So, I'm sitting here alone at home on Friday night after just having had my comfort meal of sushi, cheese, and bread for dinner. I was supposed to be with K at the happy hour (that I suggested he organize) with his co-workers. But, I am not. Why don't things work out the way that I want them to? Oh, that's right, because there is another person involved, namely K. I'm struggling with the issue of control in our relationship right now.
I had a good massage this afternoon. It really wore me out, so much so that I took quite a long nap earlier this evening. But, the positive was that she did notice some improvement compared to last week, although things are still obviously somewhat tight. She also worked on my upper legs today some, which she didn't do last week. I scheduled another appointment for next Friday, but might have to reschedule for later in the month due to $$.
I got some more Christmas shopping done this afternoon for K and our parents. It was nice not to have deal with the typical crowds since I went on a Friday afternoon. We are "supposed" to get our Christmas tree tomorrow. I just saw some at HEB...who knew they were that expensive?? I can't wait to see all the houses in Travis Heights lit up for the holidays...a few are already decorated.
Tomorrow's "long" run is 8-miles on the Scenic Route - I don't think the beginners will even really get to the hills though only running 8 miles. My already sore legs will be grateful, I think.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
3 days in a row...
Can it be? 3 days in a row of relatively good runs???
I met Sadie tonight and we ran the 4-mile loop on the trail. We had a good run! I think I ran slightly faster than I probably would have on my own, which is good since I pushed my "easy" pace a bit. We managed a respectable pace while able to maintain a conversation. We talked about her upcoming wedding and wedding planning in general, wink wink. The miles went by relatively quickly and easily with the good company. No significant shin pain again tonight. I stretched when we stopped to get water at the Rock, but other than that no stopping at all. Yippee!
Tomorrow should be a good day...it's jeans day after all. I'll be in the office until shortly before noon when I have an off-site meeting. Then, I have my sports massage. I'm curious to see if she notices any improvement compared to last week. After that, I'm taking the rest of the afternoon off to run errands before meeting K and his co-workers for happy hour. Should be fun!
I met Sadie tonight and we ran the 4-mile loop on the trail. We had a good run! I think I ran slightly faster than I probably would have on my own, which is good since I pushed my "easy" pace a bit. We managed a respectable pace while able to maintain a conversation. We talked about her upcoming wedding and wedding planning in general, wink wink. The miles went by relatively quickly and easily with the good company. No significant shin pain again tonight. I stretched when we stopped to get water at the Rock, but other than that no stopping at all. Yippee!
Tomorrow should be a good day...it's jeans day after all. I'll be in the office until shortly before noon when I have an off-site meeting. Then, I have my sports massage. I'm curious to see if she notices any improvement compared to last week. After that, I'm taking the rest of the afternoon off to run errands before meeting K and his co-workers for happy hour. Should be fun!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
The good...
If I had written this post an hour ago, I would have been in a much better mood. But, K just informed me that there is still college football on this Saturday (which I was not aware of), so my mood has suddenly deflated. So much for my weekend plans. And, there's a lot to do this weekend, especially with the party here next weekend for my co-workers and Christmas looming a few weeks away as well.
Re-focus on the positive, mel.
Okay, oh yes, the GOOD run that I had tonight. Yes, let's start there. Actually, let's go back to the quality workout last night - the Julia on Barton Hills. I had some shin pain during the 1-mile warmup over to Barton Springs and stopped to stretch once. For the third week in a row, something about doing drills has helped loosen things up and I didn't have any shin pain for the rest of the workout. Go figure. I wish I could isolate which one is the "magic" drill for me to do and I would happily do it before every run! Still following the beginner schedule, my workout consisted of 30-seconds hard followed by 90-seconds recovery for 1-mile UP Barton Hills then running at tempo pace back down. The run back downhill was great, and it reminded me of why I want to run St. George! I ran back to the Annex by myself, feeling good about the workout. Then, tonight I ran my regular 3.5 mile neighborhood loop and had a GREAT run in all aspects. It must have been my new shirt that I just got from One More Mile that says "In my dreams I am a Kenyan." I love it! Virtually no pain whatsoever tonight. I stopped to stretch while waiting at a stoplight and walked one hill on Monroe (mostly out of habit), but otherwise cruised the whole way at a nice clip. I think K was even a little surprised that I finished when I did. I really, really needed this. I feel hopeful (for the moment at least).
