The Midlife Reframe

Category: runner

  • Energybits, My Soxy Feet and The MRI

    A lot of exciting things this week!

    My Energybits Prize Pack arrived!

    And because I like trying things out right away, I opened those puppies up at work and took a serving before my walk at lunch.

    I am a girl that crashes just about every day at 3:00pm.  Never fails.  I would like to curl up and have a “horizontal life pause” at this time.  NOT THIS DAY.  I need to say, I was good to go.  I had no problems at 3:00.  It was like…3:00pm?  WHATEVS 3:00pm.  I had two sample packs in my land of Bitdom.  I am saving the other for now  as we are moving soon and will need the extra zip for then.  I am seriously considering these during training (once my knee is better of course) because I did not have any stomach issues.  No heaviness, no nausea, no fullness.  I felt great!

    Love the Inspiration on the back 🙂

    Also, My Soxy Feet arrived!!!!!!  As an Ambassador this made me SUPER EXCITED as now I could tell folks just how awesome these socks are!  I put them on as soon as I opened the package and wore them until bedtime.  I ran errands and everything with these socks on.  My feel were cozy and they were NOT HOT.

    They came all wrapped up with the super cute logo and my rescue kitten Jax loved them too!

    Oh I am so getting some more of these babies!  I love being a Soxy Mama!

     And as for the MRI…

    Well I went and spent part of my evening on Wednesday in “the tube”.  The first scan came and went and then they had to come and get me out….my knee wasn’t where they needed it to be.  And here I thought I was done!  LOL

    Once repositioned, back into “the tube” I went.  Earphones on with a local radio station playing and “The Voice from The Void” telling me the next scan, how long it was going to be, and the cursed words “and try not to move”.  EEEEP!  Of course then everything itched and I felt restless.  GAH!

    I made it through. Was in there for half an hour.  Hopefully I hear something early next week and we can get this show on the road….because I need to get on the road!

    So tomorrow we beach and then we pack.  I received the keys to my new apartment today, so we are on a mission.

    And now that well all made it to Friday…..get out there and enjoy the weekend!!!  

  • Pushups, Packing and Where Did My Hair Go!!

    Having a supportive partner is great.

    Especially one who loves to share his love of fitness apps 🙂 We started using a push up app last week, and it’s great.  My arms, chest, core and back don’t think so, but, too bad!

    We are both waiting impatiently for the outcome of my MRI on Wednesday.  I miss working out with him and running with my bud K.

    The results will hopefully fly speedy like through the interweb to my specialist.  Because on Saturday, while just walking my niece in her stroller, my knee gave out….bad.  Like “can’t put my foot down and holy crap what will I do if I can’t walk home” bad.  But some elevation and ice…good to go.  I  dislike that uncertainty.

    My other super exciting fun thing this month has been packing.  Okay, big lie.  It’s not fun.  A necessary evil to get to my new place of awesome.  It’s coming along.  Bit by slooooooooooow bit.  Good news though, my new bedroom will have a space for me to set up a little serenity area 🙂  Yoga mat, super awesome fountain and chill.

    I did a total random thing on Friday.  Something that has caused many “WHOA” moments.  I cut my hair off.  Yep.  Snippedy Snip.  I’m not one who freaks out about it.  It grows back.  It’s hair.  But it has been quite a while since I’ve had it cut this short.  Feels liberating.  And it’s great for the heat 🙂

    Besides, it’s time to grow out this hair colour.  I’m not a real blonde. You’ll have to hang on over the next while to see what’s hiding underneath!

    Since we’re all here…

    Time for some irony.  Those of us who have a mental illness know that physical activity plays a big part in our recovery.  The ironic thing about my situation…I was working in the fitness industry when my world collapsed in on me.  Things happen for a reason at the weirdest times in our lives.  I continued to train with my trainer once I was put off of work.  I am so glad I did.  Even though my whole body had shut down, she got me through some tough shit.  It’s why I adore her to pieces and why I miss running with her.  Hopefully soon we can get back to our runs and our wonky jibber jabber.

