July Recap/Stats

Miles Planned/Ran: Another month without miles ran. Those keeping count at home should be up to 4 months now. *Sigh* I want to say this will be the last month it should be this way, but after saying that for the last 3 months I'm apprehensive to get my hopes up. We'll leave it at I'm cautiously optimistic.

Miles Swam: 2 M

Miles Biked: 105 M

Rest Days Planned/Taken: How ever many needed / 7

Xtraining Workouts Planned/Ran: As many as possible / 24

Most Enjoyable Workout: It's a toss up; My first 20 Mile ride on Leela with my friend Alexa and the day I actually realized I enjoyed swimming in the pool.

Current Reads: (Reading/Still Reading) A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick; Spike picked this up for me, the title and description makes me nervous... Just started so I'll have more input on this next month when I recap as finished. I'm also reading, A Father, A Son, and a 3 Mile Run by Keith J Leenhouts; I picked this up at a book sale on the side of a road in a small town in the middle of nowhere. It's a true story based here in Michigan about a father and his developmentally challenged son. It's very touching! And finally, I'm STILL reading Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman; I don't know why I can't seem to finish this. I pick it up, read a few chapters, and then forget about it for weeks.

(Finished) Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand; At the recommendation of some of you I picked up Unbroken last week and wow! First off I immediately remembered reading about this in Runner's World, but that article didn't even begin to tell Louie's story! This story is so much more than what it seems, his perseverance and sheer grit to endure all that he encounters during WWII... Let's just say it puts a lot of things into perspective and I def have no right to complain about my injury after reading this. Get this STAT!

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Still Pinterest

Current Obsessions: Thanks to Jeri, the booknerd in me is now obsessed with Goodreads

Current Drink: I've been loving Izze's Sparkling Peach juice

Current Song: "Party Rock Anthem" LMFAO - It makes me want to run ride my brains out.

Current Wish-List: (Repeated) New digital camera, a romantic getaway with Spike, a road bike, the perfect summer dress...

Current Need: For those x-rays on Thursday to show a fully healed tibia so I can once and for all be done with this whole injury b.s.!!!

Current Triumph: Progress in P.T., going for significant long rides on Leela, completing the 30 Day Photography Challenge, maintaining my health and fitness while injured.

Current Bane of my Existence: This.

Current Goal: (Repeated from March, April, May, and June) To stay positive and focused on active recovery/xtraining so I can hit the ground running sooner rather than later. *Fingers crossed*

Current Indulgence: Summer berries!

Current Blessings: The continued love, encouragement, and support from my family, friends, doctors, readers, and Spike throughout this never-ending injury saga.

Current Excitement: A friend's wedding, a weekend getaway with friends, a plethra of local library book sales (See, told you I was a booknerd), and a girls weekend in NYC with Christy, Lauren, and Katie!!!

How'd your July shape up?!?!

Running is what you make of it, make it an Adventure!™

Foto Friday

Happy Friday! Commence Weekend!!!

(For you, not me, my weekend started yesterday and I'm in Florida b*tches!!!)

(P.S. I don't really think you're b*tches, I just like to put "b*tches" after exciting announcements!)

I'm in Florida and all you get is this week's continuation of the 30 Day Photography Challenge:

(Don't miss Week 1, Week 2, or Week 3)

Do you know how hard it is to convince two guys to have a thumb war? Seriously guys, lighten up, I'm not asking you to make out!

True story: B.o.B LOVES a cow so I headed to the local fair and begged the lady working the front to let me in for 2 minutes to snap a pic of a cow up close. It was totally worth it. And you had to know that Day 25 calling for something pink = flamingo right?

In case you're wondering, the book is Unbroken, review to come. As for the "from a distance" pic, let me tell you how excited I was to see the railroad lights flashing as I came upon the tracks last night. So I pulled off to the side, stood there for easily 10 minutes waiting for the train to come around the bend, to snap it "in the distance" but it never came and I gave up. Stupid ghost train.

Have any of you take up the photography challenge? Let me know, I'll link you up next week when I conclude the month! Happy weekend!

3 Things Thursday

1. Type-A... So you may or may not have noticed that I added a page to the line-up called "Stress Fracture Files," I decided, all type-a-like, that having a page that summarizes the whole never-ending saga of my injury would be useful for linking and for anyone searching this particular injury. I will continue to update this page as developments occur, beginning with next week's follow-up. *Fingers Crossed* it's my last!
   
