Reconstruction

They say that you can tell how high a new building is going to be by how deep its foundation is. I’m not sure if that’s true. Don’t quote me on that.

Side Note: Who on earth is “they” when anyone says “they say?” Collective wisdom? Experts? Dumbledore and Hagrid?

Dumbledore knows all.

Anyways, so I went to bikram yesterday. Besides homeslice instructor realizing I can’t pay attention (literally calling me out – “Meggie, focus on the mirror and not looking around” – I’m sorry I can’t pay attention, I like to think), I realized my left leg/back/hip/wtv is wacked. Maybe I’m being hypersensitive to anything that feels off, but, I think it does feel like that – off, out of wack, something like that.

Seriously, can anyone actually do this? I can't even start to straighten my leg. Its embarrassing.

My left leg/back/hip has bothered me off and on since I was 17. It’s typically been my medial hamstring (possible adductor, not sure) and lower back. The IT band was new this year. Regardless, my left leg comes to bite me in the butt a few times a year and I’m over it. I have to get it fixed. Or get a transplant, but last I checked, they don’t offer leg transplants.

You can get a kidney transplant though. This is a kidney. Renal physiology is complicated. Be thankful for your kidneys. Give them a pat right at the edge of your bottom ribs in the back to thank them.

I’d love to tell you how I’m going to be back running again soon and how I’m plotting my course to my spring redemption. However, that’s not what I’m doing. I’m going to take my sweet time and take the whole month of November focusing on getting my body 100% ready to run again. Strength first, running second.

I like to think of my strength as my foundation. Clearly, since I got injured before NYC and then ran NYC sort of injured, my foundation isn’t sound. If I want to run another marathon and run it faster than before, I need to dig out a deeper, more solid foundation. For this point, at least for me, I don’t think that means going out and running 50 miles a week (which is more than I’ve ever done, anyways, so I’m not sure where I came up with that number.) To me, it means fixing whatever is wrong on my left side from the hip/SI joint down and strengthening the appropriate muscles.

Let's learn leg anatomy! See the sartorius (more of an anterior muscle) - it helps pull your leg into cross legged position. See where all those nerves are in the back of your knee? That's the popliteal fossa, if my anatomy memory serves me correct. It was 4 years ago, don't quote me.

I could be wrong though. Maybe I do need to go out and run a lot or something.

So, the month of November will be focused on my leg and, of course, TURKEY TROTTING. When I say running secondary, that doesn’t mean zero running. It just means running isn’t the first priority to me like it sometimes becomes when I’m training for a race and tend to skip out on other things like yoga, foam rolling, etc. I mean, hello, I already have the hair feathers. I can totally channel a Native American and trot it up, emphasis on trot.

This is true dedication to Turkey Trotting.

Side note:  I like how I talk like I’ve been doing this running thing for so long as if I have established habits (ie “after a marathon” — yes, all 3 I’ve done). I’ve been running for almost 3 years. So, basically, don’t listen to me.

My very first race with Erika. It was for Miles For Melanoma, which is why we are matching. Clearly, we were having a stimulating conversation. And, clearly, I was only focusing on finishing + not walking.

So, come December, hopefully I’ll be back at it, but we’ll worry about that on Nov 30th.

One last thing. It has occurred to me that maybe I should be worried about fitness losses if I’m going to take my sweet time getting back into running. To be honest, it sort of does, but I also kind of think about it like the following.

I know how to hit a forehand. If I went out and rallied with someone right now, I’d definitely spray or shank a few balls here or there because I haven’t picked up a racquet in a few months. It doesn’t mean my forehand got worse or I’ll never again be able to hit the ball like I used to. It will just take some time to get there. And, if you think about it, getting “there,” wherever “there” is, will take less time than it did the first time around because my body already knows how to hit the crap out of the ball a solid forehand. I feel like my running is the same. My body already knows how to run as fast as I trained it to previously. It will just take some time to get there again.

