Wednesday, December 7, 2011

A sparkly day!

I'm back!!!!!!!.....Meaning that I finally had a good run...in the 37 degree drizzle! The best part~My sparkly headband and I ran a nice little 5k loop in 25:51 this morning~ Yes, that would be a 8:19 pace~ the pace I like to train at!  And I added another mile to it making it a nice even 4 miles.


My new favorite outfit- Lulu Run tech top and my sparkle headband!
I had bought the technical top a few months ago, but being sidelined from running I had no use to wear it- This is my second run in it and I love it!! Perfect for 37 degrees and rain. One of the best parts:


Nice little thumb holes to keep those hands warm. (This wont be warm enough for my paws once the snow hits but for now it's perfect!) If you don't own any Lululemon- BUY SOME...I used to think it was insanely priced but this fabric is 100% worth it.
Another cute part of this shirt:
Around the inside of the waistline is the saying: " I am a runner because I run. Set your goals. Life is too short for the treadmill, get out and run! Do it now."


Agreed. Life is way too short for the treadmill!!!!

I have gotten several compliments on my sparkle headband. Love this thing~ it does not slip at all and was created by a triathlete. Gives a nice extra "pop" to your outfit and keeps your hair out of your face.

After my run today I went to yoga at my gym...such a treat to be able to go to Karyn's power vinyasa class since I am on vacation!!!!! Sparkle headband attended as well.

Speaking of sparkles...another sparkly part of my day was lunch at the best sushi place in town~ SHIKI!! I hadn't been there in awhile and everything was fabulous as usual. You know it's a good sushi place when all the Asians in town are eating there. Love that it is not mainstream.
My favorite thing to order: Spicy shrimp roll- no other sushi place has perfected the mayo based spiciness like they have (and I have eaten at Nobu and several other "decent" sushi places).
YUM!!!!

And to top of my day I spent the afternoon making a dent in my xmas shopping.
I love candles and think they make a great "generic" gift...but really $20 for these things!!!???
You can't really tell by the picture but they actually aren't big at all.. Yeah, I could easily go to many other stores and pay half of that...Great smell but I refuse to drop $20 on a small candle!
I spent my $20 in much better ways buying several gifts for people-yay for a dent in the xmas shopping!!!
Hope everyone had a sparkly day!!

Do you wear Lululemon?




Favorite type of sushi??


Xmas shopping started?



Monday, December 5, 2011

Run and NYC half

Day 1 of vacation: ahhh sleeping in!! I never ever sleep in anymore- but after a busy weekend it was much needed.
I decided to take a run around noon, when the rain finally stopped ( not that rain has stood in my way before but I was feeling lazy). I took a slow 4 mile run through my neighborhood- was feeling kind of drained probably because 1.) I did Bikram yoga last night and then refueled with wine, diet coke and only one full glass of water and half a powerade. 2.) I didn't have any breakfast before my run... Pretty much 2 no no's! Yeah, that was pretty dumb on my part.
When I checked my Garmin and saw I ran at a 9:01 pace I was like hmmm...maybe more hydration next time!!
By the time I got back from my run I was starving and had one of my favorite staples for my late brunch:


YUM! Cant go wrong with Oatmeal- especially when it is topped with brown sugar!

Besides a bunch of errands I also knocked off another important "to Do" off my list- Applying for the 2012 NYC half marathon. I thought I had remembered NY Road Runners saying something last year about guaranteed entry in 2012 with a course that could accommodate more runners...maybe I dreamed that up. So I spent $5 towards a processing fee of possibly being chosen through the lottery...at which point my credit card gets charged $128.
I completely understand the need to put a cap on races- I have run races that I have felt were unsafe due to the amount of runners and lack of organization and supplies, and nature of the course. So, I get it....just really hoping to get in!! Although, if I had run just a little faster my last half I could have gotten guaranteed entry based on time....time for a new goal!!!

What do you think? Are the fees ($128 plus $5 application) "fair" for a half marathon? What do you think of the cap of 10,000 runners?

