I can hardly believe the summer has passed.
Two. More. Weeks.
Getting more nervous than ever.
GULP.
Monday
Morning HIIT.
Biking into work has taken a backseat for various reasons, mostly because I've enjoyed sleeping in and still working out in the morning. Plus, who wants to work out, shower, then get sorta sweaty again on the way to work? Not me. It's been a real biking killer.
But that's ok.
Tuesday
Nothing. Had surgery class, which yes, was for me and not for the surgeon ;-).
Basically, I learned a little more about that day, got all my prescriptions, what medical equipment I'll need and essentially got made a little more nervous for the day. I was told some people cancel last minute and I totally understand why.
Had every intention of doing hip and core, but I didn't. Oh well.
Wednesday
Morning HIIT.
Dropped prescriptions off at Target, since it's the closest pharmacy. Enrolled in their text messaging notification and already regret it, as they keep texting me and it has nothing to do with my prescriptions being ready. I also bought a bagged salad that was totally gross, as in spoiled gross. So, had to return that.
Hip and core strengthening before bedtime. I'm really over this. That fact does not bode well for physical therapy.
Thursday
While walking Jeff in the morning, I saw a perfect rainbow - it was a complete bow and I walked towards it, I smiled, because I saw a second arc start to appear. I knew it was going to be a good day.
The way too long of a run from Saturday has left my hip in quite a bit of unhappiness, and I don't really want to take any inflammatories with surgery coming up (even though I totally have another week, I'm just going to be an overachiever and say no meds two weeks out). With this, I've decided to stop most of the HIIT - found some "beginner" videos are are much more low impact, although not nearly as fun, but I don't want my hip to be so inflamed I get yelled at. But I guess if they do, I'll be all drugged up by then that I won't really care, right?
Friday
Another "lazy" day - no workout, but I have been managing to get in 10,000 steps every day, so I don't feel as guilty.
Saturday
My hip was bothering me so much that I ended up taking just a little bit of Aleve. It's funny how amazing an NSAID seems when you really need it.
Made lemon poppy seed protein balls for snacks during recovery. They are quite tasty.
Sunday
Looking back, I feel like I suddenly "gave up" on trying to keep working out up until the surgery. The disastrous, almost 7 mile run really screwed things up for me, and I really have been hurting a lot. So much so that I haven't even wanted to bike. And I hate that, because I know I won't be able to do it much longer. I'll probably end up getting a trainer so I can at least ride through the winter inside. I sort of feel silly for getting the damn thing now that I haven't ridden it as much as I thought I would. The truth is ... I just miss running. Running is so much more low maintenance than cycling. If anyone thought I would become a cyclist, well, joke's on you. I will always be a runner.
The coming week's plan: get some cardio in, not sure if it will be running (trying to save the hip for Saturday), probably elliptical and some biking.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Friday, August 28, 2015
The Hip Chronicles: Surgery Class
Yesterday was what I called "surgery class". Not sure of the official name. Technically, it wasn't pre-op, although I imagine if I had reported any other health conditions, like asthma, they probably would have ordered more tests.
What actually happened was this:
I was 6 minutes late (I always like to be 10 minutes early) because there was still full-blown rush hour traffic at 8:15 in the morning. Ahhhhh, Denver! You and your traffic are why I want to move back to Kansas City!
In any case, they were running 10 minutes late, so I was saved and not the weirdo that wandered into the little room with shelves full of scientific journals no one probably reads because everything is available online these days.
We had a presentation in which we reviewed everything I managed to find on the web, plus a few things I didn't. For example, if you have enough arthritis, you head straight for a hip replacement, no need to bother with arthroscopy.
Oh and I got told my lady parts could feel numb for up to 6 weeks.
Afterwards, we were taken to different rooms for a health history and to get measured for a brace and ask any questions. I was left alone with my thoughts for way too long and had a breadth of questions:
1. What time is surgery? You will get a call the day before with the surgery schedule.
2. Where is SR (this was the location written for my first post-op appointment)? (they told me)
3. What exactly do you plan on doing? Removing the part of the bone causing the impingement and reparing the frayed labrum. If the labrum is beyond repair, they will put in a graft (or whatever it's called) from a cadaver.
So, I could potentially have dead person in me.
4. What if I move to Kansas City halfway through my recovery? There is a surgeon who trained with your surgeon who now lives in KC. We can refer you to him, who will get you set up with PT and continued post-op care.
5. What is the worst outcome you've seen from a surgery with this particular surgeon? People have fallen and subsequently had to have to procedure re-done.
6. What is the schedule of surgery day? Arrive 2 hours before surgery, surgery lasts 2-3 hours and then at least 2-3 hours in the recovery room. If you are in pain or not feeling well, you can stay up to 23 hours for observation.
Of course, then my PA wanted to know why I didn't like Denver - everyone likes Denver. Sigh.
