Whatever it takes...

Excuses live in every nook and cranny...actually you don't even have to look that hard. Excuses live in the mind--readily available. "I am tired. I don't have the time. There is always tomorrow."
In my life I have run into weeks and weeks on end of "why I can't work out" excuses. The weeks quickly blur together. And before you know it you are months out from your last work out. It has been a long time since that happened for me. Many years in fact (No, Erin. I don't want a medal.). Well, I guess I can't ignore that from 7 mos preggers to 3 mos post-partum I didn't work out. But I don't see pregnancy and newborn baby as excuses.

I know everyone's situation is different. But I also know that there is always a way to fit exercise in. I realize that I have a lot "going" for me...I have a job that I can essentially be out the door at 2:30pm (ok--I guess that is a big one in my favor)...but on the flip side, I also am out the door at home in the morning at 6am. I have a toddler. But it is just one toddler. And I have daycare. So working out between work and picking up the babe is often times a pretty easy option. But alas, the Guilt can creep in....But I counter that with the fact that an exercised Amy is a much better Mommy. So while I do have a lot in my favor--it is not as easy as it was pre-Greta. It was a lot easier back then. Though I do have to say that when there is a lot of time available, sometimes it is harder for me to actually make myself work out. When I have limited time, I know I have no choice but to do it at a certain time.

When I am home with the babe and no daycare is available...I get creative. Our basement (aka work out studio: elliptical, bike with trainer, free weights, mat, DVDs) is currently an explosion of foam stickies. Toys tossed all over. Because I will do whatever it takes to occupy that kid so I can get a work out in. Even if it means doing the elliptical. With Greta sitting on a twirly office chair next to me. While my left arm spins her around. And I am belting out "Here comes Greta Claus...here comes Greta Claus..." because apparently she is Greta Claus in her sleigh and I am a reindeer (I am so ready for this game to be over because literally anytime I have done the elliptical the past month, this is what happens.). I do believe that doing cardio while singing at the same time increases one's lung capacity at an alarming fast rate. Try it.

I guess my motive here is two fold. One, I am proud that I will do whatever it takes to work out (and I realize that there may come a point in time when the best option is 4:30am work outs....ahh, not there yet). Yes, Erin. NOW I want a medal. Two, just consider where/how you can find the time to exercise if you don't already (I will duck..who am I to ask you to do that? Try not to get to angry at me. I sincerely just know that life is so much better when you work out regularly.).

The best reward? Greta is seeing that exercise is important. That it is something that we do. To her it is simply part of normal life...Sometimes she hops in and joins me with her mock weights...she'll do a push up or two...And other times, she reminds me to laugh and not take it so seriously when she stands behind me slapping my bum during squats, latches onto my legs during lunges, or plops on my belly while I am crunching...

Before Greta I heard people talk about that the reason they like to have their kids see them exercise is because it teaches them that fitness is something to be valued. I didn't "get" that at the time. Now I do.

I learned the importance of exercise from my parents. They may be questioning that as they read this (THEY BETTER BE READING THIS) because they aren't what you may call stellar athletes (sorry guys)...BUT--my dad ran, rode the exercise bike and NordicTracked with the best of them when I was young....My mom went for regular walks and I remember doing some sort of aerobics record with her and our neighbors. My sisters and I were encouraged to participate in athletic opportunities and my parents took our interest in athletics seriously. And I think all of that combined made an impact.

I hope to teach Greta the same thing...Because that kid can run. Fast. And I am sure if we can get her some sponsors...well, let's just say our retirement is looking a lot more cushy...

Back at It

Tendon healed fine (did I already write about that?). So I am slowly working at building my mileage up a bit...taking it easy to avoid injury.

Today was a blustery 5 miles. Frigid but I loved it.

Stay tuned....an announcement might be coming!

A ok

Tendon is now fine. No pain at all. Will need to add the running in slowly since all in all it has been probably 3 weeks of no running (with the exception of a couple of low mileage runs last week to test the waters).

And that's all I've got for you.

Still determined to not let winter get the best of me and resort to ultimate laziness. But man. It is so tempting.

Hoping the roads are clear tomorrow for a pre-Thanksgiving run. Lat Thanksgiving I spent 2 hours in a 100 degree room doing yoga. I think I will be happy with 2-3 miles tomorrow...not quite the same calorie burn but I'll take it.

Appointment

Best part about seeing a rheumatologist for a follow up appointment for the tendon issue? Being weighed.

Yes. Many oddities about that above question and answer. And clearly that is a nice dose of sarcasm in the statement above.

First, if you are wondering why one with no prior need for a rheumatologist would be seeing one for a running-related tendon issue, then read the prior post.

Tendon: Significantly better. But not all better. Doctor said to hold off on running for a couple of more weeks. I can't tell if I am going to listen to him or not. How harmful would a little 2 mile jaunt really be? If it hurts--I stop. If it aches after--I won't run again for a week. Seems reasonable to me. We did talk about my heels and how they could be an underlying cause of the tendon problem. I agree. They probably are. But telling me that I should no longer wear heels is like telling someone to stop breathing. Though he didn't tell me to stop wearing them. He seems way smarter than that. But we both sat there knowing that continued heel wear will take a toll on me. It already has.

