The 5 Stages of Injury

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The first step is admitting you're injured.

Ok, maybe it's closer to the last step, like the stages of grief.

Stage 1: Denial

Is that a twinge I feel? No, I'm sure it's fine. It will be fine. I'll just keep on running.

Stage 2: Anger

What the hell? I've been running too well to be injured now!

Stage 3: Bargaining

I'm going to stretch and foam roll, then I'll totally be able to run. And I will ice, and wear compression. And, ok, I'll cut back on my mileage. That will totally work.

Stage 4: Depression

I guess I'm never running again. I'll just eat this giant bowl of ice cream.

Stage 5: Acceptance 

Ok, fine, I'll call the chiropractor.

I've never been to a chiropractor before but both Tom and his mom have had good experiences and thought it would help me out.

I went on Friday and the chiropractor was surprised I wasn't in more pain. He worked on my lower back and hips and did my adjustment, which is a really strange feeling if you haven't had one before. I'm already feeling a lot better, but I was so locked up that I'm going back this week to make sure things keep improving.

I was responsible and just took Buddy for a walk on Friday, and did a little slow jog/walk interval on Saturday.

I took a rest day today, mostly because I really wanted to finish reading Wicked. I never really got into it, but I can't just not finish a book.

Then I started reading The Plum Tree, which I am already way more invested in.

Read any good books lately?

Super Photogenic

I lost my thumb ring this afternoon. I keep going to fidget with it and it isn't there. It's not like it was anything fancy, it was just a thin silver band. I think it was about $3 from the Portland Saturday Market - many years ago - but I'm used to it being there. Lame.

I started listening to Mockingjay on audiobook for my longer runs lately. I've read the book before, but I wanted something I knew I would enjoy. Only now I'm too into it and have started listening to it in the car and while doing dishes too. It's not going to last much longer.

This is Buddy's face when I ask him if he wants to go for a run. His posture is never so good as when he wants something.

We took our break at the park, and he refused to participate in my attempts at taking a picture with him. This was the best of the bunch, and my eye is closed. We're super photogenic.

And this one shows his level of interest in taking pictures.

Tomorrow is my Friday since the places I normally teach at are closed on Thursday and Friday this week. We (mostly Tom) are in charge of making cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving. We can't really make anything else with our limited kitchen situation.

Are you hosting Thanksgiving? Traveling? What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish? I'm not good with favorites, I love most food. If I had to narrow it down I would say mashed potatoes and gravy...and stuffing...and pie... 

Any good audiobook recommendations? This one will not last much longer.

Fracturing Rocks and The Perks of Running Small Races

I ran in capris this morning - I can't remember the last time it was cool enough for capris. It was pretty exciting.

It was actually cold in our house this morning. Just ask Buddy.

We no longer have a dog, just a blanket that moves occasionally.

There's a big rock in the yard that's in the way of construction. Rather than spend a ton of money to have an excavator come dig it out, Tom bought this crazy stuff called Dexpan that expands as it dries and fractures rock.

He poured it into several holes that were drilled into the rock yesterday, and this morning there were definitely cracks!

The cracks grew more by this afternoon, and then Tom went to work with a couple of metal wedges and a sledgehammer.

He pulled these chunks off. The chain is there because those pieces are so big he dragged them out of the hole with the Jeep.

Now it's about half the size it was. There will be another round of Dexpan to try to break it down even more.

The really weird thing is that the Dexpan crumbles in your hand once it's dry. I have no idea how a crumbly powder can fracture rocks.

In other exciting news, my GU supply has been restocked.

Plus there are 25 GUs in the box and there are only supposed to be 24, so I win.

I also got the Oatmeal's book on running.

I already read a bunch of it, and it's hilarious.

Oh, and I didn't share this here yet - apparently my finish time was enough to place 3rd in my age group on Sunday!

It pays to run small races ;)

Car Pictures and a Weird Book

I finally took a couple of pictures of the Santa Fe - not until after it got covered in slush and dirt, but whatever.

I got a surprise in the mail on Tuesday - I won this headband from Betsy and Bonny Knits and have been so busy that I forgot about it until it came in the mail! It's super soft and cozy, plus it's cute!