Every explanation I gave just didn't make sense to him until I said, I just really hate that there is traffic all the time. Then I got "Well, it's not for everybody."
You are right, sir. It isn't. But in the meantime, I promise to try to enjoy it.
What actually happened was this:
I was 6 minutes late (I always like to be 10 minutes early) because there was still full-blown rush hour traffic at 8:15 in the morning. Ahhhhh, Denver! You and your traffic are why I want to move back to Kansas City!
In any case, they were running 10 minutes late, so I was saved and not the weirdo that wandered into the little room with shelves full of scientific journals no one probably reads because everything is available online these days.
We had a presentation in which we reviewed everything I managed to find on the web, plus a few things I didn't. For example, if you have enough arthritis, you head straight for a hip replacement, no need to bother with arthroscopy.
Oh and I got told my lady parts could feel numb for up to 6 weeks.
Afterwards, we were taken to different rooms for a health history and to get measured for a brace and ask any questions. I was left alone with my thoughts for way too long and had a breadth of questions:
1. What time is surgery? You will get a call the day before with the surgery schedule.
2. Where is SR (this was the location written for my first post-op appointment)? (they told me)
3. What exactly do you plan on doing? Removing the part of the bone causing the impingement and reparing the frayed labrum. If the labrum is beyond repair, they will put in a graft (or whatever it's called) from a cadaver.
So, I could potentially have dead person in me.
4. What if I move to Kansas City halfway through my recovery? There is a surgeon who trained with your surgeon who now lives in KC. We can refer you to him, who will get you set up with PT and continued post-op care.
5. What is the worst outcome you've seen from a surgery with this particular surgeon? People have fallen and subsequently had to have to procedure re-done.
6. What is the schedule of surgery day? Arrive 2 hours before surgery, surgery lasts 2-3 hours and then at least 2-3 hours in the recovery room. If you are in pain or not feeling well, you can stay up to 23 hours for observation.
Of course, then my PA wanted to know why I didn't like Denver - everyone likes Denver. Sigh.
Every explanation I gave just didn't make sense to him until I said, I just really hate that there is traffic all the time. Then I got "Well, it's not for everybody."
You are right, sir. It isn't. But in the meantime, I promise to try to enjoy it.
Monday, August 24, 2015
Week of August 17
The little square that indicates September 10th on the calendar looms closer and yet it seems now like the days drag by. I am thankful for next few weekends that I have - they are full of fun stuff, but at the same time, I just want to hurry up and get this shit done so I can move on with life.
In the meantime, I will remain impatient and more nervous as the days pass and try to get my ducks in a row.
Monday
Morning HIIT. I am loving that my workouts take less than half an hour, unless I'm out for a run/walk. THOSE workouts can take as long as they want.
I was tired from the weekend, so slept in an entire hour until 6:30 and happily drove in rather than biking. Well worth it.
Tuesday
More morning HIIT.
Was going to bike until I realized the weather was amazing, so Jeff and I went for a run/walk/stop and smell the crap out of everything after work. I don't have Tjom on autopause, so we covered about 2 miles in 33 minutes. There was a lot of stopping for Jeff, but that's ok. We both got what we needed out of that workout.
Speaking of Tjom, he's having a really hard time finding the satellites lately. I'm not sure if it's his age (he's a Garmin FR 205), or if the altitude is getting to him, but when it's time to make my running comeback, I may have to find a replacement, which makes me a little sad. I mean, we've been through a lot, Tjom and I.
Wednesday
Skipped the morning HIIT; biked into work. It was only 55* and brrr was it cold. For the first time, I wished I had some gloves. And pants rather than shorts. And a jacket on top of my long sleeve shirt.
Lesson learned: You cannot dress the same for cycling as you would for running.
I looked at the calendar and realized that next week is surgery class. I thought "already?!?". I found that ironic, considering Monday I was wishing for things to hurry up and get here.
Been re-watching The Mindy Project - one of my favorite current shows - and it's been so fun watching the characters and their relationships evolve now that I know where things lead. I think Mindy Kahling (she was a writer and played Kelly Kapoor on The Office) is hilarious and I'm so glad Hulu picked up her show after Fox (quite stupidly) dropped it. If you are interested in a larger than life version of myself, and who can be a little bit naughtier and get away with it, then watch this show.
Thursday
Morning HIIT. I really liked this one:
30-20-10 reps of elevated mountain climbers (hands on bench or chair - gets your booty more), reverse lunges and bench jump overs. I got in 7 rounds plus a short warm up in 10:30.
Friday
I decided I wanted to go for a swim, so I did just that. Didn't bother to count laps, but was pleased with the endurance I had for 25 minutes of laps. It had been a really long time since the last swim!
