I’m a woman of few words right now. Here are some pics of what I’ve been up to.
Ally and Keaton, my weekend visitors, on what we believe to be Keaton's first subway ride...
Ally and I in Washington Square Park, my old stomping grounds. PS - the tree in WSP is lamer this year than usual -- did anyone else notice that? It's less full and lit.
Center Stage at Chicago...
...thanks to Ryan! (He is Aaron, in case you go see it.)
Rockefellar Center wasn't crowded at all...
But, it was worth it!
9/11 Memorial. Go if you have a chance.
Ally and Keaton Tebowing it at Madame Tussaud's.
Keaton found the M and M for him for Hanukah (sp?).
Sweat Squad Secret Santa Brunch....that lasted until 7 pm. Picture thanks to Lindsay's camera with the self-timer.
Thanks to Ali for hosting, Kelly for her nutella cookies, Megan for fueling my 16 Handes addiction, Susan for facial expressions, and Lindsay for her photography skills/camera with a timer.
People made food and I ate it. Ali hosted (and also took this pic). I brought...Picky Bars....in case hunger struck after people left.
Megan got Ample Hills Creamery ice cream from Lindsay. Solid. Megan got me a 16 Handles gift card. We will not be calcium deficient!
So, that was my weekend in a nutshell.
Guess what? I passed all 3 strength tests today at PT and get to try to run tomorrow (a run/walk alternating thing)! It was nice no to see my leg flop to the ground like a dead fish when I was trying to resist the PT pushing my leg down.
This is one of the strength tests. You lay like this and the other person tries to push down on your leg. Normally mine falls straight to the ground, but I FINALLY was able to hold it up today.
TELL ME: Do anything Christmas-y this weekend? Brave lots of tourists? Go to PT and/or chiropractor yourself?
1. FLYING INTO NYC WITH TOURISTS SITTING NEXT TO YOU: Sometimes, I feel like I take for granted that I see the Empire State Building every night (and always wonder the reason behind the color choice, if it’s not obvious). One of the landing patterns (I’ve flown into LGA one too many times), takes you right by the skyline of Manhattan. Tourists get so excited by this. One the other day was even enamored with the “yellow taxis – wow! just like on TV.” It reminds me that I’m pretty lucky to live here.
And kind of crazy I've lived here for seven years...
2. McDONALDS OATMEAL: Actually not half bad, if you’re in a pinch on the road. That McDonald’s commercial about the girl getting breakfast for the angry boss is getting old though.
When the RC makes the team, I told her she needs to get this Kate Spade "London Calling" Bangle.
4. GRASTON TECHNIQUE: Dr. Steven Levine, of pre-NYC marathon saved my butt fame, told me he’d help me get healthy again. He is a God-send. For some reason, I slightly believe him telling me I’ll be ok eventually, even though he said I shouldn’t Jingle Jog (devastating…I still might walk it.)
Today he whipped out this seemingly innocuous silver tool, which ended up being a weapon of torture, but the good kind of torture.
Doesn't look so painful, right? WRONG.
Basically, what that silver metal thing does is it helps the practitioner identify areas of scar tissue, which he or she then using to break said scar tissue up. I think, but am not sure, that the sensation or vibration coming from the metal would change depending upon the consistency of the muscle in question. If it doesn’t glide smoothly, you have a problem.
It’s kind of cool, actually. If you rub the torture device over my quad, its glides smoothly and doesn’t hurt too bad. When you move it to my IT band, it feels like you’re trying to rub a tough piece of steak. Further, if the muscle or tissue has adhesions or scar tissue, you’ll start to develop redness and petechiae (little red dots signaling capillary breakage). My IT band now looks bluish/bruised. I like to think that means it’s working.
The first thing that came to my head when the petechiae starting to develop? Katy Perry’s song, “Firework.” It reminded me of like a firework erupting on my leg or something. I don’t know where I come up with these things either.
A somewhat abstract description of what the skin over my IT band looks like right now...
He also did some work on my medial hamstring and piriformis. What I want to know is – are those muscles essential? They’re literally a pain in my butt. I’d also like an SI Joint that stays in place and/or an in home chiropractor.
5. ANGEL TREE: Anyone do Angel Tree at Christmas? I think it’s through the Salvation Army. My family did it for many years. My brother’s school has its own Angel Tree this year. Reading the requests reminds me how lucky I am. One of the requests from a 15 year old girl was, “shampoo, jeans, hoodies, a jacket, the book ‘Texas Gothic,’ and room decorations in yellow.”
