Running....

Creative blog title...! Well, Tuesday's run didn't exactly go as I had planned. I was so excited to try out my knee...and it just didn't work properly for me. We had our two mile pace test - we use this pace to determine our pace for our other runs. It took me 25:33 to run 2 miles. My knee started hurting at the end of mile 1....and I walked the entire second mile. I was very disappointed....how can I run 26.2 if I can't get past 1!!

Wednesday, I took the day off....no spinning, no running...nothing but stretching.

Yesterday, I went to my physical therapist and told him about the pain. He did an ultrasound and a friction massage on me. Then he showed me some new exercises ...and gave me the iontophoresis patch again. I told him that we had a track workout set for the evening and he suggested that I go and see how I felt. It's a crushed gravel track and we were set to do 200 meter repeats + recovery. I did the first three sets very slowly...but my knee was fine. The second two I did barefooted (per J's suggestion) and I felt great...I was even able to sprint. After those five I decided to stop - I was really feeling good about my knee, but I didn't want to push it. I got home from the workout and iced my knee and stretched some more.

I'm really hoping that I will be able to run past two miles this weekend, as I am supposed to run 6. My physical therapist has me coming in next week for another ultrasound and friction massage to try to speed up recovery. I can't even explain the sadness I felt on Tuesday...it would be one thing if I had an injury that I could see...but my knee looks fine on the outside, feels fine when I walk and do other activities...and then all of a sudden it just hits a wall and doesn't work properly. Very frustrating!! I'm hopeful that this weekend will be a different story...and I will be able to take it very slowly and run the entire lsd run without pain!!!!

I'm going to live forever, I'm going to learn how to fly

My first ballet class was last night - and although I would like to tell you it was a scene right out of the show Fame with me running across the room and flying into the air....I would be lying. Picture 15 random women from age 22 - 50 standing around in Lycra pants and various t-shirts and tank tops...trying to learn how to plié . If this breaks it down for you further....I felt like a star pupil...and my skills in ballet are lacking. There were some women who had been in the class for about 20 weeks and then others, much like myself, that had just joined. My favorite person in the class was this women who appeared to be in her late 40's. She had on pale ballet pink from head-to-toe. She had her hair in a bun with a white headband. She was sporting a pink sports bra, pink tights and a matching pink leotard over top. Over all of this pinkness she had a pink wrap ballet skirt around her waist. My favorite feature of her outfit was her pink leg warmers...which were scrunched down. I thought the leg warmers were the most daring piece of her ensemble because outside it was 87 degrees! Oh, I almost forgot she also had on the most important ballet accessory of all....her pink ballet slippers. This women's outfit screamed a combination of....high skill level/I teach a 5-6 year old ballet class down the hall. To my shock - she was just a regular student (not even of the gifted and talented ballet level)...who was not afraid to dress for the occasion.

I don't mean to make fun of her....to be honest - I think I have leg warmer jealousy....(I guess I just wish I could pull that look off and bring out my rainbow brite legwarmers for ballet class!)

she made my class very enjoyable...I actually can't wait to see what she wears next week. The class was very fun....I really worked my calves and feet. I think its going to be a really beneficial addition to my training. My instructor is awesome....Can't wait for next Monday!!

Tonight is my first running group session!! I haven't been to a run with this group in a while since my injury...and everyone is starting at the same mileage level so I'm looking forward to it.

Training begins....

Today is the first day of my training. I have ballet tonight at 7!! Then tomorrow the running group starts! I'm looking forward to a (hopefully) injury free (knock on wood) training.

This weekend was relaxing....didn't do too much. I went and saw SATC on Friday night. Loved it! I thought a couple parts were a little slow, but overall I really loved it. Just reminded me of how much I appreciate my own friends and I don't know what I would do without them! On Saturday - after very little sleep - I went with AF again to the Silver Comet trail. We road 12.4 miles....limited time. I felt very slow, and sluggish the first couple miles - I guess lack of sleep will do that...it was also super hot out. I had to keep questioning how I am going to run in this heat this summer...and how I ran in that type of heat last summer. I still feel like the slowest biker on the planet. I got passed by almost everyone...except an old woman and a guy with his child. I think I'm going to get a little sign to put on the back of my bike that says some variation of "Cyclist in Training" or "Student Biker"...just until I feel a little more secure.

Back from Baltimore...