    Signing off for tonight.  For those who run:  Run with your heart.  For those who are in their dark place and are uncertain:  There is a light in there, I promise.  For those who love us when we are in that dark place:  Thank you.       
       

  • Becoming Grounded…and Total Randomness

    With things being totally hectic over the past couple of months…

    I’ve found it hard to focus.  Especially with not being able to run  That was a form of meditation for me. 

    I have found other ways to get my fitness fix, with some prompting from the man in my life (we’ll call him Mr. Y) and I am grateful for that.  He is very patient with me as he is still getting to know my moods and my mental illness. 
     

    I have been doing meditation and yoga at home, as I have posted in the past.  But I have to say.  It has really made me pause the past couple of days and I am now trying to be more aware.  Of how I love the smell of my coffee in the morning.  How great smoothies taste.  How I have way too much “stuff”.  How I love my sneakers.  How comfortable I am in my running gear.  How much I love food – fruit, greek yoghurt, dried cranberries.  How grateful I am for my support system.  How much time I DON’T spend enjoying the silence around me…and I thought, “I’ve gotten caught up in stuff”.  Time to get grounded!

    This means more time to meditate, more yoga, a hunt for my mala beads (let them choose me), more fitness and more awareness.

    A yoga blog I love is Yoga Girl.  She shares a lot and I love it.  Her good times, bad times, her emotions.  It’s all laid bare.  She is non-apologetic about sharing her feelings and I think it ROCKS.  I mean, we’re not happy ALL the time…and I think that’s okay.

    I’ve also been reading other fitness blogs (i.e. Fit Grampa – a new blogger) and yoga blogs.  The blogging runners (some listed here on my page) I follow keep me excited about the prospect of running again, AND I am getting to learn of some really cool races outside of Nova Scotia.  Really looking forward to doing some of these!!  I also have a great twitter feed FULL of awesome supportive runners/bloggers (Bagtownblogtrotter, Michelle The Runner, Janet of jan.etc, and so many others!  To list them all….that’s another blog post…lol).  This is something I am really thankful for 🙂

    My mission for the rest of the summer is to not move so fast that I miss the things that make me HAPPY.  To enjoy what I can do now, knowing that eventually I will be able to lace up and run.  Because there are some that don’t have that luxury.
    ****As I finished editing this post ….I am happy to say that I have an MRI appointment!  I call tomorrow for details 😀      

  • Dr. Bill Stanish, The Knee and OMG My Teenager is Graduating from Grade 9!!!

    Today was the day!!

    I arrived at Dr. Stanish’s Office at almost 8:10 (traffic/construction/etc held me up) for my 8:15 appointment.  I registered and sat in the waiting room for my name to be called.

    A guy two seats over was slurping his hot beverage….and I mean slurping.  I gave him the “REALLY?!??!?!” look.  It was like nails on a chalkboard, lol.

    I didn’t wait long, it was like 10 minutes and then I heard my name….YAY!

    Went into a little curtained room and waited.

    Dr. Stanish arrived shortly after and we went through how I injured myself and my whole physio treatment.  We also discussed the lovely click and snap of me knee.  Joy.  He was impressed with my quad strength, as that usually dies with a meniscus tear.  I told him I have been rockin it with my exercises!

    He is setting me up to have an urgent MRI (which means I am on the cancellation list here in Halifax, NS), so I am hoping sooner rather than later.  I told him that not running is KILLING me.  He told me not to worry, he’s going to get me fixed up.  Once we have the MRI we can get the ball rolling 🙂 Happy happy happy!!

    I was in and out in 20 minutes.  He is a wonderful Specialist and super easy to talk to.

    That being said, my knee hurts like hell today.  It’s getting grumpy more often than not….jerk…lol.

    OFF TOPIC – MOMMY POST 😉

    Tomorrow is my daughter’s Grade 9 Graduation…..holy crap!  How did this little person get to be 15 and getting ready for HIGH SCHOOL!