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Longer RUN

Yesterday I ran at Mendon Ponds....drumroll....8 glorious miles!! The most my foot has tolerated since the marathon. It was a beautiful morning (26 degrees!) at the start of the run, but slowly the sun came up and I couldn't imagine being anywhere but running in this beautiful park.

I feel so alive- more than I have in a long time~ and I swear it is because I can RUN again. Being sidelined sure makes you grateful for the ability to run.


I must admit~ I was very nervous as to what today might bring in terms of pain in my foot...But I woke up feeling great- So good that I jumped out of bed and put my running clothes on. However, as I was walking around my bedroom I felt the smallest twinge in my ankle and decided that I better take my running clothes back off and play it safe....It was definitely hard for me to remove my garmin from my wrist before I even had left my bedroom..BUT no more sidelines- I will not overtrain.

Later this afternoon I went to Bikram Yoga- great class- 90 minutes of sweat beads stinging my eyeballs- loving every minute!


Thursday, November 24, 2011

MRI and Turkey Trot

Quick update: My MRI results are in! - No fracture and all ligaments intact....however, I do have a plantar ganglion cyst (probably a complication of a sprain). Now the pain makes sense. I am still reading up on what a ganglion cyst is - so if anyone knows anything about them please let me know!!!

In other news...Since the MRI showed no fracture or torn tendons...I RAN the Turkey Trot!!

 First time running in over a month...boy, was I sucking wind. Swimming does not = running. Also, staying out until 3am the night before does not help! ha. I played it safe and ran slowly...embarrassed to say that my 5K split time was 25:11....BUT I am learning not too push myself too hard and cause more problems! And honestly I was just thankful  to be able to be running at all.


4.1 Mile Turkey Trot: 33:57  Definitely not a PR but happy to be back out there on a beautiful day running!!!!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

The best Garmin?

The best toy I ever received??? Obviously my Garmin 305!!!

(otherwise referred to as Inspector Gadget watch, LiLo house arrest watch, and "Does that watch weigh down your left arm???")

Cristina (left) and Me- yup matching house arrest watches!

So I am a smaller person- and this watch is a bit big...honestly, it has never really bothered me based on size....BUT I am wondering if the newer watches have a "better" ability to upload to computer and smaller would be nicer....

Also, since I have gotten into doing Tri's I am wondering if I should just get the new Tri Garmin?






What is your favorite Garmin watch???

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Sweat, Sweat Sweat! :)


Ok- So my ankle has gotten slightly better- I am not sure how... but it is!!
So last night I decided to try to cycle. I wrapped my ankle first, and put my special $60 orthotic in my cycling shoes......AND it went pretty well.... The best part...I felt like I finally was "really" working out because I was SWEATING!!!! (I still don't feel like swimming is a real workout). Just looking in the mirror and seeing my hair drenched made me smile and pedal away! I can't wait until I can do this again:
TRIATHLON!

Ok, So I had a little pain this AM- but nothing that 800mg of Ibuprofen couldn't cure...12 hours later have not needed ibuprofen and ankle still feels ok!

Tonight I decided to play it safe and reluctantly got back into the pool...20 minutes into my swim my iShuffle battery died...Opps I forgot to charge it! I only managed to swim 30 minutes of laps, but I suppose that is better than none!

And.....in the back of my mind..If things continue to improve...I really really want to do the turkey trot...8 days from now. Crossing my fingers!!!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Officially in love

So it has been really hard for me (especially on these beautiful fall days) not to run...I know that I can't because I have pain at rest, but it still doesn't make it easier. Yesterday, my awesome mom ran a 5k race- She did great and I was so happy to be there and support her...but it was hard to watch a race and not be running it. I did volunteer to help at the finish line so that was kinda cool to see the fast runners come in.
My mom did great- PR'd actually- 33:39- for 61 years old that is pretty awesome!