Unrelated but I just wanted to remind you that I did make it to Staten Island with my orange sparkly BIC band. Said headband is still somewhere in Staten Island. RIP. Hi Kelly and Baker!

Or so I tell myself. Sometimes, I think I should change the name of this blog to “Lies I Tell Myself to Make Me Behave Like a Normal, Rational Person.”

I’m more worried about my clothes not fitting anymore than anything else. And, don’t be surprised when there is another post in a week titled, “OMG! I’M STILL NOT RUNNING AND AM FAT AND OUT OF SHAPE! THIS IS TERRIBLE.”

TELL ME: Anyone who ran the NY Marathon already end their break? If so, why? If not, how much time are you breaking for? Anyone had any weird leg issues and has any bright ideas for me? Or better yet, just tell me something cool you did this weekend.

Guess Who’s Back?

SOPHIA GRACE AND ROSIE!!!

Also, please watch the shopping spree Sophia Grace and Rosie went on at Toys R Us. These girls are women after my own heart. Look at that shopping enthusiasm. You can’t teach that.

I mean, she definitely needed that suitcase just like I needed those Christmas window gel clingy things I bought at Target. I like to call purchases like that “necessary luxuries.”

Guess who is also back? ME!

Me at age 9. Further evidence I spent most of my childhood upside or figuring out how to flip off of things. I think this explains a lot.

Ok, no, I didn’t actually go anywhere, unless you consider venturing to the Upper West Side from where I live a trek. Anyways, in my dramatic, immature last few days where I almost threw my running shoes out the window, I’ve decided the happy running Meggie is back.

See - happy running Meggie. Have you seen this picture before? Yes.

Happy Running Meggie isn’t back to running, yet, because her IT band still hurts and her left SI joint as followed suit, but that’s a topic for two weeks from now if it’s not better. I’m just assuming all of those things will get better in time.

I think most people are goal driven so I have a hard time writing, “I am a goal driven person.” Aren’t we all? Goals do make me happy, though. I like to dream of things I could do, like running a 3:35 marathon and being on Dancing With The Stars (fine – the latter is a fantasy, not an actual dream or goal — unless I become a star). I sometimes think I live most of my life in this dream world where I can do anything I set my mind to and I am queen of my own universe with a crown and septar. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.

My queen of the universe outfit looks something like this...

A sports psychologist we had at tennis once told me to always have something to do after a match, especially during the first 30 min following a match when I was temporarily insane.. That way, I couldn’t dwell on the results, and could focus my irrational self on something else. I could then go back and think about the match when I was in a less emotional, more rational state of being. Typical post match activities included eating or shopping when I was in high school and studying when I was in college.

I found a tennis picture. Sorry, I'm not actually playing. I think this was in 2006. FYI - I always wore a visor and the Nike Dri-Fit ones were my go-tos. I have a zillion of those. Some are really gross and sweat stained like whoa.

True story: At a Thanksgiving tournament, my friend and I once went from the mall, to a match, won, and then went straight back to the mall. I mean, it was Black Friday deals – we HAD to be there.  In our defense, it also been raining all morning so we figured the matches would be canceled for the day. We also had to skimp our warm up a bit because we couldn’t get out of the mall fast enough to get to the courts. Priorities, people. Our coach was kind of mad…wonder why?

Anyways, back to the point. I think not having a new running goal to work towards contributed at least partly to my post-marathon funk. I do have some really cool stuff going on at work and the holiday season is coming up, which obviously means I gotta start getting my decorating on.

My decorating doesn't quite get this elaborate, but close.

I struggled with not being ok without having a goal because I really do think I need to take a break post-marathon and kind of disengage in the whole running thing. However, I still felt like getting my race sign up on would make me feel better and then I could enjoy my breaksie and truly focus on catching up on People Magazine and what really went down between Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries. I need to get my running ducks in a row so I could rest easy, knowing my IT band redemption 2012 plan is in place.

Actual ducks in a row. Ok, rubber duckies. Close enough.

