Piling up the Doctors’ Appointments

Just a quick post to let you know I’m still alive, just buried in work and life at the current moment.

The doctors’ appointments are piling up lately, though. I had my last physical therapy appointment last Wednesday with Ryan. We went through our usual exercises and stretches, but there still hasn’t been much improvement with my knee. I haven’t run in almost three weeks now, and it’s killing me. I’ve been waking up early every morning to walk the dogs for 30 minutes (about 2.25 miles) to get both parties exercise, and to help wear them down for when M comes home from work at 8 am and goes to sleep (they don’t understand why he doesn’t want to play with them when he comes home). Even spinning has started to bother my knee some.

At CrossFit last week (post to come), we did more squats than I figured, so my knee hurt for the next three days, causing me to be cautious and not go back on Friday like I intended. Talk about more disappointment for me.

My follow-up appointment with the sports medicine doctor isn’t until May 23. I call everyday to check if there’s been any cancellations, but, alas, so far nothing.

But now, another doctor appointment has been made. While cleaning the kitchen last week, M found an old note from my doctor dated back in February. It was the results of my last physical, saying my test came back abnormal for the second year in a row, so they wanted to refer me to a gynocologist. At first I was irritated–who sends a letter, via snail mail, with news like this?? No phone call, just a printed letter. Who knows what might have been if we had accidentally thrown the envelope away! So, after a few repeated phone calls, I now have an appointment set for mid-June. Yep…that’s the earliest I could get into that one, too. Ugh.

We won’t mention the dentist appointment this week–at least that’s just routine (fingers crossed). Same with the chiropractor appointment for both dogs before the agility trial this weekend (yep, my dogs see a chiropractor, but I’ve never had one work on me before), or the potential vet appointment for my 16-year-old cat who needs fluid removed from her lungs soon.

Ever have one of those weeks where it doesn’t just rain, but pours when it comes to appointments?

Here’s to a simple week…if that’s possible!

Scenes from my iPhone: Kentucky Derby

Sorry for the lack of posts lately–it’s been a crazy busy week. And even though the Kentucky Derby was five days ago, I wanted to share some of the photos I took with my iPhone of that long, rainy, but always amazing day.

(BTW, Orb was the winner, and I bet on him–yay! I ended up leaving Churchill Downs earning money after betting, instead of losing it all like I normally do!)

Churchill Downs grandstand from the backside

Churchill Downs grandstand from the final turn of the track on a gloomy day.

THe field breaks from the gate for the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, the race before the Kentucky Derby

The 139th Kentucky Derby, Presented by Yum! Brands (mouthful, huh?)

Just some of the cameras used on the starting gate for the Derby. We have one there.

 

Chad Harmon, one of our magazine’s photographers. He was keeping the camera dry in the rain (I joke and say no one taught him not to play in plastic bags).

Through these gates will pass a champion. (The starting gate)

I rocked the green “Gumby suit” with my navy blue polka dot wellies for my Derby attire.

Eventual Kentucky Derby winner Orb warms up before the race.

 

Good Reads 5.4.2013

Happy Derby Day!!! While you’re reading this, I’m currently hustling all around Churchill Downs working with photographers for the 139th Kentucky Derby. Hopefully the sun is shining on “My Old Kentucky Home” and all 20 horses cross the finish line in good shape. (And I hope you’re able to watch the race–check out your local NBC affiliate for times!)

Here’s a smattering of some good reads from this week:

To You, Love Me (The Lean Green Bean Blog): Lindsay actually posted this archived blogpost in her Bean Bytes on Monday, and even though it’s an older post, it’s perfect for how I’m feeling right now. Right now I’m so frustrated with my body in many ways, but everyone needs reminders about what’s good about their body and that it’s not always about the number on the scale or how you think you look in your clothes. Plus is has a killer circuit workout at the end to try!

What I Learned Hanging out with Jillian Michaels (RunLadyLike): I’m uber envious of Jesica right now! I’d love to go see Jillian Michaels during her “Maximizing Your Health” tour, but the closest she comes to Lexington is Indianapolis, and I wasn’t able to go because of work. I love watching Jillian on TBL, but I’ve also enjoyed her workout videos and book. I love this quote: Failure is an integral part of learning to be better.

What Happened When I Stopped Exercising (Running With Spoons): Amanda tackles exercise addiction, and after reading her blog post it makes me wonder if I have a little bit of that going on. She talks about how her life has changed, for the better, when she stopped focusing on formal exercising.

What blog posts have made you think or inspire you this week?

