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?

I'm Going to Throw a Laundry Party

 It's been a little chilly around here the last few mornings.

It even snowed for a little bit on Sunday. Fortunately, it didn't stick. We were hoping the cold would hold off for a little longer because we don't have heat on the first floor right now. The heat in the house is baseboard, and they had to drain and cut some of it out in the addition. The upstairs heat still works, and our new wood stove should be here sometime this week. Soon we'll be toasty warm!

I spent another thrilling morning at the laundromat. You have no idea how excited I am going to be when we finally have a washer and dryer at home again. Seriously, I may throw a laundry party.

On the bright side, I do get some reading done at the laundromat.

The house is all wrapped up (in Tyvek, not wrapped up as in finished), and most of the roof is on now. I climbed up and checked out the second floor and the attic today. The interior walls are framed now, so I got more of a sense of what the rooms are going to look like.

It's pretty cool!

As far as workouts go, there haven't been a lot. I have been doing a bit of yoga, and took Buddy for a couple of short runs. I don't want to jump back into training mode, but I am also trying to figure out what works for me when I don't have a schedule to stick to.

Oiselle Roga Shorts and a Lazy Sunday

It was absolutely beautiful here on Sunday. Buddy and I hung out on the deck with some iced tea and my kindle for a while. It doesn't seem like too long ago that I was wearing my jacket to go running, now I'm relaxing on the deck in a sun dress!

Buddy is psyched for spring weather.

I actually had to make him go back inside to cool off at one point, he was just laying there, panting like crazy. He won't drink any water I bring outside for him, so he gets sent inside for his own good.

I had an easy 5 miles on the plan for the day, so I decided to test out my new shorts. The shorts are really lightweight and super comfortable, I really like them! That being said, there was Body Glide involved to prevent chafing. It's not the short's fault though, the problem seems to be my thighs.

It may have motivated me to do some strength training to tone some areas that constant running doesn't tone. Of course, I've made such declarations before and have yet to stick to any strength training program, so there's that.

Why is strength training so boring?

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!

(Not)Pancakes, Running and Reading

If you're on Pinterest, I'm sure you've seen those "pancakes" made out of a banana and a couple of eggs. It seems wrong, but people apparently like them. In case you, like me, were curious about these two-ingredient "pancakes," let me save you some trouble.

They taste exactly like you would expect them to: like eggs and banana. Nothing about this resembles a pancake, and I seriously question the tastebuds of those who claim to like them. I ended up adding some flour, baking soda, salt and vanilla, which made my "pancakes" closer to what a pancake should actually look/taste like. I ate part of a couple of "pancakes" before I decided to scrap the small remainder of my experiment and made myself an English muffin with peanut butter and banana, which was delicious.

Next time, I'm not messing around with any weirdo Pinterest recommendations - I will have actual pancakes!

I took Monday as a rest day (I hear those are good for you), and did my best to not go outside.

It was a little brisk.

This week is a cut back week on my training plan. No speedwork, and lower mileage. I'll take it! I ran an easy 4 miles on the treadmill and discovered that if I increase the font size on my Kindle, I can totally read while I run. I wouldn't attempt it doing anything faster, but it was a nice change from clicking around on Netflix for 20 minutes.

After my run, I did a Piyo workout (define: lower body), and did some balance work on my BOSU ball.

This is blurry, but cute, so I had to share. Buddy was getting so hot laying in the sun (inside the house) that he was panting - crazy dog.

Have you had any Pinterest fails? Successes?

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.

The lake house

Just a quick little phone update for you. 

Tom and I are spending the weekend at his family's lake house. It's kind of awesome. There's time to read, play out on the boats and generally relax!

I hope you are having a relaxing long weekend! 

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.

Weirdly excited

I managed to get at least 8 hours of sleep last night and the night before. I don't know if it's the cough my munchkins have given me, but I don't feel much better than when I get much less sleep. I'm trying to not just use this as an excuse to stay up way too late.

Work was more of the usual, only I managed to get off work on time today!

This doughnut somehow got into my basket at the grocery store. Oops.

I did  a couple of easy, if extremely sweaty miles on the treadmill.

And Buddy waited patiently to go upstairs.

I actually cooked dinner tonight! Well, breakfast for dinner anyway. I made some sweet potatoes with black beans, eggs, and avocado. 

One whole avocado is obviously the correct serving size. 

I have been reading Anatomy for Runners a lot this week - I'm weirdly excited to get to the assessment part so I can see what areas I should work on. I also find myself thinking more about how I'm running since I have been reading it.

What's your most recent grocery store impulse buy?