I think my family is going to do one or two this year.
TELL ME: Anything rocking your week? Ever had Graston? Did you bruise? Ever do Angel Tree?
And, if this IT band/SI joint/hamstring doesn’t get better by 2012, I will probably lose it and take up something else. Like knitting.
Listen, people. I know I am being ridiculous. Running, while important to me, is a hobby – nothing more. There is no reason I should be upset or in near tears when I think about the NYC Marathon. Anyone want to give me a deadline on the sulking period?
Apparently, I wasn't upset here (yet). You know why? Because I saw Ali, Lauren, and Emily all reppin' the sweat squad.
[Seriously, huge thank you Ali,Emily, and Lauren and all the other cheerleaders I saw - Jaime, Jackie, Kimmie, Jess, Courtney, etc - and my virtutal cheereleaders, too many to name]
Mile 18 or so pick me up. HUGE THANKS!
So, yes, my whole crying on the way to work this morning thinking “all of my hard work went to waste” is quite ridiculous. At the moment, it’s the way I feel and I feel somewhat stupid now making my marathon goal 3:35, then putting that out there, and then failing miserably. I have a hard time thinking “oh, it was that IT band thing,” because I’m sure someone out there has PR’ed in a marathon on a bum IT band.
And then I saw this cute puppy on my way to work, which made me instantly feel better. I feel weird calling it "work," considering I don't get paid. Oh well, it's fun, regardless.
Or maybe I’m just slightly psychotic. Someone had the office told me “I’m sorry you’re injured,” and I was like “oh this IT band isn’t an injury, its just an annoyance.” I’m very rational right now, obviously. Like when I almost threw my running shoes out the window this morning – very mature.
Someone at work did validate me by telling me she has similar marathon experiences in not being 100% content with her time. She made me feel so much better and I’m convinced we’re the same person although separated by 6 years in age(we have similar test scores and everything). She told me to not let it ruin the whole experience for me because, at the end of the day, the NYC marathon is a very cool experience.
Anyways, if you know me and how I follow gymnastics obsessively, you would know that I, course, know the slogan of the gym that produced the last two Olympic All-Around champions, WOGA (World Olympics Gymnastics Academy). In true Russian fashion, the motto of the gym is “Train Hard Or Go Home” and “Hard Work Never Disappears.”
I want to raise my kids in Dallas just so they can be good gymnasts...
I like to think the latter one is especially true. Sure, I worked hard for 3-4 months and it didn’t pay off on the big day.
However, I don’t think it’s particularly healthy to judge anything by just one day. I don’t think a surgeon would judge his or her career based on one case.
[P.S. I have to give a big virtual shout out, hug, and high five to Steph (the RC). She is awesome. She gets a thumbs up from Meggie. And a pointer finger. Although I don't think she reads this blog. Irregardless, she's cool.]
Look at the RC go...she is so fast.
I haven’t found the actual marathon to be enjoyable, yet. It’s kind of a lot of eggs in one basket for me, for a race. But, I figure, that’s kind of how I felt about running for a long time — I thought it was pretty miserable. I figure as long as I have the desire to do a marathon, I’ll keep trying.
So, yep, I think this post actual ends sulking period. Meggie isn’t a quitter, last time I checked. I have some really things going on at my unpaid work, have more time to scheme ways to raise money for Cookies For Kids’ Cancer, and can start planning my marathon revenge.
Also, PS – everyone I have ever met from Oregon or who has lived there at some point is super tiny. I want to know what on earth is in the water there that is making them all so skinny. I want some of that. Or a mild bout of a tapeworm or something. It can’t be just all that running and stuff they do over there, right?
TELL ME: Your comeback stories, your revenge stories, your war stories, your glory days, your successes, how a sport has once been terrible to you and then you loved it again…I need to be inspired.
Before I go, I ‘ll give you one of mine which has been helpful to me in my sulking period. My junior year of college, I think I won two matches all of the fall season, culminating in a particularly terrible match that I called my “waterloo.” That fall, I felt like I couldn’t hit the side of a barn if I tried. I thought very seriously about quitting tennis that winter, because I just didn’t enjoy it anymore. That spring, I took all pressure off of myself and focused on very basic things. I got all conference that season in both singles and doubles (first team doubles, second team singles, in case you were actually curious.) So, I guess things can turn around.