(BTW, my Derby picks: Oxbow, Will Take Charge, Orb, and Goldencents. Though that might change by betting time. I’ll let you know!)

Exhausting Week

TGIF! It’s been one long, exhausting week for me! Volleyball started back up, which meant back to late nights, plus just long days at work. The Kentucky Derby is next week, so the office is buzzing with news, etc., which means we’re constantly working. Love this time of year!

I wasn’t able to go to CrossFit until Wednesday (no more Monday night classes for me now–job #2 takes priority). By the time 5 pm came around on Wednesday, I was chomping at the bit, excited to get to class!

Warm-up was a 3 minute AMRAP of medicine ball curls (10 at a time) and 5 pushups. I was really concentrating on my form–it felt awkward with the medicine ball. I think I did three rounds.

Then there was the WOD:

Our 6 pm class was pretty big (12 people), so we made it a partner workout. We did 3 rounds of 5 dead lifts, 10 pull-ups (with the band or jump-ups), and 15 kettle bell swings. While one partner did the workout, the other rested. Repeat this three times.

For our dead lifts, Heather and I did 45 pounds, used a 17.6 lb KB, and did the jump-ups. Everything felt fine (I think I could have used some more weight on the dead lifts and kettle bell, but that’s OK, since I’m just starting out), but I don’t know if I was doing the jump-ups correctly. You see, if you have just started and aren’t on the bands yet for pull-ups, you start by jumping to pull yourself up over the bar. You should still be pulling up with your arms, but using a little momentum from your legs. I didn’t feel like I was using my arms as much as I should, so I kept talking to Coach Taylor and others about my form. Taylor said I looked fine, so who knows?

It definitely was a sweat session!

During one of my rest periods, I got a text from a friend asking me to fill-in on his volleyball team just one hour after I finished with CrossFit. I have a hard time saying no to friends, so I agreed. After 24 burpees and a short stretch session, I rushed home to take the girls to the park for some tennis ball action, then back again to head to Marikka’s, leaving M on his own for dinner.

These muffins rock as a great mid-morning snack!

How good of a friend am I? Try playing sand volleyball, barefoot, in 45* weather after a full hour of butt-kicking CrossFit. Yep. My feet were so cold–they started cramping as I drove home as they thawed out! I was plumb exhausted when I got back, but had enough energy to make these awesome banana oatmeal breakfast muffins I found on Pinterest for our breakfasts the next couple of days. The muffins were a hit with me, M, and some of M’s co-workers. (I added some chopped almonds instead of walnuts, but didn’t have any flax seed. Plus a few got some chocolate chips because I knew M would like that.)

Around 11 I crashed for the night, absolutely exhausted. Thursday morning I had my third physical therapy appointment, which I’ll fill you in on later.

Right now, I’m looking forward to the weekend–M actually has Saturday AND Sunday off, so hopefully we’ll get to do some things together and hang out! (Boo on the predicted storms all weekend, though!)

What’s on tap for your weekend?

A Productive Weekend

My weekend started off with a little anxiety on my part–I had absolutely no plans and nothing to really do, and I wasn’t sure what to do with myself!! You see, completely free weekends are very rare for me. I’m usually on the go. But with race training on hiatus for right now (thanks, runner’s knee), and cutting back on agility trials, I don’t have much to keep myself busy.

Luckily I came up with enough stuff to keep myself busy.

Part of Saturday was spent with my friend Merinda and the dogs at a herding workshop, where the Stump Kids and I watch Merinda work Porter on sheep and we watched some of the instinct tests. LaMesa will have her testing next month, and I can’t wait! The rest of the day was filled with grocery shopping (I bought an avocado for the first time! Now what to do with it??), and lots of cleaning the house.

I scrubbed the floors and washed bedding. Then I got a creative bite in the butt and started hanging up some things we were given for wedding presents, as well as Christmas presents. This included rearranging some things on the walls in M’s office and our spare bedroom. Here’s the finished product:

I got this awesome PACH bar holder for Christmas from my sister, so I could display Dally’s bar and ribbon from her championship. It’s now hanging in our spare bedroom over the two dog crates. Perfect!

I let M reclaim the wall that had a lot of my certificates hanging on it. Now he has his Colts mirror hanging with his Air Force basic training photo and a few other mementos from both of us.

Sunday included some errand-running, followed by mowing the lawn (first time using a push mower, thank you very much!), cleaning the back porch, planting flowers, and washing the car.

I love having pretty flowers in front of our house! I think it adds character.

