My Exciting Life

I haven't blogged in a few weeks, mainly because I don't think I have much to share.  I dislike reading "filler" blog posts from others- you know, the ones that are mindless and are only written because their readers expect something.

I don't think this is filler, but I guess that depends on what you are looking for.  Race Report?  Sorry!  Exciting Vacation?  Nope.  Feet Fetish?  I have you covered!!!!

I feel like this "foot" thing is a soap opera.  I still don't have any answers.  I have been told so many different things that I'm not sure what to think anymore.  Today was PT appointment #5.  The pain was starting to get worse over the weekend and while I was at a work conference.   The PT doesn't know where to go from here.   As mentioned in the last post- I was told by the ortho that I have weak muscles.  The PT thought maybe something else was going on.  

I have been having "Ionto" on my my lumps....  Here is a picture of them tonight:

The hope was that the ionto would help these to go away.  Instead, they are getting bigger.

The PT is baffled.  At first she thought that they were fluid pockets.  Since her first eval, she has changed her mind.  She now thinks maybe a herniated muscle?  She keeps saying she wants to research it, but hasn't come up with anything.  The Ortho doc said he thought it was just a swelled muscle.  Maybe he was somewhat right.  The problem I have is that the pain is still there.  The lump cause numbness, heat, and tingling when I wear shoes.  I asked the PT if there was any fix if the muscle was causing a hernia and the answer was NO.  

I can't live with this pain forever.  That is NOT an option.  BLAH!

The PT did some mobile tests to make sure I didn't have any ligament issues not Dx'd before.  She did seem to think that I have an issue with how loose my 5th metatarsal was.  She found a painful spot but it didn't seem to help us know where to go.  She seems to think that I tore something or caused a stress fracture during my last run.  Our plan?  I have to finish PT before she can recommend I have further testing.  

I'm annoyed, I'm mad, I'm frustrated.  I am NOT patient.  I am NOT enjoying my lack of running and biking.  I'm so worried that I won't be ready to get back to training in January.  

So what is a girl to do?  I'm really trying to wrap my head around doing strength training while I wait.  I did kettle bells tonight.  I gotta get this figured out.

ENOUGH whining.  Enough about my stupid foot.  FORWARD!

Sunday I traveled to Columbus for a work conference.  I love staying at the Hampton Inn on High St.  The only complaint I have is that the rooms do not have fridges in them.  I took a cooler, but it's one thing I'd like to see them add.

Just across the street was this sign:

Yay!  I love seeing cities supporting the cyclists.  I'm not sure how sharing the cars were, as I did not see anyone riding their bike.  I DID see a delivery truck parked in the bike lane though.  

So, I really want to get over my pity party.  I'm done with it all.  I'm just not the person who can deal well with not having an exact DX with exact plans.  It drives me nuts to "wait and see."  I don't like being told to give it time and to wait to be reassessed.  I worked so hard to get where I am and now I want to keep moving forward.   I don't like this feeling.  I want to move past it.  I WILL move past it. 

OFF Season?

I guess I have to consider this the "off" season, but even as I type that, I wonder if places farther South actually have an off season?  In Ohio there are clearly months when I could run/bike outside, but refuse to since it's so freakishly cold out there. (ok, I know I'm a baby, but less than 40 degrees and I'm holed up in my PJs under a blanket!)  Swimming is absolutely out!  I don't know of any heated outdoor lap pools.  I BEGGED my hubby for a swim spa (an endless pool with a spa) but unless we win the lottery or find $30,000 just laying around, that's out too.  He did offer to let me find a sugar daddy to buy me one, but I don't have time for 1 man, let alone 2!  If anyone out there has the money... this is what I want!

My reason for this post is to mention that I'm finally at peace with "taking some time off" as my PT so kindly put it.  You see, I went to an orthopedic doctor on Wednesday who supposedly specializes in feet/ankles.  I was told he was the best in the area.  The only thing I considered him "best" at was being a jerk.  I arrived for my 7:30am appointment 15 minutes early as requested to fill out the 500 forms needed.  At 8:30am I was still waiting.  HOW can a doctor be late for the 3rd appointment of the day?! Anyway, I finally got back to see him and he looked at my foot and said, "It's just weak muscles."

I asked a few questions and pointed out the huge lumps.  He touched one and said that it was an inflamed muscle.  I explained to him that it was excruciating to drive and he laughed.  LAUGHED and said, "No."   I was so confused.  "No, what?" I asked.  He proceeded to tell me that weak muscles wouldn't cause my foot to hurt when I drive.  I agreed with him and waited for him to tell me what would make it hurt.  The doctor left the room.....

