Chapter 2 page 580 - TTT

First, welcome to anyone from Spring into Training who is stopping by for the first time.  Hope you enjoy what you read and come back often.

Three Things Thursday:

1.  BOO to being injured - but I constantly remember it could be SO.MUCH.WORSE!  I have been banned from any form of fitness walking or running (or jogging or shuffling or you pick the word - they were very clear to be inclusive SIGH) for at least 2 more weeks.  BOO BOO!

2.  I have spent the last several weeks watching a family of Robins tending to a nest and now the baby birds are out of their shells and with my  "b' nocs" I can see the little fluffy birds in the nest with their mouths open - pretty cute (and I hate birds . . .lil' side note for you to "get to know Wells L a little better".

3.  I saw Men In Black 3 over the holiday weekend - it's good.  I'm glad that I saw it!  I recommend it.  That said, there are 2 name brand "fancy" movie theaters in the Big City.  It's been maybe 2-3 years (or 4-5 who can keep track) since I've been to one of them.  Holy ticket prices batman - a 12:50 movie cost $7.00 and oh no that wasn't the 3D version or the Imax one - that was the plain ol' regular movie.  $7.00!!!!  Weren't those mid-afternoon ticket prices like $4-5 not so long ago.  YES I know - tight wad BUT I recently read an online article about 20 things that kids born today won't be familiar with . . . .yes, movie theater was one of them.  At the time I read that I thought it was absurd, but after a $7.00 ticket in an uncomfortable seat there might be something to it.

How much are movie ticket prices where you live?  What's your movie viewing preference (@ home with Netflix, redbox, dvd, online, cable or @ theaters)?

Chapter 2 page 579 - Such an Honor

Earlier in the month, I was contacted by the 3 Rivers Running Company (the awesome running specialty store in NE IN).  They said that "C" and I had been nominated as the April & May runners' of the month.  WHAT?  Us?  No Way!!!!  Really?  How crazy!  What a HUGE honor!!!!!  Seriously HUGE!!!  Thanks 3 Rivers Running Company!!!

You can check it out HERE.  And for your entertainment . . .some of my favorite pre/post race photos of "C" and I.  There are hundreds of other photos I could have slected

Run 4 Riley 2011

Nutri Run 5 Miler 2012

OMG HOT!!!!  Full Moon 5K 2011

F4F Half expo 2010 - my first half!

5Kilt 2012

Girls' Night Out (Kokomo) 2010

Runners On Parade 2011

Runners on Parade 2010

Women's Half in St. Pete 2010

Chapter 2 page 578 - New 2 You Cross Training Challenge - May edition

As you probably already know, I'm kind of out-of-the-game at the moment thanks to the klutziest of all klutzy falls a week and a half ago.  Seriously, who falls off a perfectly new sidewalk and rolls their ankle while supermanning and ending up spraining their right ankle, left wrist, and boogering up their left knee and both palms . . .why that would be me, thank you . . . just try and do it yourself, or definitely don't!  I have amazing news though, I'm making significant improvements everyday.  I'm still not sure when I'll get to run again or how long it will be before it doesn't hurt, but I do know that I'm progressing and that feels awesome to me!!!!

With the end of May approaching I had some anxiety about what I could do for my New 2 You Cross Training Challenge. 

I had SEVERAL ideas but most of them used either my left wrist or right ankle - boo!   Thanks to Kimberly at Just Trying is For Little Girls for having this challenge, otherwise, I would definitely be sitting around feeling sorry for myself. 

This month's New 2UCT challenge involved this piece of equipment . . .

source

It's an Airdyne bike.  This is how the Schwinn website describes the bike:

The Airdyne® Exercise Bike is simply smart. Wind resistance is exponential, so the harder you pedal, the higher the resistance becomes. This naturally provides the right workout for both a novice exerciser and an elite athlete. The Airdyne® flywheel provides smooth resistance while cooling you during the workout. The Airdyne® Exercise Bike is ideal for both fitness and rehabilitative use.