I felt like I had a whirlwind trip with tons of activities....and I'm completely exhausted! I flew out on Saturday am and got picked up by the ex (I broke up with my boyfriend of 8.5 years in Jan)....we drove to his cousin's graduation party which was very fun! Later that night, I went to B's house and we drove to a bachelorette party...which was VERY interesting (sorry I have no pictures). Sunday am, I woke up and went to Cunningham Falls with AH...we hiked up the falls which wasn't that much of a hike...but the falls were beautiful. Check out the pics...



After the falls - where I learned an important lesson about my new trail running shoes...they dry quickly (I fell in a creek that was high enough to get them wet) - we headed to Frederick to get something to eat and walk around. I lived in Maryland for 20 some years and have never been to Frederick...very cute town, nice shops...I had no idea!

On Monday - I woke up early and went to Centennial Park with my parents. My mom walked one of her dogs (my parents have THREE Scotties) around the lake while my dad attempted to fish. His line got really tangled so he never caught anything...I almost caught a fish that was the size of a crayon!! Regardless of the lack of catch - it was still fun.


After the fishing fun - we went to the Orioles vs Yankees game!! I had such a blast at the game...we beat the Yankees 6-1...we actually almost shut them out, but they got one run in at the top of the 9th inning. It was such a fun game...even being surrounded by Yankees fans! Although - I'm not a Yankees fan AT ALL...I have to say...they are very loyal people! It was fun to beat such loyal people!! I managed only to eat one $5 hot dog at the game, I held myself back - - ...ballpark food always tastes so good!


Now I have to recover from all that running around!! Next week starts my training for the Chicago Marathon!! I am looking forward to that...and resting up this week! Oh and before I forget...this is random - my parents want a wii. I really thought they were joking at first....but apparently it's the rage around the 65 year old crowd! If I can find one...one of my lucky parents may get one for an upcoming birthday!

Off to Baltimore.....

I am off to a fun filled weekend in "the city that reads" (sadly the slogan - I'm sure in other cities people read, Baltimore just likes to advertise it). I have lots of things planned: attending a graduation party, fishing a little with my dad, hiking with a friend, and going to the O's vs. Yankees game on Monday!! Should be fun!!

Oh, before I forget I have a new training plan for June/July:

Monday - Ballet (I signed up for a ballet class for the stretching aspect, and its a great excuse to wear my ballet shoes again!)
Tues - tempo run with the running group
Weds- spin class
Thurs- intervals with the running group
Friday - drink and rest
Saturday - long run with the running group
Sunday - ride my bike

I really hope to keep to this schedule..I think it will really help me with my running and recovery!

Side note:

Happy Birthday to MH!! You don't look a day over 16!!

(this picture was taken last night at her birthday celebration and tiara passing extravaganza!!)

Spinning, McDonalds and Physical Therapy- One of these things does not go with the others..

I went to spin class again last night. I love it! It's such a fun time and as long as I don't change the resistance in the way my instructor would like me to - my knee loves it also!! I'm just having one problem with the spin class - it's making me eat McDonald's afterwards. I have found that there's a direct correlation between spinning and the McDonald's dollar menu! Who would have thought? Granted I have only been to spinning two times - but each time I am pulled by some gravitational force to the McDonald's drive thru window. Weird. I then order a double cheeseburger and small fries (who can beat $2.16). It's not that I live so far away from the gym that I need something for the ride home (I actually live a 1/2 mile away)...it's just that for some reason spinning=mcd's for me. Going forward, I may at least make steps to cut the double cheeseburger ordering out and switch to a cheeseburger (440 calories vs. 300), but I will not give up my small fry! It is about the only time I venture to the golden arches...so it might not be that bad for now!

I went to Physical Therapy at 7am this morning. My therapist had me do a lot of squats with bands, planks, activities with the ball, and some weird airplane exercises where I pretend that I'm an airplane on one foot. Oddly, being an airplane was extremely hard. Since my IT issues started my balance is really off in my right leg. I will have to keep practicing that one! He gave me another ion patch at the end and sent me on my way. I have to do these new exercises for another week and 1/2. Also, he said that I can start running, albeit very short distances. I might wait a few days to try that out!! I was just excited to know that the PT is actually working! He also said to continue with the spinning and cycling (spinning is really great for my pt)....and the mcd's.(he didn't actually say that part - but I can pretend).

Bye Bye #8....