And, there's also something good that is happening with me and K right now. Talking, in specifics, about our future together.
Re-focus on the positive, mel.
Okay, oh yes, the GOOD run that I had tonight. Yes, let's start there. Actually, let's go back to the quality workout last night - the Julia on Barton Hills. I had some shin pain during the 1-mile warmup over to Barton Springs and stopped to stretch once. For the third week in a row, something about doing drills has helped loosen things up and I didn't have any shin pain for the rest of the workout. Go figure. I wish I could isolate which one is the "magic" drill for me to do and I would happily do it before every run! Still following the beginner schedule, my workout consisted of 30-seconds hard followed by 90-seconds recovery for 1-mile UP Barton Hills then running at tempo pace back down. The run back downhill was great, and it reminded me of why I want to run St. George! I ran back to the Annex by myself, feeling good about the workout. Then, tonight I ran my regular 3.5 mile neighborhood loop and had a GREAT run in all aspects. It must have been my new shirt that I just got from One More Mile that says "In my dreams I am a Kenyan." I love it! Virtually no pain whatsoever tonight. I stopped to stretch while waiting at a stoplight and walked one hill on Monroe (mostly out of habit), but otherwise cruised the whole way at a nice clip. I think K was even a little surprised that I finished when I did. I really, really needed this. I feel hopeful (for the moment at least).
And, there's also something good that is happening with me and K right now. Talking, in specifics, about our future together.
Monday, November 26, 2007
At my wit's end...
I am at my wit's end with my running issues. Please tell me what more should I be doing to get this resolved?? I was considering canceling my ART appointment today, mostly because I don't have $100 bucks to fork over this week for the massage and ART. But, I am really trying to make this a priority, so I went (for the 20 something time now, I've lost count). I can't hide my frustration and disappointment from the doc while I'm there. I know he wants me to feel better too though. He did ART on the front inside of my lower legs, then really worked on my calves - just like the massage therapist said, they are incredibly tight and knotted up really deep down. We finished off with anodyne more so on my calf muscles than the tendons today. The assistant messed up on the timing so I only went through half of the time that I was supposed to. It was 5:45 by that point and I was losing daylight to run so I didn't correct her.
As you might have guessed, I had another crappy run. It started off great for the 1st half mile or so, but then I had to stop to stretch because my shins were getting tight. I can't continue on like this! Every run cannot be painful! I am convinced that stopping running altogether is not the answer - I did that at the end of the summer with no improvement except to get heavier and slower. My mileage per week hasn't been high at all, so it's not like I have ramped up too quickly. I don't know what to do.
In other news, K is flying over Louisiana right now. His flight was delayed about an hour, but I am just glad that he is finally in the air on his way home. Kellie just shared a quote with me that I really liked: "Absence is to love what wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great." All that "absence makes the heart grow fonder" crap is just that, crap. My heart is already quite fond, thank you very much. I want my buddy back home!
As you might have guessed, I had another crappy run. It started off great for the 1st half mile or so, but then I had to stop to stretch because my shins were getting tight. I can't continue on like this! Every run cannot be painful! I am convinced that stopping running altogether is not the answer - I did that at the end of the summer with no improvement except to get heavier and slower. My mileage per week hasn't been high at all, so it's not like I have ramped up too quickly. I don't know what to do.
In other news, K is flying over Louisiana right now. His flight was delayed about an hour, but I am just glad that he is finally in the air on his way home. Kellie just shared a quote with me that I really liked: "Absence is to love what wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great." All that "absence makes the heart grow fonder" crap is just that, crap. My heart is already quite fond, thank you very much. I want my buddy back home!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
K and I would probably kill each other...