Our back porch isn’t much, but we try to enjoy time outside. The fire pit was purchased for the wedding, and now we can use it for s’mores and hanging out!

Now’s time to actually relax a little and get some writing done. Dally’s being featured on The Daily Corgi this week, so I have to choose the right photos and write-up her bio!

Hope your weekend was productive, or relaxing, or whatever you wanted it to be!

What should I do with my avocado that I bought yesterday?

Coming to Terms with the Lack of Running

**First off, I’d like to wish my hard-working hubby a very happy birthday today!! Poor guy is  working 12+ hours today on five hours (or less) of sleep. It’s hard getting old! **

Spring finally decided to grace Kentucky this week = YAY! But my running has been put on hold = BOO!

Since my meeting with the sports medicine doctor, I have begrudgingly paused my running training. I also decided I wasn’t going to push things by running in the Kentucky Derby Half Marathon later this week–it’s not worth spending $85 on a race that I may or may not do well in, nor risk doing more damage to my tendon. It stinks…no, it sucks. It sucks because I have friends running in it and I wanted to run with them. It sucks because it was my first half marathon last year, and you always want to run in your first race all the time. It sucks because the weather is so beautiful outside and you see so many people out running on the same routes I run on, and you just want to feel that wind in your face and lose your breath.

I know it’s not forever (Lord I hope not). But I guess I just need a good whine every now and then. For now, I’ll enjoy the dark scenery of the spinning studio, focus on strengthening my legs in the gym, and stretching out all the kinks with yoga. My first physical therapy appointment is Thursday, so I’ll have more information and updates after that.

One of the trees in the backyard is finally blooming, which is a sure sign of Spring in Kentucky. (And torture to M’s poor allergies.)

So Tuesday evening, after walking the dogs (at least I can still walk them!), I enjoyed the outdoors in another way, by eating a light dinner on the patio with the dogs and the cats laying around in the thickening patches of grass.

Yogurt bowl: Oikos toasted cocnut Greek yogurt with chopped apples and homemade granola. (Sorry for the blurry image.)

I have to thank Nicole for the inspiration for what is probably my new favorite light meal. I chopped up an apple and mixed it in a bowl with Oikos toasted coconut Greek yogurt and some homemade granola (peanut butter and honey mixed over oats and almonds with some shredded coconut and dried berries). It’s light for those warm days (like Tuesday–80*!), but quite filling.

The girls love it when I sit outside with them, but they would rather me throw the tennis ball than work on the computer.

The pups enjoyed relaxing on the porch while I did a little work (so thankful for wifi). It was quite relaxing, that is, until M’s cat Sean decided to jump over the privacy fence into the neighbor’s yard, then under another fence to another neighbor’s yard (mind you, he is declawed in the front). I ran over to the neighbors behind us and retrieved him from their yard. It’s funny because my cat, who has front claws, doesn’t try to escape the backyard when she goes outside. Oh well…just gotta keep an eye on the troublemaker.

So how do you celebrate the warmer weather outside of running?

Down on the Farm

This weekend I packed up the Stump Kids and headed north to visit my parents and spend some time on the farm. M was going to be working long hours all weekend, and I knew that with how gorgeous the weekend was supposed to be, I was going to be itchin’ to be at the barn. Plus I just had one of those feelings that it would be good to be home with my parents, even for just a couple days.

On our farm we are down to four horses–all mares and all Quarter Horses. When I was younger, we had an upwards of eight horses on the farm, majority of them being shown by my sister and me. But since I’ve graduated college and had to move across the country for my career, the horses had to take an unfortunate back seat to life as a grown up. I hated it (and still do) and have held out hope that I can bring them back into my life physically (considering I work for a horse publication, they’re in my life in that way, but not like I can go and groom magazine horses). But, for now, that requires a 3.5 hour drive to my parents’ place.

This is perhaps the best view, and the best seat, in the house.

Springtime on the farm means lots of brushing–the horses are shedding their thick winter coats. It’s a great arm workout, but also a great way to clear your mind because it is a mindless session. With the sun shining and a stiff breeze, the horse most likely will fall asleep with the constant scratching/massaging from the rubber curry. (When is it my turn?)

Then it’s time to do a little tail brushing, which isn’t really brushing, but more like using your fingers to pick through the tangles, removing the hay and shavings, and the occasional burr. I’ve always been one to pride myself on my horses’ tails–keeping them long, thick, and gorgeous. It’s another great mindless activity that’s so relaxing for me. It’s definitely something that I’ve needed after the past few weeks.