Weight: Why the f do they need my weight? I hate scales. I thought the nurse was a little liberal with pushing the scale weight to the right. I checked at home. She totally added a pound or two on. Which still doesn't help since that still leaves me 5 (?) pounds more than pre-Greta. Maybe 7 or 8. I don't quite recall my exact weight prior to G because guess what? I didn't like scales then either. Because at that time I was weighing in 5-8 pounds heavier than what I weighed around the time I got married. And around the time I got married? I probably wanted to weigh 5 pounds less than I did. Do you see the problem? No. Me either.

The moral of the story? Don't ever think you won't be "one of those people" that hang on to "baby weight".  Because you most likely will. And wearing high heels really can ruin your feet. And possibly cause you to gain weight.

Dang

Early last week--lovely 5 mile run. That evening my inner ankle hurt. "I must have twisted my ankle or something."

Tweaky pain for a week. Nothing big. Figured it was just one of those running aches/pulls/strains that would go away. Not by resting mind you.

Wednesday run. Felt that strain. And then at 3 miles. FELT THAT STRAIN.

Wednesday evening. Apparent bruise showed up.

Thursday morning. Ankle started swelling. Very isolated swelling. School nurses ordered me to see a doctor (I love having school nurses as a reference).

Off to Quick Care. X rays "just because". But doctor started questioning about my joints. And other weird symptoms. And got me in at the rheumatoid doctor immediately. Like I drove right over there. Concocting wild fantasies of what might be going on in my body. Realizing just how terrifyingly fast one's life could be turned upside down. Thinking how crazy it was that I was so hyper focused on the fact that this must be running related where as in reality I had a weird joint disorder starting to show in my body.

But I didn't. Very, very nice and thorough Doctor assured me it was a tendon issue. And informed me that they are set up to do ultrasounds. And very nice practice got me in for today.

Ultrasound revealed no tear! Told to take 2 weeks off--no running (but if there is exercise that doesn't hurt it--I can do that. Haven't tested out the elliptical yet.). I do know that I had just recently been hit with, "Wow. My shoes are DEAD."  So that may have contributed.

And for the love of god people--this guy ultrasounded (a verb?) my entire foot and EVERYTHING LOOKED GREAT--Achilles and all. So while wearing heels may be slowly destroying my feet....all is fine for now. And I realized that wearing heels is now the social equivalent to smoking.

I like to run!

Ah, feels so good to find pleasure in running again. I don't worry about times. I don't stress about mileage. I listen to my body.

Ran 5 Tuesday--naked run so no clue on pace or anything...felt fast. But that doesn't mean anything.

Rainy 5 Wednesday--averaged a 9:04 pace

Ran 4 today--oddly enough I had been planning on 3 but felt the itch to run more. Took this one slower--and felt more comfortable than any run I have done in months--9:30 pace. Was warmer than previous days and a little humid--but breathing felt good. I have realized that humidity really affects me. A lot. I know that I am a somewhat bronchial challenged individual--prone to bronchitis, coughs and if I laugh really hard late at night? I become a wheezing monster....so who knows if that is connected? Or maybe I am just a baby. But I do know that I adore running in the fall. Who doesn't?

Guess what?

I still run!

Since school started my working out has taken some breaks (including 2 weeks, if I recall correctly, of no working out. At all. It was nice. And sure enough, I felt ready again to return to work outs by the end of 2 weeks.). I tend to go all balls to the wall with working out at the beginning of the week but then my enthusiasm tapers off. Weekend work outs are the toughest right now--just not feeling motivated to figure out who can watch G...when I can squeeze something in...blah blah

My plan is to stick to 15-20 miles through the winter. With days of cross training built in.

Today I ran a very, very, VERY wet and cold 5 miles. Guess what happens when you run in a rain/wind storm with your hair in a ponytail? It becomes one giant snarl. This was probably the rainiest run I have ever had. And would have been really lovely if I had dry clothes for me at the end of the run. But I didn't. What I did have was a car that needed gas. And a toddler that needed to be picked up at daycare. And a 35 minute drive home from daycare. With a crying toddler. And then when I got home--I had dinner that had to be made and laundry to start and a dance bag to pack. And then. THEN I got my shower. And it was really nice. But I am a little scared that my hair may be a permanent snarl from this point on...

Yesterday I ran naked. Not a preference. But I had no choice. Obviously by naked I mean watch-less AND ipod-less. Trust me, I considered vetoing the run. But that is what sissies do. And overall guess what device I missed more? The watch. After a mile or so, no music really didn't bother me. Plus if Erin was able to run 16 (or was it your 18?) on a treadmill. With no music. No TV. No nothing except for a dot on the wall--5 around the cove isn't that bad I guess...