Friday, March 29, 2013

Defining Strenuous Exercise

Yesterday I tried to get my mind off running by going out to buy a new running outfit. Hahaha, retail therapy, yeah well, it made perfect since to me. I got home yesterday and cried a little knowing I couldn't try this out for awhile.

My hubby sat down with me that night, listened, well, hehehe, made a good show he was listening to me. I tearfully told me about the whoas me's of being home and not able to run or do any strenuous exercises or activity for 3 to 4 weeks. My husband gave me the following advised:
1. Fix yourself a cocktail. Done, a French Martini:

1 1/2 oz vodka
1/4 oz Chambord® raspberry liqueur
1/4 oz Cointreau Liquor or any other orange triple sec.
1/4 oz fresh pineapple juice
1 twist lemon peel
Delicious!

2. Relax. How often in your career were you given an opportunity to take this much time off and do nothing? Never. Women you can relate because time off for child birth isn't the same.

3. The definition of strenuous exercise depends on the type of exercise your body does to get your heart rate up. For some people a walk can be strenuous while a marathon runner may not find it the least bit challenging.

Today, I woke up with a new perspective. Time for a fresh start. Do what you gotta do! P90X X-Stretch is just the ticket. I avoided all the stretches that engaged the abdomen muscles such as Roller, Shoulder Stand to Plough pose, Bow pose, and Ballistic Hamstring Stretch. The yoga position of plank, I put my knees on the ground so not to engage me abdomen. It felt good and at least I feel I did something other than walking. At least I'm happier about not running!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

There's No Crying in Running!

Why am I crying?  When I was discharge last week after a laparascopic appendectomy, I was told to follow up with my primary care in 2 weeks, not with the general surgeon. Yesterday, I had an appointment with with my primary care physician. Today, I get a call from the general surgeon's office, stating I would need to see the surgeon at least once following my surgery. Are you still with me?  I know it's a boring topic. It's just a crazy selfish runner ranting and thanking you for listening.
Understanding the physician will always side with caution, I asked the general surgeon's nurse will there be any diagnostic testing during or after the exam to see if the incisions have healed?  The nurse replays, no this is only a physician's examinations of my abdomen. I scheduled an appointment with the general surgeon.
My frustration builds because I have to pay another co-pay to hear another doctor say "you can't run for another 3 to 4 weeks"! I GET IT! My primary care doctor already told me the same thing. I have another appointment with my primary care next week and another co-pay.
In total, I'll pay $95 in co-pays.  I don't get a t-shirt that says I've completed 3 to 4 weeks of NOTHINGNESS. This is no medal from crossing over the 4 week hash mark. There will be no split times, no water stations, and no one to cheer me into that final day. I'm sure there's a joke here some where...how many doctors have to see you to tell you not to run?
What a crock of poop.
 

Monday, March 25, 2013

Yes Virgina,Laparoscopic Appendectomy Means No Long Runs For Awhile!

Last Wednesday, after a night of right abdomen pain, I drove to work, saw my physician, sent to urgent care, and ALLAKHAZAM...off to the hospital for an emergency laparoscopic appendectomy! Dang it!
Laying on a gurney in the preoperative room, conversing with the general surgeon and when she asks if there are any questions, can you guess what I'd said? Yep, "after the surgery, how soon can I begin running?"
Her answer wasn't what I wanted to hear. She replied, "3 to 4 weeks, no marathon, and maybe you can try a half marathon in April. Yes, I was tearful, but grateful my diagnosis wasn't worse.
Laparoscopic surgery is less evasive and has a shorten healing time frame. My surgeon made 4 tiny incisions like the one by my belly button in the picture. After the surgery the worse pain was from the C02 gas applying pressure on phrenic nerve. This caused a lot pain in my right shoulder. Walking, sleeping upright, ibuprofen, and a heating pad to my shoulder, helped manage the pain.  After 3 days, the right shoulder pain subsided and I still have some soreness to my abdomen. I go for walks daily with my labs, try to catch up on some half read books, and  I plan on trying to return to work next week.
This year I was trying to do the Triple Crown. This consist of 3 half marathons: the Carlsbad Half Marathon, the La Jolla Half Marathon, and the America's Finest City Half Marathon(AFC). I completed the Carlsbad full marathon in January which qualifies the same as doing the half marathon. The La Jolla Half Marathon is at the end of April and AFC is in August. I still plan on going through with the La Jolla Half. It appears, I won't be able to run the America's Finest City Half Marathon (AFC) in August. I realized we'll be on a cruise to Alaska during the AFC. *sigh* No Triple Crown this year. As I looked through my marathon training program, there's not enough time for me to train for the Rock & Roll San Diego Marathon (R&R SD) in June. I contacted R&R SD and changed to the half marathon.


As I text my running friend to see if she like to take my place for the AFC, I criticize myself for wallowing in self pity.
Hey, I have my health, my family, my friends, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand I am lighter now that I'm not carrying around an organ! Cheers!


 


Friday, March 8, 2013

Hill Workouts

It's 1 mile up.
 


 
I've been working on hills training and wondering if anyone else has problems getting up hills?  These articles have been helpful:
1. http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_1/104.shtml

 2. http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/general/everything-you-need-to-know-about-hill-training/159.html


The view is amazing.
 
Most of the videos are by an elite athletes.  As I watched these videos and wrinkle my nose, I think "do elite athletes watch videos about running up hills?  Hahahaha very doubtful! Hill workouts are the ONLY time I wish I didn't have boobies!

My running pal Ann aka gazelle, told me to relax and allow my arms to drop down instead of tightening them. This technique has been the best advised EVER!  There is a lot to be said about core workouts and I try to do at least one a week. The building I work in have some killer stairs that are high and steep.  I'm not sure if this helps but it gets my heart pumping.

Since the change in my running route, I do dread getting out there until I'm actually on the hill going up. My pace does slow down but I'm hoping over time it will pick up. Because I run on a large sidewalk, I found the cross walk areas are the areas that are flatter and I can pick up a little speed here. My legs fair well, but sometimes my knees begin to ache. Down hills are my favorite. I set back and enjoy the ride! 
Hahaha music helped cover up my heavy breathing!