I assumed he'd come back to show me something or with something to try.  Instead, the nurse came in with a script for Physical Therapy and said, "The doctor said he'd like you to do a few sessions to strengthen your ankle.  He is referring you back to your Podiatrist for a follow-up after."

I was so angry.  My Podiatrist referred me to HIM because she didn't know what else to do for me.

I cried all the way out to my car.  I called my mom and sobbed.  "Physical Therapy isn't going to help me," I wailed!  She calmed me down and said that I should try PT.  That I should give it a shot and then if it doesn't help, they would have reason to do another MRI.

I called the PT office and I'm sure they could tell by the sniffling that I really wanted to get in to see someone soon because I had an appointment an hour later.  I went, expecting nothing.

I met with the PT who was WONDERFUL!  She "examined" my foot and commented that while she wasn't the doctor, she is glad that he checked the "at the PT's discretion" box because she didn't agree with his DX and thought that there was a lot of tendinitis and some scar tissue in there that maybe isn't healing well.  She explained everything she could do and was very clear about what I needed to do and not do during the time she is treating me.  I told her that telling me to REST meant nothing to me and if I wasn't supposed to run and bike, she needed to say that.  She said, "NO biking, NO running until I tell you otherwise."

Two sessions later and I'm in MORE pain, but I am sure that it will get worse before it gets better.  The PT did say that she was a bit concerned that I was unable to make the BAPS board move with the inside of my foot- that I should have more strength with my foot than that.

not my legs/feet

She said she doesn't want to jump to conclusions yet though and wanted to give it some time.  We'll see in a few more weeks of PT where I am at.  I'm getting ultrasounds and IO (some kind of steroid-electro thing) lots of very basic exercises that I thought would do nothing, but have completely surprised me.

In the meantime, I AM at peace with doing little, to no cardio.  I took some time off from everything, but this week I intend to start working with more strength training moves.  Why not build my arms and legs when I can't do cardio?!

I can honestly say that I finally have it in my head that this is necessary if I want to rock my tri season next year.  I am 100% sure I want to do a 70.3 and I am only going to be able to do that if I get my foot back to normal.

PT 2x per week for 4 weeks- at least.

A nice day for a swim.... run....fall

Last night the pro man and women finished the World Championship of Ironman on ironman live while I pedaled away on my trainer.  The men were just starting to come in as I was sweating it out 30 minutes in and I made it to an hour waiting for them to finish like I had planned and the women were just a few miles from the finish, so I stayed on for another 30 minutes to see the top 3 finish.  What an amazing Ironman!  Lots of pros in the lead packs for much of the day.

Today I set my alarm early, intending to go to swimming... but when I got there, I saw this:

The old(er) man that runs adult lap swim during the weekends is forever hacking up a lung when he swims, so I'm wondering if he isn't having some health issues.  I hope he is ok.  

On my drive home the inner-monologue went something like this:

"Good!  I wasn't really excited about getting in the pool today... now what do I do?  I could run...nah, I need some rest.  No, I MUST do something.  Wonder if I should ride my bike again.  No, I really need to run.  I don't want to run.  I need to run.  I should run.  Maybe I should take a day off.  I need to run.  Ok, I guess I'll run.  Maybe I can get on the treadmill and watch some TV.  No, it's beautiful outside, I should run out here.  Maybe I should just take a day off.  I need to run."

ANYONE else have to work so hard to convince themselves to run?!

Thankfully my drive home is only 8 minutes and by the time I got there I had settled on at least running and probably outside.  It was a chilly 58 degrees....or so I thought.

I got dressed and sat around trying to come up with excuses for almost an hour!  Finally I went outside planning to run 4-5 miles.  Within a few minutes I was warm that I had to peel off the top layer I had on and tie it around my waist.

My neighbor's ducks were getting their swim in!  Can you see them?

The fall colors were starting to come out at the end of my road... love the changing of the leaves!

When I got to my usual running location, I was really enjoying the peacefulness of nature.

I got my 5 miles in (pretty slowly, but my foot was hurting and I just needed to enjoy my time.)  I headed home.  I got to the road near the elevator and grain silos seen in the picture above and I started running toward my road.  

I looked back quickly to make sure there were no grain trucks coming and when I did that, my left foot slipped off the side of the road an buckled sideways.  I fell and skidded across the blacktop.  Watching my foot buckle freaked me out, I had never seen it bend that way and part of me was afraid to get up because I wasn't sure if I could walk.  

