Problems with Blogger

Help! I've just noticed my comments are not showing up on others blogs. Also, I have another blog which isn't linked to this one. When I try to follow a runners blog my avatar to my other blog shows up and links to my other blog. Therefore this blog isn't showing up anywhere.

Can you say frustrating?????

If anyone has any suggestions please send them my way. Oh and Merry Christmas!

Am I Still a Runner?

Goodness, right now that is a hard question. Every since I went down in my back I'm not sure I'm feeling it. I finished up with my 7th visit to the chiro doc and my back is so much better. I've been back chugging along for a couple of weeks now and truthfully I'm not sure I'm enjoying it. And now that the weather is changing(I'm not a cold weather person at all) it's taking a lot of discipline for me to go out and run. It would be nice to have a training partner. All of ya'll that do count yourself very lucky.

I did have a couple of Saturdays where I did feel like running. I was actually running a much slower pace than usual and trying to coax my hubbie to run also. It really was enjoyable but now not so much. Today's run felt pretty terrible. Maybe I was just having a bad running day. We all do so I guess it was my turn.

Hopefully tomorrow's run will be better.

After 7 treatments

Time is flying. I can't believe I have had 7 chiro treatments. I must admit my back is loads better but still not perfect. I about cracked up when the doc told me he'd have me running by December. He doesn't know me well. I've already been trying to do a little, very little but that's better than nothing.

Yesterday dh and I went down to a multi use trail to walk but I talked him into doing a little running with me. I told him since I feel like I'm basically starting over he might as well run with me.

Actually he use to run so I was hoping to light a fire under him again. I think he liked doing it a bit. I know I did. It was a perfect fall day. Cool but some humidity in the air. The leaves are turning so the scenery wasn't too bad. The trail has a few hills which I talked him into running.

All in all it was great to be out there!

Until next time, happy running everyone!

3rd Treatment

This a.m. I got up feeling a little better. So I decided to keep a positive attitude and hope for the best at the chiro doc office. I was surprised to find out I would be receiving some different treatments today which in my opinion were a little better than what I have been having.

So in the end I decided I would give another treatment a try. So off I'll go again this coming Friday a.m.

This afternoon I did walk 50 minutes in my neighborhood. It was very cool and overcast. I tried to run some but the back didn't like that much. Hopefully soon. I'm also happy to say I did 100 sit ups this a.m. without pain. Slowly but surely(?) I guess.

After two treatments

Okay, I've had two treatments now and still don't feel much relief. I know two treatments doesn't sound like much but I'm starting to be concerned about how much this is costing for no relief.

I have another appt. in the a.m. I'm almost to the point if I don't have some relief after it I may discontinue. Mentally I am becoming very discouraged. I must admit tho I did do sit ups this a.m. without pain. So I guess that is something.

Walking in LA

This a.m. while still in Kenner, LA with dh we took a morning walk and then I got on a treadmill for 20 minutes. Even tho I did still have some slight pain with each step I'm so glad I did the walk. It made me feel like I wasn't completely letting all my hard work go down the tube.

I have an appt. with the chiro doc again in the a.m. I surely hope he helps bring more relief. I really am missing my running and am quite concerned about my fitness level. I've read after two weeks of non-activity your level starts declining. Ugh!

Some relief?

Just got back from seeing the chiro doc. He didn't adjust me like I have had done in the past. He used something that resembled a small jackhammer. He said they used it on the olympic team when they have problems. Interesting. He also hooked me up to some stimulating electrodes that I could have used all night. They felt like they were giving me an electric massage.

But right now I don't feel a whole lot better. But then do know from past experience it does take a while for it to work.

My next appt. is Monday morning.

Chiropractic treatment, here I come

I gave in today and called the chiro doc for an appt. I have to have some relief. Hopefully the treatment will go good and I can get back to running.

This afternoon I did manage to get in a 51 minute walk. It was damp and humid, 84 degrees. It wasn't too bad. I even tried a jog but immediately knew that wasn't going to work. I also did 50 standing push ups. I've tried getting back on my sit up schedule but so far that isn't happening.

I surely hope this time next week I will be much better.

