Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Lazy Phyllis is Lazy

Last night I slept for 2 hours longer than usual. I woke up and was actually surprised by the time. Obviously it was much needed after my workout and PT appointment yesterday.

So, updates:

I officially have my MCM 2012 race entry!!! Woooo!!

This year, I am running a marathon.
Very scary to say.

I received my golden ticket after the Irish Sprint 10k where I averaged 10 min/miles with walking spells, achy knees and a bum ankle.  The course was much much harder than the BF or I had anticipated. He had a very rough time. I personally loved the course but wish I hadn't been injured. It was pretty evenly split trail and road. It was also evenly split uphill vs. flat/downhill so it was not easy on the glutes. Interestingly enough, since the BF and I used to run trails every weekend it wasn't difficult for me. I could tell there were a lot of people there that had never run trails before and were struggling. The only sad part was that I couldn't look up and enjoy the park we were in at 8AM, I had to stare at the ground to make sure I didn't roll my ankle again!

Here is a small photo of BF and I pre-race.

PS he was freezing, totally under dressed for how cold pre-start was. That's what he gets for making me get everywhere so friggin early.

And then our prize for finishing:
GOLDEN TICKET!!!!

So excited. I'd show you the post-race picture of BF and I with our tickets but we both look so awful it's just not necessary to make you all suffer.

PT started yesterday with my Laura, the best physical therapist I've ever met. She did a full hip-down inspection of me last Friday which was kind of fun. She said my hips are weak and my IT bands are too tight as well as my VMO muscles being weak. My bum ankle is actually strong, muscle wise, but loose tendon wise. Creepily looser than my right ankle. She also measured my legs to make sure they weren't different lengths.
This made me giggle.

Basically three times a week she'll be fine-tuning my body up so that when I start marathon training I'm set. She's very supportive of my running and I couldn't ask for a better situation.

Mommy P came and got me from PT with my super puppy!
 She has become very glued to me now that I'm at home again. When my sister moves to Pittsburgh formally soon it's going to get even worse. The dogs have been very fun lately because of the weather! They frolic often and tear their toys apart. Finding a toy to stand up to this lug of a dog (85lbs) and my mastiff (160lbs) is very difficult. They're a handful but oh so cute.

I have a lot of cute dog photos from the Pet-Expo I went to with my family this past weekend that I need to edit and show everyone. They have every breed there imaginable, I loved it.

Anyway, basically I'll be back on the running/training horse soon. I'll probably go out today for a run because it's just so darn beautiful and I don't have any pain or swelling in the ankle. I'm already excited to find another race with the BF. I forgot how much fun racing is. It really is the best environment and you meet the nicest people.

I hope everyone has an amazing first official day of spring. Get outside and have fun!

Here is a parting photo of my weirdo.

Playing makes me sleepy.




Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Obsessive women

Hey there everyone! I hope your week is going well. I'm sitting with my ankle propped and icing while I write this mini-rant that's been brewing in my head for a while.

I have some pretty strong beliefs, but I don't actually enjoy getting up on a soap box unless I feel its necessary. I don't talk about politics except to family and the BF, I don't like crazy activists and I don't like getting into other people's business. Today's rant however is not necessary based on situation but on my ever growing annoyance that has grown since my involvement in Pintrest.

I think maybe we should all talk about this.

Who loves this new "fit is the new skinny" movement? I do! I really do, I'm not about to knock on the attempts of everyone, including me, trying to raise awareness on living healthy. I will however tell you what I do not love.

Remember when skinny was awesome? Every celebrity, model and rich person was rail thin. And if they were not in that category they were criticized on the cover of some trashy magazine.  Media has since then pushed the view that it's extremely unhealthy to strive to be as skinny as models and that it is ridiculous for them to be role models for kids. I completely agree.  So now, instead of skinny, it is fit.  What a buzzword: "fit". It's all over the Internet.

Let's look at some pictures off of the "fitness" section of Pintrest. 




I would consider myself "fit". I eat above-the-average-healthy-lifestyle for a 23 year old. I run (maybe not this week but you know what I mean), I lift weights, I do ab exercises etc. I can honestly say that if I am to have a regular job where I work 8-5 and keep the rest of my life sane, as well as have a social life I am happy with, I could probably never look at this. I am around 5' 9" and I weigh 136lbs. I don't have anything close to a 6 pack. I'm lanky and lean and am on the low end of the BMI scale for healthy but seriously, I will never, ever look like that.