So, tomorrow and soon thereafter, I plan to get my sign up on and, then, line up babysitting jobs to pay for getting said sign up on. I can start writing my race dreams and goals in my Believe I Am training diary  by drawing gardens of good and bad thoughts — fun things like that. I also plan on becoming BFFs with my foam roller while investigating ways to rid myself of and prevent both ITBS and my dysfunctional SI joint. Suggestions are welcome.

I’m thinking a spring marathon, possibly out West, but all suggestions are welcome, with a good half thrown in there in the build up to that full. All subject to change though. I’ll probably also do a 5K or 10K or two in there because those are fun. I really like 5Ks because all 2 that I have run in my life felt like out of control experiences. It was fun.

TELL ME: Do you think I’m jumping into getting my sign up on too fast? Should I take a bit more of a break before committing to anything or get my Spring 2012 running ducks in a row first?

Until next time…

P.S. I haven’t decided who is getting the Picky Bars, yet. I have to see how many stamps I have..

Dear Self…

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?

Until next time…

P.S. Aqua jogging gets old very fast.

Baby Sweat

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.

In case I don’t write between now and the marathon, I want to give big good lucks to the following: Kelly, Susan, Lindsay, Emilia, Celia, Lauren, Shannon, Gia, Skinny Runner, Betsy, Katie and Mike. If I missed anyone, I’m really sorry!

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.]

I’ve Become One Of “Those” People

Literally, people, this not running thing is for the birds. I never thought I’d be one of “those people” that goes crazy not running. Who am I?!?

I keep trying to think of IT band friendly activities that do not include shopping. Today, I resorted to “inversion therapy.”

Exhibit A:

It started to bother the ol’ leg after about 15 minutes and my back realized I’m not the young spring chicken I was just a few short years ago before I started running so much.

[The above was Aug 2009. I think I'd die trying that now.]

I did some arts and crafts:

Snaps for Katie who ran MCM today!!! (And Lauren, Christy, and everyone else!)

I went to visit Paperclip, who was playing hard to get. He knows he loves me.

Dressed to watch the game - GO VOLS! Or not, since they aren't doing so hot this year.

I researched way too much about Derek Dooley’s pants, which are awesome.

FEAR THE PANTS. I hope Dooley doesn't get fired, because I like his enthusiasm.

Ally and I got pedicures.

The flip flops go with my "Knoxville attire," which basically means I wear sweats all day and ridic shoes.

Yes, those are furry flip flops. Don’t lie to yourself. You want some. And, yes, that is a Halloween scene on my big toe. The lady asked if she could do it and I told her ,”Do whatever you want! Go to town!” I commend her dexterity.

Slightly tacky, yet awesome. Hey, you only live once and this will most likely get destroyed in a week.

I mean, if not now, when?

I went on a 2 mile walk with my mom. The leg felt “twingy,” which is a legit medical term, in case you were wondering. I was thinking of trying out some tennis this afternoon, but that walk made me think twice.

So, I’m back to lying supine and reading “The End of Normal” by Stephanie Madoff Mack.

Really easy and gossipy read. Dig it.

I keep trying to tell myself that is not always your situation, but how you look at the situation that really matters. All the work was done when my IT band decided to stage a mutiny against me. Instead of thinking this little hiatus will make me sluggish and slow, I must think that it’ll leave me fresh, excited, and ready to go in a week. If I think the former instead of the latter, I’ll lose it, big time.

Now, I’m off to do some more handstands.

Until next time…

The Weather Matched My Mood

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.

Until next time…

It’s Wednesday, People…

Typical…

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.

5. DR. STEVEN D. LEVINE, CHIROPRACTOR EXTRAORDINAIRE

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.

TELL ME: WHAT’S ROCKING YOUR WORLD THIS WEEK? 

Until next time…

Tough As Nails

I’m right where we left off. Literally. I’m supine in my bed, in front of the TV, contemplating what to watch tonight since 13 Nights of Halloween is doing a Pretty Little Liars marathon tonight (and I’ve never seen that show, but my sis swears its ah-mazing). Basically, I’ve morphed into a invalid. Anyone want to offer to come turn me every so often to prevent a sacral decubitus ulcer?

