Ain't that the truth. I have to begin by saying that I feel better than I did yesterday. I'm not sure if it's from the anti-inflammatory, the chiropractor, or both. He's convinced it's NOT sciatica. Well, what is it then? Like most chiro's, he thinks it's poor posture. I'm sure that has something to do with it but then what explains the herniated disc in my lower back and it pushing down on the sciatic nerve? Hmm. Anyway, the adjustment felt good - I cracked a lot. He advised me to do plie squats while standing on my toes, until I felt my legs shake, then stand up and repeat a few times. I'm used to this from a few different work outs I've done so I did that last night as well as wrapped my sore area with Saran and an Ace bandage to keep it warm and the blood flowing. That makes sense but I know ice also helps with inflammation. Just confusing!
If it's not raining, I'm going to take a short walk during my lunch. There's a nice path behind my office. Then, he wants to see me again tonight for another adjustment and probably again Thursday or Friday. He says I should be able to run the half by Sunday. I'm not getting my hopes up, but we will see.
On another note - I've been eating a lot of carbs the last few days. I know the more bread or pasta I eat, the more I crave them and the more hungry I am. Last night I had a slice of pizza (first time in a WHILE) and zucchini sticks. This morning I had half of a muffin and I brought leftover ravioli for lunch! Oof. It was in the fridge and I'd rather save $7 than buying lunch. Tonight we'll have steak with a veggie and salad.
I signed up for hot yoga on Groupon - 10 classes for $29! You can't really beat that. I think I'll start next week.
Have a good Tuesday!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday, Monday
I was *this close* to staying in bed this morning, however I hate calling out sick and I'm still relatively new. I didn't sleep well at all - tossed & turned all night. I wonder if a more firm mattress will be better for my back. Currently my hips are killing me sitting down. I keep standing up to stretch.
Tonight I'm going to the chiropractor - first time ever. Not thrilled about someone touching me and cracking me but whatever. On that note, Saturday after I got a manicure, I went across the street to get a 30 minute massage. The lady told me to get undressed and I told her "No." I know it's not the same effect but I just wasn't comfortable and not in the best of moods. Plus it's not a fancy schmancy massage parlor. The closest real massage I've ever had was in Jamaica. On the beach. In my bathing suit. Farthest I think I'll go to nude - ha. Anyway, I can't say the massage helped because I'm still extremely sore.
Yesterday, Saro ran 10 miles in about 1 hour, 45 minutes which is AMAZING. I'm very happy for him! I think he will complete the half in about 2 & 1/4 hours. I walked 6 miles and was in pain on and off during it. At least if I don't do it, I'll know I had an influence on him and that he finished.
I know it's not the worst thing in the world to drop out of the half but if I still feel the same in 6 days, I'm going to have to. Unless the chiropractor somehow works wonders, I think I will be on the side line. I think the pain is getting worse and not better. Yesterday I figured, let me try to speed walk as fast as I can and as long as I can stay under 15 min/mi, I'm good. Let me tell you, that's not easy. It's borderline jogging. You have to walk REALLY fast and remind yourself to stay at that pace. I think jogging is actually easier! My body just can't take the impact right now. I started around 14:30 and ended at 15:30 min/mi.
On a better note, I'm excited I won Kate's book giveaway! I hope you have a good Monday and week ahead :)
Tonight I'm going to the chiropractor - first time ever. Not thrilled about someone touching me and cracking me but whatever. On that note, Saturday after I got a manicure, I went across the street to get a 30 minute massage. The lady told me to get undressed and I told her "No." I know it's not the same effect but I just wasn't comfortable and not in the best of moods. Plus it's not a fancy schmancy massage parlor. The closest real massage I've ever had was in Jamaica. On the beach. In my bathing suit. Farthest I think I'll go to nude - ha. Anyway, I can't say the massage helped because I'm still extremely sore.
Yesterday, Saro ran 10 miles in about 1 hour, 45 minutes which is AMAZING. I'm very happy for him! I think he will complete the half in about 2 & 1/4 hours. I walked 6 miles and was in pain on and off during it. At least if I don't do it, I'll know I had an influence on him and that he finished.
I know it's not the worst thing in the world to drop out of the half but if I still feel the same in 6 days, I'm going to have to. Unless the chiropractor somehow works wonders, I think I will be on the side line. I think the pain is getting worse and not better. Yesterday I figured, let me try to speed walk as fast as I can and as long as I can stay under 15 min/mi, I'm good. Let me tell you, that's not easy. It's borderline jogging. You have to walk REALLY fast and remind yourself to stay at that pace. I think jogging is actually easier! My body just can't take the impact right now. I started around 14:30 and ended at 15:30 min/mi.