One of the only pics I have of me playing tennis...I'm sure there are more somewhere....
Today begins the official sulking period over the NYC Marathon for me. I know, I’m being a competitive psycho, but I can’t help it. It’s the way I feel.
I believe I am....sulking. I did run with this in my pocket. The Oiselle distance shorts are awesome. So much storage space.
After I finished, it’s hard to be anything other than happy. Random people congratulate you. No one asks you what your time was. They’re just impressed you finished. I feel the same way when I see other people finish a marathon. If they ran a great time, that’s fabulous, but its even attempting the thing that’s impressive to me. And, it is a pretty incredible thing, when you think about it. The RC reminded me that 99% of people don’t attempt nor finish marathon.
Token NYC finishers in sweet mylar blankets.
If you’ve read any previous posts, you’ll know my time goal for this marathon was 3:35 and then I had my IT band stage a mutiny against me, causing me to run 3x in the last 2 weeks before the marathon. 4:05:33 is very far off form 3:35 and it wasn’t even an improvement from my last marathon(3:48 in May). When I look at it as facts, that it was much worse than the last one, it’s a tough pill for my competitive self to swallow.
I’m having a hard time knowing whether I used my leg as a cop out not to try harder. Did I make it worse in my head so that way I’d have an excuse for slowing down? Maybe. It’s hard to know. It did hurt, especially towards the end when I couldn’t bend it well, but doesn’t something always hurt at the end of a marathon?
I hate you.
I feel like I maybe gave up on myself a little bit from 8-15, which is a big chunk. In my past two marathons, I’ve always had a hard time not thinking “this sucks, I am never doing this again” or “I really am not cut out for marathons if my legs feel a little tired at mile 10.” Those thoughts are exactly what I didn’t want to happen if you read this post from way back when. I did a better job than Jersey in getting rid of them and I didn’t have them after mile 15. Nevertheless, they were still there. There were definitely parts where I was not enjoying myself like I had hoped I would.
Like I said in my last post, if its one thing I’m not, its a quitter. So, of course, I’m already scheming marathon #4 and how it will be redemption 2012. I figure, if I keep trying, one day I’ll get it right, get the marathon I’ve dreamed of. Or maybe I’m just really stubborn and slightly stupid. Maybe I really am not cut out for marathons. But, I figure, I did pretty well in the whole training thing. Eventually I should get the actual race to go my way, right?
I know, I’m being a competitive whiner right now. Writing about it makes me feel better about it so, unfortunately, if you’re reading this, you are being subjected to this. I am sorry.
Now, I know what you’re all thinking. WHAT DID MY NAILS LOOK LIKE FOR THE MARATHON?
Baubing for Baubles and Vermillionaire, both by Essie
I was thrilled with the outcome on the nail polish front.
Now, I need to go caffeinate myself, preferably with an americano with mocha, which the RC introduced me to and is one of my new favorite things. I highly suggest you try it immediately. The RC is wise not only on the running front, but also on the coffee front.
I'm subjecting you to this picture again.
TELL ME: Should I give the marathon another shot? Call it quits?
This is all assuming I can run again. Right now, my legs feel trashed.
Until next time..
P.S. I have to give a shout out to everyone I know who finished: Lindsay, Lauren, Kelly, Betsy, Susan, Emilia, Shannon, Bruce, Heidi, Katie…I think that everyone…sorry for anyone I missed!
That’s right, I wrote a letter to myself. I can’t take credit for the idea. I stole it from former UCLA gymnast and 2011 World Team Gold Medalist, Anna Li. Here’s one of her floor routines, just so you can know who I’m talking about.
Anyways, I remember reading that Anna Li wrote a letter to herself before her senior season at UCLA, writing to herself how she hoped she would feel at the end of her collegiate career. I’m not exactly sure why she did it, but I thought it be a good, umm, writing exercise?
I wrote a first letter to myself a few weeks ago, before the whole IT band thing happened and my main focus, at the time, was achieving my time goal. It helped me focus myself on what I wanted to feel like at each part of the race and how, ideally, I would like the whole thing to play out. It was actually the first time I used the lined, journal side of my amazing Believe I Am Training Journal, which I still insist that each and everyone of you reading this buys (for the guys, its ok, pink is totally in for guys, too).
