All Legs

Last night's workout was mainly legs and abs: elliptical (22 minutes), abs, abductor, adductor, quads, hamstrings, leg press, shoulders.  We were going to run (briefly) and swim, but we were both tired (we didn't get to the gym until 8:30), and Phill was having some asthma.  (I don't want to kill my boyfriend!)  I was considering running about 5 - 10 minutes, but I wasn't sure how my legs would hold up after all the leg work.  I'll run on Thursday. 

I am really enjoying the new gym.  I could probably spending 3 - 4 hours in there. We were in there for nearly 2 hours yesterday. 

My second day of Labor Organization and Political Action is tonight.  I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes.  I've left the reading until today (that's my mo).  So far, it's high level information about local government and local taxes.  Fun stuff. 

Nothing exciting to report today.  We may watch the 7th episode of True Detective.  

If you haven't started watching True Detective, I highly recommend you start.  It is a mini-series on HBO and it only has 8 episodes.

Quiet Time

St. Paddy's Day was celebrated by many yesterday.  Generally, St. Paddy's is celebrated by imbibing in all that it is green and/or Irish.  And, if it is not green or Irish, you just dye it green to make it a honorary Irish (or a honorary green?). 

I spent the majority of my evening yesterday alone, relaxing. 

I relaxed by dancing, completely uninhibited.  I can tell you, dancing without reservation is very hard for me to do.  Even alone, I find myself worried about judgement - and, sometimes, I judge myself.  I am pretty skilled (but very unpracticed) in ballet, but ballet never taught me how to relax, move my body all which way or feel completely free.  Last night, I did this.  Listening to the beats of the music and closing my eyes, I just let myself go.  I may have looked really sexy.  I may have looked really goofy and off beat.  Who knows?  No one.  And it felt great. 

I think I may have scared Dunsmuir by my random antics last night, but he also got into the music too.  As I was frolicking across my living room, he followed me.  He showed me a couple of binkys too, telling me he was happy and feeling playful too. 

In addition to my dancing, I cooked and did some additional exercises on my yoga mat (abs, planks, "silly" walks, stretching).  I kept it very light, as I wasn't sure how Sunday's workout would treatment on Tuesday. 

Today, I went to the MD to get a second opinion on my foot and ankle issues.  I loved the second opinion doctor.  He was friendly, approachable, he listened, considered me as an actual runner (which I believe is important), and he actually touched my foot. YAY!  Short story - I have a ligament that has been stretched and pulled too many times.  The damage from many sprained ankles caught up with me.  He provide me with an ankle brace, doing the work that my ligament should be doing for me.  He instructed me to wear it for the next 8 weeks or so, doing normal activities (including running) to see how it treats me.  If this works, then he will know I need surgery on the ligament and nothing else (for the most part) is wrong with me.  

This is a really, really long process.  But, I'm very happy to have some answers.  I'm going to start running, casually.  And, continue with my gym and pool workouts.  This will help me be as fit as I can be, going to into a surgery (if I need it).  

Busy Weekend

Well, the photo shoot was interesting and fun.  I was glad to see that the dress fit me pretty well and it was a perfect length.  I'm not sure I really contributed to the photos much.  I was in a lot of them, but my chubby cheeks weren't the most flattering at times.  No worries though - I know if I keep eating right, the weight will come off when I can start exercising more frequently. 

I had a great time watching Alycia (http://www.alyciacreative.com/) work and the two other models; overall, it was a good day.  It was also nice to be out of the house.  I'm just happy to get through it without freaking out too much.  My anxiety annoys me so much sometimes.

Going for a run is much less time consuming than going to the gym.  On Saturday, Phill and I went over the gym for about an hour and fifteen minutes.  Combine that with travel time, probably an hour and half/fourty-five.  With running, all one needs to do is lace up their shoes and head out the door - unless you want to or have time to hit the trails. I can't wait to be able to do that soon.  Usually, I've already scoped out a new neighborhood through my runs. I'm looking forward to being able to do this in the coming months. 

Saturday's work out was good - We did 35 minutes on the elliptical, abs, and weights (chest/upper back/deltoids).  

Sunday's work out was fun - we did 2 minutes walking on the treadmill, 5 minutes running (YAY!!), and then 2 minutes walking. (I am happy to report no foot pain during the run, after the run, and this morning.) Then, we headed to the elliptical for 17 minutes of cardio.  Then, abs and weights (lower back, chest, shoulders/upper back, biceps).  And, finally, we did about 16 minutes in the pool (4 laps freestyle kick with the kick board, 6 laps of freestyle, 2 laps using the kick board, and 2 laps of breast stroke).  The 2 laps of break stroke were pretty hard - my arms were really fatigued. Overall, the variety of this workout made the workout go by really quickly and it was a lot of fun.  