I did get up and took an inventory of the pain.  My knee was scraped up and my thigh hurt from falling on it.  My left ankle was sore, but I could walk on it, so I started jogging slowly.  I made it home, but this was the minor damage:

My knee is scraped a little and red/swollen slightly.  My thigh hurts more, but I'll spare you the picture.  My left ankle is tight, but I am thankful that's all.

So much for a beautiful run!  I'm just glad I got the miles in BEFORE that happened or I might have missed my chance for one of my last fall runs before the weather turns here in Ohio.  

Wednesday Link-Up with SSS Bloggers!

Welcome visitors and new readers!  

This is a great way to find out more about me.   

Thanks to the SSS Bloggers for allowing me to be part of the Wednesday Link up!  Check them out!

1.  Run or Walk?  

I started to run for weight loss and fell in love even though I had always been one of those people who said, "I can't run," and, "I hate to run."  I'm currently injured and shouldn't be running, but I miss it so much.  It's such a stress relief.  I've tried to sneak in a few short runs because I really do enjoy the feeling I have during and after.  The first mile or so is usually still hard for me, but once I get going, I feel like I could run forever!  I really should try to let my foot heal, but I'm a horrible patient at being patient!

2.  Elliptical or Treadmill?

This is a tough one... I used to only like the elliptical, but once I started running I haven't touched the elliptical.  I guess maybe I should try it again.  If I had a choice of elliptical, treadmill, or running outside, I'd most definitely pick outside!   I call the treadmill the 'dreadmill, but I still think I'd pick that over the elliptical!

3.  Longest distance you’ve ever ran(or walked or biked)?

The longest I've ever run is 13.2 miles... a 1/2 marathon that went a little long.
The longest I've ever biked is 140 miles, but it was spread out over 3 days.  Someday I'd like to do an ironman which includes 112 miles of biking in one day after swimming and before running a marathon.  I guess I better get on that training huh?!

4.  How many days a week do you work out?

When not injured I try to do something everyday.  I usually try to run 3-4 days, bike 2-3 days, and swim 1-2 days.  Some days I do two (i.e. swim + bike.)  When I need a rest day, I do strength training or walk with my family.

5.  What’s your favorite cold weather recipe?

Honestly, I'm a horrible cook.  My mom is awesome, but I guess I should have paid more attention to what she did while she made those delicious meals.  I try my hardest to replicate them, but they just never tastes as good.  I can cook/bake a few things... I just don't do it very often.

My favorite fall meal is Chicken Paprikash- A good fattening German Dish!

6. Do you lift weights?

I just started to try to learn how to use kettlebells.  I have used handheld weights before, but I feel the moves I do are boring and not doing much for me.  I'd LOVE for someone to recommend a video or website for either kettlebells or hand weights.  I don't do gym machines, but I need to do strength training.

7. Do you have a dream race you want to participate in? 

I guess my dream would be to someday participate in the Ironman World Championships in Kona.  I think it's a pretty far fetched dream though.  I figure if I start now, I might place in my age group when I'm 70!  Maybe when I'm 70 I can earn a spot to Kona.  The key will be to stay fit and healthy until I'm 70 I guess.  Who knows... stranger things have happened.

I was asked to share a race or training photo...  I'll try to share a few just for fun!

Here is me and my oldest of 3 getting ready to do a color run- she was SO excited!

This is me at the end of my first Triathlon- Check out the race report here!

My first of many double-handed wave pictures!

This is me and my oldest and middle child getting ready for a local 5K and kids race!  They both did great.  I was so proud of them for wanting to run and neither stopped to walk at all.  #proudmommymoment!

And me at my last 1/2 marathon... I was in so much PAIN!

Notice the same double-hand wave... It must be my signature move when I see a camera!

I'd love some new readers and some new blogs to follow!  Leave a comment here with your blog link and I'll check it out.  You can also find me on Twitter @micheleontherun

Dear Swimmer Dude PART II

Ah, yes.... the swimmer dude returns.  I didn't think this story could get any worse.

Until it did.  

This morning my alarm went off for my Sunday morning swim.  I like swimming on Sunday mornings because the pool is generally pretty empty.  This morning was no different.  When I got there, the two usual guys had just pulled in- the guy who runs weekend adult lap swim and another guy that is always there.  I won't make fun of them because they could both smoke me in the pool.  The are both at LEAST 60 and great swimmers.  