Maybe I'll watch Hocus Pocus because it is literally the best Halloween movie ever made.

Ok, well, I guess I am not right where we last left off. I am much better, in fact.

At Kelly‘s suggestion, I went to see Dr. Levine for some spine cracking and ART (active release technique – aka manual torture, but the kind of torture that you actually want) as he worked wonders for her IT band ailments. In case you’re curious, from what I understand, ART works as follows. An ART practitioner basically applies a contact “tension” when the muscle or tissue in question is a certain length. Then, by moving you leg/arm/wtv in a certain direction, the practitioner is able to break up scar tissue or adhesions as you lengthen said muscle or tissue. Breaking up adhesions helps the muscle or tissue to once again move properly and, in turn, should allow for increased range of motion and strength. ART is purportedly the “gold standard” for soft tissue injuries.

***NB: I am NOT a soft tissue expert nor is any of this taught in medical school. Therefore, what I wrote may be false. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.***

You see that little guy, the piriformis? Yeah, not such a nice muscle there, that little one. ART on that guy hurt more than my IT band.

Dr. Levine also adjusted by sacrum and lumbar spine, which was apparently long overdue, especially considering I’ve had SI joint problems in that past.

Anatomy lesson, people! Check out the SI joint. Its my nemesis and prevents me from sitting for long periods of time (laying down is ok though, hence the current supine position).

Not only is Dr. Levine incredibly knowledgeable (he went to medical school at Tulane in addition to chiropractic school), but he is also extremely positive, assuring me he would work with me as much as I needed to make sure I could run the marathon. I’m grateful for not only his magically strong hands that can break up scar tissue I never knew I had, but for his positivity, reassuring nature, and kindness. He gets two thumbs up from Meggie…and a  pointer finger. That’s a lot of love from me.

Plus, Dr. Levine told me that I was really tough, meaning that I flinch and scream less than other people. So, obviously, this means I have to be an American Gladiator for Halloween, since apparently I’m tough as nails (his words, not mine).

What on earth was the point of American Gladiator anyway?

As per Dr. Levine’s recommendation, I took today off, which means I’ve taken Sun-Tues as rest days. He told me I could run today if I was going to lose my mind, but that it would be better to wait until Wednesday to try running, seeing as I’m also going back in for treatment Wednesday afternoon. Of course, as much as I would’ve loved to run on this beautiful fall day, I’d rather play it ultra-conservative, seeing as what I do physically between now and the marathon really doesn’t matter (or so the RC tells me).

Sitting makes both my IT band and SI joint hurt a lot, so these rest days have involved a lot of laying down or standing, including the “don’t mind me I’m just standing and typing at my desk” at work. Its what all the cool kids are doing these days.

I actually kind of want one of these one day. The ULTIMATE multitasking desk- walking and working.

My little speed bump, if you will, has really forced me to take each day as it comes. Each day since I got that stabbing pain in my knee, I’ve focused on what I need to do that day to make it go away. I haven’t really thought about tomorrow or next week so much, as all the possible scenarios and permutations that could result from what could happen or might happen leave my head spinning. It would be too overwhelming to think about, “Well, what if my leg still hurts next week, then what do I do?  or “Well, what if it hurts, but not until I’ve run for an hour?” So, I’m just focusing on today and what I need to do to get myself to tomorrow healthy. And, hopefully, a bunch of todays and tomorrows will lead to a November 6th healthy Meggie freezing her butt off on Staten Island at 7 in the morning, but very happy about it.

I'm not kidding about my pre-marathon Staten Island Olsen twin bag lady fashion statement.

So, that’s where I’m at right now – lying down, figuring out what movie to watch next, and surprised at how sore my arm is after my flu shot today. I’m also pretending I’m a sponge, absorbing all the work I put in the past few weeks and months, so all this rest is a good thing. The more I lay here, the more I’ll absorb.