I had a couple of easy 3 milers yesterday and today. I am getting back into the groove of waking up early and I have way more energy this week compared to last week. Good thing too, because the West Point Half is sneaking up awfully quickly.

I came upstairs from my run today to find Buddy in my spot on the couch. Usually he at least pretends like he wasn't on the couch. Today he went with the "if I don't move, you can't see me" maneuver.

It was actually in the 40s today - it feels like it's been forever since it was that warm!

I finished reading American Gods the other day. It was...weird. I'm still not sure how I feel about it. Has anyone else read it? Have you read any good books lately? I need recommendations!

Good thing he's cute

I think winter is almost here you guys.

It was 30 degrees for my run with the group this morning. There were 4 hold-outs still in shorts, but the rest of us were properly bundled up. It's hard to get used to the cold again.

My new mittens worked out great on the run. My hands were actually too hot for the last half mile and I ended up carrying them!

My winter running gear is very colorful.

Buddy's new spot when we leave him alone - he makes a nest in the pillows. Brat.

Good thing he's cute.

I'm doing the best kind of babysitting tonight - the kids will be in bed when I get there. I'll be reading.

Any exciting plans this weekend?

One sentence per picture

How Buddy and I spent most of my rest day on Friday.

He still loves the sun, just fyi.

Buddy is the same size as a medium child, in case you were wondering.

Tom did some alterations, and now buddy has a snazzy new vest.

Post-run stretching, Buddy style.

I have been wanting to try this for a while - it's really good!

NY beer with Oregon coffee - how can you go wrong?

This afternoon we are heading over to our friend's house for a barn party. It's supposed to get pretty chilly later, so we're digging out our winter gear. I guess it's that time of year!

I hope you're having a great weekend!

Throwback Thursday and Puppies!

A little Throwback Thursday action for you from senior year of high school:

I cannot now, nor could I then, ride a skateboard.

Also: I still have this sweatshirt somewhere.

I, um well, I didn't do anything today. It was super gloomy and gross outside, so I wasn't very motivated.

That's not entirely true. I did some laundry and the dishes.

And I got a run in.

Me, my treadmill and Gilmore Girls = a winning combination.

This is Buddy's "why are you taking my picture instead of playing with me?" face.

I started reading In the Blood, by Lisa Unger. My mom and I have both read most of her books. They're easy reads, and very entertaining thrillers. The first book of hers that I read was also one of my favorites - Beautiful Lies. Check it out.

Aaaand here's some cute puppies because that's all the exciting news I have for you.

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Even long weekends end

We had a really nice weekend at the lake house. The weather could have been a bit warmer, but we still had fun out on the boats. We did a little tubing and Tom did some scary/fun turns with the jet boat.

We also did a lot of reading down by the lake. I finally read Born to Run - I'm behind the times - and it really made me want to get out and run. And maybe try a few miles in my minimal shoes (New Balance Minimus - mine are older) again. And now I'm on a running book kick and just started reading Running like a Girl.

It was a long ride home (Tom drove), so my grand plans of doing laundry and getting a run in have so far turned into playing on my computer and watching Top Gun. We'll see if I can find some motivation when the movie is over.

The house is super quiet, Buddy is still at the vet and we can't pick him up until tomorrow. It's weird without him following us around everywhere and snoring loudly.

Tomorrow should be interesting at work, the kiddos are all starting in new classrooms. It will probably be chaos.

A brief book rant

I'm sort of a book addict. I have stayed up reading past my bedtime since I was young enough to have a bedtime. I used to get scolded for being anti-social because I preferred (prefer?) books to people. And while more books are pretty much always better, there are exceptions to that rule.

Source

Some books are meant to stand alone. They should leave you wanting more, yes, but that doesn't mean that there's another book (or two) that needs to be written. I would rather be left wanting more than be given more and be disappointed.

I find more and more books lately are being written with the intention of being part of a trilogy. They are not all worthy of such a plan. Sometimes the story is not strong enough to carry on. There are some wonderful series out there, and I understand that more books (in theory) means more money for those involved, but there's a certain quality that gets lost in the quest for profit.

So please, if the story is told, accept it and move on. Don't reach for more and destroy the story and characters in the process.