Another episode of True Detective down.  I am very much looking forward to the last two episodes.  I am very curious about how all this plays out. 

Tonight I will take a day off from the gym, but I will be stretching and doing some light exercise on the yoga mat.  

I'm currently reading A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (author of The Kite Runner).  I'm also reading Lolita, but I put that book on hold because it doesn't read as quickly as Hosseini's book.  I need to have better focus to read Nabokov's book.  I'll let you all know when I've (eventually) finished these books.  

A Photo Shoot?

Me?  In a photo shoot?  Yes.  

My friend is a Photographer and one of her steady models was unavailable this weekend.  So, I agreed to help her out.  

I have to be honest - I'm a bit nervous and a bit excited to help her.  I'm nervous because I get awkward the second I am surrounded in people I don't know or something I'm unfamiliar with doing.  I'll just do my best to be the friendly, happy Me that I am (usually this always works in my favor, lol).  I'm excited because the idea of getting dressed up to help a friend out sounds like a pretty fun idea.  Also, I really enjoy helping people. 

This will be a good exercise for me and I could probably use to hang out with other women, since I do so little of that (except for at work). 

All I need to do is come with my hair looking nice.  My hair is currently in a recovery phase, due to excessive dying. Luckily, I've been taking pretty good care of it lately so I'm hoping that with some good products and luck, I'll come there not looking like a mess.  I'd leave it to dry curly, but my curls are incredibly unpredictable. 

I'll see how it goes.  I'm sure I'll have some cute photos, if nothing else. 

:)  

Out of My Element

I registered for my Labor Studies course, Labor Organizing and Political Action. 

The lecturer seems very knowledge, though he talks quickly.  Because he talks quickly, I feel like some of the class may not understand what he is saying and why he is saying it.  I also found some (5 - 6 out of 12) of the Students have an answer to everything, without really considering what the lecturer was actually saying.

Also, many of the Students presented themselves as Shop Stewards or working within certain labor organizations. I got the feeling that many of my classmates are some-what "anti-management". I had a feeling the Student population would be aspiring Labor organizers, but I was hoping for a few HR folks in there too.  It appears I am the only HR person within the group. I look forward to watching my classmates, hearing what they have to say.  It will be me some insight. 

One of my classmates is also one my of running mates over at West Valley Joggers and Striders (WVJS). I guess he is taking the class because he is ex-Post Office? I know there is a union of the post office...but I was confused.  Anyways, perhaps he will let me know at the club work outs. 

There were a lot of talkers in my class.  

I am finding more and more "talkers" in classes I've taken lately; the classes I've taken at UCSC Extension included.  Talkers are those folks who find themselves commenting on anything and everything the teacher says, before even considering what the teacher is saying.  Generally a Talker inserts their irrelevant opinions, creating tangents - generally unproductive ones.  I get the feeling these people just want to be heard.  

Perhaps it is because I majored in a Science that I didn't have a lot of Talkers in my classes before?  I did take a lot of History while in college too, so I'm not so sure. Or is the field that I am currently in?  Perhaps it is the way the classroom environments are set up? 

Anyways, I think this class will be very interesting and I will definitely learn about Labor organization.  I will also learn about politics (mainly at the local level), which I have little knowledge or experience in (which felt apparent yesterday while in class). Anything I learn in this class will be valuable.

Going to dinner with my good friend, Danny, and his wife, Madelyn.  Looking forward to it. :) 

That's all I have to say today.  

Exhausted

I went to a Tool show last night.  It was a great show.  Music was great (drummer, especially..actually they were all really great). Lights and visual art were great.  It was the first rock/metal show I've attended where I've sat in the seats. Great idea.  As I gazed down on the stage, I saw a sea of people swaying back and forth; occasionally, the slow waves of people would vortex creating disarray.  Punches.  Pushing.  Probably a lot of yelling.  I was very glad not to be the recipient of a random elbow from someone taller than me in the crowd.  I was even more glad not to accidentally get wrapped up in the middle of a mosh pit. All this said, the moshing was surprisingly benign. Anyways, it was a great show - I'm really glad Phill got me a ticket to go. :)  He got me a gift too, which was awesome. :) 

By the end of this week, I am going to be wiped out. 