Because of my ankle, I put my feet on the foot rest and just used the arm part of the bike - it wasn't overly exciting (like all the cool gym equipment or a new group fitness class), but it was a chance to do some safe exercise while rehabbing.  Well, it's not pretty but . . . mission accomplished for May!

Chapter 2 page 577 - Tag, I'm it!

Thank you all for your awesomely supportive comments.  Each day I notice some progress which is super exciting.  My physical therapist says I've made "good" progress (personally, I think I've made amazingly significant progress - boo to her less than raving summation of my progress).  I'm a LONG way from being able to run around the block let alone run a half marathon.  Reluctantly, I'm beginning to accept more of the original prognosis of 3-4 months before running (huge SIGH) - though if I can get out there safely any sooner I certainly will be elated to do so!!!!!  For now, here's my life . . . ice, ibuprofen, elevation, pt exercises, repeat, and repeat again!  I still wear a super sexy air cast but have been able to ditch the wrist splint (woo hoo)

In the meantime, I've been tagged and am eager to have something positive to blog about.  Thanks Jenna Renee from The Almost Attorney for choosing me.  I'm happy to answer your questions.  Here's the rules:

Each per­son must post 11 things about them­selves on their blog. Answer the ques­tions the tag­ger set for you in their post and cre­ate 11 new ques­tions for the peo­ple you tag to answer. You have to choose 11 peo­ple to tag and link them on the post. Go to their page and tell them you have linked him or her. No tag backs and you legit­i­mately have to tag 11 people.
11 Random things about me:
1.  I have blue eyes.
2.  I had Lasik eye surgery in 1999.
3.  I used to live within 5 miles of several beaches and only visited them like 5 times in 7 years (usually only when my family or friends came to visit).
4.  I used to date a stand up comedian.
5.  I did internet dating and went all over God's green earth, but eventually met my husband who worked upstairs from me.
6.  I tried out for the high school tennis team when I was a junior and was told I was "too old" - wow at 17 I was "too old" - hmph, rude!
7.  I taught middle school sex education for 7 years.
8.  I got my M.Ed when I was 25
9.  I went to Basic Combat Training when I was 25.
10.  I am passionate about teaching health/wellness!
11.  I crossed over the OH/IN state line in 2004 on my move back to IN just as Jim Neighbors was signing "Back Home Again in Indiana" for the Indy 500 . . . perfect timing if you ask me. 

Here are the questions to be answered:
1. What is/was your favorite subject to study?  health/wellness

2. What is your favorite season of the year and why? Tie between Spring and Fall - nice temps, crisp skies, beautiful colors from flowers (spring) and leaves (fall).

3. Do you watch reality tv? If so, which shows? I sometimes watch Hoarders.  I don't watch much reality tv. 

4. If you could have ANY career in the world, what would it be? Is that different than your actual career?  Hmm, great question.  I felt at the time when I was teaching MS sex ed that I had the best job on earth. Now in my current job I have the best job on earth.  I think any job teaching people about health and wellness is a perfect job.  Maybe teaching future teachers how to teach health would be amazing. . . like as a college prof or something (hmmmmmm).

5. Is it better to have a few close friends or lots of "friends"? Why?  Good question - I like lots of friends, but I also like to have a core group that I know without a doubt I can go to.  I'm a social person so for me, it's all about "my peepes".

6. What is your favorite song?  Shocker, I'm not a fan of music.  I do listen to it sometimes while running.  I like the message of "Who Says" by Salina Gomez.  I like to sing along to "Solo" (no idea who it is by).  I find that "Party Anthem" (no idea who it's by) gets me moving.  My favorite get my butt in a better mood song is "I gotta Feeling" (Black Eyed Peas)

7. What/who is your favorite band/singer?  LMFAO is on my ipod more than any others, but Black Eyed Peas are a close 2nd.  I'm not much a music person so I don't so much care about any of them.