The back cover - can we call this super hero "Super Taper?" Yes?
However, I’m thinking I need to write a new letter to myself. For a few reasons…
First, to be honest, I’m very overwhelmed by this whole marathon thing. I’m not exactly sure why, either. In past years (when I have not been running it), I thought the energy was awesome and was jealous of people who were getting to run it. Now that its me running it, all the runners descending upon the city, ads, events, etc, make me anxious. Suffice it to say that even though I haven’t been running much, my heart rate has definitely had some spikes in zones it would only see while running. So, I think writing another letter to myself would help me refocus myself on what I actually want to get out of this whole experience and will help, umm, un-overwhelm me.
If I mention heart rates, I obviously have to show a picture of an EKG.
Second, one would reason that I need to change my expectations slightly considering I’ve run 3 times in the past 2 weeks. Of course, because I am very competitive and pretty stubborn, my A goal hasn’t changed. But, I guess my level 0 goal is to finish, considering I may have that knife in the knee happen during the marathon at which point I most likely wouldn’t be able to run the pace I would need to achieve my A goal. Plus, as all of you all reminded me, there are so many variables in a 26 mile race that it’s best to have multiple goals so there isn’t one “do or die” goal you have to hit.
I’m pretty stubborn and know my competitive self a little too well. I will probably be slightly disappointed if I don’t achieve my A goal. I’ve dreamed of it since August. It’s hard for me to let it go.
I will be enormously disappointed if I don’t finish. Yet, with my IT band thing, it is a very real possibility. I need to come to terms with the fact that I might have to readjust my goals depending on how my leg handles the race.
In my first letter to myself (which is a lot of rambling, fyi), my over-arching theme (or recurring thought, I guess) was that I wanted to walk away from the experience with a smile on my face. This may be the only time I get to run the NYC marathon and I don’t want to take it for granted or be ungrateful for the experience.
I don’t think disappointed and smiling really go together. So, clearly, I need some sort of attitude adjustment. One of the reasons I like writing blog posts is that it helps me process things in my life by turning it into a cohesive (well, not always) post. I find writing therapeutic and cathartic at times. So, I will probably be writing a little letter to myself in the very near future about how I want to feel come Sunday evening. You best believe it will also be in my Believe I Am Training Log.
Maybe I should print this and pin it to my bib or something...
Emotionally, I’m excited, terrified, anxious, scared, uncertain, yet thrilled to be taking part. Although I’m sure I seem like an ungrateful, competitive whiner, I truly am excited that I get to run in one of the greatest marathons in the world (and possibly the largest, I think). It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Physically, I feel very well rested, but with a lot of pent up energy.
Leg-sically, I ran today for 20 min. Its better, but its not perfect. I can definitely feel some friction, but its much better then previous runs last week and its not too painful. I’m hoping adrenaline will provide some analgesia on Sunday and I won’t notice a thing. I also plan on icing and taking ibuprofen (until Saturday when I will switch to Tylenol because it doesn’t affect your kidneys like NSAIDs do, just an fyi)
A nephron, which is the "workhorse" of the kidney! If you want an explanation of why you should take Tylenol before and during a marathon, I can tell you. And It has to do with this little guy.
Mentally, I have to take it one day at a time. I’ll have to take it one mile at a time on Sunday and keep reassessing my situation as I run, I guess.
So, that’s where I’m at people.
Oh guess what I also did – I’m pretty sure I freaked out a real life Kenyan runner. I saw Sally Kipyego, who was with the RC and, of course, I recognized her and screamed, “OMG!!! I LOVED YOUR INTERVIEW ON FLOTRACK! YOU ARE AMAZING! CONGRATULATIONS!”
I’m sure she thought I was a real life Buddy the Elf.
I wanted to ask her to give me all of her secrets, besides being Kenyan. Missed opportunity.
TELL ME: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WRITING A LETTER TO YOURSELF? EVER GET OVERWHELMED BY A RACE? MOVIE RECS FOR WHEN I BEGIN HIBERNATION PERIOD?
Oh yeah – that’s right people. I ellipticalled for 20 minutes today and it was exhilarating. My little nucleus accumbens was firing like crazy I’m sure. What’s the nucleus accumbens you ask? It’s a little nucleus (think of it as an activity station) in your brain that is sometimes dubbed the “reward center.” This little guy also plays a crucial role in addiction. The neurobiology of addiction is actually fascinating.