Does anyone else agree?
Look at that first picture. Perfect abs, perfect (fake) tan, along with her perfect hair and makeup to take this picture with. Also, as someone who has size C, used to be D, boobs I can tell you to have that low of a body fat percentage to see abs like that there is a slim-to-none chance you have epic boobs.

What is wrong with women? Why is it that we cannot strive for anything but an extreme?

I was a chubby kid growing up. I think my jeans peaked size 14 in middle or high school. When I got to college I drank a lot and was still chubby (not like that, maybe a size 10). I then moved in with 2 people who were battling anorexia. Talk about a mind-mess-up. My relationship with food had never been sound before that but after it was absolute crap. I obsessed over food and what I was eating. Who doesn't want to be skinny?

I never got as bad as it could have been. I grew up in a house that ingrained "food is fuel" into my life. I knew there was a threshold of OCD eating that I just would never break for fear of my body crumbling under me.  It took a while for me to get my relationship with food back. I still struggle with it. I would never say I had or have an eating disorder. I would say I had bouts of "disordered eating" which I read an article about in Runner's World. I was just very strict. It took me getting into running and figuring out the weight my body felt the most comfortable at to STOP counting what I ate every day. Even now I'll catch myself doing it.

I saw media and social pressure mess my view on food up, so yes I am happy that fit and fun is the new push. I love the boot camps, the zumba classes, the crossfit women who are so motivational, BUT is anyone else worried that it's just going to end up as another obsessive media and social desire?

I worry about women sometimes. Pinning up these pictures as "motivation" or as "bikini season bodies" that they want. Now I just see girls in the gym for hours, probably hoping that one day they'll walk out looking like one of these women. Oh and don't forget the other side of girls who don't spend hours but wish they had the "push" to do so. It's ok! I wouldn't want to spend 2 hours in the gym every day either. That's completely normal.

There doesn't seem to be middle ground. People talk about being confident and happy with the body you were given, but I feel like so few women actually understand that. I can happily say I'm just about there. I may have a bum ankle, but I can do other things. Any day where I can be outside, or up moving around whether it be for cleaning or running errands is a day well spent. It doesn't have to be a 15 mile run or a 2 hour workout in the gym every other day.

Here's my favorite scene from Eat Pray Love which popped in my head while writing this. She's so much more eloquent than me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZY86k2NjTY

I hope that all women can learn to live their life the way they want, love the body they have and not continually strive for this perfect body or that perfect body. Forget skinny or fit. How about just 'you'. Let it be and above all be happy!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Update

This morning was just so much fun.
Well, as fun as a doctors appointment ever is.

I was at Georgetown by 7:30AM and I had too little coffee in my system to be happy about it.
My ankle was X-rayed and the nurse practitioner came in to discuss all my issues. I saw myself that I have no fractures (YAY!) and she said that as sprains go I took good care of it and that it wasn't a bad sprain but that I'd need the doctor to look at it.
Funny thing, she was a runner! She was very excited when I told her I was determined to run the MCM this year. She'd run it a few times and said it was one of the best marathons you could ever run.

We were enjoying ourselves and then I had to talk to the doctor. Ick.
Sometimes I hate doctors.
He immediately came in, took my ankle in one hand and my foot in the other and pushed them opposite directions. Clearly, that's going to hurt, so I yelped.
"yeah there's no way you're going to be running a 10k this weekend"
Ok, fine, I get that. I told him I had to walk it though.
He sighed, as if already exhausted from life as a doctor by 8:30am on a Monday, and said he didn't like it but that I "could".
As if he had a choice in this. I have to finish that 10k to get into the MCM.
He then referred to all runners as crazy to me and the nurse practitioner, gave me a script for PT and left the room.

Real awesome. Right?
Looks like I'll be back in PT for another 6 weeks, probably 3 times a week if I can schedule it.
I'm going to keep on icing and elevating as well as IB profin, and I WILL finish that 10k somehow. I will make it a hobble/walk/run.

