Brie Fit

Wear your seatbelt, folks.

I’m not kidding.  It scares the crap out of me to think what might have happened if I didn’t have mine on when this happened.

(No idea about the schoolbus carcass.  This was one bizarre tow lot.)

You can’t see it because of the rain, but the windshield glass had several spiderweb cracks in it.

That styrofoam is half the bumper on the ground.  The rest of the back bumper was inside the car.

Today, I’m extremely sore, especially my neck and hips.  I’m working on sorting through things with insurance, but it looks extremely likely that it will be a total loss and I’ll have a new (to me, anyway) car in a few weeks here.

I just can’t get over how lucky I am to have walked away without a scratch, with our baby safe and sound. 

Thanks for all the good thoughts…I’m off to soak in a tub full of epsom salts.

One of the cool things about my job is that I get to see lots of colleges and universities across the country.  Small, huge, private, public, urban, rural…I’ve seen it all!  (This week, even.)

And no, I am definitely not vetting schools for my future children AT ALL.  I swear.

Anyway, this week I was at the University of Arkansas (among others) and was pleasantly surprised at what a nice campus (although OMFG hilly) it was.

I like schools that have lots of school spirit.

And…Centers of Excellence for Poultry Science?  (Sponsored by the Tyson family, of course.)

I pooh-poohed big state schools when I was in high school because EVERYONE in my graduating class was going to University of Illinois and I wanted to be different.  But I think they’re really neat to visit and some of my favorites now!   I love observing the culture of each university…each one is truly unique. 

Although…I remain partial.  Obviously.

I mean, I LIKE all those other schools…but they are all pretty much substitutes for if our future kid actively refuses Northwestern.  Heh.

Sooo the drive from Arkansas to Kansas City is boring.  Who knew?

There were about 6 hours of that view yesterday, made much more tolerable by the discovery of the Marathon Training Academy podcast as recommended by the lovely Branny.  I was so inspired I nearly registered for my second full the minute I got home…then remembered the achy tendon in my foot (STILL OMG MAKE IT STOP) and thought the better of it.    I do think that when I do make that commitment, I will be using their intermediate training plan…3 days a week of running and lots of cross training sounds perfect to me.

Made it home around 7:30 last night…only to head to the airport at about 10:30 this morning for another flight.  This time, I’m in Atlanta!

And thank effing God the hotel gym didn’t suck.  It was actually really nicely stocked, including icy lemon water, free bananas (that’s what she said), and chilled moist towels.

That was like…a third of it.  Lots of weights, treadmills, ellipticals and even a BOSU ball and some medicine balls and other random cool stuff, all in good working order.

I ambitiously hopped on a treadmill but felt my foot start to ache after just five minutes.  So, I went to the elliptical and pushed hard for 50 minutes while watching Dr. Phil. 

Anyway, I’m spending my evening in this very oddly-shaped, tiniest-bathroom-ever hotel room with some room service and a Harry Potter movie on cable.  Excellent. Should be home late tomorrow…I miss my little family!

What kind of college did you go to and what was it like?  

Hi guys!  Happy Monday!

Just a quickie today—I didn’t work out because a) my left foot is killing me, still (I’ve self-diagnosed an angry, squeaky tendon that needs ice and rest) and b) our pastor came over after work and I didn’t want to be stinky.

Tomorrow I shall return to the gym and do something that doesn’t angry up my foot—weightlifting, maybe?  The dreaded elliptical?  (GROAN.)  I miss spin classes and kickboxing and yoga, but those things are just not possible with my gym options right now.  Grr.

Also, someone asked if I’m going to do a triathlon.  The short answer is no.  The long answer is maybe.  I do not own a road bike and we don’t really have the funds to buy one, and my pool skills include treading water, backstroking, and dog paddling.  Would I like to do one someday?  Yes.  But…probably not right now.  Unless someone wants to send me a road bike and a swim coach.

Also?  Our nephew is on the way!  Our FIRST nephew!  We don’t know his name, but Tim’s brother and his lovely wife will be parents quite soon—hopefully tonight or tomorrow!  I am so, so excited and will introduce you to the little guy when he gets here.

