A first run in a while, and another Harry Potter Ball

This week was actually pretty busy, fun, productive, exciting and lazy at the same time. Let's start with the exciting news.

Monday I decided to get out and attempt to focus the back pain into the far back of my mind, and see if I could get out for a run.
I did, while I only ran a mile and it was pretty slow at that. It surprisingly did not hurt my back any worse than standing does. Which doesn't say much or maybe it was just the fact that it was a warm 20 decrees out and numbed things down a little LOL.

While I waited for my Dr. Appt. with the specialist on Friday. When I didn't have to be up and moving around, I took advantage of being forced to lay around more than normal and I enjoyed yet another amazing book. In fact I enjoyed The Book of Ivy so much, I pretty much devoured it in one sitting, LOL.  For those of you who enjoy Dystopian with the absolute perfect kind of romance in it, I highly recommend this book. I couldn't get enough and already have book 2 on hold at the library.

I did have the Dr. appointment on Friday, while my MRI was postponed until later today actually. I did have other tests taken. Although, I still have no idea what caused it, with all the other tests they put me through they are fairly certain it is disc related. Even possibly a herniated bulging disc. But I won't know for sure until the 25th.  Ya, that's the part about doctors sometimes that suck. Having to wait so long to have an appointment just to hear results.

The doctor was pretty great to me, he totally could see and get how much pain I am in, he even gave me my pick of whichever drugs I wanted to get me through until the MRI and until my next appointment with him to decide on which course of action we will be taking to fix me.
So ya, I picked some good ones. While nothing takes the pain away entirely, at least they make the pain bearable, so that's a plus.

This week, was also another Harry Potter Ball. If you remember I decorated for one back in December, this was pretty much the same thing, we just did a few things differently this time.

I have an awesome crew that work for me, I made them do the majority of the lifting. Even though I should have stayed more hands off than I did. (I don't know why, but its impossible for me to just stand back and watch others work. I cannot, not resist helping, especially when I don't like what they are doing, LOL.)
So yeah, I over did it, even though I still made those who work for me do the heaviest lifting parts.

I managed to get through the day okay, but by 10pm, my back was shot. I couldn't have lifted anything more if my life depended on it. My fault!
I consider it a miracle that the snow that night held off until I got home, and I was able to back my trailer into it's spot so easily and smoothly without having to turn my neck or back.

But on the plus side, my decor turned out pretty cool. As one of my friends who saw the finished work called it, exotically beautiful:) On that backdrop two pictures above.

But yes, I did get my geek on and let my sister take a few photo's of me with the Harry Potter Cut outs, LOL. I just wished I had thought to have her take them before we started setting everything up, and before my hair got caught in one of the pine greenery's, that I apparently didn't care to fix, and well lets just face it, I was a sweaty mess by the time we snapped these fun shots, LOL Oh well!
I was so supped up on painkillers for the below picture, I really should have a little shame and not post it. But...

Oh, and the two backdrops above, although for the same event, they were in two entirely different rooms, if that helps you wonder why they don't exactly look like they match each other. LOL

Another funny fact, I have never read the Harry Potter books, and I haven't even really seen any of the movies. Kinda funny, that I am decorating for a themed event that I literally know nothing about, other than what I googled, LOL

That was pretty much my week. I have kept up pretty good with eating much healthier. I went 12 days without a Pepsi. Although the afternoon after we finished setting up for the event, I did take my sister out for an early dinner and ya, I had a Raspberry Coke.

But that's okay, I never said I was quitting soda, I just said I was going to significantly cut back.
I lost 1 more pound last week, which brings my weight loss total to 6 pounds lost.  Not much, but I'll take it. I am sure when I can start working out regularly again with the better eating habits I should hopefully have even better success at it!

For those of you who are interested. I plan on hosting a couple different Grow Your Blog Hops in February. If everything goes as planned I hope to launch the sign up THIS WEEK either Wednesday or Friday on my blog.

I listened to the feedback from past participants, and I have come up with a few new unique spins to put on them. So if you have time, and it might be something your interested in. You may want to watch for the sign-ups.
I have over 180 bloggers who have already signed up to be alerted as soon when the sign up's go live. Right now I am only looking at opening 50 slots between the two different hops I am working on, so the slots could potentially go quick.
They will be the last of their kind that I host until later in the fall. Spring and Summer are just too busy for me in my personal life to host events like this.
However, for my blog followers, I will announce the news on my blog FIRST and then notify everyone else later that morning, giving my followers a first peek at the events in case you'd like grab some of the first few spots.


So that is my week.
How was yours? 
Did you have anything out of the ordinary happen that brought you joy?

I am linking up with HoHo Runs and Mississippididdlin today for their Weekly Wrap!

The Journey of Coming Back From Injury

For Fitness Friday
I wanted to share an update on my injury and running comeback:)  

So after the last 4 weeks on crutches. This past week I got back to walking again.  A little more each day, strengthening my foot and ankle with additional exercises and stretches.

My bruised inner foot (the most recent bad luck injury) is feeling at about 95% better.  I am confident this part is over and thankfully I can move on from that pain.

Tendinitis in the Achilles area feels 90% healed.  I rarely notice it, and only when I work on stretching it again (as is needed for the physical therapy portion of the recovery.)  Still need to be careful with it though!

Bursitis - Well this has been a little more of the painful side this week.  I had been able to keep the pain around medium until Wednesday.  When I had a little set back, my ankle was so swollen I had literally a golf ball size bump sticking out of the side of my ankle.  
It took a lot of Naproxin and off and on icing last night and Thursday and I have been able to get the swelling back down and pain back to a medium level.
I did call the Dr again, as I am sick and tired of this all and I am now willing to take the risk and get the steroid injection as well as some additional anti-inflammatory meds in the injection.