    We’ve had our moments most recently, but I love her to pieces and hope to help her through the next 3 years….instilling that these years ARE important, that you can have fun and buckle down, and to enjoy them as much as possible.

    She is thinking about trying out for the Rugby Team, so we’ll be getting her body in tune over the summer.  Good thing Mom was a personal trainer for a short while….it will come in handy!!

    So, stay tuned for more knee fun…and I am hoping to get more cycling in, so this may take precedence in my posts, along with SUMMA FUN!!  So hang on tight…it going to be an AWESOME RIDE!!!!!!!



     

  • Defeat Depression Day!!!

    Move for Mental Health

    So while my running tweeples and peoples were racing or attacking their long runs today, my daughter and I went to the local Defeat Depression Event 🙂

    This is a 1/3/5km run or walk.  Since I am gimpy, we walked.

    This event means alot to me, having the “fraternal twins” of mental illness (anxiety and depression). 

    The weather was 50/50, the threat of showers hanging over, but what a great group of people to walk around Downtown Halifax with! 


    Earlier this week I cycled with the man in my life.  Well he ran, I cycled 😉 

    We went around the beautiful Lake Banook in Dartmouth.  It has a run/bike train around it which is great.  It is also the home of many canoe clubs.  They also have the Dragon Boat Festival here every year!

    I caught this beautiful shot once we hit the other side of the Lake.  It felt great to be out and speedy…even if it was on two wheels.  lol

    I finally see the ortho specialist Wednesday morning and I can’t wait!!  I am surgical, of that I am certain.  So it’s just a matter of when and where.  I’ll go anywhere in this Province to get it done!

    Hoping to get out to the Public Gardens later for some relaxation and maybe some awesome pics 🙂

    Tonight is the regular #RunAtChat on Twitter.  Awesome runners and fun chats.  A good way to end a Sunday Night.

    Until next time….

  • Physio and the "Franken-Knee"

    Yesterday was my last maintenance visit…

    with my Physiotherapist and I was manipulated, I spinned (like spin class spinned to a hot sweaty mess) and was then poked.

    Behold, the Franken-Knee:

    We did acupuncture to bring down the swelling – it felt really weird (as usual) and part of me wanted to vomit when she manipulated them…..lol.  Good thing I had not eaten lunch yet!!!

    I see the Ortho Specialist one week from today.  By this time, I will know when my surgery is and can plan out recovery and eventually my return to RUNNING!!!  I cannot tell you how happy I am now that there is some light at the end of the tunnel.  I last ran exactly two months ago today, hours before my injury.

    IT SEEMS LIKE FOREVER.

    But what I am still amazed at, how runners are in tune with their bodies.  I have always been aware of my body mechanics since my IT band injury which occurred before my first half.  Muscle activation, foot strike, knee position, core activation.  You can say what you want about us crazy runners – we KNOW our bodies.  It’s one of things that makes me focus inwards.

    Although, even though we are in tune with our bodies, we don’t always listen!!  It’s the stubborn “I can get it looked at after I finish running *insert distance/race here*”…or “I can run through it…it’s not that bad”.  Until we see someone…and it IS that bad.  Double edged sword.  Ha ha ha ha.

    I can’t wait to get back out there.  That being said I have gone through my gear and realized that I need a few things….like shorts, tops, My Soxy Feet and will be getting some BioSkin to support the ol’ knee when I return to running.

    So….what is your favourite running gear and why?  Feel free to comment below!  I love getting suggestions for new gear 🙂

  • New Month….What Will it Bring?

    Hopefully Some Good News!

    Like, the date of my referral???  Please?  I miss running with my peeps!

    Like this peep – my running bud! (I am smiling but in soooooo much pain in this picture!! My IT band was DONE.)

    Finding new ways to keep it all together physically (and mentally) is a lesson in patience.  And I have none…lol.  So, some days are really hard to get motivated.  Just taking that first step is the toughest part.  I just want to flop and be schlumpy.  Especially since my knee went all lateral meniscus tear on me.