Amazing Race Casting Call
 | Amazing Race Application Form (50.6KB) (wow, check out the 13-page application - I think just answering the questions with K would be an interesting conversation) |
| Amazing Race Rules (43.0KB) |
Day 3 (of 4) without K...
K will be home tomorrow evening, and I am counting on being busy at work, going to ART, and running to get me through the day until I pick him up from the airport. I knew that it was going to be hard for me while he was gone and it has been. I miss him terribly. I haven't had to watch football at all in the past 3 days...I know that should be the bright side of this, but the house has felt quiet and empty without him yelling at the tv(s) watching sports.
My best friend chided me last night to enjoy having this time to myself since I don't really get that very often. The thing is that I am somebody who normally needs an enormous amount of "me time," that is until I met K. Somehow that all changed then. I used to think that I would never be able to live with somebody since I have lived alone (with the exception of my senior year in college) since I was 19. That's a lot of time to get set in my ways and enjoy my privacy. Even then, I had a hard time relating to people who complained of loneliness. I cherished my alone time and sought out the company of others when I wanted it - on my terms. Even now, I haven't necessarily felt "lonely" since K has been gone, and I know that there are people that I could easily have made plans with if I had chosen to. I just really miss my buddy.
I tried to do what I would have done pre-K today. I went to Target for a couple of errands then ventured over to the mall and trolled for a parking spot so that I could get a special ornament made to commemorate our first Christmas in the 'lil blue house together this year. Then, I went to the gym and had a good workout - 45 minutes of weights and 30 minutes on the elliptical. Now, I need to do a few things around the house and get ready for tomorrow...when my buddy comes home and all is right with my world again.
My best friend chided me last night to enjoy having this time to myself since I don't really get that very often. The thing is that I am somebody who normally needs an enormous amount of "me time," that is until I met K. Somehow that all changed then. I used to think that I would never be able to live with somebody since I have lived alone (with the exception of my senior year in college) since I was 19. That's a lot of time to get set in my ways and enjoy my privacy. Even then, I had a hard time relating to people who complained of loneliness. I cherished my alone time and sought out the company of others when I wanted it - on my terms. Even now, I haven't necessarily felt "lonely" since K has been gone, and I know that there are people that I could easily have made plans with if I had chosen to. I just really miss my buddy.
I tried to do what I would have done pre-K today. I went to Target for a couple of errands then ventured over to the mall and trolled for a parking spot so that I could get a special ornament made to commemorate our first Christmas in the 'lil blue house together this year. Then, I went to the gym and had a good workout - 45 minutes of weights and 30 minutes on the elliptical. Now, I need to do a few things around the house and get ready for tomorrow...when my buddy comes home and all is right with my world again.
Race t-shirt etiquette...
My brother just sent me this link to a funny post about race t-shirt etiquette. Enjoy!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
The names change...
I have just spent the past 3 hours addressing, sealing, stamping 60+ Christmas cards for us. Whew! I'm still waiting on just a few more addresses, but I am glad that the bulk of it is done.
As I was going through all the addresses in my Palm Pilot, I was struck by how different my Christmas card list is this year compared to 2 years ago, 5 years ago, 10 years ago, etc. People come and go in your life for so many different purposes. It's interesting to realize how many people who you were once close to because you went to the same school, worked at the same place, or lived in the same city aren't really there in the same way anymore once situations change. I still carry a bit of each one of them with me though.
To say that Rogue has changed my life would be an understatement. It brought me K...enough said. It has also brought me new friends who I probably would not have met otherwise and who I can't really imagine my life without right now.
I wonder what next year's list will look like.
As I was going through all the addresses in my Palm Pilot, I was struck by how different my Christmas card list is this year compared to 2 years ago, 5 years ago, 10 years ago, etc. People come and go in your life for so many different purposes. It's interesting to realize how many people who you were once close to because you went to the same school, worked at the same place, or lived in the same city aren't really there in the same way anymore once situations change. I still carry a bit of each one of them with me though.