   
2. Not all Red... So I had some massive blonde moments yesterday: First up while standing in line at REI to return a pocket rocket (heh) hand pump I realized all I had to do was switch around the nozzle pieces and it would now fit Leela's valves. Then I had to explain to the clerk who called "Next!" that I didn't need to return it after all. (Blonde Moment #1) Later at PT, Dr. John told me to do 6 side steps and I groaned saying how much it killed me to do 6 last week. His response; "It's only 3 down and 3 back, you've been doing 2 down, 2 back, what's the big deal?" The big deal is that when he said 6 reps I thought he meant 6 down, 6 back. And I wonder why my @ss hurt all weekend long! (Blonde Moment #2) Then, late last night I'm telling Spike about my flub at REI as I attempted to pump up Leela's back tire and couldn't figure it out for the life of me... at which time Spike asks, "Did you read the instructions?" I hadn't, so I did, and all was right with the world. (Blonde Moment #3) I blame all of this on having vacation brain because...
   
   
3. Bring on the Sunshine... In a few short hours Spike and I board a plane to my beloved Florida! Friends, fun, and sun await! I will finally get to meet Miss Ella, now three weeks old, and spend time with the whole Beaker Luv clan. I'm also looking forward to spectating B.o.B at her Tri-versary race and rounding off the weekend ringing in my Jamily's 30th birthday with my whole gang of FL peeps!
   
   
   Can't wait to meet this little angel!!!
   
   
   Have you had some epic blonde moments this week? Please share! Any exciting plans for the weekend?
   

The PT Extravaganza Gets Serious

It's been a little over three weeks since I started PT and began addressing my dumb butt situation and the rebuilding of the strength in my lower legs. I've been making steady progress and last week I was graduated to more reps, new moves, and given weights. In short, I reached a whole new level of torture! (And they're still doing the Graston/Butter-Knifing each visit!)

First up he added free weights to my theraball partial squats. Nothing too crazy there and honestly, I don't really notice too much of a difference to the moves. Then he had me up my reps of everything. Some only up to 3x but others, like all my various different squat moves, he upped to 6x. My butt never hurt so bad come Saturday!

Some of the new moves he's added include:

Bosu Squats w/ Medicine Ball; After I find my balance on the bosu ball I do a regular squat while raising the medicine ball above my head. This started off only two sets but he upped it to six on Friday and combined with all the other stuff he upped I was dying!

20 x 2 (or 6 depending on how evil he's feeling)

Next up are stool scoots. It's literally exactly what you're picturing in your head, I scoot on a stool across the room. Kinda like this, only on a stool:

2 (or 6) lengths of the room

Hamstring Curls; Pretty straight forward but man do my hammies crap out fast.

12 x 2 @ 30 lbs

I'm of the "play it safe" camp these days and didn't want to push it this weekend when I was still feeling the affects of Friday's butt kicking on Sunday so I skipped my long ride. When I arrived to my Monday session yesterday, I made sure to let him know and he responded with "Does this mean you don't want to start on plyometrics today?"

When you graduate to plyometrics that means running will soon follow and I wish I could accurately describe how my heart fluttered upon hearing those words. Of course I assured him I was ready to take on the challenge and he warned me that we were starting out on the lighter end of the spectrum. He wasn't kidding, because my plyometrics consisted of standing on a trampoline and doing bouncing squats without my feet leaving the trampoline and then simple hopping.

Exciting huh?

And yet, I was nervous standing there on the trampoline. I haven't hopped, skipped, or jumped in over four months! I made him show me what to do at least 3x before I was able to talk myself into doing it. I ended up doing about 20 x 2 of each and I have never been more aware of all the muscles in my lower legs than I was while hopping. I spent the entire time just mentally assessing how it felt doing them and if my fracture site was ok. This exercise made me realize that when I am finally cleared to run it's going to take some serious reassuring by my docs to get me going and not let me psych myself out.

Or maybe it won't be that way at all as I continue to progress and feel more comfortable doing them... Time will tell but I'm happy to report I'm one step closer to running again!

T-minus one week til the next (and hopefully last) sports doc appointment.

Foto Friday

TGIF Peeps! Wishing you all a fantabulous weekend with the continuation of the 30 Day Photo Challenge... (Make sure you check out week 1 HERE and Week 2 HERE)

All hail the internet for showing me how to do a long exposure on a digital camera!
(http://answers.yahoo.com/q​uestion/index?qid=20080730​202438AALFJfv)

Photographing technology was kinda lame but shoes on the other hand...

