Podiatrist and PT

I had my follow-up visit with the podiatrist and they did a gait study while I ran.  I am still having trouble with the neuroma on my right foot and it was not happy today.  Apparently I have a leg length discrepancy ( which I already knew ) that is pretty significant and which is probably causing a majority of my issues.  They recommend a slight heel lift and continue working in PT to strengthen my core and left side.  They doctor also said that because of my knee laceration I have been compensating on my right side with the way I run and walk.  The doctor is optimistic I will recover quickly as long as I do not over do it.  I am the worst patient ever!!

I had PT right after my appointment and spilled my emotions to my therapist.  I got a ton of laser and stim to help with the neuroma.



I also did a ton of core work and lower leg massage and stretching!

After PT I needed to burn off some energy and was allowed to bike.  So I did 18.2 miles on the expresso bike and felt so much more at ease when I was finished.

Anyone ever have a neuroma?

Happy Running!

Memorial Day Weekend

My parents have a great little place at the beach where my uncle is their neighbor!  So we headed down friday night to beat the traffic.  Saturday was my Mom's birthday so we celebrated by hanging out on the beach from 9am to 3pm...the kids had a blast swimming, crabbing and playing with friends while mom and I read our books.  After the fun in the sun we went out for a beach staple food and drink:



I felt like a got a little too much sun today despite the 50 spf and reapplying..



We finished the day with a delicious birthday ice cream treat.  Happy Birthday to the world's greatest mom!  I love you Mom!

Sunday it was time to test out the legs/feet.  I absolutely love early morning beach running.  My hubby went with me so I was forced to go slow and not over do it.



8 pain-free miles completed!  Happy me.  Then it was time to hit the beach.

How was everybody's holiday weekend?

Happy Running!

Alter-G

After working my midnight shift and getting my butt kicked at work I headed over to PT.  I was super excited when my therapist said "are you ready to run?"!!  I was grinning from ear to ear and almost cried I was so happy but also nervous.  I was afraid my legs forgot how to run.  So he zipped me into the Alter-G (antigravity) treadmill set my percentage and speed and I was running!  I was allowed run for 30 minutes and loved every second.  This machine makes running feel like it should...light footfalls,quick turnover and amazing!  I was so overwhelmed with emotion I forgot to get a picture of me running on my new BFF!  I followed up with my PT routine and I am already noticing a difference in my strength and flexibility.  Fingers crossed.

Happy Running!

Expresso!

Today started off rough.  A good friend of mine lost his father...It truly makes you put things into prospective and look at life differently.  This really breaks my heart and makes me appreciate my parents even more than I already do!

Today is also our 9 year wedding anniversary!!  It is so hard to believe that it has been 9 years...I really do look forward to spending many more years with my hubby!  Love you Danny!

So after an emotional morning I made it to the gym to work off some of those emotions.  I decided to try the Expresso Bike today.  Wow am I glad I did.  I got a great workout.  It was like playing a video game while working out.  I chose a 20 mile ride that had HUGE hills.  A guy got on next to me and picked the same ride...he kept looking over at my screen and checking my speed!!  So of course the competitor in me came out and I dusted him.



A screen shot of my ride.  Check out those hills.

Have you ever tried out this bike?

It will definitely become part of my cross training routine!

Happy Running!

Where has the time gone...

The past few days have been crazy busy around our household!  The end of the school year is quickly approaching and we have had tons to do.  Today was a special day because my little guy graduated pre-school...



He has grown so much over the year and I absolutely love his teachers and the dedication they have to the kids.

I have to tell you I am liking how my body is responding to all the weight training I have been doing the past week.  It takes a lot to motivate me to get there but once I start I find myself enjoying it.  Thank goodness I have an amazing gym and tons of supportive friends there!



This group of girls are so fabulous!  They have helped me look at the bright side and see that I will come back stronger then I was before.  Thanks girls!

I have moved my focus to my core, glutes, and ankles since I apparently have NO strength in these areas!  Tons of core work will hopefully give me the "pelvic girdle" I am lacking.  I also got cleared to do the elliptical and octane machine!  This was such a huge joy for me...Usually I avoid these machines like the plague.  I have totally shifted my mindset and am now really excited to see what my future training holds.

Today I was allowed to do the Stairmonster and got my sweat on...



Boy I look mean!  I swear I was elated to sweat like a man.  I did 70 minutes and loved every second.  My legs were shaky when I was done and it felt great.

I followed this up with Physical Therapy...I feel so weak in PT because he makes me do all the exercises I never do!  Hence the injuries.  I totally got worked today in PT for 1 hour 30 minutes.  But now that it is over I have to say I love it.  He knows exactly where my deficits are and forces me to strengthen them. I also had laser therapy and some stim!

Hope everyone is training smart!

Happy Running!

Fortune cookie and Feet.

I met my mom, brother and my little guy for lunch today and this is what my fortune cookie said!



So the "Running" part I feel like the cookie was either rubbing it in or letting me know I will be ok!!  My brother's said "Relationships" which is perfect for him!  I am taking this sign as a positive and looking at the bright side.

Since my physical therapist will be seeing and touching my feet I treated myself to a pedicure!



I always feel I have to explain to the pedicure girl way my feet are so gnarly!  Do you do this too?? The good thing about having gross stitches in my knee is she hardly noticed how ugly my feet are!!

Happy Running!

Fantastic Friends..

I am so touched with the amount of support and caring that my many friends and family have shown to me.  Since I cannot bend my knee until the stitches are removed I have to modify my workouts BIG TIME!!  I am very lucky to have many personal trainer friends who have given me "WOD" (workout of the day) to do that are really kicking my butt!  I am planning on having rock solid abs and sculpted arms just in time for summer!

Big thanks to Angel who has truly been my "Angel" through everything.  She really keeps me sane!  Mama Dawn is totally my voice of reason and always makes me see the big picture!!  Josh and Tony are saviors for making my workouts hard and helping me work on my imbalances!

I started Physical Therapy yesterday and the therapist could not get over my lack of luck since Boston.  He was awesome and took a ton of measurements of strength and flexibility.  I was surprised by how weak my left side is...Apparently I have a weak core, glutes, and ankles!  Lots of work to do but my therapist thinks I will come back a much stronger runner and get my PR # that I want!  This gave me a ton of hope and was exactly what I needed to hear.  My PT said he thinks by having stitches this is the best thing that happened at this moment because now I am forced to focus on my recovery!

So if anyone has a favorite WOD please share!

Happy Running!