Florida Summers

Back in the humidity once again! Not that it's bothering me since I fractured my foot June 2nd!!!!!!!!! Sheesh, I can't stand it...lol. Finally was into some serious training and I stepped in a hole. Bent my foot in half. That was at mile 6 of a 7 miler and yes, I finished my run. It was sore but not deadly. Next day I ran 3 miles. It hurt but when I stopped it was...well, deadly. I waited a few days, had it x-rayed at the local walk-in clinic and the doc said no breaks. She said it was a strain. So I went on vacation and walked/limped around St Augustine for 4 days then off to Tampa and did Busch Gardens for 2 days. Tried running, tried the elliptical...failed at both.

I ran into my coach at the grocery store...had to hide all the junk I had in the cart...and she sent me to Dr Fava. She's a chiro/sports doc who also runs. She sent me off for an MRI and VOILA!! Stress fracture that was healing! (I need to write "stress fracture that is healing" or I freak a little inside.) No surprise by now but I was and am still deeply offended by that hole. I was also worried Dr Fava would attempt to ban me from my Vibrams because I would not have given them up. But guess what??? She's a Vibram runner too!! Match made in runners' heaven! She says when you step in a hole something's gotta give and if I were in regular running shoes it could have been my ankle...so no blame for my Vibrams. YAY!

Foot is feeling a lot better. I should be on a bike by next week. I was supposed to do pool running therapy but I slacked on that. Pushed me back a whole week before I could bike. Shoot. My own fault. Therapy is going well. I can walk fine and it barely bothers me now unless I put too much pressure on it. Like attempting to run. Which I don't do, Dr Fava, in case you're reading this! ;)

Obviously my training has stopped. Missed the Firecracker 5K that was supposed to debut my phenominal PR slash. I went anyway, lil tug in my heart because I love that race, but instantly felt great when I saw my friends! And who pulls up and parks beside me??? Dr Fava!! In her Vibrams!!! LOVE IT!!! I sliced watermelon and helped set up for awards then got to the finish line to CHEER! I looooove cheering at the finish line. LOVELOVELOVE! From the 15 minute kids to the finishing new runners...I just love the energy and pride in every person crossing that line. I also love doing the awards. Placing the medals around my friends' necks, handing over the trophies...makes me so happy!

I woke up that morning feeling a little sorry for myself. By the time I was driving out of the parking lot after the race, I remembered something so much more important than a missed 5K. I remembered that running is a package deal. Training is mine. PRs are mine. Goals are mine. But none of it would matter as much as it does without my fellow athletes to share it all with. I got so much joy waiting at that finish line, watching my friends coming through. I'll be back at it soon enough. And then I'll be even happier!!!

Still On Break

I haven't been able to run since Easter.
I just ate 3 donuts.
That's all I have for today.

Still Not Running...YET

The IT band has healed. Finally. Taking it easy the last 10 days did the trick I guess. I don't know why I never thought of giving it THAT good of a rest before!!!

I was looking forward to a shorty run tomorrow with Runners Club but that is not to be. I saw a doctor this morning for some funky stuff that's been going on and got more questions than answers. I had a nerve conductor test this morning...can you say OUCH????? Well I can AND did. That test was not too fun. He stuck a needle into my legs pretty deep and then zapped my muscles. Yeah, good times. It was like a tazer. I'm guessing at this as I have never been tazered but I do watch COPS on occasion and those guys get tazered. I've never even been frisked. Am I missing out?????

I have been suspecting seizure activity for various reasons, so tomorrow he's doing an EEG. I used to have them, but it's been about 11 years since the last one. Seizures don't explain the leg and balance troubles (well, maybe the balance) but he seems like a smart guy. He'll figure it out. He's kinda cute too...LOL...he's very, very funny! He's checking out my spine in a couple weeks too. Soonest appointment for that is Jan 22nd. He said "You runners tend to squish your spines". Ewwwww, that gave me the willies! I should have told him I've only been running one year and the last 3 months wouldn't be counted as running really, but I didn't think to mention that. How squished can a spine get in one measly year?????

