From the DL to the Sidelines to the Geriatric Center

Sunday morning I got to live out my secret dream of being a cheerleader! Felicia and I woke up at the crack of down to cheer on Tauni and Julie in the America's Finest City Half Marathon. Tauni and Julie actually woke up way before dawn at 4:00 a.m. Word has it they tossed and turned all night, and that Tauni even had a sinus infection going into the race. Hard to believe though, since both of them KICKED BUTT! Seriously. They ran amazing times (Julie in 2:16 and Tauni in 2:49) in the oh-so-typical hot San Diego summer heat. Here we are at the end of the race, after the runners collected their medals:



(my sign is only funny if you visit www.icanhascheezburger.com)

Tuesday I went to my fourth physical therapy appointment. My therapist has begun using low frequency ultrasound waves to help reduce pain. The method, along with his mayofascial (I think that's what it's called, but I could be making that up) technique, is working wonders. The worst part about it is trying to make conversation with the ultrasound technician who has her hands way too close to my lady parts. Of course I would injure a body part that is prone to inducing awkward moments.

I essentially begged my therapist to clear me for walking, and I took advantage of that privilege tonight! I grabbed Robert's old iPod and went on a three mile walk around Tierrasanta while listening to Britney Spears, The Cranberries, the Batman Forever Sountrack and Dashboard Confessional. The kid had some interesting taste...

Other than that, I'm moving into my new apartment this weekend and hopefully wrapping up my personal statement for law school applications! As much as I love living [rent free] with my parents, there's a time in every young woman's life when she realizes the value of having complete and total privacy to walk around her home naked whenever she wants. I can't wait!

Training related!

Forgot to share this yesterday.

I went to 24-hour Balboa to get in a pool workout. While warming up on the arm bike (omg torture kill me now), I noticed a woman jogging barefoot on the treadmill. Yes, I said barefoot on a treadmill that dozens of dirty shoes run on every single day.

In the middle of my pool run, I saw a man wrap himself in a green towel, put on a faded black t-shirt and step back into his black dress socks and loafers. He then proceeded to walk through the entire gym and out to the parking lot like that (yes, I peeked through the fence to follow his progress).

Perhaps I should introduce those two. Opposites attract, right?

Totally not running related...

...but I just secured a new apartment!!

I sign the lease tomorrow and can move in on August 18th!

I'll be living right next door to Julie, whom I met through TNT, so I suppose it's related to running that way.

OMG so excited! Time to window shop online for cute things I can't afford...

:)

Sometimes you just have to dance...

Around a pole. To cure cancer.


Right?


I attended a pole dancing class fundraiser after work on Friday night. It was actually pretty tiring- my arma are still pretty sore from the workout. Here's the group!



That's me in the dark blue wife-beater being sat on by the beautiful blonde Carolyn, and treating Tauni to a free lap dance as well.

Ah, the life of a charitable woman... ;)

Take me seriously, please!

I tried aqua jogging for the first time yesterday. I've been doing 200-yards of pool walking several times a week and have been hitting the pool at 24 Hour Balboa, since my parent's pool doesn't allow for a whole lot of walking without several [thousand] turn arounds to get in 200-yards.

Anyway!

I usually go in the evening, when it's dark and there aren't too many people waiting for lanes. Yesterday I decided to go around 6:30, figuring that people would be watching Olympic gymnastics and swimming. I was right! I was able to get in a lifting session and then hit the water at 7:00. However, at 7:05 a line had already developed.

Have you ever been in a situation when you are painfully aware that you do not fit in? I was in the right lane, an older gentleman was in the middle, and a woman who looked to be about 35 was in the left lane. The older guy was using a paddle board to immobilize his arms and practice his butterfly kick. The other woman was practicing her crawl stroke, which looked like it didn't really need all that much practicing- she was totally ripped. The line expanded to include women in their racing Speedo suits and caps, and even a guy in a pair of swimming shorts that look like bike shorts. The outfit resembled some of the Olympians I'd seen earlier on T.V., so I knew he was legit. And then there was me: walking, jogging but certainly not swimming, all while wearing a polka dot bikini.

I warmed up for 7 minutes by doing the usual walk routine and and leg raises. Then I spent the next 15 minutes running in the pool. It felt great, I tell you! There was no shooting pain in my hip when my left foot hit the ground, and the water helped me lift my leg without pain. I ran into some trouble when the depth hit 4 and a 1/2 feet and I had trouble staying on the bottom of the pool, but over-all it was a successful workout. I then cooled down with some more walking and leg lifts and hopped out of the pool.

