The Midlife Reframe

Blog

  • 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.

  • Physio Day

    Leg suction here I come!

    It is Physio Day! 

    Packed up my fitness gear in preparation and wore my Asics to work.  I only was able to run in them twice.  They are feeling neglected, I know they are.

    On my way into work, I receive an email from the Valley Harvest Marathon (held in the beautiful Wolfville, Nova Scotia) about the race this year….SAD FACE EMOTICON.  I ran the 10km race last year (I was layered and ended up with the sausage roll under my shirt…lol) and was seriously considering the Half for this year at one point.  It is a gorgeous run!  But alas, it is not looking good.  

     

    All participants at the Valley Harvest received this really cool blanket (and the jacket I am wearing in the pic above).  I love it! Especially with what seems to be the longest bout of cold weather EVER this year.  My apartment is freezing every morning….because I am stubborn and truly believe you should NOT have the heat on in May 🙂

    Trying to remain positive and not eat my face off to make up for not running!  It’s hard, and I really have to take stock of my food intake.  So, today I had some plain oats with cinnamon, honey and Omega Crunch Flax.  It was awesome.  Back on track I go!  I love the Omega Crunch Flax.  I keep some of the Cinnamon flavoured in my desk drawer for my yogurt, cereal, or oatmeal.  It’s YUM!

    It’s time to ice the knee again.  If anything exciting comes out of physio, I’ll let you know!



  • If you can’t run…Volunteer!

    It keeps you in the “thick of it”

    I’ve volunteered at two races here in Halifax so far.  One was the Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women: I was a Course Marshal.  The other: Info Booth Host at the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon (Youth Run and Race Day).

     Volunteering is awesome.  Being able to volunteer at an event you usually run – super awesome.

    I was able to still feel that little buzz on race day, even though I wasn’t running.  The energy is unforgettable.  

    Volunteering also gives you a whole new appreciation for what is involved for any size race.

    So if you haven’t volunteered yet, I highly recommend it.  Especially if you’re injured 😉

  • Missing the Long Run

    And craving chocolate…lol

    The weekend, when usually a long run would be in order.  I miss these runs right now.  When driving down to the Sunday Market today I saw tons of runners and run clubs out pounding the downtown pavement.

    Then, while walking through the Market, my knee reminded me why I can’t run.  Jerk 😉

    I head back to physio on Tuesday for a maintenance appointment.  Like a car, only cheaper!  The knee has been clicking and snappy this week.  I’ll end up looking like the Borg at the appointment….

     I do have a great physiotherapist.  She and I have also worked through an IT band issue I had (during) and after my first half marathon.

    She’s my tune up lady until my appointment. Between her and my at home workouts I’m keeping my legs nice and strong.

    Off to do some yoga!

  • Here. We. Go!

    This is it!

    My first blog post…be kind…lol.

    I guess you could call me a “rogue runner”.  I don’t belong to any running club, never have.

    I started running after I had been working with a personal trainer for a few months.  A gang of ladies at work started a lunch time run, and so off I went.

    I GOT HOOKED.  I loved the rush.  The wind against my face.  Feeling my muscles push harder.  The sweating (yes….the sweating).

    The feeling of freedom.

    I did a small stint as a personal trainer for about 5-8 months and ran my first 10km race (and did it under an hour), but not long after this race something happened…I crashed…mentally and physically.  So many personal things over the years had finally piled up and crushed me.  I was diagnosed with clinical depression, and later anxiety.

    Running had been pushed to the wayside for about 6 weeks.  My body had shut down completely.  Everything hurt.

    I just couldn’t do it.

    After I started treatment and pushed through the fog, I started with small runs.  My trainer stuck by me all the way, even though we didn’t have any sessions, we were close friends.  She’s run two half marathons (2:30 and 2:10) and a 10km race with me.  She helped me through a lot.

    Running is now my outlet, my serenity, my happy place.

    As I sit here right now, I am injured.  Not even a sexy injury.

    Slipped on a floor….in Punta Cana (yes, I was sober!).  I’ve done something to my right knee.

    And so I am now waiting to see a sports med and I’ve decided to share my journey with the interweb.