Again, it's been a while. Life's been busy.  Where to begin?  Perhaps the most pressing on my mind right now:  I was happily training to run the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon (May 20 in Fredericksburg, VA) and looking forward to my first 10 mile run on Easter (April 8).  Then, on Saturday morning I was just Jazzercising away, tripped over my big feet and sprained the tar out of my left ankle.  Boy was I PISSED.  I've fallen on rare occasion in Jazzercise over the 20 years I've been participating, but always jumped right back up.  This time it was clearly not going to happen.

So, all of Easter weekend I was angry and morose over my injury but more so over the prospect of not making the half marathon.  It was so painful and swollen I even went to the ER for an x-ray (which showed no fracture, thankfully.)  I iced, elevated, wrapped and rested that sucker as much as anyone could.  After a week or so, I started thinking I could possibly get back to training in time to run in May.  At two weeks, I ran about 4 1/2 miles on it, with the air splint in place.  A tad awkward, but really not too bad.  Bike riding helped me maintain fitness too.

But late last week I ran a third time, and at about 2 miles my left knee really started to hurt in a weird way.  I stopped after another quarter mile, not wanting to create further injury.  That knee gave me stabbing pains for 3 days, and last weekend (3 weeks to the race) I realized that I'm going to have to give up the idea of the MCHHM for this year.  I am remarkably depressed about it!  I totally had my heart and mind set on the goal, and giving it up is much harder than I thought.  Besides, my ankle still hurts quite a bit.

To boot, I have a very old tear in my shoulder which I seem to have re-injured, (it's so old it is from my days as a bedside nurse, pulling up a patient) which gives me pain in about 3/4 of the positions in which one uses his or her shoulder....including lying on it to sleep, which I apparently do regularly.  Been waking up when ever that happens for several days (getting very sick of that, too).

Then, there's my back.  Did I mention the foot pain I had beginning last July?  It turns out (after a very fun nerve test on my leg and MRI of my spine) that I have a lumbar disc ruptured which is pressing on a nerve root, which (thankfully, considering the possibilities) gives me pain in the tops of my feet.  This was identified a couple of months ago and I don't consider it too serious--in fact, I had been doing back stretches daily which had nearly eliminted the pain for a few weeks.  That is, until my ankle sprain changed my whole routine, so as I write, that's back too.

My mother used to say you start falling apart after you reach age 40...now I guess I see what she meant.  Oh well, for a return to blogging after an absence, I guess this wasn't very positive, but I think I'll get back to that place soon.  How has life been treating you?

Welcome 2012

So this is the new year. I've generally though of even years as better than odd years; they seem to treat me better I guess. Let's hope this year straightens itself out pretty quickly; it's rare that I've had such an incredibly crappy first 40 hours of a new year so here's hoping....

Regardless, I've been sketching out how I'd like my 2012 to go. I finished off 2011 with 254 miles total (walking and running together). In late September I determined my goal was going to be 250 miles....and I had to go running on December 30 to make it happen, thanks to being sick the first week of the month, but I did it. (And I only had 5 miles in January 2011, since I only started the last week of the month.) I have 5 miles in already for 2012. So this year I want to increase that goal a bit. I've given it quite a bit of though. I want it to be achievable, but somewhat challenging. I'm not going to turn into an ultramarathoner, either. Last year, I had 3 months at 30 miles and over, 4 months around 20 miles, and the rest between 5 and 17. It averages a little over 21 miles per month. Maybe I should round it out and go for 300 this year (averaging 25/month). Ok, that's it, my goal is 300 miles for 2012.

I'm also looking at increasing overall workouts per month. (I am so loving looking at my 2011 stats on activetrainer.com, where I've logged them all in over the past year and now I can make colorful graphs and be all proud of myself.) Last year I had 4 months with 15 workouts each, 3 with 10 or 11, and the other 5 months I worked out 5-9 times each month. I'd like to work in some more yoga classes and maybe do some swimming workouts this summer as I increase my monthly total to perhaps a minimum of 12 per month.

I've also been reading about a special "cleanse" diet, which consists of all kinds of foods (many fresh fruits and vegetables) which are very high in antioxidants, that one is supposed to eat for several weeks. It certainly wouldn't be bad for me, but I'm not sure about giving up caffeine (I truly love my coffee) and even dairy products for those three weeks. Maybe I'll just go for adding the healthy foods, cutting out some unhealthy ones and keeping my coffee. I haven't decided that one yet.


One always hears plenty about New Years' resolutions--whether to make them, whether they're worthwhile in any way--and while I don't announce any resolutions in particular, I always feel that a new year is a great time to take stock, look back at the previous year's accomplishments, and set new goals. It's hard to accomplish much if you don't have any goals to work toward (at least that's what I think). What about you?
Have a comment? Advice? Random observation? I'd love to hear it. Click "COMMENTS" just below.

Recent Observations

Again, it's been a while.  That would be because I haven't had a chance to slow down enough to write!  This creates the risk of a flood from the thoughts to the page of a rambling, potentially random bunch of observations and updates.  I'll do my best to avoid such a brain dump here--but there's so much!