That night, I stayed up until midnight for the first time in a really long time to help my cousin get ready for her son's 4th birthday party. It was an epic, dinosaur themed party. We were not done by any means by midnight, but I said, I'm going to bed. I think she stayed up for about another hour.
Saturday
With a 10K in a few weeks, I wanted to get in around 5 miles, and knew my cousins lived on a loop. I thought this loop might be close to 5, and if not, it was something I could figure out when I crossed that bridge.
NOTE: when running in a new neighborhood, and especially if you are not planning on doing an out and back and really really if you plan on leaving your phone at home, map your route in advance. Or you will be like me, not realize the loop involves getting on a main road and then back off the main road again, and you will end up at nearly 7 miles by the time you make it back to the house.
Then you will be exhausted the rest of the day.
The birthday party itself was a lot of fun, the kiddo had a great time, and I ate a ton of these turkey meatballs from Costco that I am going to stock up on before surgery.
I was in bed by 9:30 that night.
Sunday
Had planned to do Garden of the Gods with a friend, but given everything that happened on Saturday, I figured it wasn't the best idea to sit in a car for 3 hours plus hike for 3 or so hours. So, we postponed that trip and I didn't set the alarm. I slept until 8:15 and it was amazing.
Then, I just did housework and watched The Mindy Project most of the day.
In the meantime, I will remain impatient and more nervous as the days pass and try to get my ducks in a row.
Monday
Morning HIIT. I am loving that my workouts take less than half an hour, unless I'm out for a run/walk. THOSE workouts can take as long as they want.
I was tired from the weekend, so slept in an entire hour until 6:30 and happily drove in rather than biking. Well worth it.
Tuesday
More morning HIIT.
Was going to bike until I realized the weather was amazing, so Jeff and I went for a run/walk/stop and smell the crap out of everything after work. I don't have Tjom on autopause, so we covered about 2 miles in 33 minutes. There was a lot of stopping for Jeff, but that's ok. We both got what we needed out of that workout.
Speaking of Tjom, he's having a really hard time finding the satellites lately. I'm not sure if it's his age (he's a Garmin FR 205), or if the altitude is getting to him, but when it's time to make my running comeback, I may have to find a replacement, which makes me a little sad. I mean, we've been through a lot, Tjom and I.
Wednesday
Skipped the morning HIIT; biked into work. It was only 55* and brrr was it cold. For the first time, I wished I had some gloves. And pants rather than shorts. And a jacket on top of my long sleeve shirt.
Lesson learned: You cannot dress the same for cycling as you would for running.
I looked at the calendar and realized that next week is surgery class. I thought "already?!?". I found that ironic, considering Monday I was wishing for things to hurry up and get here.
Been re-watching The Mindy Project - one of my favorite current shows - and it's been so fun watching the characters and their relationships evolve now that I know where things lead. I think Mindy Kahling (she was a writer and played Kelly Kapoor on The Office) is hilarious and I'm so glad Hulu picked up her show after Fox (quite stupidly) dropped it. If you are interested in a larger than life version of myself, and who can be a little bit naughtier and get away with it, then watch this show.
Thursday
Morning HIIT. I really liked this one:
30-20-10 reps of elevated mountain climbers (hands on bench or chair - gets your booty more), reverse lunges and bench jump overs. I got in 7 rounds plus a short warm up in 10:30.
Friday
I decided I wanted to go for a swim, so I did just that. Didn't bother to count laps, but was pleased with the endurance I had for 25 minutes of laps. It had been a really long time since the last swim!
That night, I stayed up until midnight for the first time in a really long time to help my cousin get ready for her son's 4th birthday party. It was an epic, dinosaur themed party. We were not done by any means by midnight, but I said, I'm going to bed. I think she stayed up for about another hour.
Saturday
With a 10K in a few weeks, I wanted to get in around 5 miles, and knew my cousins lived on a loop. I thought this loop might be close to 5, and if not, it was something I could figure out when I crossed that bridge.
NOTE: when running in a new neighborhood, and especially if you are not planning on doing an out and back and really really if you plan on leaving your phone at home, map your route in advance. Or you will be like me, not realize the loop involves getting on a main road and then back off the main road again, and you will end up at nearly 7 miles by the time you make it back to the house.
Then you will be exhausted the rest of the day.
The birthday party itself was a lot of fun, the kiddo had a great time, and I ate a ton of these turkey meatballs from Costco that I am going to stock up on before surgery.
I was in bed by 9:30 that night.
Sunday
Had planned to do Garden of the Gods with a friend, but given everything that happened on Saturday, I figured it wasn't the best idea to sit in a car for 3 hours plus hike for 3 or so hours. So, we postponed that trip and I didn't set the alarm. I slept until 8:15 and it was amazing.
Then, I just did housework and watched The Mindy Project most of the day.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Week of August 10
After an amazing weekend in Kansas City, it was fun coming back to Colorado. Usually when I travel, there is a sense of relief upon returning to the place where I keep my things - most of us call this home. For me, I realized this time around there isn't that feeling there when I come back here.