While I haven't been able to run my swimming skills have definitely improved and left me with more upper body strength than I have had in a long time. I have grown to enjoy swimming, however, being in a pool for long amounts of time is sooo boring. Meet my newest toy:
Waterproof headphones for my iShuffle!!!!!!! LOVE THEM!!!!
It definitely was a great day in the pool! Beautiful outdoors (sunny in the 30's but water was 80 degrees) AND I was able to ROCK out to my running music while swimming laps- Made the time fly by and all of a sudden I looked at my watch and had swam for 90 minutes. Swimming still doesn't feel like "real cardio" to me, but I am hoping by the time I am able to run again I won't have lost all my endurance. It's also hard for me to kick with my left foot so I pretty much let it drag in the water- definitely could be swimming harder if I was kicking harder!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Orthopedic Doc and ? fracture


So last Friday I met with the Orthopedic doc- he assured me that I did not have a fracture- rather my ankle is weak, possible strain/sprain, I need PT and an orthotic. Oh and it was fine to run 2 miles...I said "Really?!! I can't even walk around the hospital at work without pain. I can run???" He assured me I could but to go slow. Kinda sounded like BS to me. So of course, I decided I would run the next morning. I felt like a little kid on Christmas Eve. I laid out all my running gear for the next morning. New long sleeve technical shirt from the marathon, new lulu shorts, and new compression socks.

It was cold out so compression socks were perfect choice and I figured the compression would be good for ankle.


That morning I ran 3 miles- so Ok I ran one more than the doc said I could but I actually felt okay during the run. When I finished I could feel my ankle, but not too bad. He also had told me I could spin- So, I went to one of my favorite spinning classes- started to feel the ankle more when I got off the bike. Went for a nice 20 min swim- felt good to be in the pool. However, the next few days my ankle HATED me. I went to physical therapy on Tuesday AM, worked with a really intelligent athletic trainer and finally felt like things were going in the right direction (she said no spin and no running- but I had to agree with her).

When I went back to see her today she told me something I wasn't ready for- She mentioned that she had reviewed my XRAY herself and was concerned for a fracture or floating bone. She brought it up to the Doc, but apparently he thinks I just need PT and an orthotic and its not a fracture (even though the radiologist noted that fracture couldn't be ruled out). So I am frustrated right now. If this doesn't get better in a week I am demanding an MRI.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Goals


Even though I haven't run in 13 days, I know that I will be running soon. And this sideline will make me even stronger!
2012 goals:
  • BQ!!
  • 1/2 IronMan
I know I can accomplish both.

A friend once gave me the card below~ So true!!


Monday, October 17, 2011

pool day 10

Today was day 10 of swimming.
Really. wish. I. could. RUN.
Don't get me wrong, there are definitely days that I enjoy the pool, especially in the morning when it is peaceful and dark out still. But, I really need a run. And I CANT. My foot/ankle still hurts- worse in the nighttime after being on my feet all day....I am terrified this is a stress fracture... there really aren't any signs of a sprained ankle. No swelling and no bruising.
Life has been complicated this past week...and nothing cures that like a good run. I could be miserable and go for a run and everything is automatically better. I miss pounding the pavement, running through the wooded area, hills, breathing the fresh air in and listening to my techo/hip hop/top40/old school music. There is nothing like it. Tomorrow I will go to the sports clinic if I still don't feel better. Who am I kidding.? This isn't going to be magically better tomorrow. I am very grateful that I am healthy- I know it could be way worse...it's just I already spent half of this year recovering from an injury- I can't possibly have another injury.


Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Pooltime

Well, again I am being taught the lesson of patience. Since I took a few days off of running after Wineglass I decided I would go into FleetFeet and ended up leaving with an awesomely light pair of Pure Flow Brooks minimalist shoes....and silly me- pushed the limits too soon after wineglass and ended up rolling my ankle Friday in my new shoes. SO it has been nothing but the pool, ice, ibuprofen, and elevation for my poor ankle. Swimming is definitely a good workout, but an hour of swimming laps seems like ten hours compared to an hour of running. Slowly my ankle is getting better but its driving me crazy not running- but THIS time- no pushing it- I am not putting a single mile in until it is better.
On the positive side, I do have to say that it is incredibly relaxing to get in the pool in the AM before the sun rises and before the gym gets crazy. And it is probably a great thing for my body to be cross training- I am sure my IT band agrees.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Patience and Never stop Believing!