Do you have nieces and nephews?  Are they as awesome as I hope they are?  What should I do at the gym tomorrow?  What is an appropriate “welcome baby” gift that can be shipped cross-country?

TGIF!

(Speaking of which, I realized the other night that I still remember the Tanner home phone number from Full House.  555-2424, in case you’re wondering.)

Anyway. 

After work today I was supposed to get on the treadmill for 12 miles.  But I was nauseous, and sluggish, and after 2.5 miles I said, “You know what?  Not going to happen.”  Two weeks ago I ran 15 miles, and 6 days ago I ran 20, and that’s a lot for my new-to-super-long-distances body.

If there’s one thing I have learned the hard way during marathon training, it’s to listen to your body and not overdo it.  A 12 mile long run+shorter runs is not a stepback week for me.  A week of shorter, easy runs is.  I’m still going to finish.

When I came home, Tim was all excited to show me his first hardcore running casualty!  Verbatim quote: “Can you put this on the blog?”  Of course, Tim.

He had a hangnail on his toe that bled a lot.  My stellar stain removal skills got rid of the stain (peroxide+cold water; don’t ask me how I know this), but his pride remains.

(Side note: on one of our first dates, I successfully washed a chocolate ice cream stain out of one of Tim’s favorite shirts.  I think my stain removal skills are part of the reason he proposed.)

I also got a fun package in the mail today!

Yet another sign that this is real.  It fits well and I’m going to run in it next week to make sure it’s cool chafing-wise.  (Although I’ve never really had chafing issues.)

Happy Friday!  Enjoy your weekend!

Oh, good Lord.

Today at work, I spent an hour icing a new body part: my right index finger, which I smashed in the corner of a very heavy file drawer.  I am not a wuss, but it hurt so bad I nearly passed out!  My finger is all tingly and bruised and throbbing and warm and it hurts to type and mouse click.  

So, if you’re keeping score at home, the official tally now is four black toenails and one black fingernail.

I ran 3 miles in 29:40 after work and it felt pretty good—I’m consciously taking things very slow and very conservative until Chicago!  I have the rest of my life to work on speed, and the last thing I want to do right now is push something too hard and reinjure myself.

Anyway, for obvious reasons, I don’t feel much like typing, and my stomach hurts, so that’s all for now!

What’s the stupidest injury you’ve ever had?  I broke two toes racing my sister to the bathroom when I was 21!

Sorry for no post last night!

I spent pretty much all day on a plane or at the airport and didn’t get home until around 8 pm…at which point I had to eat dinner (I was starving), unpack, and make my breakfast and lunch for today.

Around noon I had a half sandwich and tomato soup at Au Bon Pain, and picked up a banana and some Food Should Taste Good multigrain chips (LOVE these) for plane snackage.  I was glad I did!  My second flight was delayed on the tarmac and I was starving, especially given the time change.

Kansas City was rainy and dusky when I landed.

I was definitely dragging at work today.  I went to bed late, Milhouse had an epic coughing fit in the middle of the night, and I pushed snooze one too many times. 

After work, I attempted to run.  It didn’t go well.  This time, my right shin (NOT my left, that’s been the troublemaker lately) was hurting me.  As much as it killed me to quit, I knew it was the right thing to do if I have any hope of doing a long run this weekend.  At this point, I am more than frustrated with my body.  I’m running a marathon in three weeks!  I’m supposed to be healthy and fast and one of those annoying people who genuinely enjoys running!   Instead, I’m in intermittent pain, and have a 1:1-ish ratio of good to bad runs lately.  Sucky.

Anyway, I took the day off tomorrow, since I’ve worked ten days in a row!  I’m hoping to get new running shoes, sleep late, and just chill.  Even though travel doesn’t SOUND stressful (yes, I sat on a plane all day), it takes a lot out of me when I’m gone for awhile.  I can’t wait!

What do you do on days off?

Well, guys, I don’t want to jinx myself, but I had a great run today!

The weather was sunny and perfect—not too hot, not too cold.   Fall is in the air here—I even had a perfect Gala apple for a snack this afternoon!