A Week Ago

A week ago tomorrow signals when I hurt my back. As of today there has been some improvement but it is still hurting. I tried walking after work this afternoon and did 15 minutes and then the rain came. Actually that was okay with me because my back didn't seem to be enjoying it. At this point I'm trying to decide if I should go to a chiropractor. I could really use some relief.

A Little Walk

I have to admit I think my back feels somewhat better. I made it thru church services and some grocery shopping.

After a rest and lunch I decided to try a little walking. Nothing much but a little. Time wise I walked 21 minutes. I had wanted to do 30 but was having too many aches and pains to finish it up.

Maybe I'll be able to get back to it before the week is over. I'm suppose to return to work tomorrow and work til 6. Something tells me I won't be able to do that unless I wake up and it feels even better than today.

I'm very glad I got out and walked a little cause it has been really tough laying around doing nothing.

Guess it is going to just take time.

Sidelined

Every runner must hate it. You are going along and thinking your training is going good then, oops, now you've done it.

This past Wednesday while working I bent over placing a pumpkin on a table and crack. I couldn't hardly stand back up. I had incredible pain from my lower back down to my toes. Every since I've been down and out, mentally and physically.

This isn't the first time this has happened but it seems it comes along just when my training seems to be going great.

Last year's training and racing seemed so smooth compared to this year. At the beginning of this year I found out I have a small, torn meniscus of the right knee. I had been having terrible pain in my right knee that I found out was from not stretching.

Then in June I suffered a terrible bicycle wreck and gave myself a big hole on my left knee cap. Had to take off training time to let that heal. Also, not to mention the horrible heat we had this summer which made me get up at 5:30 to run or forgo it altogether.

Now as I sit here typing this on Sat. a.m. my back isn't feeling much better. I had hoped to get back to racing this coming weekend and now it seems as tho that might not happen.

Sometimes I wonder if God is trying to tell me something.

It's Official!!!

Just received my official notification from NSGA stating that I am qualified for the National Senior Olympics in Houston, TX next year. Yippee!!!

Now if I can only stay in shape til then!

Missing in Action

I can't believe it's been so long since my last post. I guess that means I haven't been up to much in the running world.

But today it has finally cooled off. I decided to go to the park to run so I could check my time. I figured since it had been so long since doing my times would be terrible. But much to my surprise my times were good.

The first mile I ran 7:07, second 14:20 and third 21:30. Then I cooled off with a 3 mile walk.

My runs in my neighborhood have felt so slow and sluggish that these times really make me happy. Yippee!

Maybe it's time for a race again, especially now that it is cooler. Lets hope it stays that way.

Running after vacation

This a.m. I got up and ran around 8:00. Luckily it was very overcast but so, so humid. I hadn't ran in a week since we were on vacation and I could tell it.

Originally I wanted to run as long as possible but by 22 minutes I wasn't feeling so good. I felt weak and tired. At 30 minutes I found myself laying on the garage floor. We had placed a floor fan out there earlier and I took advantage of it. I was really light headed for a minute or two.

But shortly after I was able to get up and walk my 30 minutes.

Sometimes I have to ask myself am I really cut out for this running or not?

Ouch!

Well I guess I have finally reached the "klutz" stage. Or is it I'm just getting old. Just last week I was running along, went to step upon a curb and turned my left ankle terribly. In fact it was so bad I fell completely down. I got back up and started to walk and realized how bad it hurt. But I decided to continue running which in the long run I think helped.

Of course the foot swelled up over the next few days but thankfully no broken bones.

This afternoon when I got home from work I decided to ride my bike. I was going pretty good and ran thru some mud puddles. Big mistake!! Wet bike tires, turning a curve and pavement just don't go together.
Can you say ouch??? I wish I could see a replay of how my wreck happened. I have a seriously scraped left knee, two cut palms and a right shoulder and elbow that are cut. I think I must of rolled.

Needless to say this didn't feel too good. Luckily for me one of the girls in the neighborhood saw me and asked if I was okay. At first I thought I was but then I got so dizzy I knew I couldn't ride my bike home. Plus the front wheel had a problem.

She called dh for me and he had to come and pick me up. I tell ya, I really am turning into a klutz.

Anyway, so much for my morning run. I'll probably do good if I can walk.