He didn't say not to run and I didn't ask if I could. So I'll be running as soon as I get the time. Looks like Thursday will be the day. I am also leaning toward just doing the Sarasota Half Marathon instead of the full.

We shall just have to wait and see. In the mean time, I got a kitchen to put some ladybugs in!!!!

Unexpected Plus Side To The Flu

I know. You're probably thinking...."PLUS SIDE"????? Yeah, it's true...and I'm not talking about not having to make dinner, do laundry, or be aware. I'm not talking about being in NyQuil LaLa land, which is one of my fave vacation spots. I'm talking about a real live bennie. Being knocked to the ground for 6 days has made me unable to try to run. I actually took 6 real days off of trying. None of that "oooh, I made it 2 miles" bull. (freakin IT band) I even attempted a core exercise class tonight and had to leave before it even started. That's what I'm talkin' 'bout guys. FORCED sedentary behavior. And I liked it. (said in that voice Carrie's freak of a mother used in that movie...."Carrie".

I woke up this morning feeling rather blah, but so much better than I had been. So I went to work figuring it was only 3 hours. I was very tired but not too bad. Picked up the kids from school, dropped off a prescription, grabbed some groceries, went home, made dinner then decided I could do my class. I got there a little early and while I sat waiting I felt very warm. I was not feeling good at all. I think once I stopped for 5 full minutes I had to acknowledge I wasn't fully myself yet. So I did the smart thing and put the ball away and was walking out the door. Of course by then all my exercise girlie-friends were walking in. I wanted to hang out with them!!!!! But I did not. I'll catch them in yoga tomorrow night.

The Punta Gorda Turkey Trot is Thursday. I really want to run it! I'm pretty sure I can do it. I've decided even if I can't run, I'm going to see Sherry, Ed, Mike, Chris, Steve, Jim, and a whole buncha friends do it. I found out when I had to sit out that 10K during Endurance Project, that I L-O-V-E-D seeing my friends run across that finish line! So no matter if I can run or not, I'll be there.

To all my injured Blogger-friends...it seems to be an injury infested blogosphere these days. Maybe over-training during the summer, maybe you're all just gettin old, I dunno. Rest up, ice...do some relaxing by the fire with your love. Take this time to realize what's really important: you can't run. JUST KIDDIN!!!! We'll all recuperate and be back on the streets soon enough. Hang in there, you're NOT alone. Hail to the Aleve bottle.

Kisses!!!

Happy Halloweenie

I got up earlier than usual, rushed my kiddies out of bed and through breakfast because I thought I was into work at 9am. Got there (on time) to find out I didn't need to be there after all! I also got tonight off from my night job so I could spend Halloween with Bob and the kids, so I am free for the day!

I stopped for a scrumptious iced mocha coffee at BK. WOW, those are yummy. I keep forgetting I can't eat this stuff when I'm not running! I'm gonna be a McFatty Fat Fat-pants before too long at this rate.

My friend Tess is coming over tonight. While Bobby takes the kids around the 'hood, me and Tess'll be having some Smirnoff Ice (Tess) and some Pumpkin Spice Lager (Kim). Every halloween, my husband brings me a plate of cute little things made from cookies and fruit covered in chocolate and look like mice, pumpkins....Halloweenie stuff. Cannolies (spell check can't fix that one) will be on there too, but those are not for sharing. Those are for Kim. I'm gonna lick them all before anyone can grab one. Smart, 'eh??

While I was bringing the groceries in, my dog pushed through the screen door and bolted down the street. Freakin dog! She's a 5 lb chihuahua and lightening fast. I'm a hundred and something lb woman with a bum knee and not so fast anymore. All I could picture was Gracey getting run over and me having to tell the kids. Unless I could find another dog just like her before they got home from school. Something tells me they'd figure it out. So down the street I went. Calling Grace. Which is funny because my neighbor's name is Grace. She was at work though....LOL. I wonder if anyone heard me screaming for Gracey and thinks I was calling for my neighbor.