I'm sure part of it is my own stubbornness, having decided many months ago that I don't want to stay here. But I'm at least trying to appreciate Colorado for what it is. The weather really is fantastic. I like not feeling like I could almost swim through the air. And Colorado has made me unafraid to try new things - and to go on adventures by myself. So, that is good.
But I'm realizing home is where your heart is, and my heart simply isn't here. Guess what? That's ok. In due time, I'll be back where my heart is.
Monday
Quick 6 minute HIIT before I hit the road for a long drive from Kansas City to Colorado. Jeff and I were both bored out of our skulls.
When I got home, I did my hip and core strengthening routine.
Tuesday
Morning bike ride in, followed by a 4 minute HIIT workout. 30 sec on/10 sec rest of the following:
Sumo squats (shallow) with kettle bell
Jump squats (shallow)
Kettlebell deadlift
Half burpee with kettlebell deadlift (ie, burpee, then pick up the bell as you stand up)
Star jumps
Hamstring ball curls
High knees
Jumping Jacks with side lateral raises
Biked home for lunch and then drove back to work because of the forecast for afternoon rain.
Total miles: 4.5 in ~ 22 minutes
Wednesday
I really didn't want to walk allll the way to my apartment gym and do HIIT so I was really excited when I saw that morning's workout was all overweight.
40 sec on/10 sec rest of:
high knees
chair dips
walking pushups
jump squats (shallow)
.... something I can't remember
bicycle crunches
crossfit style burpee (burpee w/ pushup)
all x 2 for 11:30 workout
August 3rd was my first anniversary with Betty Bu the Black Subaru, so I took her in for her 12 month service this morning, got a ride back to my apartment and then biked into work.
When it was time to pick Betty up, I looked up the distance between my apartment and the dealership. Only 3.5 miles. I rode my bike home, with the plan to give Jeff some love, then change and run to get Betty. Problem was, a headache was building and my brain felt every bump I hit on the bike ride home. I was in denial that running was a bad idea, changed, coated myself in sunscreen and then realized it wasn't going to happen. Plus, I needed to hit the grocery store and I did not want to carry shopping bags for 3.5 miles. So, I dejectedly called for a pick up. Oh well.
Total miles: 4.5 in ~ 22 minutes
Thursday
For whatever reason, this was a rough day. I desperately wanted Starbucks, so drove into work rather than biking so I could swing by and get coffee. Then, I was highly caffeinated, but still tired.
By the end of the day, I didn't want to do anything so I didn't. And then I remembered how I wanted to run the day before, so instead of Jeff's nightly walk, we had a nightly run/walk. Tjom the Garmin didn't pick up GPS signal, so it "estimated" my mileage ... and apparently, I was on track to give Shalane a run for her money on the American record for 10,000m. At first I thought it was the world record, but that is 29:33. Even a messed up GPS isn't getting me under that.
I also forced myself to do hip and core strengthening. Ugh, I'm so over this. I will be a joy at PT post surgery.
Total miles: 2.1 in 29:06
Friday
Did a cross-fit style workout at the end of the day. Three rounds of tabata with the following for one round: deadlifts (started at 100, went down to 65), inverse rows (those sucked) and power lunges with 10 pound dumbbells. 12 minutes of work for going on 3 days DOMS as I write this. It was great.
Saturday
Hiked around Royal Gorge Bridge and park with friends who were visiting from Minnesota. It was a bit of a drive from where I live, and even from where they were camping (Cheyenee Mountain Park), but well worth it. Afterwards, we had a picnic just outside the Royal Gorge Park. I felt like I was in a Subaru commercial.
Sunday
One of the friends was running the Pike's Peak Marathon. I used to think I wanted to do the ascent, but now I'm not so sure. It looks, like, hella tough. My friend underestimated his time by almost 2.5 hours, not realizing what a toll the altitude would take on him once he got above 11,000 feet.
We tried to meet him at the top by taking the cog railway, but that didn't work out. Enjoyed the views and watching some of the leaders make it to the summit, take a drink of water and head back down.
Those folks are INSANE. But they did get a really nice finisher jacket. So, there's that. As one of my Kansas trail running buddies would say, "you are a free shirt whore". She's not entirely wrong, but I have never been one to turn down free anything, except for drugs and sometimes doughnuts.
Got in 20,000 steps that day. That's 100 points for my health incentives. Yessss.
I'm sure part of it is my own stubbornness, having decided many months ago that I don't want to stay here. But I'm at least trying to appreciate Colorado for what it is. The weather really is fantastic. I like not feeling like I could almost swim through the air. And Colorado has made me unafraid to try new things - and to go on adventures by myself. So, that is good.