8. What is your favorite sport to play? To watch?  HUGE NFL fan!!!!  Go Colts, Go Ravens, Go Skins!  My favorite sport to play hmmm well, I don't play a lot of sports.  I really loved my Badminton class in college.  I was a swimmer for a big part of my life (though you don't "play" swimming).  I run (well, not right at this minute, but I run and that's kind of cool).  I think my favorite activity to "play" is group fitness classes. 

9. Who is your favorite designer?  No idea - couldn't name any. 

10. What TV show would you want to be on and why?  I would like to be on one of those HGTV shows where they make over your house into something absolutely beautiful and fabulous - yes please!

11. When is your birthday?April

Now to tag 11 people, well, I don't really know 11 people who weren't already tagged so here are 3 of my friends in real life:
1.  Another Day in the Life of April
2.  Running 4 My Life
3.  Healthy Strides

And the questions for you ladies:
1.  What time of the day are you at your best (morning, afternoon, evening, night)?
2.  What time of the day do you prefer to run?
3.  What is your favorite distance to run? to race?
4.   What is your favorite big box store to shop at (Meijer, Wal Mart, Target, other)?
5.   What is one physical activity you wish you could try?
6.  What is the one place you want to visit?
7.  Describe your ideal place?
8.  What is something you are most proud of?
9.  What is your favorite meal?
10.  What is your favorite meal preparation technique (take out, grilling, slow cooker, oven, nuke it, other)?
11.  What question would you ask if you tagged others with this? (clever, I know).

Chapter 2 page 576 - In a blink of an eye

 WARNING:  2 GRAPHIC PHOTOS BELOW

On Wednesday night I was having a wonderful training session with my Spring Into Training group.  It was easily one of the BEST training sessions of my life.  I was LOVING every aspect of it - and then in the blink of an eye while running pretty fast . . . .I rolled my ankle off of the sidewalk and I.WAS.DOWN!

D.O.W.N.!

As I sprained my right ankle by rolling it off of a 5" drop, I supermanned (yes, I'm making that a verb) and got road rash on my hands and shin.  My left hand must have landed first as I sprained my wrist and it bruised almost immediately.  My left knee must have hit right after that as I got a lovely abrasion. 

Outside of right ankle about the size of a softball - taken an hour after injury while in ER - nice, huh!

Taken about 14 hours later

And just like that - the ER doctor said I wouldn't be running for 3-4 months.  Thankfully the occ health NP and my PT friends are more optimistic, but still think it will be at least a month before I can walk (not run) a 5K.

Problem?  Just 2 weeks ago I signed up for 4 half marathons this summer/fall . . . working on plan B for the 7/22 race and still holding out hope of being able to do the others (9/1, 9/29, and 10/22).  So much for that carefully crafted training plan that took hours to create . . . in a blink of an eye it can all be undone!

So . . . I'm doing a little better each day.  I skipped my 10K today (first DNS/DNF race) and will be taking it easy all weekend!

I want to give a quick shout out to all the Spring Into Training participants who quickly came to my rescue.  They were all incredible and generous with their resources - thanks ladies!!!!  Probably would still be out there on the sidewalk had it not been for all of you!!!!  ((HUGS))

Ever had a severe ankle sprain - how was your return to running afterward?  

Chapter 2 page 575 - Saturday Happenings

First:
I started off with a "5 miler" for my first "long" run of this new training cycle.  I put the "5 miler" in quotes because my phone's gps said I ran 6.12 miles (woo), but mapmyrun.com says I ran 5.7 miles (less impressive, but still fine).  I'm  more inclined to believe mapmyrun so . . . 5.7 as my first "long" (only at the beginning of a training cycle does a 5 miler feel long) run.  DONE!

Pre-run Sass!