Renaissance 5k

What a hot way to start the day. Up by 4 a.m. and by race time it's 80 degrees. Can you say hot?!?!?
I really wasn't sure how I was going to do this year. I ran this one last year and liked the course so I decided to give it another try. The half marathoners had left out about 6:05 or so and we were scheduled to leave the chute at 6:15. Didn't happen. They kept postponing our start. All I could think about was how thirsty I was. It had been almost an hour since my last drink and I was already sweating.
But we finally got started and my cotton mouth started. Oh my, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it.
But I chugged along even tho it felt like my right shoe was too lose and was going to come untied. Thank goodness I had double-knotted. At the first mile I was so glad to see a water station. Usually I don't partake but I was feeling parched. Even tho it is really hard to drink and run I think I managed an ounce. At the second water stop I grabbed a Powerade drink but hardly got any of that in my mouth.
Here we are coming in for the final 100 yards. This young man had passed me earlier and then I almost caught up to him. He really helped carry me along.
Almost thru here. What a look of determination on my face. Or would you call that pure exhaustion?
Aw, what a feeling! One of my co-workers said her husband says you never see a runner with a smile on their face. I told her he needs to come to a race and see the finish. Also, I just want to say thanks to those wonderful ladies handing out ice-water induced towelettes. How refreshing!In the end I did a 22:53. Not my best time but last year I did this race in 23:35 so this year is better. I got 3rd female overall. Not too shabby for an old girl. I was 18th overall.This race uses chip-timing to keep up with competitors times. It amazes me this little strip of technology.My award which shows a pic of the fountain at the Renaissance. Also, my competitors medal.This was the t-shirt they were giving out this year. I like it but it looks pretty hot being black.

Not sure when my next race will be so until then, happy running!

2010 MS Senior Olympics

Hard to believe the Olympics have come and gone. It seems like it took forever for them to get here.The morning started off already muggy at 5:00 which was the time my alarm went off. When we arrived at MS College this was the scene. It looked pretty peaceful with just a few people meandering around.But before I knew it, it was time to start the 5k. I was glad to see a lot more participants this year than last.Finishing the first of my 5 races for the day. I was happy with my time. I took over a minute off of last years time. I'm still not crazy about this course tho. It's so hilly.In the end, I took gold along with a new friend Gisele. She took gold for TN. The beauty of the Senior Olympics is you can participate even if you are from another state.Next was the 100m dash. I use to run this race when I was in high school and hadn't run it since. I was in lane 5 and was pretty nervous at the start but as soon as the gun went off I enjoyed it so much. It was like a breeze compared to a 5k.I think there was almost a smile on my face at the finish. In the end I took gold for 1st place in my age group. The winner was in the 60-65 age group. What an amazing runner she was.The start of the 800m dash. I have never run this race before. I was hoping for more participants. I think there was another heat of other age groups after our race.Once again another gold medal. We three girls were getting use to this.Gisele and I look like we were best of friends. I think this is just one example of what the Senior Olympics is. Meeting new friends and supporting them.I decided to do the 200 m dash as well even tho I never liked this race in high school. I started off in lane 1 which is staggered farther behind all the other competitors. It was pretty neat that I could see who all was in front of me. As we rounded the curve and hit the straight way I found myself in 1st place. I couldn't believe it! Maybe the 200 would be my favorite of the day.And the final race of the day was the 400m. I had never ran this one before either. At the end of this race I was really feeling exhausted. I almost decided to scratch but I thought maybe I could just jog around it. In this pic I was in third place but luckily I still received gold for my age group. At this point my hamstrings and quads felt like they were about to lock up. Luckily that didn't happen.I didn't really think about it at the time but this would be the last time we three would be on the podium together.After it was all over, just chillin out with a couple of great runners. Boy were my legs tired.

In the end I'm so glad we had taken our lawn chairs to sit in-between races. Also, I was so glad I had taken bananas and Teddy grahams to eat or I don't think I would have made it. My two slices of toast at 5:00 a.m. had been long gone.

We really got lucky with the weather. A storm was moving in just as we were finishing up the awards. When we finally got home I got Dave to take a pic of my awards. You can tell from the pic just how tired I was. I think I took about a 2 hour nap.

This was such a great event to participate in. To see lots of older folks out there running just amazed me. I hope if I make to my 70 or 80's I can still do this.

Now I just hope I qualified for some of the events in Houston, TX next year. I'm not sure when I'll find out but I'll definitely post on it when I do.