I decided to head to the track to run—the rubber is nice and easy on my legs.

Look at that sky!

(I watched soccer practice while I ran, and wondered how these young whippersnappers manage to run in those flimsy-looking soccer shoes without getting injured!  God, I’m old.)

Kangaroo topiary! 

  Anyway, I ran two miles (no walking), both under 10:00 each!  (I think one was 9:59 and one was 9:47 or so.)  The last one I ran a lap, then walked a lap, and finished in about 12:30. 

Stats:

(I forgot to stop it right away, so the time is longer than it actually took me.)

Anyway, while I won’t go so far as to say I felt STRONG—but I felt decent.  I could have kept going, but I’m trying to be conservative while I feel out my limits.  My shin only twinged a bit, and I think the issue now is that my shoes are old and I need new ones.  (I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it to the running store until Friday, though!)  I am also employing ice/compression after runs from now on.

Slow and steady, friends.  Slow and steady.

Guess where we went this weekend?

St. Louis!  (Obviously.)

Tim and I have gone to the Missouri-Illinois “Arch Rivalry” football game every year since we’ve been dating.  (This is our fourth!)  Here’s our first one, in 2007:

Back in 2007, this was our first trip as a couple together, AND the first time I’d met a lot of Tim’s college friends, so I always get a little sentimental about it!

Anyway.  We drove to St. Louis after work Friday and stayed with our buddies Sarah and James.  Saturday was game day!

(Despite the fact that I am from Illinois, I do not root for Illinois, largely because everyone who was a jerk to me in high school went there.) 

Anyway, a good time was had by all, and Mizzou won!

Sunday was spent driving.  We drove from St. Louis to central Illinois to pick up Tim’s new car (THANK GOD), then back to KC.  So…about 8-9 hours in the car.  No fun.

Today, I slept late and attempted my first run in almost two weeks.

I was supposed to wait two weeks (which would be Wednesday) before I ran again, but thanks to a crazy work schedule, I won’t be able to run then.  So, I gave it a shot today, and decided to do a half run, half walk to ease back into things.

I did two miles, alternately running and walking .33 miles, for an average pace of 11:55/mile.

I wish I could say it was fabulous, but it wasn’t.  Now that it’s fall, my asthma was bothering me.  Since I haven’t been running, I haven’t been diligent about my meds, and I felt it.  (Oops.)

My leg felt good when I was walking, and only a little achy when I was running.  I can tell the rest has helped, but I do think I need new shoes as mine are close to the 300 mile mark and I’ve always been hard on shoes.

So…what’s my plan from here on out?  Right now, I am still in this marathon thing.  I’m not giving up.  My Team in Training coach suggested I cut my running to three times a week (and to possibly do one run a week in the pool or on the elliptical), and I’m going to do just that.  She also said I should try to get in at least 2-3 more long runs before race day.  I hope to squeeze one in on Friday or Saturday of this week (I’m traveling for work, so this will be dicey—if I can’t get it done, it will be next Tuesday.)  I’m also hoping do do one with a running group in KC on the 20th that offers a 16-22 mile training run with aid stations for $20.

Also, at this point, I am struggling with the fact that I’m going to need to do some walking.  Walking is painless for me; running is not.  And I’m not trained to do 26.2, running the whole way the whole time.  Mentally, it’s hard for me to walk, but I know I NEED to do it to finish strong.

But I’m gonna do this.  The next month is going to suck, and be hard, but I will drag my ass across that finish line crawling if I have to.  I am scared shitless, and nervous, and I doubt myself with every single step. 

And I may or may not mail a finish line photo to Dr. Douche, with the phrase “Thanks for the motivation, asshat” scrawled across it. 

Did you have a good long weekend?

Today I saw Dr. Thorough, the awesome podiatrist I saw back in April.  I brought him my MRI films, had my radiology report faxed over, and picked up a CD with my x-rays from Dr. Douche, so I was well armed!

(See?  X-ray!)

(I confess that I took an iPhone photo of my radiology report while he was out of the room for you guys.)

So, the rundown. 