For now I think I'm going to get back to my mystery thriller novels outside. And maybe planning out a yoga schedule this week since I can't run. I leave with a parting photo of me and my dog, who wouldn't pose for a picture she would only attempt to lick my face/ear.  It's beautiful outside, everyone get out there!
Jersey Kiss!

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Trouble: in Photo form

I was trying to not post this but I really do need to come to terms with everything.

I have somehow manage to re-injure my ankle.
Ok not "somehow". I was wearing heels and there was uneven cobblestone. Pretty simple.
I actually fell to the ground in an attempt to not hurt my ankle. Thinking if I just let my body fall and didn't try to catch it I would be ok.

I got home and iced it immediately and just assumed it wasn't that bad because it was late and I was tired and clearly it just couldn't be that bad, I had walked on it the rest of the evening right?

Well I was wrong. I woke up Friday morning with a large knot in my stomach with the feeling of dread that can only mean PT and no running. I knew it was worse when I saw the swelling.  Friday I literally did not leave a bed with my ankle elevated unless it was absolutely necessary. I started a strict icing regimen and when I wasn't icing I had a compression sleeve on it. All while elevated.
Yay I hope everyone just saw RICE in that paragraph. I had my trusty nurse with me the whole time.

She's so attentive.
Anyway, the BF was helpful and we slept on top of the covers with separate blankets this weekend just so I could sleep with my foot elevated on a few pillows. We also stayed in most of the weekend with me on the couch. I really have been trying to be extra careful. Last time this happened I ignored it for a month before going to the doctors. That was clearly not a good idea. Friday night I got pouty and the BF bought me something to cope with.
IB profin additive
Don't worry, it took all weekend with help from the BF to finish it.

If bruised ankles creep you out, ignore these photos (also yes I know I have a strange pinkie, yes it's always red):

Saturday morning, not bad but swollen

Saturday evening lost of bruising
Sunday (currently)

 So far the bruising, minus the bottom part, has turned yellow-ish which is good. I can put full weight on it, even stand on it alone. I can do little circles with my foot and bend my foot in towards me and out as well as side to side. I have a doctor appointment tomorrow morning at 8:15 (I should go to bed soon) and we will go from there. I will still be doing the 10k on St Patricks day because even though this is a setback I WILL be running the Marine Corps Marathon.

Just not in heels obviously.

I made it to my initial goal of 23 days of a #runstreak in honor of my 23rd birthday however, it has come to an end. Very abruptly none the less.  I've gone back and forth from being very mad at myself to being very bitter...but it was just an accident. There is no blame to lay, it is just what happened. I spent most of Friday sulking which also included a lot of crying but I am going to be ok. I am smarter than I was last time and this is not the end of the world, or my running career.

Woooosahhhhh.

After I finish the 10k this weekend, slowly but I will finish, I think I will be getting one of THESE. (Just noticed that's a 2011 shirt but obviously a 2012 when they come out)

I will keep my eye on my October 26.2 prize.

Wish me luck tomorrow at the doctor!

Monday, March 5, 2012

ByeBye 11's

Good afternoon everyone!

This morning I woke up feeling nice and rested and with enough time to get in a cup of coffee and some peanut butter toast + banana before Jerry and I went on our run. We ran 4 nice and easy miles, much needed for me, and caught up on each others lives. I really do enjoy running with someone, and Jerry is an amazing running buddy. I think we hit some of the most random subjects obscurely connect, and all while getting our runs on.

Post run was coffee and pastries as well as Jerry getting me hooked up with some NEW SHOES!
I am finally replacing my Adrenaline GTS 11s. I am the current owner of a new pair of Adrenaline GTS 12's in Violet. As well as some superfeet to help my collapsing arches/weak VMO muscles.
Blue = 11s, Pink = 12s



It is out with the 11's and in with the 12's. I'm sad actually. Jerry offered to take my 11's away to make sure I didn't run in them. I'm just so attached to them...
I'll just hide them in the new box like I always do.

Went to the gym afterwords for a session on the bike and some lifting. For some reason I was feeling a heavy session today so I upped all my free weights and lowered my reps.


GETTIN SWOLL!