I'm taking a Labor Studies class at a local JC.  If I like it, I'll probably go get their certificate or associates degree.  I'm not really sure is someone with a Bachelor's can go get an associates, but I'll talk to a counselor when the time comes.  Perhaps taking this coursework is what I need to move my career forward.  Patience also helps, which I have - I'm just a bit tired of being stagnant. 

I probably won't have time to work out until Thursday or Friday.  So, my weekend plan is to make up for it by trying out the pool at the new gym and doing what I can with the limitations in my right foot.  

Sunday will hopefully be a day filled with sleep, relaxation and exercise. 

What a Weekend

Thank goodness for True Detective, Pizza, Ice Cream, Pride and Prejudiced, and Phill's talents of getting me out of terrible, emotional slumps.  And thank goodness for Phill's upcoming mid-terms, so I could take my mind off my hurt by helping him study (Good Luck, Love!). 

While my "slump" is related to my injury, it isn't at the same time.  I am not going to get into details on the internet.  But, I'd like to remind folks that it is very important to exercise empathy and to think before you speak.  Words sting.  Words can have a lasting impact on individuals and relationships.

I walked two and half miles on Saturday.  I didn't do any formal exercise yesterday, but I did get a swim cap for my hair.  The new gym I'm going to has a pool, but it very chlorinated.  

Not much of a post today.  I have to get back to thinking positively about Phill's mid-term (and get back to work). 

Only in My Dreams

Last night I dreamt (note: Blogger is advising me dreamt is not a word...) I was on a run.  My run became a race.  And then my run ended walking, on a beach with my Mom.  The whole time, I felt normal and calm - even if I was under duress physically, I still felt good doing it.

I miss running.  Only in my dreams do I get to escape my mundane life by going for a run. 

I'm still injured.  My stress fracture is healed, but I am still having trouble in other areas of my foot and ankle.  Luckily, my current MD is having me looked by his more experienced colleague.  I'm hoping this MD has some answers; or, at the very least, listens to me a little more and takes a bigger picture assessment of what is going on.  I am also being seen by my Chiropractor next week, so we will see how that appointment goes. 

On a more uplifting note, Phill and I are going to the gym at least twice a week to lift weights, do abs and do some elliptical/biking. I am able to walk for an hour without immediate pain, too.  I do notice some pain and stiffness in my foot and ankle, but it is not as bad as my stress fracture and it is manageable.  I haven't done weights or abs like this in years; perhaps all of this gym'ing may result in a stronger, balanced me.

I know I haven't been consistently posting on my Blog.  I just moved, so I've been busy.  In an effort to get back into the habit, I posted today.  I am very tired, so I feel this post is a bit lethargic too. 

Breakfast Burritos are a great start to Fridays

Goal 1 reached!  YAY for tiny, easily attainable goals!  

I did 30 minutes on the spin bike, 2x10 dips, 2x12 on the hamstring weight machine, 5 minutes of abs, 2x15 on this torso weight machine, 3x10 on the row machine, and some miscellaneous work using two 6lb weights. 

I like the spin bikes better than the stationary bikes.  They are less awkward, more free flowing, and I have more control over the resistance.  I am staying away from high resistance because of my foot, so I'm basically just moving my legs.  Right now, I am keeping the RPM between 85 - 95, so that I don't put too much pressure on my foot.  I also cycle with my boot on, so I have to be careful not to let my foot fly off the bike...taking me with it! CRASH! 

I woke up today with little soreness from yesterday's workout.  The dips may have made my arms the tincy-est bit of sore, but I like being a little sore.  It means I'm alive and I've done something for myself. 

I made sure to have a decent breakfast today because I'm swimming at the Community Center later.  I had a delicious, perfectly sized veggie breakfast burrito today.  The cook who made it for me must have known I didn't want a huge burrito this morning - I didn't even have to ask.  Or maybe the Cafe makes everything smaller after the Holidays?  Eh - either way, I'm glad for it. I also had a coffee and a yogurt. 

It's going to be a good day.  

Happy Friday! 

No Routine = Beer and Brownies and TV

Well, I have a confession to make.  I did not work out at home like I said I would yesterday.  Instead, I made dinner (veggie patti, mixed greens, whole grain bread; mix veggies) for Phill and I, and I had a Boddingtons. Phill went out with a friend later in the evening, so I sat down to watch TV.  I actually had intentions of trying to finish Kafka on the Shore, but instead I watched TV.  I do love my Law and Order SVU.  I also love sweets.  So, I ate the rest of the brownie I got over the weekend.  And...crap...I had a tiny bit of ice cream too. 

