A Pain That I'm Used To

RU
B switched up some of my regular workout, and since my left hip is still a little sore, he's easing me back into my regular workout. I still did the squat and lunge matrix with weights but not as many reps and slightly less weight. He also threw in a version of burpees that I was able to deal with.

Last night I met up with the track club at Balboa Park. We're having some humid weather right now. It's not quite Florida humid, but humid enough to start sweating profusely once out of the confines of my air conditioned car. We ran on the back trails again, which I really didn't think we were going to, which is going up and down steep hills, THEN run down and back up 6th Ave to our starting point. 6th Ave is a long, gradual hill. We did this course twice The entire course (done twice) is probably about 6 miles. It was one heck of a workout, and it even beat up the most experienced runners there. I had a bout of asthma during the second time around on the back trails. I had no choice but to walk. The people I was running with were kind enough to wait for me. (It's one of those areas where you don't want to be alone.) I skipped the last go round down and back up 6th Ave. I was toast and rested a bit. If that wasn't enough, I did strides (with most of the group) on the large grassy area at the park, and did an abs workout. Justin (who I've worked out with at RU a few times) attended the workout and even he said it was tough. Several people opted out of the several sets of strides. Like last week's workout, I was pretty gross when I was done, between the sweat and dirt from the trails. My once nice, very white shoes



are now a pretty good shade of light dirt brown.



I'm kind of disappointed because my GPS stopped working sometimes during the first loop around the back trails. I think I put in about 4 miles.

I was thinking that after such a tough run/workout, I'd be able to get some decent sleep. I was wrong. I'm pretty sure I got in enough electrolytes and liquids yesterday, but as I was getting comfy and dozing off to sleep, both of my legs cramped up something awful. I can't remember the last time something like that happened... maybe when I was pregnant with my daughter 26 years ago? Once I got out of bed I had to do calf stretches. I can understand one leg, one calf, but both? I had to get up several times during the night just to stretch. This morning I had bananas for breakfast, along with a calcium & magnesium tablet, and plenty of liquids...

Nutrition is very much back on track. I had some water weight gain from our little respite last week, and that's already gone. I'm working on getting in as much real food as possible, especially when it comes to the protein. I also need more veggies in my regimen so I'm going to make a big pot of the vegetarian sweet potato minestrone today. It keeps well and is actually good once it's cold. No need to reheat.

Saturday's song:
It's Five O'Clock Somewhere - Alan Jackson, Jimmy Buffett - AKA Alice

PEACE

Here We Come A-Wassailing

Yesterday

Activity: Walk
Date: 12/27/08 12:15 PM
Distance: 2.12 miles
Time: 0:29:43
Speed: 4.2 mph
Pace: 14' 17 min/mile
Calories: 205

Yesterday I finally met with Jim from the track club to see about correcting how I run with my new set of circumstances. We met at Mission Bay Park. (It was a beautiful day; I should have taken my camera!) I told him about my injury ordeal and how lopsided I am when I run. He asked me all of the standard questions about the injury, surgery, shoes, shoe inserts, physical therapy, how many miles can I run now, and so on. I did a little running to show how my form is, or lack thereof. He gave me some good tips, most were basic, and I knew about most of them (building back muscle and endurance), but the one little tidbit of advice that seemed to help the most is to watch my posture. I know that sounds basic, but I've become somewhat used to my lopsidedness and I'm not as aware (anymore) when I do go lopsided. After our meeting, I had my husband run behind me so that he could tell me how to correct my running posture, and a lot of it was bringing up my right shoulder to help my body become more even, if that makes sense. At any rate, it worked. The only problem is that I can't have my husband run with me every time I want to go running, I still run faster than he does, and even though I'm going slow for me, he can't keep up with me to help me make the corrections. We might work on this posture thing just on Saturday mornings, provided I can get my husband up early enough. He's not a morning person.

Last night a friend stopped by with all the goodies for Bloody Marys with shrimp. I've had a Bloody Mary with a shrimp garnish but never mixed into the drink. He chopped some cooked shrimp in the food processor and added into the drink. It was just like drinking a shrimp cocktail with a kick.



Today

I'm not trying to brag or anything, but IT'S ANOTHER GORGEOUS OUTSIDE TODAY! OK, I'm bragging just a little... My husband is going to take our grandson out to the park to burn off some energy and kick around the soccer ball before the big football game (Chargers/Broncos) this evening. Today will also include putting all of our stuff back in the bathroom, now that it's relatively done. There's some minor things that need to be taken care of, like buying a new shower curtain, but it's done.

I'm going out for a walk now. It's just too nice a day to waste. I might even take pictures.

Friday's song:
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Frank Sinatra - Run-DMZ


PEACE

On A Clear Day

Today I treated my grandson to McDonald's and the park after school. He was taken back a bit when he opened his bag and discovered a miniature sized Barbie doll instead of a Batman toy. His first response was "Mimi, there's something wrong." The expression on his face was "Ewwwwww!" Then he decided to save it and give it to our friends who have a little girl.




Here's our afternoon at the park:











Yesterday's song
Scream If You Wanna Go Faster - Geri Haliwell

PEACE