I swear I'm not trying to get buff. Just don't want to wither away into nothing running so much. Knees are really rough today for some reason so I've been icing etc. Hopefully it was just after the speedy speedy two miles last night in some not-so-happy-not-so-supportive shoes. Anyone else have this kind of knee pain/this much when bumping up mileage? I know I've been doing more than normal but 2 miles a day on asphalt covered trails and treadmills shouldn't be tearing me up so badly. I'll blame the shoes.

I've been really missing Atlanta lately and I cannot wait to go back at the end of this month. I'm going to help out with ECC's this year!! I'm going to have to pack a lot of running clothes...and who knows, maybe I'll get in the pool and swim a bit.

I'm off to figure out dinner and the rest of my evening.
I hope everyone is running happy lately!


Sunday, March 4, 2012

Running for beer.

This past Thursday was Road Runner Sports first adventure run at the Falls Church store. Now, I am known to be very outgoing in a group but send me into a random group of people alone and I lose my nerve pretty fast. I was nervous the entire day. I didn't have anyone to run with! What if I couldn't make a friend? What if I got lost? What if no one liked me?

What if I got pushed off the monkey bars?
Yes, I know, that is how silly I sounded.

Anyway I got there, slightly under dressed for the cold wind, and perused around trying to find another lone runner. Road Runner had Asics there who allowed everyone to try on shoes, or wear them if they wanted. They also had Zensah (I think?) compression sleeves to try on/wear while running. Oh, and beer. Sierra Nevada to be precise.

So the way the run went was that at 6:30 they showed everyone a map of the area with checkpoints. At each checkpoint they handed out raffle tickets, double if you had the adventure run shirt, which went towards winning prizes. You could go to as many as you wanted but you HAD to be back by 7:30 or your tickets didn't count.  I found a nice older woman who was alone as well and we decided to try and hit all of them.

Woof. Not the best idea I've ever had. We missed 4 I think (of 12), but we ran 5.2 miles. Considering we had to stop and find our way using my phone and do pushups or jumping jacks for tickets I think we did a great job. I did roll my ankle (the bad one, of course) in the last .1 mile trying to rush back, but it seems to be alright. After the run we got a free beer, then went over to a tavern for drink specials and food.

To say I had a blast would be an understatement. I cannot wait for the next one. The Road Runner workers were so much fun, the after party was a blast. The run itself was amazing since we were running between different points. Not gonna lie either, the woman I ran with kicked my butt! We were "haulin' the mail" as the BF says.

Here's a cute/ridiculous picture of me pre run.
I think I was dancing. They had a DJ too, so yes I was probably dancing.

In other news the BF and I ran together downtown (Baltimore) through the Inner Harbor. We stared at pretty Harbor homes we will never afford and discussed the rest of our weekend, which involved some heavy beer-consuming. We only did 3.5, but it was a really fun, short run. I've grown to really enjoy running with someone. Which is why I'm so excited I get to run with my friend Jerry again tomorrow morning! And then FOOD. The best part of running is the eating right?

Speaking of eating. I did want to share this amazing picture with you guys. For brunch today I made the BF and I stuffed french toast. It has chocolate almond spread in it.

Yes, it was as good as it sounds.

After the lazy day of eating/napping/being hungover BF and I made our way down to Arlington for Sunday dinner. Of course I had to get my run in to continue my Runstreak into day 19. I stepped outside into the wind and went "OK time to get going so that I can get back and not have to be in this wind". My runstreak rule is simple, 2 miles is my minimum. Today I got in 2 miles.

IN 15:56!
Holy hell it was ridiculous. I was booking it. I was flying. I was free! I had the wind in my face!
Literally it was all in my face, it was awful.

So thus today completes my Runstreak day 19. My total so far is 63.15 miles. After a whole 60+ miles I'm amazed how much my body can change in such a short amount of time. I have the simple aches and pains. Some runners knee pangs or my ankle will act up. Nothing that ice, STEM and bio-freeze can't help me with. I'm very excited to *hopefully* PR my next 10k on St. Patty's day. The BF is gonna push me!

Alright, sorry for the rambling but I'm just so darn happy about my running lately!
I hope everyone else had an amazing weekend. I'm going to go watch Matilda and find a late night snack. I'm starving for some reason.
#runnerproblems