They call me "Red" for a reason!


And here's a few other shots I've taken this week:

Last Saturday I was up early with my Grandpa to check out the Jackson Hot Air Jubilee, it was sooo cool being able to see them fill up and head out. I also got to hear my Grandpa's stories of how he and my Grandma used to crew for a balloon team!

I was uber excited to have lunch with Christy on Monday during her layover in Detroit on her way home from India. Yes I said India! You've got to check out the crazy adventures she's had traveling from Amsterdam, to Sarajevo, to Belgrade, to Delhi, to Agra this month! Reading her posts and seeing the pics from the trip is so educational and inspiring. Thanks for sharing your travels and having lunch with me girl!!!

A friend and I biked to this great park in Ann Arbor called Lillie Park, it was gorgeous! Once a rock quarry, now it's a canopied trail system around a lake that includes this trippy bridge. Can't wait to visit this again once I'm up and running!

3 Things Thursday

1. Progress = Success... Yesterday at PT I was given more reps and new things to add to my arsenal based on my progress. This is very good news on the recovery front and it's translated over into my biking and swimming as well. Keeping my fingers crossed this means I'll graduate to plyometrics soon because plyometrics = running to follow!
   
   
   
2. The thing about Tri's is... So I need to set the record straight regarding me doing a Tri; I literally can't do one. I get that with all the biking and swimming it only seems logical I'd do one, but I can't run and haven't in four months! Furthermore, I have no idea when I'll finally be cleared to run. If I'm lucky, and let's face it, I haven't been the luckiest during this whole injury thing, I'll get cleared at my next follow-up appointment on August 4th. I already have an idea of what my R2R plan is going to look like and I can tell you this, IF I'm cleared then it's going to be a slow return that won't involve any significant distance til about the end of September. Tri season ends in September round these parts, so that is that. Next year? Maybe. This year, no way.
   
   Believe me when I say I would love to put SOMETHING on my "To Do" list this year but the fact of the matter is this: I can't plan anything until I am cleared for running again. End of story. (Trust me, I've tried and all I get is the look, the one you get when you're asking stupid questions.) T-Minus 2 weeks til D-Day.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Iron Man Lake Placid... HUGE shout out to all those gearing up to tackle Lake Placid this weekend! I have butterflies in my stomach just thinking about you guys out there and will be obsessively checking my phone for updates. Good luck to all those racing, especially Navy Steve, Little J, and my girl Emily!
   

Foto Friday

Here's this weeks installment of the 30 Day Photography Challenge:

Doesn't he look so cute all captivated by the women's soccer game! Go USA!
Doesn't Day 10's shot just make you want to make a wish?

Boston 2013...

We've been having the most gorgeous sunsets this week!

Can I just tell you hard it is to:
1) Self time yourself "reading" and make sure you're in frame
2) Try to look straight ahead for a shot that close to your face


And because I just can't help myself, here's a few shots of Miss Ella:

I cannot wait to meet this precious little thing in two weeks!!!

Wishing y'all a fantabulous weekend, catch ya on the flipside!

3 Things Thursday

1. A Runnerd's Black Friday Thursday... Every year around this time Playmakers, the Mid-Michigan mega-running-mecca, has their infamous sidewalk sale. And just like last year, Spike and I were lined up bright and early this morning to partake in all the deals. As usual Spike picked up more shoes than necessary and I kept it modest with a single pair of shoes I hope the docs will let me run in when I make my R2R and a new *pink* trimmed pair of pacer shorts.
   
   *It must also be noted that it was after this sale last year that my girl Jen B. finally responded to my DM stalking note to hang out and become friends! I'm sure after she saw me at Playmakers she realized I was too little to be any kind of stranger danger. Happy Befriendiversary!!! LOL!
   
   
   I love, love, love, how they go all out for the sale!
   
   
2. Harry Potter Nerd... Spike is, not me, but I support his nerdery so guess who'll be waiting in another line later today to be one of the first people to see the final installment of the Harry Potter movies? That's right us.
   
   Any other HP nerds out there? Are you heading to the midnight show tonight?
   
   
   Spike loves HP so much I took him there when we went to Florida last year!
   
   
3. Runnerd On Wheels Continues... Last weekend I shot for 20 miles on Leela but ran out of trail so this weekend I'm taking to the open road for 20 with a friend, of whom something tells me I'll somehow end up with more miles if I know who I'm dealing with. ;) Leela, my diaper shorts, and I are uber excited to log some serious miles... and this time I'll remember sunscreen.
   