But I'm realizing home is where your heart is, and my heart simply isn't here. Guess what? That's ok. In due time, I'll be back where my heart is.
Monday
Quick 6 minute HIIT before I hit the road for a long drive from Kansas City to Colorado. Jeff and I were both bored out of our skulls.
When I got home, I did my hip and core strengthening routine.
Tuesday
Morning bike ride in, followed by a 4 minute HIIT workout. 30 sec on/10 sec rest of the following:
Sumo squats (shallow) with kettle bell
Jump squats (shallow)
Kettlebell deadlift
Half burpee with kettlebell deadlift (ie, burpee, then pick up the bell as you stand up)
Star jumps
Hamstring ball curls
High knees
Jumping Jacks with side lateral raises
Biked home for lunch and then drove back to work because of the forecast for afternoon rain.
Total miles: 4.5 in ~ 22 minutes
Wednesday
I really didn't want to walk allll the way to my apartment gym and do HIIT so I was really excited when I saw that morning's workout was all overweight.
40 sec on/10 sec rest of:
high knees
chair dips
walking pushups
jump squats (shallow)
.... something I can't remember
bicycle crunches
crossfit style burpee (burpee w/ pushup)
all x 2 for 11:30 workout
August 3rd was my first anniversary with Betty Bu the Black Subaru, so I took her in for her 12 month service this morning, got a ride back to my apartment and then biked into work.
When it was time to pick Betty up, I looked up the distance between my apartment and the dealership. Only 3.5 miles. I rode my bike home, with the plan to give Jeff some love, then change and run to get Betty. Problem was, a headache was building and my brain felt every bump I hit on the bike ride home. I was in denial that running was a bad idea, changed, coated myself in sunscreen and then realized it wasn't going to happen. Plus, I needed to hit the grocery store and I did not want to carry shopping bags for 3.5 miles. So, I dejectedly called for a pick up. Oh well.
Total miles: 4.5 in ~ 22 minutes
Thursday
For whatever reason, this was a rough day. I desperately wanted Starbucks, so drove into work rather than biking so I could swing by and get coffee. Then, I was highly caffeinated, but still tired.
By the end of the day, I didn't want to do anything so I didn't. And then I remembered how I wanted to run the day before, so instead of Jeff's nightly walk, we had a nightly run/walk. Tjom the Garmin didn't pick up GPS signal, so it "estimated" my mileage ... and apparently, I was on track to give Shalane a run for her money on the American record for 10,000m. At first I thought it was the world record, but that is 29:33. Even a messed up GPS isn't getting me under that.
I also forced myself to do hip and core strengthening. Ugh, I'm so over this. I will be a joy at PT post surgery.
Total miles: 2.1 in 29:06
Friday
Did a cross-fit style workout at the end of the day. Three rounds of tabata with the following for one round: deadlifts (started at 100, went down to 65), inverse rows (those sucked) and power lunges with 10 pound dumbbells. 12 minutes of work for going on 3 days DOMS as I write this. It was great.
Saturday
Hiked around Royal Gorge Bridge and park with friends who were visiting from Minnesota. It was a bit of a drive from where I live, and even from where they were camping (Cheyenee Mountain Park), but well worth it. Afterwards, we had a picnic just outside the Royal Gorge Park. I felt like I was in a Subaru commercial.
 |
| Cheyenne Mountain State Park |
 |
| Royal Gorge Bridge |
 |
| Betty Bu the Black Subaru could be a star! Please don't try to get my plate #. |
One of the friends was running the Pike's Peak Marathon. I used to think I wanted to do the ascent, but now I'm not so sure. It looks, like, hella tough. My friend underestimated his time by almost 2.5 hours, not realizing what a toll the altitude would take on him once he got above 11,000 feet.
We tried to meet him at the top by taking the cog railway, but that didn't work out. Enjoyed the views and watching some of the leaders make it to the summit, take a drink of water and head back down.
Those folks are INSANE. But they did get a really nice finisher jacket. So, there's that. As one of my Kansas trail running buddies would say, "you are a free shirt whore". She's not entirely wrong, but I have never been one to turn down free anything, except for drugs and sometimes doughnuts.
 |
| I believe that's Wyoming on the horizon. Showing off my FREE Trail Nerds hat. |
 |
| Finish line of Pike's Peak marathon. You can't really tell, but it's pouring in this photo. So glad I remembered my umbrella. |
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
A Peek on the Inside
- I'm a compulsive gum chewer. Like, I chew gum like a 20 year, 2-pack a day smoker who is trying to quit. In reality, I'm a sweet toothed snacker who is trying to not much on peanut butter M&Ms all day long. I recently read that it's not good to chew that much gum all the time, so I am working on not doing that. For whatever reason, sparkling water is my saving grace.
- My secret half marathon goal time, which I doubt I will ever reach now that my hip is all kinds of messed up, is 1:50:50. This is one second faster than my finish time at the 2009 TC 10 Mile; the race that started it all.