Sunday I ran my second marathon- Wineglass Marathon in Corning, NY. I had no idea what I was capable of running, as I have been battling hip flexor and IT Band injuries all year. Running has certainly taught me several lessons this year 1.) Patience 2.) Never stop believing in yourself and what you are capable of doing.
1.) Patience- I started the year off unable to run at all (or as my physical therapist would say I could lightly "jog" on the treadmill for .12 miles and then walk for .12 miles and repeat for a total of ohhh about 1 mile max.) I still had IT and hip flexor pain when I graduated from physical therapy at the end of January- It was in the Dominican Republic- late January/early February that I ran my first 3 mile run of the year- but still with some aching. I gradually increased my mileage over the next month-and by increase I mean I ran roughly 9 miles a week. I had gotten into the NYC half marathon and had to cancel because I still couldn't run more than 4 miles at a time- definitely a low point of the year. I continued to do yoga, spin and try running still with pain- Finally in May I learned of ART- active release therapy. I remember the day exactly because it was my 30th birthday. I got up early to go see this chiropractor who I expected would probably be "full of crap". But shockingly he was able to pinpoint my pain and stretch my muscles exactly how they needed to be. Slowly I started to recover- I ran a 5k and a 10k in the month of May- still with some pain, but much better than the past 8 months. I then increased my mileage to over 25 miles a week, with strength training, biking, swimming and yoga included and BAM my hip and knee hated me again. I was told I may need to find another sport-this was unacceptable to me. I learned to back off the mileage, listen to my body and ICE ICE ICE. After several bumps over the summer I have finally seemed to learn: Patience. Listen to your body. And ART when you need it.

9.11.11- First Sprint Triathlon- was incredibly tight the week before but had 2 sessions of ART that week and finished 4th in my age group!!!!

9.18.11 Rochester Half Marathon- PR'd my Half marathon time- finishing at 1:45

10.2.11 Wineglass Marathon- This past sunday I not only ran 26.2 miles, but I ROCKED it. 3:51- after a year of injuries and being told I should find a new sport. Never, ever give up. People ask me how I can run this far - "are you crazy??!!" they ask. Nope. I am not crazy. Half of it is mental- we all can do what we put our minds to- so never stop dreaming and believing that you can. And Never let anyone tell you that you cant!!!
The alarm went off at 5:30am and after hitting snooze a few times I got up and immediately looked outside- damp, 40 degrees but not raining. I wasn't very hungry and was starting to get nervous- but forced myself to eat my Wegmans blueberry bagel (the exact thing I had before my tri and half marathon the month before). As we were checking out I looked outside and it was an absolute downpour. As we approached the parking lot for the start line the rain stopped- great!!! However, just after lining up at the start- downpour again- and continued for 18 miles! I ran at a 8:35 pace the first 18-19 miles with a pace group- then slowly backed off the pace. These miles flew by as I listened to our pacer throw out motivating quotes and tips. Mile 20-21 I really started to feel the ache in my legs- and was reminded of a quote from my first marathon that still gives me shivers- "When your feet hurt, run with your heart". I thought of the patient I had run for, my uncle who had passed last year and felt so lucky to be able to be running this race- that got me through those last 6 miles- No music - just the silence of my shoes slapping the wet ground and the spectators shouting motivating things my way. As I turned down Market St and saw the blow up finish line I picked up the pace- somehow crossing at a pace somewhere between 7:50 and 8:20, I believe, although my garmin was difficult to read with all the beads of rain on it. Even with the rain this race was amazing- excellent organization, caring volunteers, great medical personnel at the finish line, great expo, YMCA that offered showers post race.