Here's a quickie recap:

Good:

-beautiful day
-new jamz on my ipod thanks to a birthday present from my husband
-new shoes . . . first run (ohh the anticipation)

-I was able to do 180 strides per minute for the first half using a 1:1 interval
-Ran a song/walked a song during the second half

Bad:

-it got hot (77*) and so did my water (like drinking pee by the end . . . nice, right?)
-new shoes weren't as awesome as I had hoped
-my hip which began hurting 2 weeks ago at the Wallaby Waddle began hurting at mile 4 (BOO!)
-I did 180 strides per minute for the first half using 1:1 interval (what was I thinking adding in the speed work for the long run . . . such an overestimation of my abilities - BOO!)
-my hands and fingers and ankles swelled WAY up (not uncommon, but not usually this severe)

 Ugly:

-I'm a social runner and this was solo . . . what am I going to do when the runs get longer
-I was up kind of late last night so I was already tired
-Didn't eat breakfast before heading out - had 3 tropical punch bloks
-Ate way too much last night while hanging out with friends = tummy troubles

It was a sweatfest!  Post race photo

Next:
I got all fancy and headed to a neighboring city to attend a super special event. 

Quite the radical change from the post-run photo a mere 45 minutes later!

"C's" oldest daughter got married.  The Marine traditional wedding was absolutely fantastic!  The bride and groom are the CUTEST couple on earth! I wish them a lifetime of happiness!!!  Congratulations!

Obviously not taken yesterday at the wedding, but aren't they cute!

Finally:
I mowed the grass, started a camp fire, grilled a burger, watched Netflix on the ipad (discovered an English tv drama Doc Martin), and chilled with my pup!

 Such a perfect day - what did you do this weekend?

Chapter 2 page 574– Multi-tasking 3.1 miler TR 183

What an amazing weather day we had today – STUNNING!  Picture perfect:

69*  +  10 mph breeze  + partly cloudy with awesome blue skies =

AWESOME RUNNING WEATHER!

I had a new running partner today, JE – s0000 much fun!  We laughed and talked and ran and walked and stretched and caught up.  I had a GREAT time!!!!!  JE’s training for her first 10K and I couldn’t be prouder of her!  She’s inspiring and amazing and such a strong woman!  I know she’ll CRUSH her September 10K.  It was an absolute pleasure training with her today (even if I was the back up plan because her normal training partner bailed . . . . boo SD  boo SD – see my finger wagging).

GREAT RUN and more importantly, I can cross of that first run of this new training plan (feels good to have one done .  . . oh sooo many more to go!).

Remember training for your 10K?  What are your most memorable moments?

Chapter 2 page 573–YIKES!

As I announced on Thursday, I’ve jumped into the deep end of the pool by registering for 4 half marathons between July and October.  Tonight . . . I created the training plan to help me get there (check it out HERE).

New training plans have always been exciting and like a breath of fresh air . . .this one, though, is causing anxiety and panic.  It might have to do with I’ve been running 0-9 miles/week and starting Monday I’m heading straight into 13 miles and up from there. 

I think I can!  I think I can!  I think I can!  I think I can!  I think I can!

Here’s hoping that you’ll stay on board with your support for the next 25 weeks!  We can do this together, right?!?!

What are you training for?

Chapter 2 page 572–Good Luck “C”

“C” is joining 35,000 other runners for the Indy Mini tomorrow – good luck girl.  Kick some Indy Booty and have a great time. 

“L” and I are wishing you a GREAT race!!!!!!

Good luck to everyone racing this weekend!!!!!!

Chapter 2 page 571–Oh heck why not!

First – THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORTIVE COMMENTS IN MY LAST FEW POSTS – YOU ALL ROCK!!!

Second –I did it!  I took the plunge!  I’m scheduling myself for a brain scan, but in the mean time, I’m committed (and I blame ALL of you – SMILE) to 4 half marathons . . . how does that even happen?  EEK!

 

Guess this will leave me with A LOT to blog about this summer/fall – fun!