Everyone's favorite sponge - Sponge Bob Square Pants

TELL ME: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR MOVIE RECS? EVER HAD ART? DO YOU GET THE FLU SHOT EVERY YEAR?

I’m particularly curious about the flu shot. I’ve gotten one every year for as long as I can remember (and have to now, seeing as I work in healthcare).

Until next time…

Inherently Lazy

First things first, I have been wearing the BIC band all afternoon and it has not moved once inch. I will report back after I run in it if the “not slipping off my head” verdict still holds true.

Said band has not moved from my head, yet.

I know some of you out there struggle with rest days or recovery or whatever you want to call it.

I may not be so hot at some aspects of running – tempo runs, my whole mental running saga, freaking out over timing devices attached to one’s wrist – but I’ll tell you one part I am fabulous at – rest days and recovery runs.

I, for one, love rest days. In fact, I have not moved from my perch in my bed the last hour and it has been fantastic. I plan on only moving again to eat dinner. Otherwise, I’m parked here watching that adorable child sing “Super Bass” over and over again.

Seriously, those girls are so freaking adorable. Who wants to dress up like this with me for Halloween? Any takers?

I’m going to audition to be one her of her back up dancers.

Anyways, yes, I take two rest days per week. I don’t like taking more, as I get ancy, and I don’t like taking less, as I get tired. I’m very stuck in my ways, I guess.

I pretty much only run. I’m impressed with all of you that can run, yoga-cize, pilate it up, spin, bust your butt at boot camp…whatever it is you do, I tip my hat to you. I thought about going to yoga today, but just the thought of walking there was tiring and catching up on The Rachel Zoe Project seemed so much more enticing. (Below is a Rachel Zoe spoof, fyi, but its hysterical.)

Since I pretty much only run, I toyed with the idea of only taking one rest day per week, thinking it’d make me a more baller runner if I ran 6 days a week rather than 5. I tried it for a bit (ok, maybe only like two weeks in July/August). I mainly noticed the energy I was putting into that sixth run was drawing energy away from the other 5, which I felt was unproductive to my overall training, so I stopped the whole 6th day of running thing.

Maybe I’m a whiner. Maybe I’m lazy. Or maybe 5 days is just right for me.

Also, whenever I say “just right,” a lot of times it reminds me of Goldilocks and the porridge – too hot, too cold, just right.

PS - who actually eats porridge? Raise your hand if you've had it, because I have never seen it.

I guess I love my rest days as I kind of see it like this – I only have a limited supply of energy in my running energy well, so I have to spend it wisely. I go pretty hard on my workout or long run days (2-3 days out of the 5), use the other days for my sanity/social running/to shake out lactic acid/etc, and I refill my well on my rest days.

And, I know this is nuts, but sometimes I’m worried those other things would detract from my running. Like part of the reason I didn’t go to yoga today is because, seeing as I don’t go to yoga that often, I was worried I’d be sore, and I want to do well in my long run on Saturday and soreness may detract from that.

I know, not nuts at all.

Normally, I’m not like that – I’ll go to Flybarre or whatever – and risk soreness detracting from a run. But, I guess, since the marathon is getting close, I’d rather not have any runs blow up in my face between now and Nov 6th that would bring my confidence down. I guess my running confidence is very fragile at the moment and its protected by my fluffy duvet, which is why watching TV in bed is way more enticing than yoga lately.

Moral of the story, yet again: My running confidence is unstable. What else is new.

However, if you want to learn how to enjoy your rest days or run ridiculously slow on a recovery run, I’m your girl.

TELL ME: How many rest days do you take/week in whatever sport you do? Do you think I’m crazy for not wanting to do other things right now that I fear would make me sore and detract from my running?

For the record, I’ve not always been good at taking rest days. In high school, I played tennis 7 days/week, sometimes I did take one day off (usually Fridays). Maybe I’ve just tired by myself out by 25 years old.

Also, I plan to take two solid weeks off after the marathon and eat chocolate and peanut butter puffins for dinner during that time because I can.

Until next time…