   What's the furthest you've ever rode (ridden?) your bike?
   

The PT Extravaganza Continues...

Now that I know I have company in the dumb butt club, here's what happened when I next visited PT:

First up was some “soft tissue massage” that was done with a butter knife looking device (otherwise known as the Graston Technique) that I’m convinced is a torture device in third world countries. This is done to break up the scar tissue that has formed around my fracture site and it’s nauseating. He scrapes it up and down my shin and I cringe just thinking about it! Eek!

Then he started stretching and bending me in ways that I’m quite certain are illegal in some states. One in particular involved him strapping himself to my thigh with what looked like an over-sized seat belt. (Based on her song, S & M, I think Rihanna might like this one.) When he was done manipulating me like I was Gumby he lead me into the workout room where I learned a new set of targeted workouts to strengthen my lower legs, specifically my long neglected calves, without putting significant stress on the fracture site:

First up, partial squats with a theraball behind my back. The key is to making sure that when you're in squat that your legs are at a perfect 90* angle.

(Initial Workout: 15 x2)

Next we have heel raises that go straight into a calf stretch.

(Initial Workout: 20 Lifts / 25 sec stretch x2)

Then, toe raises against the wall.

(Initial Workout: 15 x 2, hold each for 5 seconds)

Moving on to toe presses, much like a leg press only you use the tips of your toes.

(Initial Workout: 20 x 2)

Followed with side to side, wide step squats with resistance bands.

(Initial Workout: 2 lengths of the room and back)

Then we have bridges with theraball and also with only one leg. He also added in another bridge where you pull the ball towards your butt and push back out last night.

(Initial Workout: 10 for 10 seconds x 2)

Last but not least, the adductor/abductor machine. At PT they have the standing one but he said the sitting one is just as effective.

(Initial Workout: 15 x 2)

Once I've gotten through all of these they have me ice for 10 - 15 minutes and send me on my way. Once upon a time I could have easily done all these things and then some, not to mention at least three reps of each because I have this thing about doing reps in three's (can we say OCD much?), but not using my lower legs in four months has definitely taken the wind out of my sails. Now I just try to make it through these without spouting obsentities.

PT, or as my Fatha called it Physical Torture, is definitely hard work but I can honestly say I already feel stronger. I do these workouts along with those from yesterday every single day, with three of those days being done at therapy under their direction with variations of their choice. In two weeks, if all goes well I will graduate to polymetrics and get to add impact into the mix which means... that I'm that much closer to running again! T-minus 23 days til my next doctor appointment!

Do you have a dumb butt?

“Has anyone ever told you that you have a dumb butt?”

“No but I’m pretty sure I've been called a dumb@ss before!”

That’s the first conversation I ever had with my sports doc the night I hit up the Playmakers Injury Clinic about my soon to be discovered, stress fracture. Many moons have passed since then but last week when we dsicussed PT I reminded him of it and he made a note on my script. See I have what is known as “dumb butt syndrome” simply put, my upper legs are slackers. When I’m running rather than using the power combo of my glutes/quads/hammies to do all the work, they let my lower legs do all the work. Although we already know I had a recipe for disaster brewing which caused (and subsequently delayed the recovery) of my stress fracture, this lack of muscle power from my upper legs put significant stress on my lower legs and directly affected the location of said stress fracture. It also explains why, for all the running and xtraining I do, I never got that tight, firm butt I always coveted.

Foiled by my own dumb @ss!

Day 1 of PT consisted of being put through a series of resistance and flexibility tests that left me shaking like a leaf, red faced, and frustrated. I run marathons for crying out loud, why can’t I do this stuff?!?!? Like I said, it was definitely a slice of humble pie. He also pointed out that I am completely out of alignment due to the combo of my scoliosis and extended time in the boot hobbling around like Quasimodo. He showed me how to do a self alignment and I now have to do this twice a day so my right leg isn’t shorter than my left side. Have I mentioned lately that I’m a freak of nature?

He then set me up with a few targeted exercises that would focus on strengthening my dumb butt until he could work me up a targeted plan based on my assessment results. I thought I’d share the wealth as we could all use a tight firm booty that actually improves our running right?

This was the only exercise I was any good at since I've been doing bridges a lot at the advice of my friend who is an occupational therapist. Doing them on one leg makes it significantly more challenging than the classic version (which I also have to continue to do but while squeezing a child's kick ball between my knees) but highly effective in building up strength.