Just so you can know where the nucleus accumbens is.
Ok, I’ll stop nerding out on you all.
Anyways, so I went back to Dr. Levine for some more ART and he says my IT band feels better. BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO RUN TOMORROW.
His reasoning is as follows. Today was the first day that my leg has not hurt walking since I re-aggravated the ol’ IT band last Thursday. Since it appears the IT band is on the upswing (or so we hope), why would I want to run tomorrow and potentially mess up all the healing that’s taken place since last Thursday? A reasonable person wouldn’t want all that tortured rest period ”super-taper” going to waste, now would they?
Surely, you've haven't forgotten about super-taper, right?!?
The problem is I haven’t exactly been reasonable and rational lately, which is probably why Dr. Levine asked me, “So, why are you wearing running clothes right now?”
BECAUSE I WANT TO PRETEND I’M GOING TO RUN — THAT’S WHY.
Ok, lies – I was wearing running clothes because they’re more comfortable than real clothes and, as always, I want all the world to know I <3 Sweat.
20 minutes of sweat is better than no sweat, right? I'm sure Ali agrees.
So, I’m trying very hard to listen to what other people tell me to do and not to let the crazy person that has invaded my body take over, which result in me taking myself on a 6 mile run that could potentially deter me from MARATHON GREATNESS. And, we don’t want that, do we?!?
I mean, this is completely what I anticipate myself looking like all marathon long. You see the resemblance, right?
Seeing as I have to do something before I lose my mind (and 20 min on an elliptical isn’t going to cut), I’m going to go senior citizen tomorrow and aqua jogging. I’m just really upset I don’t have one of the following awesome swim caps for the occasion.
Exhibit A --- and these models do NOT look like senior citizens to me...
Exhibit B --- she also does not look like a senior citizen.
I know, you can’t win them all. The NYU one I got from my friend who is the assistant coach (shout out to Spenser Popeson) will have to do. However, cool swim cap or not, I have to do something to burn off my excess energy so I don’t take off at the start of the marathon like a kid running from house to house trick-or-treating.
Paperclip, Paperclip's Older Sister, and I
Well, at least that’s how Paperclip – excuse me – Buzz Lightyear trick-or-treated last night.
Quick Tangent: Speaking of Halloween, best trick-or-treater at our house last night was the girl whose father said, “Well, she’s really enjoying this, but Daddy’s getting his cardio – whew!” I almost wanted to yell, “Sir, do not take your cardio for granted!”
See, I have seriously morphed into a legitimate crazy person.
If you’re watching the race, you need to cheer the loudest for Lauren (Fleshman). Yell something about Picky Bars or sparkly headbands or beer…or something like that. Or just your usual “Go Lauren!”, yet, I feel we can all get more creative than that.
If you watch the 5K the day before, you need to cheer very loudly for the newly engaged couple, Steph and Ben, who I usually refer to as “the RC” and “the RCF.” You can yell something like, “Oh my word, your ring is blinding me!” or “Is that the guy that can talk like Donald Duck?!?”
All three will be really skinny. I am sure this will help you distinguish them from all the other professional runners.
Ok, now for the question I will pose to you all – WHAT NAIL COLOR SHOULD I WEAR FOR THE MARATHON? Possibilities include:
Smokin’ Hot by Essie (gunmetal color)
Lapis of Luxury by Essie (which was “belief blue,” but its very summery)
Carry On by Essie (a deep plum, but that’s the color the IT band injury happened with so I’m thinking no)
black (because it’s fierce)
orange (because it’s my lucky color)
Rock the Croc by Essie (because its my favorite “fall red”)
If I can find it, I may go with the new “Baubing for Baubles” by Essie – which is a deep sapphire blue, so it can be the new “belief blue.”
I hope its not so new that I won't find it....
ALSO, TELL ME: What was the best Halloween costume you saw? And Kim K divorcing already? Glad I caught the wedding special before that happened!
I saw a Jamaican bobsled team. Very clever.
Until next time…
[P.S. I'm sorry if this post made no sense whatsoever.]
Today was one of those days I just want to stay at home at watch Rachel Zoe all day…rainy, misty, kind of cold. Perfect reading day, actually. You know, one of those days you want to spend in your snuggie or, better yet, HEATED HUGGIE.