So, no routine means that I sit around and I eat too many sweets.  I need to get back to my routine, which means I need to set some goals: 

First goal: Workout after work today - preferably at the gym by my house and not downstairs from the office.  I can't do much down there right now.

Second, slightly large goal: Begin to work out at least every other day.

Good goals for now, since I'm not 100% sure when I'll be able to start running again.  

I'm going to the pool tomorrow - looking forward to it!  

The News Today

Before looking to start my work day, I read the news - CNN or NPR or LetsRun.com.  It really depends on where my interests and thoughts are during my morning drive in to work.  Anyways, this morning I had running on my mind so I went over to LetsRun to see if anything happened (overnight) with the running community.  Well, I found this entertaining post - good timing since I just spent my first day in the pool this week. 

http://phe800.blogspot.com/2014/01/swimming-tips-for-those-who-swim-like.html?m=1

Luckily, I don't think I swim like a house cat, but I must admit I was very apprehensive getting into that pool.  I hadn't officially swam since college (outside of floating), so probably sometime in 2005. So, I knew that swimming and aqua jogging in a pool would feel foreign and awkward. AND IT DID.  I'm glad that Phill came with me, as it was clearly awkward for the both of us! 

Today, I will workout after work.  It's not clear what I will end up doing.  Probably some Pilates or sit-ups/push-ups in my house.  I may go over to the pool again Thursday.  Then, to the gym with Phill on Friday.  My upper body is getting attention!  Once I start running again (and shed the pounds of chocolate laced fat off my belly (I HAVE a problem)), I may have some nice looking arms and abs (finally)!  

Perhaps this injury happened for a reason (outside the obvious, real reasons).  I'll have the full body of a runnner this time...not just my legs....

Enjoy the day! 

The Recovery Road

My last post was in 2008.  Since then, I maintained my running and worked up to consistently running 30 - 35 miles per week (some 40 - 45 miles thrown in there, until I realized I wasn't quite ready for that kind of mileage).  I even got brave enough to do some cross country and local races as tempo runs.  I was decided on running the 800/mile during 2013 - 2014 track seasons. Goals set, work outs steadily improving - I was excited and looking to surprise myself.  Then...in October 2013, I got injured (my foot) and decided (around November 1) to take some time off from running. 

I started receiving treatment from Dr. Ho at Elite Chiropractic, thinking this was all I needed and that I would be back to running - at the very latest - by December. But, after several excruciating (both monetarily and physically) sessions with Dr. Ho's office, the pain wasn't really going away and I decided to get a referral out see a Specialist.  My gut told me something else was going on.  Short Story: I have a stress fracture in my fourth metatarsal and I've been wearing a boot since mid- December. 

I am approaching 11 weeks of injury.  Hopefully I only have 2 - 3 more weeks of non-weight bearing activity, so I can at least start walking and strengthening my bones to prepare my body for running again. 

Being injured for this long is frustrating.  In fact, I know I've been a bit depressed.  I am driving myself nuts over it.  

Running is such a pure activity.  It allows me to work out a lot of my stress from my day.  I am "positive D" when I'm running.  Starting to run again (I used to run in middle school, high school and college) gave me my life back, as it re-established old friendships and enabled me to set goals for myself again. Not being able to run from injury has squashed my drive and cut me off from much of my social network (I love the old guys I run with!).  

Anyways, with all of this said - I can't wait to be back. 

For the last couple weeks, I've dabbled in the gym - doing some Pilates, weights, abs and used the row machine (which only rocks my foot back and forth and has very little weight bearing activity to it).  

Yesterday, I went over to the community center to use their pool during their open swim.  My time spent in the pool consisted of 4 laps of kick board (forward/freestyle kicking), 2 laps of breast stroke, 2 laps of breast stroke kicking, and 6 laps of running in the water (no weight bearing and no belt). Each lap for running in the water started at 4 feet (I'm 5 foot 2 inches, so it works) and then went to the deep end.  It took me 60 - 75 seconds each lap.  I took 30 - 45 seconds break (it was HARD!). I was in the pool, doing work for 30 minutes.  

I have to say, running in the water was difficult and reminded me how fit I was in college.  I don't remember it very being that hard. 

My goal for this blog is to consistently document my training, in my own words.  Some of you - if this blog is ever viewed by a pair of eyes - may get the pleasure of finding out that I am a goofball...but first, I need to start writing...and  then we will see.