I did not notice that while I was running down the street, at full speed may I add, that my knee did not hurt. Can you believe that?????? Unfortunately it kinda hurts now, but at least I ran! I was wearing my Vibram 5 Fingers too. Strange. I just got up (I know you can't see me or even know when I walk away from my keyboard, but anyway....my knee seems ok. It's not hurting. This is freaking me out.

Lemme go put away the groceries and I'll be back to update on my knee.

Thursday Happenings...

I've been trying to stop thinking about Space Coast for now and just relax. Easier said than done, but I have some stuff to keep me busy.

Went to the chiropractor this morning. Love him! I only needed a little adjustment. I had that sharp pain in my right bum cheek. Can I just say, I have mixed feelings about having another man's hands on my behind? I was glad I was face down and he couldn't see my face turning beet red. I kinda liked it, but don't tell my husband. He won't let me back there...haha! I'm going back on Tuesday....lalalalala...I just might pretend BOTH sides hurt next time...teehee. JUST KIDDING!

Then from there to the dentist I went. I was abnormally excited for this appointment though, because....GUESS WHAT??? My hygenist just did the Iron Man in Hawaii!!! HOW FREAKIN COOL IS THAT????? So we made a little deal. I wouldn't scream and cry at the sight of all those instruments if she'd give me a play by play of her race. She kinda skimmed over the details and it was very frustrating not to be able to ask questions but I got an awesome story. Her name is Suzette, she's 54 yrs old and looks 40. It was the quickest, most pleasant cleaning I have ever had. I just finished about 10 of those Dove Desserts candies. Bananas Foster flavored...yummy. Sorry Suzette....lol

I was up the street from the gym so I popped in for some cross training. I wanted to see if I was losing any cardio yet. I'm so down about this injury. Anyway, I ran into Jim and he gave me the ok to hop on the bike. I figured I'd do 30 minutes. I kept the cardio at about 75-85 the whole time, got sweaty and probably sang a little too loud along with the iPod. The guy next to me only stayed on his bike for like 5 minutes. I think I scared him away. About 25 minutes into it my knee was getting that tight feeling so I slowed to a cool down for 3-4 more minutes. On the way out to my car I was thinking I felt pretty good. I started to walk to the end of the parking lot to do a little tester run but changed my mind. I went home and guess what I found there?

Yep. My Garmin has arrived!!!! I had to take the batteries out of the tv remote, I do have my priorities. Besides, I'm working tonight and won't be here when Bobby realizes what I've done.

I put the batteries in and took it outside for satellite finding. It only took 4 minutes, yay! I played with the buttons for awhile, then went back in. I can't run yet so I will wait. Now I really wish I could run.

Hmmmmm

The chiropractor fixed my sciatica, but my knee is a mess. I couldn't run 40 feet today. I don't really understand this. I felt fantastic yesterday, even slept through the night for the first time in forever. By the time I got to the gym, my knee felt tight. And I drove there.

I put a heating sticky thing from Ben Gay on for 45 minutes to warm up the muscle, then stretched it slow and easy. Mike showed up at 9am and I told him I had my doubts. We walked a little, then tried a slow run but it was not to be. I walked 2 miles hoping it would warm up, but no. Was in pain all day. I worked at the desk all day which probably didn't help. I did ice it though. Still hurts right now.

I'm thinking Space Coast is off. I don't know. My coach says I have enough of a base to still run it if I can get going again this week at least. No PR, but he thinks I can still finish. That was kinda nice to hear, even if I'm not sure I believe it.

I'm extremely disappointed but we have 3 days, 2 nights at The Ramada on the beach...with NO kids. I don't need to read Nitmos's "Lust Blog" to get any ideas of things to do if I can't run...my husband has plenty of ideas. He keeps forgetting we're supposed to be going there for a RUNNING marathon, not THAT kind of marathon. The big pig....but that's why I married him...lol Good thing I like marathons.