1. The report says I do NOT have a stress fracture!
2. The report says I have a “mild stress reaction” on my tibia.  The doctor says that since the MRI was taken after a week of total rest, it was probably severe (or at least moderate) while I was training regularly.
3. That means I am basically dealing with the shin splints from hell.  He commented that I have massive calf muscles on the MRI from running, which apparently puts some sort of stress on something in my lower leg and makes me more susceptible to this.  (I think.)
4. Dr. Thorough said he was curious why he was seeing me for the follow-up, and I told him, “Well, he told me I was too fat to run.”  He gave me this look:
5. He said that weight actually has very little to do with these kinds of injuries.  Yes, I may be heavier than the average runner, but my bones and muscles are built to handle the load, and I’m in good shape, which is what matters.  He also argued with me because he didn’t think I was overweight at all.  He said that these kinds of injuries are usually attributable to biomechanics, improper shoes, or overtraining. 
6. He also asked about my period.  (TMI ahead!  Warning!)  And basically…I have not had a period on my own, and I haven’t ovulated, since going off birth control in early July.  Apparently, not having a period puts me at a high risk of developing a stress fracture.  I’m not quite sure why, but he seemed pretty concerned about this.
7. So…he wants me to rest my legs another week-ish so that hopefully the rest of the inflammation goes away.  Then, next week, he wants me to do an easy training run just to see how I feel.  If I feel good, I can ease back into my regular mileage, but “if it hurts, STOP.”
8. If I try to run next week, and it hurts, I am going for another X-ray and maybe another MRI, and he is going to prescribe anti-inflammatories and possibly more rest.

My issue now is that I simply don’t know if I’ve trained enough to run this race.  My longest run to date is only 14 miles, and there are 5 weeks to race day.  There is a big difference between 14 and 26.2, and I don’t want to a) hurt myself or b) set myself up for failure. 

So, I know that next week is going to be a bit of a trial and error week.  Beyond that, I know nothing.  If my leg feels good next week, I may try to do a long run alternating generous walking and running intervals just to see if I CAN add a fair chunk of distance that way.  (Think: walk half a mile, run half a mile.)  The idea of finishing this marathon and sending Dr. Douche a picture of me crossing the finish line makes me grin from ear to ear…but I also don’t want to do anything stupid.

I also know I’m coming up on being due for new shoes (sorry, Tim!)—these have about 270 miles on them, so they’re not quite at the 300-500 mark, but getting close. 

So, that’s that.  Any words of advice are appreciated!

What would you do in my shoes?

Sorry for the title.  That’s all I can think of right now.  MRIs are loud, dude!

Anyway.  I have been resting from exercise and I’m kind of not a fan.  I really like self-scheduled rest weeks; I hate involuntary rest weeks.  I am having trouble sleeping and find myself wistfully looking at fun races to register for.  (There are a lot of good ones around here in the fall.)

Anyway.  Worked all day.  I arranged to pick up a CD of my x-rays at Dr. Douche’s office tomorrow.  Went for the MRI.  Had to take off all metal stuffs and lock them up.

The MRI itself didn’t make me nervous, but the “OMG MAGNETS” signs totally did.  I kept mentally reviewing to make sure I didn’t have some forgotten-about shrapnel lodged in my skull or something.

The MRI itself was annoying.  I didn’t have to go all the way in the tube, but the lower half of my body was, and I had to lie very still and not move for 35 minutes-ish.  Boooring.  Predictably, my legs fell asleep.  It was also very loud.   I am weird, though, and find medical tests and hospitals and doctor’s offices fascinating,  so at least it was an interesting experience.

Anyway, when it was done, they gave me my films.

Of course I don’t understand them, but you’d better believe I am playing Dr. Google and trying to diagnose myself.  (Even though I know it’s pointless.  Sigh.)

Allegedly Dr. Douche will call me tomorrow.  I’ll probably let it go to voicemail, since I’m seeing Dr. Thorough on Thursday.  I’ll let you know what happens!

(Don’t forget to check out my blogiversary links below!)

Are you afraid of doctors/medical procedures?