- There is an older man who lives on the same floor as me who reminds me of my paternal grandfather. He died when I was really young, so I don't remember a lot about him, but he was tall and thin and wore a straw hat like this gentleman does. His wife doesn't look a thing like my grandmother, though.
- I often go back and read my blog posts from when I was training for my marathon. Those were some of the best months; I think this is because I had such low expectations and everything that happened just blew me out of the water. It's also a reminder, that yes, all that really did happen. Two years later, it sorta seems like a dream.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Week of August 3
I am pleasantly surprised to be thinking "How the hell is it August already?" For the first 6-7 months of life in Colorado, it was as if each month couldn't come quickly enough. So, this makes me happy. I still want to find myself back in the Midwest sooner, rather than later, but I'm glad days aren't dragging the way they used to.
I have watched the first two seasons of Orange is the New Black, having read the book by the real Piper (highly recommend) and was a little turned off by how things took a turn for more drama, so I wasn't one of those who binge watched season 3 the moment it was available. However, I'm invested in the characters, so I finally started watching an episode here and there. To be honest, I'm so over Piper and Alex. They are just never going to work, not in prison, not in real life.
Really, I'd just rather the last half of the final season of Mad Men be released already. I just refuse to give up on Don and Megan. Refuse. And I really want to know if Betty ever grows up.
Monday
HIIT in the morning:
High knees tabata, followed by some ab work: russian twists and inchworms. A nice, quick little workout.
I am trying to work 4 ten's this week, so didn't bike in the morning because that extra half hour is pretty important right now.
Every now and then, I have conversations with Jeff where I tell him how much I love him, how I will always take care of him and he will always have a home. It's a good 5-7 minute long conversation and he licks my nose after every sentence. I'm sure some people are grossed out by this, but I do it anyway. We had once of those conversations Monday night.
Tuesday
HIIT in the morning:
Quick tabata workout of the following: high knees x2, burpees x2, plank jacks x2, high knees x2. Short but damn, it was a workout. One of those where if you push yourself, you will sweat. I got sweaty :)
Wednesday
HIIT in the morning - lots of shoulder/delt work in just 10 minutes!
I'm too lazy to write it out, but here's a link to the youtube video:
In the afternoon, Jeff and I went for a warm run/walk to get both of us ready for the heat & humidity in Kansas this weekend. Don't know if we will be ready for the humidity, but we know what the heat feels like again!
Thursday
Meh, I was feeling lazy so I didn't do anything. Ha!
Friday
Drove to Kansas City for a weekend back where I belong. Ran a night trail race with a good friend, who thought it was among the dumbest things she'd ever done. It was muddy, which then made the rocks slippery, as the trails we were running were super technical. But I felt like I was flying, so was glad she did it with me. My entire body was coated with sweat. That felt amazing, too.
Final results:
I think the fact that they still had my city as Kansas City is a sign from the universe that I need to move back there.
Saturday
Nuthin. Had breakfast with friends, had lunch with friends, took care of some things I need to take care of while in Kansas City and then a BBQ and Royals game with friends. It was the best day.
Sunday
6 minute HIIT in the morning.
Then did some shopping while waiting for another friend, had delicious Sheridan's custard, got Jeffery from where he was partying for the previous 24 hours and ended the day with Jack Stack BBQ with family.
Life doesn't get much better.
I have watched the first two seasons of Orange is the New Black, having read the book by the real Piper (highly recommend) and was a little turned off by how things took a turn for more drama, so I wasn't one of those who binge watched season 3 the moment it was available. However, I'm invested in the characters, so I finally started watching an episode here and there. To be honest, I'm so over Piper and Alex. They are just never going to work, not in prison, not in real life.
Really, I'd just rather the last half of the final season of Mad Men be released already. I just refuse to give up on Don and Megan. Refuse. And I really want to know if Betty ever grows up.
Monday
HIIT in the morning:
High knees tabata, followed by some ab work: russian twists and inchworms. A nice, quick little workout.
I am trying to work 4 ten's this week, so didn't bike in the morning because that extra half hour is pretty important right now.
Every now and then, I have conversations with Jeff where I tell him how much I love him, how I will always take care of him and he will always have a home. It's a good 5-7 minute long conversation and he licks my nose after every sentence. I'm sure some people are grossed out by this, but I do it anyway. We had once of those conversations Monday night.
Tuesday
HIIT in the morning:
Quick tabata workout of the following: high knees x2, burpees x2, plank jacks x2, high knees x2. Short but damn, it was a workout. One of those where if you push yourself, you will sweat. I got sweaty :)
Wednesday
HIIT in the morning - lots of shoulder/delt work in just 10 minutes!