To say that Rogue has changed my life would be an understatement. It brought me K...enough said. It has also brought me new friends who I probably would not have met otherwise and who I can't really imagine my life without right now.
I wonder what next year's list will look like.
No more guilt...
So, I spent much of the day engaging in option D from my previous post...and feeling guilty about it. I kept talking myself into and out of running or going to the gym. Finally, around 4pm, I sucked it up, got bundled up, and went for a run (temp in the low 40's and wind chill in the low 30's). I ran to the trail and then ran the 4-mile loop from I-35 to Lamar then (uphill) back home. Still not a great run, but now I sure am glad that I did it. Go mel!
Rain, rain go away...
No big surprise that I didn't get up this morning for the 7am long run. Actually, I got up at 6 and appraised the weather situation. I heard the pitter patter of the rain, so I went back to sleep. Cold and rainy is not good motivation for me to get out of the warm bed at that hour. The rain doesn't seem to be coming down hard (I take that back because it just started raining much harder with thunder), so I probably should still try to get my run in at some point. I know, a little rain isn't going to kill me. I've generally always had good runs in the rain, so I'm not sure what I'm making such a big deal about.
Other options - (a) go run on the treadmill at the gym, but I hate running on the treadmill - I feel like the treadmill is running me not the other way around, (b) go up to the gym by my old apartment in the Arboretum because they have a small indoor track (10 laps = 1 mile though), (c) wait to see if the weather improves later today or tomorrow (but the weather forecast doesn't look favorable for that), or (d) my personal favorite - stay in, wrap up in a blanket on the couch, watch a movie, and gorge on Thanksgiving leftovers.
Also, have I mentioned that I miss K?
Other options - (a) go run on the treadmill at the gym, but I hate running on the treadmill - I feel like the treadmill is running me not the other way around, (b) go up to the gym by my old apartment in the Arboretum because they have a small indoor track (10 laps = 1 mile though), (c) wait to see if the weather improves later today or tomorrow (but the weather forecast doesn't look favorable for that), or (d) my personal favorite - stay in, wrap up in a blanket on the couch, watch a movie, and gorge on Thanksgiving leftovers.
Also, have I mentioned that I miss K?
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thanksgiving recap...
Yesterday was our 1st Thanksgiving together in the 'lil blue house. It was really nice not to have to travel and to spend the day at our place.
We were registered to run the Turkey Trot, but were ambivalent about getting up and going since it was COLD. We didn't roll out of bed until 8:45 (race started at 9:30). We managed to leave here at 9 and then had to find an alternate route there since I-35 was closed due to a really bad accident earlier. Since we got there so late, we weren't able to find a good parking spot and ended up parking close to the 4-mile marker. As we were walking to the start just a few minutes before the race was to start, I decided that I wasn't going to run - yes, I wussed out. It was cold and I didn't have enough layers on my upper body, I wasn't going to get to the start line in time unless I ran, and I wasn't sure how sore my legs would feel the day after my massage. So, I went back to the (warm) car and waited for the runners to come by then got out to cheer them on - I saw K and Holly among others. I'm okay about not running.
After the race, we got back home in time to help my mom get everything finished for the Thanksgiving feast. Everything was yummy, and we have so many leftovers! Thank goodness that I heart turkey. I took a looong nap after lunch and spent the rest of the evening relaxing at home with K.
I took K to the airport early this morning for his trip to Ohio then came home and went back to sleep. I went for a run on my 3.5 mile neighborhood loop before lunch and actually had a decent run. I had some mild shin pain during the 1st 2 miles, but nothing too bad. It's amazing how much the temperature/humidity can affect running - I know my cardio still sucks, but somehow it felt *slightly* easier in the cooler weather today. I enjoyed an afternoon of doing nothing back at home afterwards. I've already done a lot of my holiday shopping, I don't have any extra spending money right now, and I really didn't want the hassle of dealing with people so I didn't even attempt to hit the stores today for the post-Thanksgiving sales.