On a better note, I'm excited I won Kate's book giveaway! I hope you have a good Monday and week ahead :)
Friday, April 26, 2013
Bad News Friday
I left the orthpedic in tears last night. Not just or 2 - borderline ugly crying. In front of the doctor and nurse, I held it back but he could tell I was upset. I knew a while back that as I was increasing mileage, my body wasn't likin' it. However, I chose to ignore it and keep going. I mean, training for a half marathon shouldn't be easy and you should be hurting SOMEWHAT, right?! I've been taking vitamins, NSAIDS, glucosamine, icing, etc.
Saro also said that I should consider "retiring" from long distance running after the half we are about to run. Retiring from running after only 1 year of it and I'm not even 30! Mind you, he's my #1 fan and I dragged him into this with me. He hates running. I'm not sure if now he still hates it - I doubt it. He's lost 30 lbs in a year from running and eating better. So last night I told him to keep going if he wants to. I'd want him to and I'd be there to cheer him on. Luckily, he hasn't had any major pains during this training.
The diagnosis - sciatica caused from lumbar radiculopathy and a degenerative disc in my lower back. In simple terms, the disc in my lower back is pushing down on my sciatic nerve and causing this horrible pain. He examined me and some moves hurt, while others didn't. I thought it was going to be tendinitis in my hip, but no. The pain starts in my lower back, goes to my left hip area, twists around through my hamstring and ends at the back of my knee. Just lovely.
I really liked the doctor. He took his time with me, asked me a lot of questions, am I wearing the right shoes, etc. and I asked him a bazillion questions too. He said a LOT of orthopedics are going to essentially say that running is not good. Walking at 4.2 MPH, biking and swimming are much better. He said what I knew in the back of my mind, but didn't want to say myself and was hoping he wouldn't say. "Some people are not built to run."
Anyway, he gave me a 6 day anti inflammatory so I'll try that and yes, I'm going to attempt the half marathon. I am not, however, running until then. Unless I feel 80% better on Monday or Tuesday, I'll do a few miles.
I've worked hard the last 14 months and even more so the last 11 weeks during this training. I'll try to run as much as I can and if I have to stop and walk, then so be it.
Thanks for reading and sorry for the Debbie Downer Friday post. I am very glad it's Friday and that I'm off tomorrow. I'll spend the weekend outside. It's supposed to be in the high 60s here in Jersey.
Saro also said that I should consider "retiring" from long distance running after the half we are about to run. Retiring from running after only 1 year of it and I'm not even 30! Mind you, he's my #1 fan and I dragged him into this with me. He hates running. I'm not sure if now he still hates it - I doubt it. He's lost 30 lbs in a year from running and eating better. So last night I told him to keep going if he wants to. I'd want him to and I'd be there to cheer him on. Luckily, he hasn't had any major pains during this training.
The diagnosis - sciatica caused from lumbar radiculopathy and a degenerative disc in my lower back. In simple terms, the disc in my lower back is pushing down on my sciatic nerve and causing this horrible pain. He examined me and some moves hurt, while others didn't. I thought it was going to be tendinitis in my hip, but no. The pain starts in my lower back, goes to my left hip area, twists around through my hamstring and ends at the back of my knee. Just lovely.
I really liked the doctor. He took his time with me, asked me a lot of questions, am I wearing the right shoes, etc. and I asked him a bazillion questions too. He said a LOT of orthopedics are going to essentially say that running is not good. Walking at 4.2 MPH, biking and swimming are much better. He said what I knew in the back of my mind, but didn't want to say myself and was hoping he wouldn't say. "Some people are not built to run."
Anyway, he gave me a 6 day anti inflammatory so I'll try that and yes, I'm going to attempt the half marathon. I am not, however, running until then. Unless I feel 80% better on Monday or Tuesday, I'll do a few miles.
I've worked hard the last 14 months and even more so the last 11 weeks during this training. I'll try to run as much as I can and if I have to stop and walk, then so be it.
Thanks for reading and sorry for the Debbie Downer Friday post. I am very glad it's Friday and that I'm off tomorrow. I'll spend the weekend outside. It's supposed to be in the high 60s here in Jersey.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Celebrate Your True Beauty Link Up!
Today I'm linking up with Erin at Homemade Happenings, Jodi at Love and Crayons and Alicia at Brew Mama. I've been reading Erin's blog for a while and am looking forward to reading Jodi and Alicia's now too :)
Ok, so here goes.
1.) My eyes. They're blue (thanks Dad!) and while I don't take compliments well, people always compliment how nice my eyes are. This reminds me that my teenage boyfriend used to call me dolphin and other sea related names because my eyes reminded him of the ocean - LOL!!
2.) My hands. Weird, I know. I used to not like them but now that I'm "older" I can appreciate that I have long, skinny fingers and nice nail beds.