This look is dead sexy. Straight off the runway.
Dog clothes freak me out. Dog snuggies are even worse.
The weather actually perfectly matched my mood. I ran for 50 min today which, in hindsight, was too much, seeing as my knee/IT band/angry tissue started hating me again and hurt with walking and bending. I had violins following me around all day and, at a few points, almost cried, at which point I reminded myself that I was being ridiculous. I really wasn’t freaking out so much over the fact that running 50 minutes reaggravated my IT band or whatever. I was more sad that all of my hard work was going down the drain.
True Life: I was terrified of pool drains as a child after I watched a 20/20 special about kids dying from getting their hair caught in them. I've been watching 20/20 from an early age.
I was talked off the ledge by a few nice people and realized that I still have 10 days to get better and that, in reality, I just need one good day of running. That’s it. If gymnastics taught me anything, its that you can definitely throw some tape on whatever ails you and suck it up for one day.
I was brainwashed as a child to think this had magical properties.
I also went back to Dr. Levine today after leaving a message that probably sounded like a anxious person yelling, “CODE RED: MY LEG IS FALLING OFF.” I got ice and stim and feel much better. Dr. Levine told me to focus all of my energy into my leg being 100% better. That means no running, elliptical, biking, or anything with a bending motion that hurts my knee until Tuesday. No tennis because the torque isn’t good for the SI Joint. I can swim if I so choose. Basically, I have to treat my body as if its a princess.
But, duh, we already knew I was a princess.
Cinderella is the bomb.
So, this has led me to the perfect Halloween costume: SUPER-TAPER.
Duh, Super Taper is a super hero.
Super Taper’s powers include: resting, icing, not being sad or freaking out, foam rolling, healing, movie watching, book reading, and relaxing.
Thankfully, I’m going home this weekend so I’ll have my partner in crime (my sister, Allison) to accompany Super-Taper in my marathon movie sessions. Allison hates running so she will want to hear nothing about it, which is fine by me.
So, that’s my plan – focus on 100% getting better, not freaking out about not running, not being sad because I will run NYCM come hell or high water, and judiciously picking out the best movies to watch all weekend.
TELL ME: WHAT ARE YOU BEING FOR HALLOWEEN? ANY MORE MOVIE RECS? TV SERIES YOU LOVE THAT I SHOULD START?
If things aren’t better by Tuesday, I encourage any of you to come join me in singing kumbaya and meditating or something while also seeking out doctors who can shoot some cortisone all up in there.
And, for those of you who have asked medically related or anatomy related questions, first, you should speak to your actual healthcare professional always, seeing as I’m not a real doctor nor am I an expert in the musculoskeletal system. However, I’ll do my due diligence for you and get back to you. I’m no soft tissue or anatomy maven, but I do know good places to look for answers.
FYI: I realize my homonym misusage has been awful lately. I’m sorry. I swear that I am educated.
1. MEETING UP WITH GOOD COOKIES MOM
Follow @GoodCookiesMom and @Cookies4Kids
Remember that bake sale I held back in October? Well, today I met up with Liam’s mom, Gretchen, to talk about everything from pediatric cancer research to the benefit of NYC.
A particularly cute picture of Liam, who was made an honorary fireman by Engine 1, Ladder 24 of the FDNY.
Strolling with Gretchen through Central Park reaffirmed why I was so passionate about raising money for this charity. First, if you notice, the charity is not named “The Liam Witt Foundation.” This is intentional, as Gretchen wanted anyone involved to be able to do so in honor of whomever they want, whether it be Liam, their child, or all pediatric cancer patients.
In addition, the aim of the charity is transparent. Cookies For Kids’ Cancer has partnered with 5 of the top pediatric research institutions in the country (Dana Farber, St. Jude’s, Texas Children’s, CHOP, and MSKCC). Research groups from each of these distinguished institutions then applies and the medical advisory board for Cookies, which is essentially a brain trust of the top mind’s in the pediatric cancer world, decides which ideas will go most quickly from laboratory to clinic and, further, which show the most promise to affect difference in outcomes. Research discoveries from these 5 institutions then, in essence, “trickle down” to all patients being treated at any hospital in the US, seeing as the medical community is so electronically connected and free flow of ideas and communication is, in turn, easier.
