Why my PT is rich!

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."

William James

Now, let me tell you why my PT's clinic is getting rich, mostly off me! The latest in my string of minor, yet annoying injuries is a pull of the ligament of the Large Adductor that connects to the pelvic bone.

My left foot slid slightly while I was running and I must have pulled in to avoid falling. This minor movement caused the ligament to pull and this pull caused the pelvic bones to shift and they are now not perfectly lined up. So, PT for a few weeks, plus exercises at home and who knows whether I'll be able to run my Hypothermic Half in 4 weeks. The PT did not want to commit one way or the other, "We'll see", she said. Yes, it's a she...I did not see Joseph this time, though I am at the same clinic. Here's why:

No, that's not me, but that's where the PT sometimes needs to work, so yeah, I got a female PT this time.

I'll keep you posted.

Coming up...I've received my Kahtoola Microspikes (yeah, I wish I'd had those a couple of weeks ago...could have avoided PT...except I hadn't won them yet :)) Oh well...I'll let you know how they go...and I'll post a pic. Plus, I've got an inspiring story to tell...that's coming up soon too!

Cheers!

Winter is for real this year!

"Talents are best nurtured in solitude. Character is best formed in the stormy billows of the world."

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Now, I know we all prefer uplifting posts that inspire us...but so far, this winter has been character building, to say the least.

Last year was my first year as a runner (I had no expectations) and also probably the best winter we've ever had (I believe all our snow was shipped to the Eastern US). My husband shovelled the driveway once in January and that was it for the year. Seriously! It was still pretty cold sometimes, but the roads were mostly clear.

This year is my second year as a runner (I now have a few expectations) and we are experiencing a normal winter. Lots of cold and snow...roads rarely clear and I feel like I'm always running in loose sand. Today, I managed to pull a muscle in my groin while slipping around in the snow on the road...ouch! I finished my 12K, but it's still ouching this evening.

Okay, STOP I've changed my mind.

I had written a whole bunch of those last year/this year comparisons...I just deleted them all. Yes, I feel a little crappy and sorry for myself this evening, but seriously, there is absolutely nothing worth complaining about. NOTHING! I have so much to be grateful for.

It's not that I'm not allowed to have a bad day...that's life, we all have those. But, know that beneath the surface of my minor frustations, there's a sh*t load of gratitude :)

 Cheers!

FYTO Virtual 5K and Determination!

“If you're waiting for hell to freeze over, you're skating on thin ice”

Anon

Out here in Québec, Canada...we literally Froze our Thorns Off during today's race. Also, if you've read Jamoosh's report for this race, you already know that the instructions were not so clear and that some of us runners ended up getting lost ;) Although, being female, "I" asked for directions and only went 7 extra miles out of my way and not 19! Uhumm...(seriously, you are a machine Jamoosh!)

So yeah, it was slow going today and if I take my average pace per K for the 16K and multiply it by 5K, I end up with a time of 37m09s. Not too excited about that time, but I got out there today and I'm pretty excited about that :)

Thanks for organizing this cool race Adam and for being so lenient about the rules. I think it's great that you put all this together and actually had a real race out there...I wish I lived closer (I wouldn't mind your weather either!). Oh and I saw your race report...you, Sir, are one speedy fellow...Wow!!

Determination!



Let's just say I've used up every last ounce of it over the last week. I've felt like staying inside wrapped in a warm blanket, drinking something warm (or alcoholic), while reading a good book...sigh. But, I got out there and did what I had to do...and Yes, I was pleased with myself for getting it done and No, I didn't regret it. Still, given the choice...well, I guess I always have a choice and I know which one makes me feel better in the end. Ultimately, I'm glad I'm hard-headed and determined...even if I have to dress like this:

Yup...I'm the ninja in front trying to take a picture of the three of us as we near the end of our 16K  :)

Have a great week everyone!

Cheers!

What I learned in 2010...and Happy New Year!

"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us."

Hal Borland

A little over a year ago, at the age of 50, I started running. In 2010, I went from a complete newbie, to someone who easily uses the words pace, cadence, hill repeats, fartlek, Gu, Sports Beans, salt tablets, minimalist shoes, cross-training, compression socks, foam roller and Body Glide. I know what PR, PT, BQ, Yasso's and SUAR stand for. I've joined a world where pit stop has a whole new meaning and carbo-loading is a good thing.

It was also a year ago today, that I first started blogging. I guess that makes January first my blogiversary :)

That's a lot of new things and let's just say that my learning curve in 2010 was quite steep!

Before I give you my list of things I learned in 2010, let me show you the cool shirt I got from Stefano of Run with the Black Knight. If you are not yet a member of the Black Knight army head on over and join us.

The words on the top left are "Forti e Veloci" which means "Strong and Fast" in Italian. How cool is that! Thanks again Stefano :)

Also thanks to Giorgio of Giorgio's runners blog, my other Italian friend who sent me this beautiful print of the Vatican in Rome. Very Beautiful.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming :)

Things I learned in 2010 (these relate to MOI, everyone should do what works for them):

• Registering for races is great motivation.
• Take it slow...do not try and do too much too quickly. Always increase gradually.
• Stick to one pair of shoes.
• Do not switch to new shoes without going through a transition phase. Even if they are the exact same shoe, the new shoe will not be the same as the worn in shoe and could cause minor injury.
• Wear a minimalist shoe to maintain good running form (Saucony Type A4 is working FOR ME).
• Land on the mid-foot, then let the heel go down to help with the push off. Give the final push off with the big toe and tighten glute.
• Make sure abs are strong to help with running form.
• Maintain a 180 steps per minute cadence (approximately).
• CROSS-TRAIN (just running is the recipe for injury in my case).
• You can workout from home, no more gym membership (again, this pertains to me as I had been going to the gym for three years and I now feel comfortable doing it at home).
• But, have a personnal trainer make a new program for you every 3 months or so.
• See PT as soon as there is pain for more than two runs. It always helps me avoid serious injury.
• Plastic bags over my long thick socks works to keep the wet out, but make sure the bag is not too tight at the toes, because the toes push through and make a hole.
• Running partners help pass the time on long runs. 
• Whenever possible, run by a washroom at the halfway point of a long run.
• I am always glad I got out there...I have never regretted going for a run.
• The blogging community is a wonderful source of support and knowledge.
• But, real life always comes first.

I could go on and on...but, none of my lessons can be yours, as experience is the best teacher. However, I would like to end this post by reminding you never to take your good health for granted.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

I wish you good health, injury-free running and many moments of pure joy in 2011.

Cheers!