Anyone doing any of these?  Bloggy meet up?

Chapter 2 page 570–catch up post

Howdy -

1.  Sorry it’s been awhile since I posted – combo of not doing anything worthy of talking about and my evenings being jammed packed.

2.  I had a birthday on Monday – it was one of the best birthday’s I have had in a LONG time.  I have INCREDIBLE co-workers and friends and most of all, my husband is amazing!!!  I can’t thank everyone enough for celebrating with me. 

3.  I have only 2 days left to register for the Fort 4 Fitness race in September at the discounted price.  Problem?  I’m unable to decide between the half or 10K.  Probably will just go with the 10K in keeping with my 2012 goals. 

4.  I lost 3 followers  

5.  I vow to return to doing things that are worthy of blogging about and will post more frequently.  Until then Happy Hump Day!

Chapter 2 page 569– Wallaby Waddle 10K Race Recap (TR182)

On Sunday afternoon, I participated in a 10K fundraiser for a group of high school kids who are going to Australia this summer to play in a basketball tournament – Sammy, I thought of you the WHOLE TIME!!!!

Spoiler alert – you’ll want to read to the end . . . very exciting news!

I worked up an outfit for the race featuring a neon green shirt, purple compression sleeves, and an aqua bondi band that said “Find your happy pace.”  It was barely 50* and 15 mph winds so I opted to through on an aqua Adidas jacket for prerace – shed it right before the start.

So what’s a girl to do with such a colorful attire palate?  Braid her hair and paint her nails – do you like my “I’m being arrested pose” – only way to capture all of the colorful magic.

I was a bit apprehensive going into this race a I have (sigh) not run in a month (where does the time go?), but on my way to the race I looked up my 10K PR time (1:22.05) and began to entertain the idea that I might be able to beat that (delusional?  probably). 

I met up with my peeps (“L” and her friend “D” who walked the 5K race, Kimberly from Healthy Strides who accompanied her friend “H” while she ran her very first 5K – ahh, don’t you remember your first race like it was yesterday? – and then my mom came to show support). 

The race started pretty uneventfully –

I started off with a 3:1 (run/walk) interval for the first 2 miles, then 2:1 for the next mile then 1:1 for the rest of the race.  The trade off (in my head) was that if I was going to do 1:1 then my 1 minute of running would have to be using a 180 strides/min cadence which is something I enjoy, but was only able to maintain for 1 minute.  My first 4 mile splits were exactly 12:30 and finished 4 miles in 50:05 (that’s WAY faster than my normal 4 mile time). 

The last 2 miles were hard – in the wind and without either crowd support nor other participants (I was in last place, until mile 4 when I passed the lady in front of me).  It was one of my biggest regrets in all of my running – I passed her without so much as acknowledging her.  I just couldn’t!  I couldn’t expend any more energy to breathe or look over across the street at her.  I just went on and passed her (I really really feel badly for this – it’s definitely NOT my nature – I’m usually very social – there just wasn’t a drop of anything extra in the tank). 

At mile 5.25 or so, she came up behind me and said that she was grateful for keeping her in the race and having me to motivate her (hope it’s not one of those, “I can certainly beat that fat girl up there!” kinda things).  She stayed with me the remainder of the race.  We talked (mostly I gasped for air but it was very nice to have her right there).  Her name was Kelly (she’s in the orange in the photos below) and is a professor at a small university in Northern Indiana.  She is in training for the Geist Half which “C” and I ran last year.  We talked a little about that and she really became my motivation to push it.

At about mile 5.75 “L” and “D” came out of no where and cheered us on. – so.truly.helpful!!!!  Unbelievably right on cue-  I was tired and really wanted to quit, but there they were, and there was my new friend Kelly.  Angels!

I pushed to the end thanks to Kelly and finished in 1:19.05 – a new 10K PR by exactly 3 minutes!!!!!!  Woot Woot!  Maybe dreams do come true!