My brother is visiting from Atlanta and he has been out and about on his own much of the time since yesterday afternoon. I took advantage of K being gone to have sushi for dinner, so my brother and I went to Maiko tonight. YUM, that's all I can say about it.
I haven't quite decided about whether I am going to get up and go to the long run tomorrow morning or do it on my own later in the day (when it is hopefully warmer and after I have slept in). But, I don't think the weather is really going to be that great at any point tomorrow, so it might be better to go ahead and get it over with in the morning. The route is St. Ed's - beginners are running 6 miles. A 6-mile "long" run, I know.
I have to take my brother to the airport tomorrow late morning, so I will have the rest of the weekend to myself. I don't have anything planned (other than doing our Christmas cards) and I am looking forward to exactly that...relaxing and doing nothing.
I do miss my buddy though.
We were registered to run the Turkey Trot, but were ambivalent about getting up and going since it was COLD. We didn't roll out of bed until 8:45 (race started at 9:30). We managed to leave here at 9 and then had to find an alternate route there since I-35 was closed due to a really bad accident earlier. Since we got there so late, we weren't able to find a good parking spot and ended up parking close to the 4-mile marker. As we were walking to the start just a few minutes before the race was to start, I decided that I wasn't going to run - yes, I wussed out. It was cold and I didn't have enough layers on my upper body, I wasn't going to get to the start line in time unless I ran, and I wasn't sure how sore my legs would feel the day after my massage. So, I went back to the (warm) car and waited for the runners to come by then got out to cheer them on - I saw K and Holly among others. I'm okay about not running.
After the race, we got back home in time to help my mom get everything finished for the Thanksgiving feast. Everything was yummy, and we have so many leftovers! Thank goodness that I heart turkey. I took a looong nap after lunch and spent the rest of the evening relaxing at home with K.
I took K to the airport early this morning for his trip to Ohio then came home and went back to sleep. I went for a run on my 3.5 mile neighborhood loop before lunch and actually had a decent run. I had some mild shin pain during the 1st 2 miles, but nothing too bad. It's amazing how much the temperature/humidity can affect running - I know my cardio still sucks, but somehow it felt *slightly* easier in the cooler weather today. I enjoyed an afternoon of doing nothing back at home afterwards. I've already done a lot of my holiday shopping, I don't have any extra spending money right now, and I really didn't want the hassle of dealing with people so I didn't even attempt to hit the stores today for the post-Thanksgiving sales.
My brother is visiting from Atlanta and he has been out and about on his own much of the time since yesterday afternoon. I took advantage of K being gone to have sushi for dinner, so my brother and I went to Maiko tonight. YUM, that's all I can say about it.
I haven't quite decided about whether I am going to get up and go to the long run tomorrow morning or do it on my own later in the day (when it is hopefully warmer and after I have slept in). But, I don't think the weather is really going to be that great at any point tomorrow, so it might be better to go ahead and get it over with in the morning. The route is St. Ed's - beginners are running 6 miles. A 6-mile "long" run, I know.
I have to take my brother to the airport tomorrow late morning, so I will have the rest of the weekend to myself. I don't have anything planned (other than doing our Christmas cards) and I am looking forward to exactly that...relaxing and doing nothing.
I do miss my buddy though.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Reality cont.
Given my frustration with the inconsistent progress that I have had with ART so far, I decided to try a sports massage. So, today I went for my 1st one (ever - yes, I don't know how I have gotten this far without one so far - well, yes, I do...it's because I'm too cheap - and, yes, perhaps if I had been doing this regularly for "maintenance" then my problems would never have gotten to the point where they are at now).