I could go on, but let’s just say I scheming ways to make more money for Cookies…
2. PAPERCLIP THINKING HE IS ACTUALLY BUZZ LIGHTYEAR
To Infinity and Beyond!
That’s right. My favorite 3 year old is going to be Buzz Lightyear for Halloween. The problem is that when he dons the actual costume, he thinks he is actually Buzz, meaning he will try to jump off things thinking he will start flying. His mom had to sit him down and tell him the harsh reality – the costume does not make you fly like Buzz.
3. BATH AND BODY WORKS BLACK HOLE
I swear that every time I go in that store, I don’t come out for another half hour, at the very least, and get sucked into buying God knows what, but usually copious amounts of themed hand sanitizer.
I already had the Halloween ones, but now I have the ENTIRE holiday season from October to December covered, including one of those hand sanitizer holders with Jingle Bells. I mean, how could I NOT buy that – its bananas.
100% necessary purchase. Hello, I can't get sick. Must sanitize.
4. GOING HOME THIS WEEKEND
I haven’t seen my sister since July. I think this is one of the longest times we’ve been separated since she emerged from the womb in 1988.
Mere days after Ally became my BFF.
She's always loved me...PS - that Little Mermaid pillow is bomb.
Of course, I’m excited to hang with the rest of my fam, too.
Homeslice is the rock in my emotionally volatile world lately, meaning that when I see ads for the marathon I want to rip them down and when the security guard of my work building asked me, “When’s the big run?”, I almost wanted to cry (PS- No idea how he knew I was running it, but I love him and we chat everyday so I know he was trying to be nice; PPS – No idea if there is supposed to be a comma after the question mark, but go with it.) Facebook updates and tweets about the marathon make me want to deactivate both accounts as they make me sad for some reason. I don’t know why I’m being so hypersensitive about it.
I went back in today for some manual torture and the man with the magically strong hands reassured me that everything is going to be alright come November 6th.
Today’s ART associated anatomy lesson! When the gluteus maximus is reflected away, lo and behold, there are a million other muscles beneath there that the medical/chiropractic/physical therapy/etc student must memorize, not to mention their innervation, origin and insertion, and function! My personal fave are the gemelli muscles – there is an inferior gemellus and superior gemellus, each flanking the obdurator internus. They are called “gemelli” because that means “twin” in Italian, I think – could be Latin. The piriformis is the one that is a pain in the butt to a lot of runners – pun intended.
Ok, I’ll stop boring you.
Anyways, if you wondering where I stand, as I’m sure you all are just DYING to know (kidding), I ran for 30 min today and it was better than Saturday, but not 100%, meaning there wasn’t a sharp pain, but something was there. Sometimes I describe that kind of pain that its dull or sharp as “the absence of nothing,” but I’m not sure that entirely makes sense to anyone but me. I ran all 30 min pretty slow and anytime I sped up the tightness got worse.
MORE ANATOMY - YES!!!
I got more ART after this today and Dr. Levine assures me that everything feels alright and it will all be ok.
Mentally, I’m trying to hold down the fort, but its not always so easy to not get upset and then chastise myself for getting upset over something that really doesn’t matter, even though its something I’ve put a lot of time into and care a lot about. I am living, healthy, and leading a very charmed life overall, thus far. I am focusing on today and that is it. Tonight I am better than I was this morning because homeslice broke up more adhesions for me and my sacrum + lumbar spine is readjusted. And, today I am better than yesterday because I ran.
First, I want to commend the Starbucks employee who ACTUALLY SPELLED MY NAME RIGHT today.
Way to go, barista. It's generally never correct unless they ask me for the spelling.
Also, that nail polish is “Carry On” by Essie. I like it, but don’t think it shows up well in this picture.
Second, I want to caution any of you all who shave your feet. I’ve always done that, but today I CUT TWO OF MY TOES. BEWARE.
Middle toes on both sides took hits today.
I can’t remember what color is on my toes right now – something brown. I know, I spend way too much time thinking about nail colors.
On my walk home today, I started to think about my marathon attire. It looks like I have some decisions to make and I’d prefer them to not be game-time decisions as Lord knows I’m going to be temporarily insane the 48 hours before the marathon.
I have three options: A) black Lori shorts, B) orange Lori shorts, C) orange distance shorts.
Tough call...