Race for Grace 5k

This morning we got up to thunderstorms and I wasn't sure I'd be running this race. I went ahead and got ready and sure enough by 7:30 or so it had stopped. The wind had picked up and it was very cool compared to our last few days. Actually it made it very nice for the race.At the start I wasn't feeling as nauseated as I usually do; so very glad of that.
However I was suffering from cotton mouth which always seems to plague me for the first few minutes. I think if I opened my mouth you would see white fuzzies. But thankfully it goes away as I continue on.In the end I was very glad I ran because at the beginning, I didn't really want to be there. But I tied my last race time of 22:13. I was proud of my first mile which was 6:50 and my second of 13:56. This was the first time I got my second mile under 14 minutes.

I finished 4th overall and won the Grand Masters trophy.

So next week? Senior Olympics are coming up. Hope I'll be ready!

It won't be long

I can't believe MS Senior olympics is little more than 2 weeks away. I'm officially signed up. I'm running(on the same day) 5k, 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m. Yes I believe I am officially crazy!!! I use to be a sprinter years ago and am going to do these just for the fun of it!

I haven't ran a race since the beginning of March and don't really know that I am ready but I definitely want to try. I've been waiting for a year now.

The 5k starts at 7:30 a.m. on 5/15 and the sprints will follow afterward. Believe me, it will be interesting.

Panther Run 5k

It was 38 degrees, sunny with blue skies and very little wind. I had to run. So at 8:30 I put myself close to the starting line and waited for the go. I was definitely nervous and my stomach was agreeing with that but at least my heart wasn't racing like it usually does.
Already I was trying to keep up with the boys. Sometimes this helps, sometimes it's not a good thing. I can either have a great time in the end or possibly burn out.This is the homeward stretch. At this point I was whipped out. I really had to talk myself thru the whole race which basically means I was running too fast.But that's okay because I set a new p.r. of 22:13. I couldn't believe it! It's funny how as soon as I cross the finish line that sick stomach goes away. Couldn't help but take a picture of this giant guy. You can't tell from the pic but he was gigantic and had the sweetest face. I think he was a spectator.But this guy?!?! He was all about the running. His name is Jackson and he's adorable, all 135 pounds of him. He pulled his owner thru the race. I remember they ran last year too.So in the end I finished second female overall, 10th overall and won the grandmasters trophy! Yippee! It's tough getting up on cold mornings to run but oh so worth it.

Should You or Shouldn't You?

When I saw the ortho doc back in January I had forgotten to ask an important question. Is it worth it to take Glucosamine? So I simply called their office yesterday and was told by his nurse that he highly recommends taking it. Glucosamine is taken for joint pain. According to the label it is made from shellfish so I guess if you were allergic it wouldn't be a good idea.

It can be quite pricy(compared to some vitamins) but I decided to go ahead and give it a try during the racing season. I had taken it a couple of years ago but didn't stick with the regimen for long. So officially I started it Feb. 20.

There's no proof that it works but there isn't any that proves it doesn't.

The nurse told me it can take 6 - 8 weeks to feel it work. Hopefully I made a good decision.

Almost Time

The racing season is upon me. Actually, it's been here all along. I just don't like to run in the winter, remember I'm a wimp.

The race that got me started last year is posted for March 6. It's a race at my honey's school which is a fund raiser.

I haven't decided if I will run it or not and probably won't decide until race day. It is three weeks earlier this year which means it will probably be cold.

My last race was Nov. 6th and right now every time I go out and run I feel like my legs weigh a zillion pounds. I know I'm not in racing shape but I have to start some where, right?

Yay! It's Good New this Time!

Just got back from the ortho evaluation. No surgery is indicated. Boy, does that make me feel good. The funny thing is the pain I was experiencing was on the opposite side of the meniscus tear. Go figure!

He thinks the tear is asymptomatic. But he does think there is some tendonitis/inflammation of a tendon with a fancy name! So he told me to continue slowly getting back into running, continue the Mobic I've been taking for pain and if problems still persist after a month to give him a call. Also, I need to stretch those ham strings a lot more. Interesting, when trainers tell you to stretch those muscles, there's a reason for it. Hmmm!

Anyway, I'm doing my happy dance today. Yippee!!!