of your ancestry. You have the option to make the estimate more strict, meaning that the interpretation shown is more likely to be accurate. The Standard Estimate is at 75% confidence, and the Conservative Estimate is at 90% confidence.

At 90% confidence, they can only peg me at 55.1% Chinese.

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I’m continually blown away by all the interesting info and connections I’ve been getting for the past three years from 23andMe, which I only paid $99 for.

If you’re like me and have both an insatiable curiosity and a desire to know all truths, despite its potential unpleasantness, I highly recommend.