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Winning…

I haven’t entered a blog giveaway in a long time but I thought Molly’s at I’m a Sleeper Baker was worthwhile.  She will be running the NYC Marathon and is raising money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. What a great cause!

So I donated and I won!!!!!!!!!!!

I get to pick 2 from this list:

  • A cheeta print skirt trimmed with aqua, in size 2 (fits a size 4/6) , from Running Skirts! – Love this skirt but not sure if it would be too small….but if I lose weight…
  • FromTommie Copper, a pair copper infused compression sleeves to address a natural solution for pain – probably need these but have my running skirt heart compression socks
  • One large runner girl charm necklace from Lift Your Sole – already have this but know a few runners who I could give it to
  • An Ultra Pocket Hat from Gone For A Run – not sure I want to put things in my cap but maybe I could try..
  • A GU Performance Energy sampler, along with a Gel Bot. – love GU but currently not running long but hope to be sometime soon…
  • Two pairs of Wrightsocks, one set in size large, one set in size medium – love socks!! but I wear a small but could give these to someone else..
  • Two Fitness Towels from Inperspire – these have very cool sayings…
  • A Sweaty Band – heard these are great 

So difficult to choose!!!!!!!

THANKS MOLLY!!!

Good Luck on your TRI this weekend and in your marathon training!

Happy Running!

 

 

 

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ClipE Review & Some Running

mine is Black

I almost always run with my iPod (except when I’m on the treadmill) so I agreed to review ClipE when I received an e-mail offering to send me one to try out.
 
According the website:
 
ClipE is a small and simple solution for managing headphone cords in a stylish way. The design, mechanics and ergonomics were the brainchild of an avid runner and professional pilot, Jess Bylsma. Just like pilot’s headsets have a clip on them to keep cords away from the flight controls and switches, Jess saw the need for a similar concept for runner and athletes. After exploring all options in the market that didn’t quite meet the practicality and aesthetic requirements, Jess took matters into her own hands and designed the ClipE.
 
I was planning to run before work yesterday but the rain deterred me.  Today I had no excuse.  I was anxious to continue testing my injured heel as well as the ClipE.
 
Results:
 
I personally do not find that my headphone cords get in my way when I run.  I sometimes find that they are too long but the ClipE wouldn’t help with that.  I think it’s because I hate armbands and I put my iPod in a pocket or clip it to my waistband.
 
Anyway, I put the cords through the ClipE.  I did want to wrinkle my tech shirt but I clipped it to my shirt as shown on the package anyway.  I had a little trouble getting the cords to stay in when I tried to clip it but I finally figured it out. 
 
The ClipE stayed in place throughout my whole run. 
 
I ran 3 miles with a 1/4 mi walk before & after.  My heel didn’t hurt!!  It stills feels tight & achy but no pain… I am not running fast but once the fear factor of a re-occurrance wanes, I’ll try to pick up the pace. 
 
My PT guy feels that I need at least 5 more sessions but he says I can run but not 2 days in a row and not more than 3 miles at a time…
 
 Back to my recommendation on ClipE:
 
 It’s light, stays put and if your headphone cords get in your way when you run, this is a perfect solution for you!
 
__________________
 
 Disclaimer:  I was sent this free of charge.  The opinions of my review are mine and mine alone.
 
________________
 
Happy Running!
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TTT: My Weekend, My Injury & My Weight

  1. 6 weekends in a row, it has been sunny and we have gone boating on Lake George. 

    enjoying my first lake swim

         Am I greedy to want another sunny weekend?  I have a 3-day weekend.   The weekend forecast doesn’t look good 😦 

           This weekend is also our annual tennis  gathering on Schroon River.

2.  Today is my next to last PT appointment.  It’s with my favorite PT guy #1.  Since I last went to PT on Monday, I have:

  • run 2.5 miles plus .5 mile walk on Tues
  • played 1 hour of tennis (doubles) on Tues
  • 1.5 hours of yoga on Wed
  • walked 1 mile at lunch today

It seems to be getting better but not fast enough for me!  I hope to run again tomorrow and gradually increase over the weekend…(if I have no pain!)

3.    I am FAT!!   No, not obese… but since I have not been running or playing tennis, I have gained weight!!!! I say it’s the lack of physical activity.  But it could be the frequency of rootbeer floats I have consumed this summer.