I got in and started my sets and then another person jumped in.... dun dun dunnnnnn... it was annoying macho swimmer dude.  This is the first time I have ever seen him during the Sunday lap swim.  I just kept swimming hoping that he would decide it would be much cooler to win against the older dudes than the lonely woman.  

There I am, swimming along deep in my own thoughts, lap after lap.  All of a sudden I feel someone touch my shoulder as I'm about to push off the wall.  Holy Crap!  It scared me so much that I practically choked on water as I stood up.  There were only 3 other people in the pool, NO ONE should be close enough to touch me.

I come face to face with A.M.S.D.   

The conversation goes something like this:

AMSD: "Hey, you know you only push off the wall with one foot, you'd go much father if you pushed with both."

Me: "Yeah- I know, but I have some issues with my foot and I'm trying to heal it."

AMSD ignores almost my whole sentence explaining why I only push with one foot because he is diving to the wall to SHOW me how to push off with both feet.

He comes back up after streamlining for an unreasonable distance and sprints back toward me.

AMSD: "See how far I went?  You need to do that."

Me: "I know, but I hurt my foot and I'm not supposed to put weight on it. "  

AMSD: "Huh?"

Me: "The doctor told me to not push off the wall because that will interrupt the healing process."

AMSD: "Oh, well, you are wasting your energy by having to do more strokes."

And AMSD swims off at the fastest pace he can muster.

I sigh a huge sigh of relief thinking I'm finally able to get back to my swimming.  

I do a few more laps and AMSD strikes AGAIN!

Once again I'm jolted to a stop by someone touching my arm.  At this point I'm not exactly ready to hear his voice again so when I come out of the water I mutter, "WHAT?"

AMSD: "Even with a one foot push off, you don't glide very far."

Me: "I don't care about gliding off the wall because I don't race in the pool, I do triathlons and they are in open water, where there are no walls."

AMSD: "Isn't a triathlon a track and field event?"

I can't make this stuff up!!!!

Me: "No, that's a decathlon.  Triathlons are swimming, biking, and running."

AMSD: "Oh, well that doesn't sound very hard...

I start to say something, but quite honestly I'm not sure what to say to his opinion.  

AMSD: "Well, I'm sure I'll see you around."

He hops out of the pool and starts to do lunges to the locker room.  

NO, SERIOUSLY!

Any time this guy is on the pool deck he does lunges as he moves forward rather than walking.  I promised a twitter follower that I'd get a picture of him next time and I WILL take a picture of him lunging around the deck.  I secretly wonder if he goes grocery shopping and does lunges through the aisles while he gets his food. 

I kept swimming long after he had gone and the whole time I wondered to myself why these things always happen to me.  

I'm not trying to be mean... I swear.  The guy is obviously very fit and works out.  It just amazes me that he felt the need to tell me what I was doing wrong.  I appreciate that he wanted to help me, I do.  Maybe he knows something about running or biking?  If someone would ride up next to me on the bike and offer me hints to increase my power, I'd be all for it.  

Dear Swimmer Dude

Dear Guy in the other swim lane.... yes, you, guy who thinks he's stud-ly and really cool to all the little kids in the pool.

You win.  Yep, you 'da man!  You get the medal, trophy, or cookies...whatever you want.

At first I thought it was just a strange coincidence that you just happened to leave the wall at the same time as I pushed off from my flip turn.  Until it happened several times.

Then today I noticed that you were really excited after we finished our 50 yards of "swimming" (ok, mine is swimming, yours, well yours is more like flailing.)  Tonight I heard you exclaim, LOUDLY, that you "WON."  I kept swimming but I wondered to myself what you could have won while in the pool?  A scratch off lottery ticket?  No, it would have gotten too wet.

100th visitor prize?  Nope, this pool only has 7 people in it.

Then I realized you were happy because you beat ME!

The funny thing is, flailing-swimmer dude, that I was not racing you.  Nope.  Not at all.  I was on my 80th lap of the night while you had stood in the shallow end chatting to your friend about some online role playing game.  When you saw me coming, you poised yourself on the wall waiting....waiting...waiting to take off at just the exact moment so that you could "race" me.   I continued swimming at my pace unknowingly.

I'm not sure how you think it was fair that I put in several thousand yards, building my endurance, while you "raced" me, not once or twice, but multiple times with lots of rest in between your races.

See, the thing about racing, is that both people should probably have the same goal...  but it's cool.  Feel free to build your confidence and notoriety with the kiddies in the shallow end.

Sincerely,

Annoyed with macho meatheads who always feel the need to race the girl next to them.

PS- I could totally kick your butt if I did race you.