The workout was challenging, but not as challenging as gathering your things and exiting the pool deck while avoiding the perplexed glares of eight other swimmers waiting to use the lanes for their intended purpose.

I may switch my pool workouts to early morning.

Making progress!

Yesterday's PT appointment went very well!

First, my therapist, Brian, iced my hip for about 10 minutes. Following that, he did some soft tissue work around my hip flexor. The stretching was very subtle, but I could tell something was going on: it felt like I was getting an Indian burn inside my muscles (in a good way, though). After soft tissue he stretched me out for a bit, and then showed me some new stretches I can do standing up. I also got the all clear to increase my riding time on the bike and to begin aqua jogging!!

I've noticed that for the first part of the day, there's barely any pain in my hip. It is sore by the evening, but that's a huge step from limping around from the moment I get up. I'm not nearly as gimpy as I used to be, either.

I am thrilled with the progress I've made. I see him again tomorrow, and then two more times next week. My last appointment will be somewhere around August 18. That puts me 8 weeks away from Nike Women's. I still think there's a chance I could finish the race, though I may have to do a lot of walking. Even if that is the case, it's better than having to drop out. I've made a commitment to myself, my family and my donors to finish this marathon, and I'll do whatever it takes to accomplish that goal.

I'm off to the gym for an incredible TWENTY MINUTES of stationary biking. :) Thanks again for all the support.

Life on the DL

Things I've noticed since I was forced to grab some pine:
1. I am not anywhere near as hungry as I used to be.
2. I am not constantly exhausted.
3. My legs aren't constantly sore.
4. I have a lot of free time.
5. I miss running terribly and am going slowly insane at the thought of not being able to complete the marathon in October.

I go in for my second physical therapy appointment today. Since last Friday I've done my best to get all my exercising a stretching in each day. Saturday I stood on my feet for six hours while passing out towels at the Del Mar races, which probably wasn't the smartest idea. Physically it put a lot of stress on my feet and knees, and mentally it about killed me. Head on over to Tauni's blog for all the sordid details... http://taunisinnerthoughts.blogspot.com/.

Anyway, Sunday I hit the gym for some upperbody weights and a nice stroll in the pool. My usual weightlifting routine involved a couple reps of bicep curls and some dips, but I've now flushed out the routine a little more given that it's the only weight training I can do. Apparently there are exercises that strengthen not only your arms, but your back, shoulders and chest as well. Who knew?

My 200-yard pool walks and 12 minute bicycle rides are also doing me some good. I can do both with very minimal pain now, and I'm crossing my fingers my PT gives me the all clear to up time spent on the bike. I'd love to start aqua jogging, too. I'm worried about losing my cardiovascular fitness- the sooner I can get back to pushing my body and raising my heartrate the better!

One thing I'm not worried about losing are some great friends I've made through TNT. (How smooth was that transition??) Below is a picture of Tauni, Felicia, myself and Julie enjoying some beers and live music at Longboards in PB. They're definitely the best part of this training program (with the physical benefits in a close second!).



I'll be sure and update with the (hopefully) good news today! Hope everyone is well and healthy.

PT time--UPDATED

I go to physical therapy at noon today.

I've had a couple friends tell me about something called electrica stimulation therapy. The therapist applies those patched that are used for EKGs to the injured muscle and sense little shockwaves through it to somehow fool your brain into believing you're not hurt anymore. This reduces the blood sent to the area and helps bring down inflamation. I'm also hoping he uses ultrasound to break up some scar tissue.

Really what I'm hoping is that he gives me some sort of crazy miracle drug that takes away all pain, allows me to run ASAP and shaves a couple minutes off my mile pace.

A girl can dream, right?

----

Well, no drugs.

Just back from physical therapy.

I am allowed to:
-Ride the stationary bike at low resistance for a maximum of 12 minutes.
-Walk up to 200 yards in a swimming pool
-Stretch

If it is not painful, I am allowed to:
-Swim a basic crawl stroke
-Lift my knee in the water

I am NOT allowed to:
-Speed walk
-Jog
-Run
-Go to spin class
-Do the elliptical machine

Therapist estimates I may be able to speed walk in two weeks, then progress to walk/jog, then to jog, then to run/walk, then to run.

My marathon is in 11 weeks.

I cried in the middle of the appointment.