I have always been very thin.  Underweight as a kid.  I have never had to diet.  I don’t even know how.  I love my carbs & desserts!!! It’s never been a problem but I think it’s also an age thing!!!

me in college many moons ago

As you get older, your metabolism slows down!!!!  If you eat the same way as you did 10 or 20 or 30 years ago, you will gain weight and even if you don’t gain lbs, you gain inches…in all the wrong places.

Mine is in my waist, stomach & butt… I haven’t gained a huge amount of weight …maybe 8 lbs but it’s a lot for me!!!!!

I HATE IT!!!!!

recently - the dress covers it all!

So what’s the plan?  Of course, run and play tennis.  Continue yoga, walk at lunch…switch from chocolate poptarts to vanilla (90 calories less), cut out the ice cream (well, most of it), drink more water, eat more salads…

Happy Running! Any diet tips for the “old” lady?

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Seminar #2 – Injury Prevention

Unfortunately, I missed the first one on Nutrition for Runners but Suzy gave an excellent summary HERE.

The 2nd one was last nite:

“Injury Prevention”

Too bad this wasn’t offered sooner! Maybe I wouldn’t be injured right now!!

Speaker:  Matthew Alheim, P.T. 

Matthew is a Physical Therapist at Repsher & Associates.  He will speak on proper stretching techniques and give tips on ways to prevent common running-related injuries. Time will be set aside for questions and answers.  

The seminar was sponsored by Adidas, FleetFeet and HMRRC.

There were about 50 or so local runners, most of them training for a Marathon.  I bumped into fellow blogger/runner, Suzy and we sat together.

There’s too much of a teacher/trainer in me to rave about this presentation.  The speaker is a physical therapist and obviously knows his stuff.  As a presenter, he stunk was not very good. He gave out handouts of most of his powerpoint slides.  He just read what was on the screen (and on the handouts) and when he was running out of time, he just went through the content quickly.

He discussed the common running injuries (plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, shin splints, IT band, patellar tendonitis) and their causes, symptoms and treatments. (Most of this I was familiar with since I am always looking things up on the Internet.)

He then via the slides demonstrated lots of useful stretches. He concluded with a question and answer session.

The bottom line is that you need to stretch!! I think I knew that. 

 I am not a stretcher.  I get out and begin to run and then when I’m done, I stop.  With me, it’s a time thing.  I want to get the miles done and get to work or get home and stretching takes time. I DO NOT HAVE TIME  to stretch…

This is all fine and good if you are not injured.  If you are older, I think you are more prone to injuries because you are less limber.

Now I am stretching and stretching and stretching. When I am healthy, will I continue?????

(Speaking of healthy – I ran 2.5 miles yesterday morning and played tennis for 1 hour after work and I do not have pain today…woo hoo!!!!)

Happy Running! Do you stretch?

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2 (or more) for Tuesday

  1. Yesterday I was supposed to have PT guy#1 (whom I Like) but had PT girl.  For some reason, I don’t have positive sessions with her.  When she does the massage, it REALLY HURTS!! She gives negative vibes like it seems to be not healing… PT guy #1 stopped to inquire about my running experiment and when I explained about Day#2 being better, he wasn’t a fan of running 2 days in a row!!  He was happy that it didn’t hurt but cautioned me not to run again until today!
  2. So I ran today!  I forgot how much I like running in the morning before work!!!!! So I stretched and walked a 1/2 mile and then slowing ran 2 1/2 miles!!!  No pain at all in the heel…but I got a pain on the outside of the ankle (I think I’ve had that pain before but it quickly disappeared) so I stopped and iced it. 

My Internet research has turned up Peroneal Tendonitis…  I’m not going to freak out… doctors & pts must know what they are doing, right?

Fortunately (or unfortunately), the exercises for that are the same as for Achilles Tendonitis…

I plan to rest tomorrow and try again on Thursday…keep your fingers crossed!

Happy Running!

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I ran!

Well, kinda..

After my PT on Friday, PT guy #1  said that I should try running. 

“What?” I said. 

“Not today…but over the weekend so we can see if you are healing,” he replied.

Nobody had to twist my arm.