    (I curse my knee daily.  It’s like Jekyll and Hyde.  Just when I think maybe it’s feeling good….*pop*…*cringe*…AAARRRRGHHHH!)

    To torture myself (but really to keep myself motivated), I check out other running blogs (it’s good to see other runners come through their injuries and get back at it!) and search out races that I would love to do once I’m back and running again. For example: PEI Marathon, Beer Run in Fredericton, NB, The Johnny Miles Weekend, The Bluenose (of course), The Valley Harvest, Mud Hero, etc etc….lol.

    And who knows, I may get adventurous.  A duathlon perhaps?

    I plan on being one busy lady 😉

     

  • What Am I Doing With Myself Since I Can’t Run??

    The Itch That Can’t Be Scratched

    It’s not that I am not being active. I have a recumbent bike in my bedroom, a bosu ball, a swiss ball, hand weights, yoga mat, etc.

    It’s the fact that I cannot run.  My main outlet for stress, my time to think, my “me” time.  GONE.

    I have been meditating to keep my focus.  It is helping a lot.

    I have always been an avid reader.  Right now I am reading 12 Years A Slave.  I am a huge Stephen King fan as well (even though he has turned me against clowns FOREVER).  I crochet which helps me not eat myself into oblivion.

    Being a mom to a teen daughter keeps me busy as well.  And my day job totally keeps me busy!  But still, I CAN’T RUN.  No races, no training, no BLT runs, no swag, no camaraderie, no new running gear…

    So, to keep myself moving and raise awareness for a great cause, I am participating in the Defeat Depression Event next month.  Because physical fitness rocks!  I wonder if wearing my hydration belt would be out of line…. 😉

    Next blog post…Runners and their “stuff”!  

  • Why do I run??

    A question I get asked often.

    As I mentioned in my first post, I did my first real run at lunchtime.  It was 5k and I smoked it!!  I remember going out beforehand and buying my first pair of actual running sneakers.  Saucony Pro Grid 4s.  I was in love, with running and with my Sauconys.
     
    About 3 years ago I was diagnosed with depression, and then later, anxiety. After my body came back to life (because like the ad says….depression really DOES hurt) I began running again.  My doctor encouraged me to continue my physical activity, as this would help me in managing my depression and anxiety.

    I ran my first half marathon (Blue Nose) in 2012, with an IT band injury.  I was in pain, but stubborn and determined!  I was just so happy to finish.  And it was HOT.

    For me, running is a way for me to clear out the cobwebs.  To not HAVE to think about anything in particular.  To free myself from stress.  You hear people talking about runner’s high.  I get it.  Endorphins.  You want to run farther, longer.   It’s like you connect with something deep inside of you. 

    I am a better mom, a better person in general, after I workout or run.  It’s my “me time”…and I deserve every minute 🙂   

  • Physio Day Update

    The Day of Stability

    So, off I went today to physio.  Excited I was, because the last time I stretched there was a *pop* and a *snippedy snap* feeling inside the knee.

    I was hopeful! 

    And yes, there was some improvement on my extension – WOOOOOOO!

    But booooooo, there was still pain when forcing further extension on the physio table.  Sad runner girl.

    So, we worked on my stability and my balance, which are both sketchy right now.  We used a Bosu Ball  to get myself situated where I then did some super awesome surf moves!  Oh, and I did some squats too 😉

    After our fun time of exercises, off I went to the LEG SUCKER.  This is what my leg looks like afterwards.  The other side looks similar.

    I go back in 3 weeks.  Still no running.

    She did notice my hesitation when doing side steps on the Bosu Ball.  I told her that my fear is when the foot connects, the knee goes.

    (Which has happened, at very inopportune moments.  Like walking, anywhere.  Or going up and/or down stairs. Or having to move quickly when people suddenly stop in front of you….ack!)

    Looks like I will be working on the core to get back some stability.  More yoga too.

    So, for now my running fix will have to be cheering other runners on race days, volunteering, participating in some weekly twitter chats, reading other running blogs and Canadian Running/Runner’s World.