The April 6th news of Glenn Beck's TV show ending restored my faith--and when I did a quick search just now to confirm the date it gave me a laugh.  On the first page of results, there were articles from the Jewish Funds for Justice, MoveOn.org, and a Latino blogger all rejoicing that Fox finally pulled that plug. That's a lot of diversity!  (I also read yet another "fact check" article demonstrating another outright falsehood Beck pronounced as truth on his show, here.) 

For us, April is a double birthday month; having celebrated my own, we celebrated my son's 17th last week as well.  I guess I'm old enough to have a 17 year old child, although I don't feel like it.  Where do the years go?

Easter is this Sunday; a few years ago I realized that Easter is my very favorite--bar none--holiday of the year.  I love absolutely everything about it!  It's pure joy to me, from the theme to the hymns to the traditional ending of our church service by singing the Halleluja chorus from Messiah.  It's a joyous service for an uplifting and hopeful time of year!

Finally, I've well exceeded my own expectations for my exercise plan.  I can't believe that for February, March and thus far in April I've run and walked 22, 22, and 27 miles.  But more importantly, through patience (not my strong suit), I have slowly built up to longer distances and now am seeing my pace starting to increase!  The other day, I was back on the Marine Corps Marathon website again and actually thinking I could do it this time!  (A bit of history: in 2007 I started training for the MCM and registered for it; I was beginning to increase my distances and feeling really good--then, I ended up in the hospital because of asthma for the first time ever.  In the end, I was in for 4 days in April, May and again in JUNE that year, missed weeks of work and couldn't even be outside much at all until September.  I basically missed all of the activities of the summer.  We tried to golf once in late September and I had so little energy I only played something like holes 1, 2, 4, 8, and 18. It was just wonderful to be outdoors though.  Needless to say, I didn't make the marathon, which is held the last week of October.)    

So, the feeling that I might be healthy enough again is amazing! (I should say or do something now to avoid a jinx or hex, shouldn't I? All I can think of is "knock wood.")  Done.  Next on the agenda: do some research on how many miles you should get out of a pair of running shoes.  It's not something I've ever had to consider, but I'll admit that I'm proud to say that I'm above 100 miles on these shoes, so I'm curious!

Hope you didn't get whiplash from the quick changing of subjects, and I'm hoping to get some more time to post soon to avoid future overload.  Off to bed now~

 Have a comment? Advice? Random observation? I'd love to hear it. Click "COMMENTS" just below.

Some Progress to Report

I'm still here--not dead or anything--just too busy to write for the last month. (It's pure coincidence that my last entry was exactly a month ago.)  So, here's an update on my progress:  for February, walked 21.44 miles, did 6 hours of Jazzercise.  To date in March:  walked 22.29 miles, did 5 hours of Jazzercise and one hour of hot yoga...and logged it all on ActiveTrainer.com.  In addition, I've logged all of my food daily since February 17 on FitDay.com and lost 6.5 lbs!  (since 2/10)  What's more, I'm pretty much on target toward my goal!

I was feeling great, except for the past 3 days when I've been having a sinus problem...which is why I'm here, now, writing.  I took a sick day due to the headaches and dizziness; just now about to start an antibiotic (thank heavens for modern medicine).  With that exception, though, I am really feeling hugely different--stronger, more energetic, more positive--all-around healthier. 

As I focus on this (admittedly important) goal, it IS a bit harder to push on the several other goals I have in mind...but they're NEXT!  With the new, healthier me, they should be even more attainable. (Recognize the little pep talk to myself there?  I think it works--do you?)

Have a comment? Advice? Random observation? I'd love to hear it. Click "COMMENTS" just below.

PS:  The poor Christmas tree is down...I'm not saying when it finally happened, but my dear husband undecorated it and my son carried it out, bless them!!

A Very Happy Return to Sedona

On our family vacation this year, we introduced my son to one of my loves: Sedona, Arizona. Hubby took me there for the first time several years ago, and we've been wanting to return since then. The people we met were all very friendly, and the whole area has an open, relaxed atmosphere. Sedona's first white settlers came in 1876, and the town was officially named (after the shopkeeper's wife) and granted a post office in 1902. So, compared to much history "back east," Sedona's pretty new. In the late 1950's, spiritualists and "hippies" came to Sedona, drawn by spiritual "vortexes" (energy centers) they found in the red rocks. Now, the place is full of "new age" spiritualists and has a very relaxed feel.

Although the area has grown up a lot since we last visited, much remained the same. This time, though, in search of adventure (teenager, remember), we booked an "Extreme" Hummer tour through the mountain trails. It was fun and scary for me--here's a picture of one of the so-called-roads we first came down, then went up. (You cannot get the full idea from the picture, but it was just barely wide enough for the hummer, with a cliff-like drop off just past the trees, and the darker step-like rocks are about 14-16 inchs high each.) The teenager had a fantastic time. Both of them.

