Movin' Movin'

I've been in a bit of a funk lately and was trying to think of some songs that make me feel like moving. The one that came to mind right away was the song from Madagascar. If your kids love that movie as much as mine, you know exactly what I'm talking about! Here's a few other songs that keep me moving when I'm feeling a little less than motivated.

Faith by George Michael

I like to Move it by Bang Gang ( my girls love this song - makes me smile to think of them doing their "Move it" dance)

Hips don't Lie by Shakira (good hips!!!!)

Maniac by Michael Sembello (steel town girl - I could be her)

Walk this Way by Aerosmith (reminds me of highschool - maybe good, maybe bad)

Can't get you out of my head by Kylie Minogue

Walk Away by Kelly Clarkson (I just like her)

Rehab Plan...

After a trip to the physical therapist I’ve learned what I’m doing right and wrong and how I’m going to get back to running – hopefully. The diagnosis was a lack of flexibility in my left leg (that part I knew) caused by a slight underpronation of my foot. This all caused excessive strain on the tibialis anterior resulting in my shin splint like pain. The right leg still has some issues and we’re going to treat it at the same time as the left – might as well right? The hope is with proper rehab, flexibility training and strengthening I’ll be able to return to running in 2 to 3 more weeks. Very slowly….

Right now I’m trying out the Superfeet insoles. I had tried them at the height of my pain and decided they didn’t work. Ned – my physical therapist – suggested trying them again. I walked 5 minutes without and then 5 minutes with to see what the difference was. The pain was notably better though not gone. This was a good sign that corrective measures will work. In addition I’ve been instructed to heat, massage, stretch and ice my shin area 2 times a day. This sounds easy until you try it with kids. In the middle of icing I’m getting up to get sippy cups and Barbie clothes.

I return to Ned to show all my great progress on Friday. He’s promised more exercises! Can’t wait!

Hello Old Friend...

I'm finally back from time at my parents with the girls. Much like the above picture that has nothing to do with running neither did I the last two weeks. I made jam with my Mom, hiked with my Dad, met friends at a water park (in my swimsuit), played tag with the kids and generally relaxed. It was great, but boy was I ever itching to put my shoes on and go for a run. I finally got on my treadmill this morning and put in a couple of miles. Movement felt really good.

From all of the reading I've been doing it has been reported that you can take a couple of weeks off from training and bounce back. More then three weeks off and generally the recommendation is to start back a few weeks on the schedule. Rest at regular intervals is also highly recommended. I took advantage of that school of thought and fully enjoyed myself. Now will be a real test as to what I have lost and how soon I can jump back into the training schedule.

Take the Train...

Cross train that is. My ongoing saga of shin splints that have turned out to not really be shin splints continues. My stubbornness has gotten me into a bind and now I find myself having to bike. I’m not excited about it. For whatever reason I don’t get the same sense of satisfaction from a ride as I do from a run. However, it is a means to an end.

My shin pain hit its pinnacle just over two weeks ago when the pain during the run and between runs was just unbearable. I haven’t run since. I finally saw my doctor, which resulted in an immediate x-ray of my left leg (with the kids in tow – much to the dismay of the x-ray techs). My right leg has healed and is pain free since I stopped running. My left is very much the same today as it was two weeks ago. Not a good sign! The x-ray came back normal – phew! Now I’m waiting to see the physical therapist on the 25th.

In the meantime, I bike. According to what I’ve read in books and the internet pedaling between 80 and 100 rpm’s is very similar in exertion level to running. So, now when I want to run 3 miles I ride the bike at 80-100 rpm’s for about 40 minutes (the length of time it would take me to run 3 miles).
Lesson learned. Listen to my body and cross train to give it a break when necessary.

Sorry Jack...

Here is my most recent play list. I started off experimenting with Jack Johnson for the warm-up and cool-down but I found that I just wanted to crawl back into bed. He didn't motivate me, he made me mellow and crave banana pancakes. Now don't get me wrong I adore Jack Johnson and he has his place (in yoga maybe). So I found that what I really needed where my girls Gwen and Fergie. Yeah, after this week we're on a first name basis. Hopefully you will enjoy them as much as I did.

What Are You Waiting For? by Gwen Stefani
All Star by Smash Mouth (ignore the Shrek in your head and enjoy it.)
If I Was A Rich Girl by Gwen Stefani and Eve
Gold Digger featuring Jamie Foxx by Kanye West
Smile by Lily Allen
Clumsy by Fergie
Kerosene by Amanda Lambert
Gone Daddy Gone by Gnarls Barkley
Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie

4th Of July Shopping...

I love being outside! Beside running, I also enjoy camping, hiking, kayaking, skiing you name it. I'm always looking for places to buy gear for reasonable prices. I was recently turned onto a phenomenal web store that offers great outdoor items at bottom of the barrel prices. This site is worth checking in on often as you never know what you will find. They have running apparel regularly as well as lots of other outdoor enthusiast items. Check this one out, I think you will like it.

http://www.steepandcheap.com/