Then of course there’s the fun of riding! Whether it’s bareback with just a halter and lead rope (which I do with my 21-year-old mare that I’ve done everything with), or using a Western saddle, I’ll try to get in at least one good ride while I’m home. You may have heard the saying, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man”–that’s so totally true.

Back in the “old days” nothing spooked me. I loved to go to rodeos and speed shows to push the envelope.

It’s funny because this weekend I felt more confidence that I have in a long time. It’s like no matter how long it’s been since I’ve swung a leg over the back of a horse (in this case, almost 5 months!), I immediately feel like I am home and where I’m meant to be. The saddle envelopes my body and, seemingly, my soul. I have patient hands and a patient mind again. Chloe can try to unseat me because she doesn’t want to canter, but I still have my balance and remain seated. I’m not afraid to push my horse for a little more (which might mean a little fight, or not), yet I’m afraid to push myself to take a leap when it comes to my life.

So why can’t I just direct that passion and that love to my horseless life? It could be perhaps because I have felt that there’s been a hole in my life since I had to step away from being a horse person all the time. Being a horsewoman was my identity for more than half of my life, and to have that become the past like it has is pretty traumatic.

But for now, I’ll trudge through and hope that I can suffice on those moments that I can escape back to my childhood and get away from the realities of the adult world.

Is there anything from your earlier life you wish you had continued to do?

Half Marathon Recovery

Happy April!! I don’t know about you, but I’m hoping now that it’s April, Mother Nature will get her stuff together and realize it’s Spring and behave as such! It’s still in the 40s here, but at least the sun’s out.

Just a quick note that recovery from the Run The Bluegrass Half Marathon has been just fine. I think it helps that I ran a few 13 mile runs prior to the half marathon, so my body has become accustomed to the beating it gets. I was a little stiff and sore Saturday, and woke up that way Sunday morning, but after a couple of 2-mile walks with the pups that day and a little more stretching, I think I was back to normal by Monday.

Monday M and I headed up to Cincinnati for Reds Opening Day. Apparently Cincinnati is the only Major League Baseball city that goes all-out for Opening Day. We’re talking major parade through downtown (at least two hours long), a big block party right by the stadium, and, of course, the game. It seems like everyone was out and about–I don’t know if some offices closed or what. But it was fun to be with all the revelers. I’m not a big baseball fan, but it’s something M enjoys, and some times the games are fun (give me someone else to talk to, some good, cheap eats and beer, sunshine, and I’ll be OK), so I’ve turned into a minor Reds fan.

We stuck around for a while until heading back to Lexington–we got separated from M’s friends at a bar and everywhere was packed. We listened to the game on the drive back and then watched the end (13 innings on Opening Day!?) on TV. We’re heading back up to Cincy for the Opening Night Game. I’m hoping it’ll be a little bit warmer and a little more pleasant (but I’m doubting that, so here come the layers and blanket!).

I’ve already got the itch to run another half marathon, and to run it like NOW! I can’t believe I waited almost a whole year before I ran my second, but I don’t want to wait that long for my third. I’m seriously considering doing the Kentucky Derby Half Marathon later this month, but I’m waiting to see what my doctor says when she looks at my knee on Thursday. It held up pretty well through the race, but it’s still bothering me a little. There’s a little swelling still, and I can’t put weight on it directly (I was doing yoga this morning and got down on my hands and knees–that wasn’t too pleasant). I have until April 10 to register, and it might be pretty expensive, but I really want to do it.

Then there’s the Iron Horse Half Marathon in Midway in October that I might aim for. I’m definitely planning to keep up my running with the running groups I joined this winter, so I’m hoping that keeps me in shape for adding on more distance races. But, then I fear I might start to get a little burnt out on running distance. I’m ready to tackle the obstacle races again and work on my 5K speed some more.

So, yes, I’m officially addicted to running and half marathons. I just hope my body can hold up!

Tapering Week Randomness

This week has just felt so unorganized, random, and unsettling for me. I hate taper weeks! You work so hard, trying to increase your mileage and your speed, push yourself to the limits, and train hard for months for your half marathon/marathon, then you’re expected to take a week off to allow your muscles to relax, restore, and be ready for the big race. But yet your mind is still reeling and thinking.

Less than 48 hours until I conquer this race!

I ran 8 miles on Saturday and then 3.5 Monday after work. Since then, I haven’t done much. I did a Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown DVD Tuesday morning, then did some heavy lifting after work (mostly my upper body, but I threw some squats in there). Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings have been long walks in the park with the dogs to stretch their and my legs. I’ve been itching to run, but worried that I want to have my legs for the massive hills I’ll be running on Saturday. Plus, I’ve been wanting to rest my knee. This am I did another yoga DVD to stretch my body and hopefully ease my mind.