Hummer dude also took us on a tour of the named rocks. Here's Snoopy Rock (he's lying just to the right of the big squarish formation.)

We also biked in the red rocks. The still-great Bike and Bean, http://www.bike-bean.com/Sedona_Bike_And_Bean.html , still at the edge of Oak Creek, hooked us up with the perfect bikes, helmets and water, and off we went. It was darn hot, even at 9 a.m., but once my son and I discovered the exhilaration of racing down the last half mile of trail, "catching air" over moguls, riding willy-nilly over gravel and loose rocks--it was addictive. We rode back up 2 more times just to fly down. I honestly felt like a kid again. My son even called me an adrenaline junkie. Here are some pics from the farthest point in our ride...up close to the rocks.

In the foreground is part of the trail we rode; in the distance (if you click and enlarge it you might be able to see it) is the cathedral of the rocks--a Catholic church built right into the red rocks.

We had a great time tubing on the Verde River (no pictures, too wet...whose idea was it to provide us with super soakers???), and saw free range cattle along the road. We also went up to the airport, which is on top of a huge mesa, to watch the sunset and look out over Sedona. It's become quite popular, judging by the crowds that were there. On our last trip, it was very quiet and peaceful. These photos are of Sedona in the valley, encircled by the red rocks.

We had great meals--Picazzo Pizza really excelled--both in their huge salads and delicious, gourmet (or plain, for the boy) pizzas. Really good. A world away from your everyday pizza joint. It was such a pleasure being back in Sedona!

I mentioned in another post that I did a good job spraining my ankle one morning while on a power walk in Sedona. Here's the rest of the story. I was out around 8:30 a.m. on a Saturday, doing my exercising around several residential blocks behind our hotel. In a second's inattention, I planted my foot at the edge of the pavement, which was maybe 3" higher than the adjacent gravel. I'd have fallen, except for extreme hopping ability, spurred on in part by all of the cactuses growing along the roadside. (A five-hop recovery: pretty impressive.)

In the next few minutes, as I tried to determine how badly I was hurt, an angel in an Acura stopped to ask if I was ok. I gave her a typical east-coast "Oh, I'm fine," but she was too nice for that. "But you're obviously hurt--I live right here--let me give you a ride home." She assured me it was no trouble, and I accepted her generosity. Three blocks later, she pulled right up to the base of the stairway to our room. I thanked her of course, and she refused praise, but her kindness so touched me--I was so far from home, a visitor knowing no one--and she, a complete stranger, completely unbidden, was willing to lend a helping hand. There are still good people in the world. Wow.

BMI Check

I've missed a couple of days posting for a combination of reasons--a work assignment I had to finish, guests for dinner last night, feeling "weird" from (I think) the BP med.

Not much new on the BP front; it is slowly coming down, but still not all the way there. I have a weird foggy-headed/spacey feeling which I am guessing is from the med (and/or my change in BP) but no cankles yet. Plus, every afternoon around 4:30, I can barely stay awake. What's that about? My echo is on Monday, and I'd be lying through my teeth if I said I wasn't worried about it. But, I'm trying to keep from obsessing about it until I know whether there's a real problem with my heart. The potential super sucks, but I'm going to avoid thinking about that for as long as possible. On a great note (in my opinion, obviously) I've lost 2-3 lbs. so far, depending upon which point in my normal fluctuation you measure it. I'm taking that as a win, and looking for the next lower number on the scale to appear.

I used one of the many free BMI calculators on-line, and found that I "only" need to lose 14 lbs. to be back in the "healthy weight" zone based on BMI. Here's one, in case you want to try it. http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ So far, I've only cut back on indulgences, kept up the healthy food choices, and (per the cardiologist's order) kept exercising. I've added to my walks at lunch and now go for 45-50 minutes 3-4 days per week, with Jazzercise on Saturdays. Once my schedule at work levels off, I fully intend to walk every day I'm not in court. It's been a challenge recently because all week it has been 90 degrees with high humidity at lunch--the heat index has been 98-101--but I'm out there. I'm committing to a positive attitude, with positive change as a result!!

What Doesn't Kill You--

As I started my blog, I had quite a few ideas about what I wanted to write about; different interests, "causes" (such as they are), events. Yesterday, however, I had a wake-up call while at my allergist, in the form of the news that my blood pressure is high. So today I've watched it and it's even higher.

Hypertension. From my medical background, I know it's not something you mess with--they don't call it the "silent killer" for nothing. I've had a stressful week-plus, been very poor with exercising regularly for several months, have had regular alcohol intake, and have not lost that weight I'm supposed to be losing. All can raise your blood pressure. I'm scared. I've given myself a week to two weeks (since in a week I'm leaving on vacation) to exercise, relax, eat a better diet, etc., until I report myself to my internist. If that happens, I know what she'll do. It's not where I want to go, as a 'kid' just over 40.

So I'm dedicating myself with new purpose to regular exercise, diminshed indulgence, and increased awareness of stress relief so I can get back to where I need to be!