I'm too lazy to write it out, but here's a link to the youtube video:
In the afternoon, Jeff and I went for a warm run/walk to get both of us ready for the heat & humidity in Kansas this weekend. Don't know if we will be ready for the humidity, but we know what the heat feels like again!
Thursday
Meh, I was feeling lazy so I didn't do anything. Ha!
Friday
Drove to Kansas City for a weekend back where I belong. Ran a night trail race with a good friend, who thought it was among the dumbest things she'd ever done. It was muddy, which then made the rocks slippery, as the trails we were running were super technical. But I felt like I was flying, so was glad she did it with me. My entire body was coated with sweat. That felt amazing, too.
Final results:
ELIZABETH WALSH
Bib# 794
TIME
37:41
OVERALL PLACE
38
Results
- Pace: 12:07/M
Standings
- Gender Place: 16
I think the fact that they still had my city as Kansas City is a sign from the universe that I need to move back there.
 |
| On the course, so happy to be running in heat and humidity. |
Nuthin. Had breakfast with friends, had lunch with friends, took care of some things I need to take care of while in Kansas City and then a BBQ and Royals game with friends. It was the best day.
Sunday
6 minute HIIT in the morning.
Then did some shopping while waiting for another friend, had delicious Sheridan's custard, got Jeffery from where he was partying for the previous 24 hours and ended the day with Jack Stack BBQ with family.
Life doesn't get much better.
Monday, August 3, 2015
The Hip Chronicles: The Waiting Game
The nice thing about a non-emergent procedure is that you can have it whenever you want, so I "smartly" delayed surgery until after Labor Day, so I could 1) enjoy summer in Colorado and 2) be able to travel Labor Day weekend to see an old friend I haven't seen in 12 years.
The not-so-nice thing is that, when you delay things, you have lots of time to think about it.
For most of June and July, I hadn't been running much. Mostly, I was in the weight room, heaving the weights and swimming laps in the pool. It wasn't as fun - I missed dripping with sweat at the end of a workout.
And, for the most part, my hip did not bother me. I started to wonder if this surgery was really necessary. Maybe I was jumping the gun.
With a night trail race in Kansas City just on the horizon, I started running in the afternoons, to give myself a little bit of heat. I know it will feel a million times worse in the land of bugs and humidity, but I figure it's better than nothing. And, the past few weeks, with runs and hikes and my "to hell with it, I'm doing this" attitude, I'm definitely reminded that I've made the right decision. I've gotten in a few good sweat sessions, but my hip aches. The life I see without surgery is not a life I want to have. Yes, there are risks, things could totally suck, but it's worth it to me.
At least, I think it's worth it right now. Two days post op, I'm sure my momma and my sister will be hearing different things, but that will be after the fact and there won't be much I can do about it then, except take my drugs, do what the doc says and eat lots of ice cream.
Other things I've been doing while waiting:
-applying for short term disability with work (or as my cousin said, STD, which resulted in many hilariously punny jokes)
-stocking up on pantry and freezable items so I don't have to buy anything but my fresh fruit and veggies at the store
-saving for my portion of surgery and PT costs (not too bad of a personal financial hit)
-trying to rack up as much free $ from my health incentive program as possible
-making a shopping list of things I need to buy or borrow before I have two extra houseguests for a weekend and one extra houseguest for 3 weeks (extra pillows, air mattresses, bar stools so we can actually eat at a table, non slip shower mat)
-making lists of things to keep my occupied during recovery (scrap baby quilt for friends, coloring books, list of items to sort through and toss/recycle, books to read)
-really working hip and core muscles to make sure they are nice and strong for a good recovery
I seriously cannot wait until this is not my life anymore. It will be a grand time, just running and not thinking about my hip. And then ... I'll kick my brother's ass in a 5k :)
The not-so-nice thing is that, when you delay things, you have lots of time to think about it.
For most of June and July, I hadn't been running much. Mostly, I was in the weight room, heaving the weights and swimming laps in the pool. It wasn't as fun - I missed dripping with sweat at the end of a workout.
 |
| Thank, you Runner's World. This is so spot on. |
With a night trail race in Kansas City just on the horizon, I started running in the afternoons, to give myself a little bit of heat. I know it will feel a million times worse in the land of bugs and humidity, but I figure it's better than nothing. And, the past few weeks, with runs and hikes and my "to hell with it, I'm doing this" attitude, I'm definitely reminded that I've made the right decision. I've gotten in a few good sweat sessions, but my hip aches. The life I see without surgery is not a life I want to have. Yes, there are risks, things could totally suck, but it's worth it to me.
At least, I think it's worth it right now. Two days post op, I'm sure my momma and my sister will be hearing different things, but that will be after the fact and there won't be much I can do about it then, except take my drugs, do what the doc says and eat lots of ice cream.