3.) Now for inner beauty. Is it bad that I have to think about this for a minute? Ok, I love that I'm reliable. That includes little things like being on time to work, returning phone calls, being somewhere when I say I'll be there, or if it's 3am and a friend needs me. Although that hasn't happened in a while *ahem* late drunk nights. I think that's a good quality for anyone to have, but I'm glad I have it.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
They See Me Rollin'
Well, more money spent last night on a new pair of Brooks as well as a foam roller. I'm kind of freaking out because I'm still in significant pain after Sunday's run. I didn't run last night and still feel like I can't/shouldn't tonight. I try to avoid using the word "can't" when it comes to exercising, but I don't want to make it worse when the race is so close.
The foam roller will help open up my hips and let me tell you, that sh*t HURTS, but felt good afterwards.
The pain goes from my hip (as I take a step) and twists down to my inner thigh/knee. The doctor I'm going to tomorrow, I've never been to, so hopefully he can help. It's only 10 days away!!! I'm staying as positive as possible.
I'm glad I got the new shoes though...huge difference and maybe that will help with the hip issues. The "old" shoes aren't even that old (6 months) but apparently in the runner's world, that's ancient. So, they're retired and I can use them in the garden or something.
On another note, I'm glad to see that the weather here in Northern NJ will be nice, warm & sunny for at least the next week! I'm hoping to plant my front pots and do some other things in the yard. We are hoping to do a large vegetable garden this year so I'm excited for that as well as the local farmer's market opening in a few weeks - love that on Sundays!
Do you like yard work/gardening or find it to be more of a chore?
The foam roller will help open up my hips and let me tell you, that sh*t HURTS, but felt good afterwards.
The pain goes from my hip (as I take a step) and twists down to my inner thigh/knee. The doctor I'm going to tomorrow, I've never been to, so hopefully he can help. It's only 10 days away!!! I'm staying as positive as possible.
I'm glad I got the new shoes though...huge difference and maybe that will help with the hip issues. The "old" shoes aren't even that old (6 months) but apparently in the runner's world, that's ancient. So, they're retired and I can use them in the garden or something.
On another note, I'm glad to see that the weather here in Northern NJ will be nice, warm & sunny for at least the next week! I'm hoping to plant my front pots and do some other things in the yard. We are hoping to do a large vegetable garden this year so I'm excited for that as well as the local farmer's market opening in a few weeks - love that on Sundays!
Do you like yard work/gardening or find it to be more of a chore?
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
9 Miles, Hair Color & Nice Weather
It's still a little cooler than we'd like it to be, but it was overall a nice, sunny weekend. Murphy & I had a lot of fun in the yard on Sunday. He was running around in circles for hours. Needless to say, he was pooped by late afternoon.
My cousin does my hair, so I had an early appointment Saturday morning for a root touch up - goodbye grays! Yup, 29 and they're pretty noticeable. Good thing my hair is light though.
Saturday afternoon we went for 9 miles and here are the results:
Duration - 1:40:20
Pace - 11:08 min/mi
Distance: 9.00 miles (not even 1/10th more LOL)
I felt good throughout. I actually got a different water belt - the new one just has one 8oz bottle rather than two 16 oz. which was a little heavy and bulky. It was definitely nice to have water during that long run HOWEVER, I experienced lower back pain all Saturday night and in to Sunday. I feel okay today but not 100% and my hip is a little achy. I'm staying positive as I got to the dr. on Thursday. This week I will work on core.
I am happy with those results. If I stay around that time for the half, I should finish in 2 hours and 20 minutes, approximately. Who knows, the inspiration from other runners and the crowd might boost me up a bit!
Happy Tuesday & enjoy your week!
My cousin does my hair, so I had an early appointment Saturday morning for a root touch up - goodbye grays! Yup, 29 and they're pretty noticeable. Good thing my hair is light though.
Saturday afternoon we went for 9 miles and here are the results:
Duration - 1:40:20
Pace - 11:08 min/mi
Distance: 9.00 miles (not even 1/10th more LOL)
I felt good throughout. I actually got a different water belt - the new one just has one 8oz bottle rather than two 16 oz. which was a little heavy and bulky. It was definitely nice to have water during that long run HOWEVER, I experienced lower back pain all Saturday night and in to Sunday. I feel okay today but not 100% and my hip is a little achy. I'm staying positive as I got to the dr. on Thursday. This week I will work on core.
I am happy with those results. If I stay around that time for the half, I should finish in 2 hours and 20 minutes, approximately. Who knows, the inspiration from other runners and the crowd might boost me up a bit!
Happy Tuesday & enjoy your week!
Friday, April 19, 2013
New Blog Design!
Thanks to Hubby Jack! I picked out the color combo and he did the rest. What do you think?!
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