There's a trick to this one, in the pic it shows him flat on his side but you really need to be rolled forward just off your hip so your knee is pointing towards the ground but not actually on the ground. The lifted leg should be pulled just slightly back to create a concave between your hip/butt. Hurts so good.

I hate this one. It looks so simple and yet, for me, it's SOOO hard.

Tomorrow I'll share how Day 2 of PT went and all the fun torture they added to my regime. Let's just say I felt like Gumby by the time I left...

Foto Friday

While killing time on my new favorite website Pinterest recently, I found this "30 Day Photography Challenge" and decided to take it on. Beginning this week and every Friday for the rest of this month I will be posting a "Foto Friday" with a roundup of the week's pictures taken.

Here's this week's batch and then some...

I heart Instagram for stylizing!

I hobbled, boot and all, into the cornfield for the "something green" shot

One of these days Spike will leave me for the mess I make when I eat popcorn...

I love a photo-booth at a wedding!
Also can I be vain for a minute?
You see those guns in the bottom left?!?!
That's what not being able to run gets you!!!

Spotted alongside the road in Northern Michigan while en route to Alpena.
You know I love me a Flamingo.

People up north love a lumber jack.

Have you taken any random/awesome pics lately? Do share!!!

If you saw this prematurely post (that's what he said!) in your reader yesterday, my apologies. Apparently I was too quick on the enter key while setting it up. Whoops! Stay tuned for next week's batch and have a fantabulous weekend!!!

3 Things Thursday

1. Baby Ella... Tuesday my Beaker Luv celebrated Baby RJ's 2nd birthday by welcoming his new baby sister into the world! Me thinks this is an early warning that Miss Ella will not be living in her big brother's shadow but rather stealing the spotlight for herself! It is absolutely killing me not being there like I was when she had RJ but thankfully I will get to see them both very soon as we have a trip planned for the end of the month.
   
   What do you think the odds are of two siblings being born on the same day? (Besides twins of course)
   
   
   So precious!
   
   
   
2. Runnerd on Wheels... After learning that I would not be cleared for running for quite some time, yet again, I decided the best way to get my mind off the disappointing news was to finally get a legit road bike. I've been searching for a few weeks now and with B.o.B's help I scored this mint condition Schwinn Sprint:
   
   
   Introducing Leela
   
   
   I've already gotten her fitted (big shout out to Two Wheel Tango in A2) and given some advice regarding holding off on clips til the stress fracture was healed, how to get the front wheel on and off, etc... This morning I took her for a spin and it was actually the first time I have ever even rode (ridden?) a road bike! I was a bit wobbly but thankfully no spills right out the gate and I'm loving how light and fast she is. I'm def looking forward to bonding with Leela over the next few weeks but don't call me a cyclist just yet!
   
   EDIT: It has been brought to my attention that the kickstand makes my road bike less legit... to which I say, that is why I'm not a cyclist, because I had no clue it wasn't supposed to be on there! LOL!
   
   
3. A slice of humble pie... That's what PT (Physical Therapy) was last night! Holy weak muscles Batman! I spent most of the assessment in amazement at how my meager resistance barely registered as he tested my different muscle groups. I have a LOT of work ahead of me but the good news is he said he'll have me running better than I ever have before AND he is a trained gait specialist so I will finally get my gait madness straightened out! I'm really excited about this PT business and coming back stronger than ever! Oh and did I mention it's been a glorious boot-free 48 hours? All hail the left shoe!
   
   Have you ever been to PT? What did you think of it and more importantly, how long did you keep up the exercises they gave you?
   

Third Times a Charm!

This morning I headed to the doc for my third follow-up appointment for the ol' stress fracture...

So nervous!!!

And after what has felt like FOREVER (17 weeks since injury or 106 days since my last run, not that I've been counting or anything...) being “Crutchers, Boot-a-licious, Gimpy, Draggers, Hobbleton, Hobbles, etc”...

March

April

May

June

July

Because nothing is classier at a wedding than a boot right?

I am finally DONE with crutches, boots, and feeling like an invalid. NO MORE DAS BOOT!!!

Because I have been out of the game far longer than expected I was not however, cleared for running quite yet. I begin PT tomorrow and will hit that up 2-3 times a week for the rest of the month. I was also given clearance for all forms of xtraining, including going for walks. I return for one last follow up appointment on August 4th and then we talk running, training, and getting me back on track. It wasn't quite the news I was hoping for but I'll take it. One more month, I can do this. Spring marathon here I come!!!