I had such a fun time, on Saturday, riding my bike on the Silver Comet with AF. I was a little uneasy for the first couple of miles due to the amount of people walking their dogs, running, and biking. Good news though - I didn't hit a sole!! There was this one close call with a squirrel who jumped in front of me - but no casualties.

I do need to work on my balance...I can't take my hands off the handlebars just yet. I also have to figure out the gear thing....I played around with that - and I feel like I'm getting better.

I also learned three other important lessons: I need to put sunscreen on and I need to wear sunglasses and put my eye drops in (yes even with a nervousness of eyes - I have to suck it up and put drops in). My eyes are very "wind-sensitive" and I was tearing quite a bit during the ride.

So we ended up riding 20.4 miles....not bad for my 6th or 7th time on a bike. Besides the sunburn that I now have on my shoulder blades I wasn't really sore.

AF was awesome and very encouraging.....and now I am really excited to go riding again!

Oh - and oddly for some reason....I actually matched (gloves, shirt)....which I guess is very important if you have no idea what you are doing!!

Things that make me nervous.....

1. Clowns
(can't even post a picture...too scary!)

2. Disney Characters (mainly the scary ones)


3. People dressed up in costume standing outside gas stations, fast food restaurants, accounting firms during tax season.


4. watching scary movies alone

5. bees (I'm allergic)


6. eyes

7. my feet being touched

8. riding a bike


***not in any particular nervous order!!

This is just an abridged version of things that make me nervous. You are probably thinking that I'm a big wimp - but notice that things like - giving blood, skiing, sailing, driving a car, eating fast food (I'm having problems thinking of better examples) are missing from my little list. The reason I am showing you (as embarrassing as this is) my little list is because you should note item #8....riding a bike!

As my earlier posts have stated - I just bought a bike. I have always wanted to ride a bike (I'm just terrified of falling off of it). As a child - I did ride a bike...I have pictures to prove it, but it was a very small snoopy blue bike...and I didn't ride it that frequently. Oh, and there was that one time at summer camp...but that's about it in my bike riding resume.

This all has led me to today - a 31 year old who now owns a bike she is afraid to ride! Yes, that's me! BAS (who has now fled the country, probably due to my amazing cycling skills) gave me a few lessons. These lessons consisted of him holding the back of the bike and me riding around his neighborhood. I eventually was able to ride without him holding on - but I have only ridden around his hood a couple times. So guess what I'm going to do on Saturday AM?!?!?!?! Go riding!

Scary, scary, scary! I'm going out with my friend AF...who swears that she will be slow (right!). We are headed out to the SC Trail....hopefully in a section that doesn't have too many runners (I'm even more nervous that I will hit someone - my cycling skill set being super low). So wish me luck.....and pray that I stay on the bike the whole time!! Maybe if this works out #8 can be taken off my list!!

and the world spins madly on....

Last night - I participated in my very first spin class!! It was hard, sweaty, and fun all rolled into one. Following DW's advice - - I found a nice bike in the far back left side as to not be in the direct sight line of the instructor. Following all the other advice I was given - - I did not change the resistance too often (thus avoiding IT Band re-injury). I really liked the class - never knew I could sweat that much without knowing it. Although the class was called Spin Funk - there wasn't that much Funk in the class last night - the normal instructor was absent. I look forward to going when he's back. I think I'm going to try to take a spin class once a week until I start running again.

As for the PT - I am diligently doing my exercises. I honestly think it's helping but I wont really know until I get the green light to run again...and the green light better correspond to the first day of my running group which would be June 3rd...then I will have four and 1/2 months until Chicago. I don't think my little heart can take getting injured and not being able to run my first marathon again....so I will still try to go to PT, at least for June.

On other news - I went to see Jon Stewart with DW on Saturday....so funny!! It was really good to be laughing so hard!!

Physical Therapy Session #1

So I went to my first physical therapy appointment yesterday!! I now know that the road to recovery has many different colored bands, lots of ice massages, ion pain patches, loads of stretching, and strengthening my quads. I have various exercises to do with varies colored bands that will isolate certain muscle groups. Apparently - there may be some bio mechanical issues with my knee other than overuse, and lack of stretching. My knee turns in a little...and there were other things the guy said that I can't remember.. The pain ion patch thing was pretty neat...he charged it with a fun gadget for 3 minutes and then I wore it home for 2 hours. I just have to do my exercises every day and my stretches...and visit him in a week and 1/2 - - and I should be able to start running in June!! I hope!!