Other things I've been doing while waiting:
-applying for short term disability with work (or as my cousin said, STD, which resulted in many hilariously punny jokes)
-stocking up on pantry and freezable items so I don't have to buy anything but my fresh fruit and veggies at the store
-saving for my portion of surgery and PT costs (not too bad of a personal financial hit)
-trying to rack up as much free $ from my health incentive program as possible
-making a shopping list of things I need to buy or borrow before I have two extra houseguests for a weekend and one extra houseguest for 3 weeks (extra pillows, air mattresses, bar stools so we can actually eat at a table, non slip shower mat)
-making lists of things to keep my occupied during recovery (scrap baby quilt for friends, coloring books, list of items to sort through and toss/recycle, books to read)
-really working hip and core muscles to make sure they are nice and strong for a good recovery
I seriously cannot wait until this is not my life anymore. It will be a grand time, just running and not thinking about my hip. And then ... I'll kick my brother's ass in a 5k :)
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Week of July 27
Last week, when my friend was visiting while his girlfriend was also in town, we were talking about my workout schedule.
If you couldn't tell, I've been in the gym a lot lately. I told him, I got to bed around 9, wake up at 5:20, get to work at 7, work until 4, in the gym until 5 and then home.
He said something that lingered in my brain: "That's not much of a life."
No, it's not. And I'd like to have one. Plus I'd like to not be tired all the time.
So, for the next 5 weeks (omg that's it) until surgery, there will be less gym time, and, at the very least, more playing with Jeff time.
Monday
Biked to work in the morning and did some planks in the gym (front, side, back and front on one bent leg).
Other than that, rest day.
Tuesday
10 minute HIIT workout in the morning.
2.87 mile run/walk in the afternoon. This wasn't the best - it was sorta hot (mid-80s) and windy, much like a Kansas spring day. But I forced myself to enjoy it, because in two months' I'm sure I'll be giving anything to run, in any type of weather.
Wednesday
Hip and core strengthening. I have slacked off on this in favor of heaving weights, which is fine, but not it's time to get back to it.
I looked at my life for the next 5 weeks, and I'm sort of excited about it.
This weekend: Hiking dinosaur ridge with Jeff.
Next weekend: Night trail race in Kansas City.
Then the following weekends play out like so:
-Pike's Peak Ascent and Marathon weekend (friends from Minnesota are coming out for it)
-volunteering at the Leadville 100
-Hiking my first 14-er with Team RWB Denver
-home for a long weekend and visit with a friend from Germany who I haven't seen since 2003!
Thursday
nothing! I am thoroughly enjoying this down week.
Also, Tuesday's run did a (small) number on my hip. It's a little more achy than usual, but don't think for a second I regret it.
Friday
... I am writing this on Sunday and I have no idea what I did on Friday. I think I did something .... oh wait! I did HIIT. Enjoyed it.
Saturday
1.5 hour hike with Jeff. We hit up Red Rocks park and Dinosaur Ridge.
Sunday
Hip and core strengthening.
If you couldn't tell, I've been in the gym a lot lately. I told him, I got to bed around 9, wake up at 5:20, get to work at 7, work until 4, in the gym until 5 and then home.
He said something that lingered in my brain: "That's not much of a life."
No, it's not. And I'd like to have one. Plus I'd like to not be tired all the time.
So, for the next 5 weeks (omg that's it) until surgery, there will be less gym time, and, at the very least, more playing with Jeff time.
Monday
Biked to work in the morning and did some planks in the gym (front, side, back and front on one bent leg).
Other than that, rest day.
Tuesday
10 minute HIIT workout in the morning.
2.87 mile run/walk in the afternoon. This wasn't the best - it was sorta hot (mid-80s) and windy, much like a Kansas spring day. But I forced myself to enjoy it, because in two months' I'm sure I'll be giving anything to run, in any type of weather.
Wednesday
Hip and core strengthening. I have slacked off on this in favor of heaving weights, which is fine, but not it's time to get back to it.
I looked at my life for the next 5 weeks, and I'm sort of excited about it.
This weekend: Hiking dinosaur ridge with Jeff.
Next weekend: Night trail race in Kansas City.
Then the following weekends play out like so:
-Pike's Peak Ascent and Marathon weekend (friends from Minnesota are coming out for it)
-volunteering at the Leadville 100
-Hiking my first 14-er with Team RWB Denver
-home for a long weekend and visit with a friend from Germany who I haven't seen since 2003!
Thursday
nothing! I am thoroughly enjoying this down week.
Also, Tuesday's run did a (small) number on my hip. It's a little more achy than usual, but don't think for a second I regret it.
Friday
... I am writing this on Sunday and I have no idea what I did on Friday. I think I did something .... oh wait! I did HIIT. Enjoyed it.
Saturday
1.5 hour hike with Jeff. We hit up Red Rocks park and Dinosaur Ridge.
Sunday
Hip and core strengthening.
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