The massage therapist seemed extremely knowledgeable and everything was focused on the pain that I have been experiencing while running rather than just a general massage to feel good. In a nutshell, my lower legs are a mess. She was extremely concerned about several adhesions that seem on the way to becoming scar tissue. While today was a good start, there's still a lot of work that needs to be done. She said that continuing the ART won't hurt anything (except my wallet), but she did recommend further massage sessions to focus more intensely and for a longer duration on the problem areas (which seems to be just about everywhere on the lower legs). She also offered some other suggestions for things to do, such as strengthening my hip flexors to lift my knees higher for better form, icing my legs after I run, stretches for my calves and shins, as well as reminding me about things that I already do and/or know about (e.g., the ban on wearing heels).
I feel so desperate to latch onto anything right now that will offer me hope of getting this problem resolved. This deterioration in my running really affects my daily life, notably my mood (K will attest to that). We're running the Turkey Trot tomorrow morning. I opted to save a few bucks (and some of my pride) and run in the untimed division. The only goal right now is the same as it has been each time I lace up my shoes lately - to have a good, comfortable, pain-free run. I deserve that.
My mom and brother both arrived today to spend Thanksgiving with us. While it is certainly nice having them here, the reality also is that it reminds me how much I love our space. K has been a VGB (very good boy) today and he took my mom for lunch at HomeSlice once she got here since I didn't get off work until a couple of hours later. I'm going to miss him when he's in Ohio Friday-Monday. I don't do "apart" very well.
The massage therapist seemed extremely knowledgeable and everything was focused on the pain that I have been experiencing while running rather than just a general massage to feel good. In a nutshell, my lower legs are a mess. She was extremely concerned about several adhesions that seem on the way to becoming scar tissue. While today was a good start, there's still a lot of work that needs to be done. She said that continuing the ART won't hurt anything (except my wallet), but she did recommend further massage sessions to focus more intensely and for a longer duration on the problem areas (which seems to be just about everywhere on the lower legs). She also offered some other suggestions for things to do, such as strengthening my hip flexors to lift my knees higher for better form, icing my legs after I run, stretches for my calves and shins, as well as reminding me about things that I already do and/or know about (e.g., the ban on wearing heels).
I feel so desperate to latch onto anything right now that will offer me hope of getting this problem resolved. This deterioration in my running really affects my daily life, notably my mood (K will attest to that). We're running the Turkey Trot tomorrow morning. I opted to save a few bucks (and some of my pride) and run in the untimed division. The only goal right now is the same as it has been each time I lace up my shoes lately - to have a good, comfortable, pain-free run. I deserve that.
My mom and brother both arrived today to spend Thanksgiving with us. While it is certainly nice having them here, the reality also is that it reminds me how much I love our space. K has been a VGB (very good boy) today and he took my mom for lunch at HomeSlice once she got here since I didn't get off work until a couple of hours later. I'm going to miss him when he's in Ohio Friday-Monday. I don't do "apart" very well.
Reality...
Last night was the dreaded 2-mile time trial in Week 2 of the Spring Marathon program to gauge our current fitness. I already knew where I was going into it, and I really didn't need a number to quantify it. But, I am coming to peace with it (not THAT at peace though yet because I'm not posting my time). Let's just say that mile 1 was slow and mile 2 was SLOWER. I walked during mile 2. Yes, I walked. Thank goodness it was dark on the track and there were lots of people there, so maybe I didn't look quite as conspicuous.
After the workout, K and I went over to Zax for dinner, just like the P*Dipps used to do. It was nice. We split a yummy jerk salmon caesar salad and pizza - delicious!
Our entertainment during dinner was listening to a new hotshot on the Austin racing scene spouting his mouth off about all his successes. No humility whatsoever. It was disgusting. I told K that his new goal is now to beat this guy. Smackdown! :)
After the workout, K and I went over to Zax for dinner, just like the P*Dipps used to do. It was nice. We split a yummy jerk salmon caesar salad and pizza - delicious!
Our entertainment during dinner was listening to a new hotshot on the Austin racing scene spouting his mouth off about all his successes. No humility whatsoever. It was disgusting. I told K that his new goal is now to beat this guy. Smackdown! :)
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