But then I see tweets from people running in the same half marathon I am doing that are still running 3-5 miles this am, just two days before the race. I think to myself “Am I going to be prepared for this? Is resting up the way to go, or should I have pushed for a few miles last night?” You seriously can drive yourself mad doubting your actions during a taper week!

After work last night I was about to set out to the gym for some time on the elliptical and more upper body weights when suddenly I just wasn’t feeling it. It’s weird for me to just not feel like going to the gym at all, especially in the middle of the week, but I figured it was a sign and listened to my body. I drove straight home and M and I took the dogs out for a 2.25 mile walk instead. Then I cleaned the house to keep myself busy and my body moving.

I have a packed evening schedule today, but I’m suddenly wanting to get in at least 15 minutes on the elliptical to stretch the legs and get the blood flowing. I just gotta try to not push myself too much.

And now for the randomness…

There have been a few blog posts that have really stuck with me this week that I want to share.

Matters of Course (RunningHutch) – Tiffany put together a great blog about runners who CrossFit (or CrossFitters who run). It was fun to read the different views of people who “do it all” in fitness because I’d like to still try my hand at CrossFit, but I was worried it’d affect my running training.

Piloting Paper Airplanes – This post was something I needed after having some confidence issues this week. What Makes Me Powerful made me really think about what makes me feel powerful in my life. You know everyone has their lackluster moments, but it’s always good to read that there are others who have those moments (even the people who appear to have it all together) and how they handle those moments. I hope to do a post like this soon.

The Lean Green Bean – Finally, Lindsay has perfect timing when it comes to some of the things she puts together on her blog. She posted a follow up blog post on Things Blogging Has Taught Me today, and I really needed that. I’ve been inspired with my recent Sweat Pink Ambassadorship to do more with my blog, but I don’t really know how to get the ball rolling. There is a big world of potential when it comes to blogging and you have to really dig deep and be persistent to grow your own brand. I get inspiration from bloggers like Lindsay, Anne, Clare, and Tina, and I want to do more awesome things like them everyday.

Time to get my mind straight and focus. I’m hoping the rest of the week flies by.

Confidence Crushers

Confidence is such a sensitive thing. One minute you can feel on top of the world, and the next you feel like the world is crushing you as it walks all over you. You work so hard to build yourself up–whether it’s hours in the gym, tons of reading, or whatever you can do to build confidence. Once you start to feel it, it’s a great ride–you’re standing tall and you feel like you can do no wrong. Everything is better and goes smoothly for you.

And, yet some times, it takes one little thing to burst that bubble and tear you down brick by brick. You don’t see it coming–it’s actually like a back-handed slap that can come from behind your back.

I’ve been feeling confident about my race training. I knew I had to take two weekends off right before my half marathon coming this weekend, so I had pushed up my training and actually had run 12-13 miles three weekends in a row just in the past month. But it’s been the big break that’s concerned me. I’ve been working on inclines/hill intervals on the treadmill and running different courses with hills (even once on part of the actual course), thinking I’ve done enough to prep for the Run the Bluegrass. But suddenly today, as I’m reading people’s tweets and Facebook posts about the hellacious hills that “bless” the course (especially mile 9, so I hear) my mind starts reeling…did I do enough training? Can my knee (which has been bothering me the past few weeks or so) handle the 13.1 miles and the hills?

I’ve basically decided that I probably shouldn’t chance running in the Derby Half Marathon 30 days after the Run The Bluegrass because I don’t know how my body would handle it. A total 180 from how I was feeling previously.

Another confidence blower came to me in my confidence in my abilities as a dog agility handler/trainer. Without getting into too much detail (since I know the majority of you aren’t 100% up on your dog speak), I mishandled something in the last round of Nationals in Tulsa that I mishandled last year at Nationals in Reno. I didn’t learn from that mistake. And then this weekend, at an agility trial, I didn’t work the courses or the dogs like a handler who had just returned from Nationals. It might not mean much to some, but my ability to work an animal successfully (it’s the same with horses) is very important to me because it’s a part of who I am.

It’s things like that that makes you yearn for just a little affirmation that you’re still doing alright–that you still look good in those jeans, or that you’ve done some great things with your dogs. You know you shouldn’t have to need to push for those compliments, but they tend to make a difference.

So what do you do to give your confidence a little boost?