Option (A) is the “good luck” option as I’ve PR’ed twice in those shorts (Cow Harbor,Grete’s). However, they only have one pocket and I typically take 4 gels with me, which means I may not be able to get them all to fit.
Not like you've seen this picture before...
Option (C) is the most practical option as those shorts have tons of pockets for all my gels and stuff (well, I don’t bring anything else with me, but if I did, there would be room for it.) However, I wore those shorts in New Haven and we all know how that went for me. Therefore, they are “bad luck” shorts.
This wasn't really a good time...
Option (B) is Switzerland. It is neutral, although it still has the only one pocket dilemma.
I know the “good luck” vs “bad luck” thing is ridiculous. Don’t judge me.
2. GARMIN VS WATCH + PACE BRACELET
I’m starting to not be as freaked out by the ol’ Garmin, but I don’t love it. I’m thinking the watch + pace bracelet, but I plan on starting out slower than MP meaning I’d be behind the pace bracelet, so I’m not sure how said bracelet will actually help me.
See, this is why I need my running time-keeping elf!
Or I could just have Megan keep track of time for me...
3. HOW MUCH STUFF IS TOO MUCH TO BRING TO STATEN ISLAND?
Seriously, I’m going to bring way too much stuff to stay warm because the last thing I want to do before running for over 3 hours is to freeze for about 3 hours on Staten Island.
Olsen trash lady chic
I’m thinking I’m going to go for the look Mary Kate (on the right) has going on, except I’m going to leave my mint green Balenciaga motorcyle bag at home.
But, seriously, people who have endured the Staten Island pre-marathon freeze out before, how much stuff did you bring?
4. WHICH FLAVOR OF PICKY BAR BEFORE AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER?
I have yet to determine which flavor is my good luck flavor.
o
The Three Musketeers...but healthier.
Lauren’s Mega Nuts vs Nutless Wonder vs All-In Almond. I can’t decide either. It’s too difficult.
So, you see I have some decisions to make. The hair debacle has yet to be solved and “to arm warmer or not armwarmer” will most likely be a game time decision.
TELL ME: YOUR THOUGHTS? WHAT TO CHOOSE? ALSO, DO YOU PUT YOUR NAME ON YOUR SHIRT FOR A MARATHON? YES? NO? TOO CHEESY?
Now, I have to go figure out what I’m going to eat to prep for my 20-22 mile jaunt tomorrow morning, my longest run, yet. Susan and Megan have so graciously offered to run with me. Both have run marathons under 3:20. My best marathon is 3:48. I feel like we’d make a good “one of these things is not like the other” picture ie pick out the sloth from the cheetahs.
I don’t know what it is, but on my trip to Orlando, I’ve seen a lot of things that make me whip out my camera phone and pictorialize it so I can process it later.
Apparently, Sunday, October 16 was a really popular day to fly as the the security line at LGA was the LONGEST I have ever seen it, and I fly out of LGA at Thanksgiving, Christmas…you know all of those typical popular days to fly.
October 16.
Wednesday before Thanksgiving 2010 -- I took this picture at that time because I couldn't believe how there was no line.
Dude on the plane wearing a mask – guess he just saw Contagion or something.
Was he trying to protect us from what he has? Or trying to protect himself from what we have?
Raise your hand if your 5 year old self would’ve begged your parents to stay in this “castle.”
A 5 year old girl's Ritz Carlton, that looks so tacky at 25.
Apparently, slanted or upside down houses make great tourist attractions here in Central Florida.
Or maybe those houses were just confusing as I was under caffeinated and running in some thick thick humidity that makes my hair grow 3x larger within 5 minutes of stepping outside.
Before I go, question of the day – I want to know your answers. It will not be eloquently stated. I’m sorry.
So, as you may know, I have a time goal for the NYC Marathon. However, when I think about that ol’ time goal, it paralyzes me. The only way I’ve been able, thus far, to come to terms with making time part of my NYC goal equation is to entertain the possibility that I won’t achieve my goal. Do you think this is giving up/being a wuss/copping out or being realistic?
This reminds me of something I once read or heard about Justine Henin, a Belgian tennis player who won a lot of slams, in case you didn’t know. Before she won her first French, I think I remember reading that she came to terms with losing and, furthermore, that her team/husband/etc would still be there for her if she did lose the final. In turn, she was able to play loose and free and won (and won many more slams). I just don’t know if me being ok with not running under 3:35 is my giving up in disguise.
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