Again a beautiful weather weekend was forecasted so we headed to Lake George.

view of the lake from Commission Pt Is.

Saturday morning after breakfast, I headed out on my favorite running route around the Sagamore.

view from the Sagamore Nature Trail

I followed PT guy’s instructions: walk for 5 min, do stretches, jog for 5 minutes and stop if it hurts, then ice.

Well, the burning pain was gone but not the annoying ache.  I did manage about 1 mile of running & 2 miles of walking.  However, the annoying burning pain returned during the afternoon and I WAS BUMMED!!

floating around

I refused to be beaten by this injury.

After breakfast on Sunday, I set out again to the nature trail around the Sagamore.

This time, I walked longer (about one mile) and then ran.  AND IT DIDN’T REALLY HURT!!! So I continued.  When it felt tight, I stopped and stretched.  I ran 2 miles and walked 2 miles.  After I iced it, I took my anti-inflammatory drugs and wore sneakers the rest of the day… and felt good!

A beautiful weekend on the lake included a positive running experience…

1st waterlily bloom on the lake

So like the waterlilies, I have a long way to go…but I had my 1st bloom!!

Happy Running!

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July is Over…Thank God!

Those 26 miles were ALL painful walk/runs. The worst running month ever.

July Recap –injured  heel (inflamed achilles tendon)

  • no good runs
  • no half marathoon training
  • no races
  • no tennis
  • several yoga sessions
  • several PT sessions
  • many great weekends on Lake George 🙂

So except for the wonderful summer weather, I am not sad to see July end!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome August!

I am hoping to be pain-free! 

I am hoping to start running again!

I am hoping to gradually increase my mileage.

I am hoping to start training for Half Marathon #4.

I am hoping to run a 5k before the end of the month.

Happy Running!

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TTT

  1. My cold is clearing out…now’s it’s an annoying cough.
  2. I had my 3rd PT session on Monday with a 3rd different physical therapist.  She was nice too. It was similar to visit #2 but I rode the stationary bike for 10 min instead of the elliptical…but the heat ultrasound and the massaging hurt more than previous times. That worried me.  They cancelled yesterday’s session since my insurance only covers 5 visits 😦 and I have my 4th tomorrow & 5th on Monday.  My original PT guy wants to me run on it over the weekend to see how the injury is progressing.  This way, he can justify more sessions from my insurance. I’m excited to run but scared at the same time.  I’m pretty sure than it will hurt but hopefully less!!! Mentally, I’ve given myself until August 15 to be completely healed (that starts training for HM #4).
  3. Today we have a half day at work ….staff appreciation day …awards & a picnic.  They have also given us TOMORROW OFF!! WooHoo!

Happy Running!

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(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Enough about my injured achilles!!!

Enough about my horrendous cold!

There’s good news on the running/blogger front…

Sweaty Emily, after becoming an IRONMAN!

Please check out her mom‘s spectator post as well as Emily‘s sweaty race report!
 
I’m sure it will bring tears to your eyes!
 
Happy Running!
 

 

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Running and Your Health

So as you know I haven’t been running due to my achilles injury.  Last week, I had sore throat and now it has developed into a full blown COLD –  Achoo!!!!

When I was running, I was either training for a 5K or  this past year, a half marathon.   Since I have been running, I haven’t had a cold!!!!!!!!!!

Does my body know that it is ok to be sick now since I have nothing important to do?

Or is running good for your health?

Here’s what they say:

Many studies indicate that exercising at a medium intensity level reduces our risk of infection over the long term…

Light or moderate running boosts our body’s natural immune system bycirculating protective cells through the body faster, to attack and eliminate bacteria, viruses and fungi. Infection fighters, such as Natural Killer Cells, macrophages, immunoglobins, white blood cells, and other antibodies, are produced in the bone marrow, lungs, and spleen, and have a clean up effect on foreign invaders.

Another theory holds that the increase in body temperature when we run may inhibit the growth of bacteria, thus reducing its foothold in the body. Other exercise scientists believe that regular running helps rid the lungs of airborne bacteria and viruses that cause URTI, while others believe exercise causes the loss of carcinogens through increased sweat and urine loss.

In other words, to stay healthy physically (and mentally), I need to start running again soon!

Happy Running!