The post race fare was nice – especially given it was the smallest race I’ve ever participated in and it was a fundraiser.  There were 3 flavors of Australian Style Wallaby Organic Yogurt (Vanilla bean, banana vanilla, and blueberry – I opted for the BB), bananas, and cold bottled water (always sooo appreciated when the water is chilled).  They even had one of the basketball players wearing clothing from Australia (Sammy – is it true?)

I’m sure this was a one-time race, but I would LOVE to do it again – scenic course, NICE participants, and super well organized (including 4 water stations and there were several dozen motivational sayings written in sidewalk chalk along the first mile – really a sweet touch).  Kudos guys for an excellent race!  Oh and the 10K bike marshal was my half mary class teacher who just ran at Boston, Eric.  He gave me a high 5 to help celebrate my new PR!  AWESOME day!

Chapter 2 page 568–Super Saturday

First, holy cow – it’s been a week since I posted . . . WHERE did the time go???????  My goodness!!!  I’m sorry – Did you know May is just around the corner?  Anyone else think that time is FLYING?!?!

Second, I had one of the most spectacular Saturday’s ever.  I also want to apologize because at each moment today I said, “We should get our picture taken”, but alas, there are only photos of us at Body Pump.

My day started off with a return to Body Pump.  It’s been nearly a month since I was last there – sigh.  It was beyond AWESOME to get back to it (though, my quads and buns may not be quite as happy – tomorrow is going to suck!).  here are some quick shots – mostly just screwing around between tracks  (shocker!). 

These are my FAV pictures – the bottom left is my hardcore Bestie Bloggy Friend, Kimbelry knocking out military style push ups – look at those shoulder muscles and biceps!  The bottom right photo was taken upside down while Kimberly was doing a side plank – I didn’t rotate it because it just cracks me up!

Bottom left photo is me after doing nearly ALL of those pesky lunges (MAN I HATE LUNGES).  Bottom right is Kimberly next to our teacher, Corey. 

That concludes the photo portion of this post – I’m so sorry because the rest of the day was super fun!  I met up with my mom and we spent the whole day in the Big City just doing fun stuff. 

We went to an little shop that sells Balsamics and Olive Oils.  There are dozens and dozens and dozens of kinds and you can sample them all.  WOW – how much fun and how delicious!  Some of my FAVS were:  Butter Olive Oil, Garlic Olive Oil, Blood Orange Olive Oil, Red Apple Balsamic, Cinnamon Pear Balsamic, Dark Chocolate Balsamic, Vanilla Balsamic, and Maple Balsamic.  Incredible.  I promise to go back so that I can get photos to show you.  Have you ever heard of such a place?  It was awesome. 

We went to Culvers for lunch.  Is there a Culvers where you live?  There are several within an hour’s drive, but I' hadn’t been to one.  I enjoyed a Walleye sandwich – YUM!

We went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond (twice, actually – forgot the 20% off coupon the first time). 

We went to Williams Sonoma.  Usually it’s a wonderful place, but there was a guy doing a cooking demonstration and burned onions – it really made for a foul smell . . . which remained on our clothes and in our hair.

We went to Sam’s Club – now that’s always a good time.  We like to buy things and split them (really, who needs 24 gigantic oranges . . . 12 is plenty).  We shared spinach, strawberries, oranges, and clorox wipes on this trip.

We went to the mall so I could return a defective bed quilt and pick up a necklace I ordered a few weeks ago.

We went to Party City – do you have one of those near you?  Holy cow, I can so totally make upcoming races A LOT OF FUN with stuff from that store!!!!!

That’s about it – but it sure was a lot of fun!!!!  Now I’m resting up for a 10K tomorrow . . . if we’re being honest, I haven’t run a single step in a month (since my last race, the Nutrti-Run).  Eek – I’m sure this will be just the push in the right direction, though, to get back into it more faithfully.  Did I mention the month has FLOWN by?????

How was your Saturday?