I had originally not wanted to go this route, but I got pretty frustrated Wednesday night and decided it's worth the risks and complications at this point!
However, when I called my Dr. and asked if I could come in to get it.  He told me he couldn't do it, and I needed to go see another Specialist.. Arggggg
So I called the Specialist he recommended and I have an appointment on July 1st. (So annoying to have to wait that long!!!)

However, even after over 12 hours of working on my feet Thursday the pain stayed minimal, so I am still hopeful the the flare up was possibly a one time deal???  Who knows at this point!   
I've pretty much given up on assuming anything about this foot/ankle injury situation.  However, I am keeping my appointment in two weeks.  But I am going to continue with my own original plans with recovery.

With that said, my ankle and foot are feeling stronger by the day.  
Next week, the attempt to run again!
I can't be stupid about this.  So if I run and things don't get worse then I will keep running and building that up slowly again.  If I do have pain, or additional swelling I will have to hold off on running until after the next Dr. Appt:(  It's just not worth pushing it!  So that's the plan!

Even though I say I am going to start running next week, let me just say it will be extremely gradual.  Even though I know it will be hard to hold back, it is a must to avoid re-injury!  So my plan is 1/2 mile to 1 mile max per run.. I know that is not much, but I figure a little is better than none!

Aside from Doctors, I have also spoke to many runners both locally and online who have had tendinitis and bursitis issues in a foot.  Some had it for weeks, others months, and some even several years.
I took all their advice and situations to heart.  The tips and suggestions I am taking and proceeding with that I feel fit and will help best in my own recovery.

*  Kinesio Tape - Thanks to a You Tube Videos anyone can be an expert at taping:)  I ordered some (pink of course) that will get here this weekend.

*  Compression Socks - These just make sense for blood flow issues and seem to be a favorite trend by all injured runners with situations similar to my own.

*  Fish Oil - Omega 3's - I read about this on a fellow blogger blog (Thanks Marathon Mom).  I also did a little research of my own on it, and I have been taking this to the recommended dosage each day for almost two weeks now.

*  Ice & Elevation - Well that is should just explain itself:)

*  Naproxin (NSAIDS) - Okay, so I tried to not take this for weeks.  But it's been the only thing keeping the inflammation down, and when I told the doctor I wasn't taking it.  He put me right back on it.

*  Heel lifts - Shoe inserts, just a 1/4" is needed.  I had a tip from a few runners that they shrink down with pressure so to buy the 3/4" ones so that when they receive pressure I will get the 1/4" recommended lift needed.  With these I plan on only using them for a short while and then gradually going back off them.

Now, I did receive several other tips and ideas from people, and I am sure they are all great and work in their own way.  But like a quote I heard on our local news the other day.  

"We can do anything, but we can't do everything."  

Now the meaning is totally different, but it's been in my mind all week and I have been reminding myself of it in everything I do:)  So for recovery I know I could do anything, but not everything is needed.  So I'm picking the top idea's that I believe will work best for me as well as the doctor recommendations and recovery plans!

So that's it!  I am hopeful (I have to be), but if things don't go well I won't lie I will be more than disappointed!  I still believe if I work at this correctly and can get back into it in the next few weeks.  I should be able to gradually build the mileage up and get in a few later fall marathons this year.  So guess I get to see how next week goes:)  Wish me luck!

Drastic Decisions and Changes

(Link Up Your Blog Today at the Bottom of THIS Post)

I am mainly a wedding decorator by profession, but I do have a 2nd job to fill in the time and help me save up additional funds to finish my 50 states marathon goal.

Last week I mentioned my foot injury at work.  Letting them know I wouldn't be picking up extra shifts starting in a few weeks for while so I could heal.  Mentioning an injury was apparently a big mistake for them.  In short I was told I had to stop working immediately and I am not allowed to come back until I can get a Dr.'s note stating I am healed.  (Guess they were afraid I would file some workers comp claim if the injury got worse from working.. Which I wouldn't...)

Anyhow, I am now forced to take the time I NEED off my foot so it can be healed once and for all.  I have a few things I have to get done in this morning, which require me on my feet (wedding stuff).  But after that, I am picking up the crutches and I will be staying off my injured foot/ankle for at least 2 weeks straight (more if needed), to give the tendinitis and bursitis some time to heal and go away for good.

I am really feeling this is actually all working out for the best, which is why I put the happiness quote above!  I am looking forward to healing and getting back into my passion of running.  Not to mention hopefully in just enough time to still get in shape to run some fall marathons.  Sometimes things happen for a reason (Note the Quote Below).  I am hoping that having to go through this long layoff injury will only bring me better and better things when I can get back into it again!

If you ran last weekend, share with me your great running or race stories.  What are your passions in life?  Have you ever had to take a considerable amount of time away from them for one reason or another?  Lately, I take my motivation from others so I don't dwell to much on my own situation, I love the comments and sharing of stories:)

LINK UP YOUR BLOG IN THE BELOW LINKY TODAY
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Fitness Friday - Trying New Things

Participating today in Fitness Friday

It's been a while since I have shared my recovery process.  Months ago I starting running again, only to have to stop again.  More Dr.  visits and in short.  Pretty much I know this is going to be a longer recovery process than I had ever thought.  The injury is still Peroneal Tendinitis, but they believe also has some Bursitis and now likely scar tissue build up from the prolonged inflammation.

My injury hasn't been healing, not because of running (I didn't get it from running, and I haven't been doing it either).  But because I keep doing the "thing" several days a week that caused it.  (Working my part time job. Arggghhh)  However, I won't lie, I am looking for a new 2nd job because of it!  (But I am picky, but that is something I won't go into and bore you with:)

This is the lovely hand held at home device, that's been helping me.
I don't want to show the brand since I am not a medical professional.

However, when I did visit the Dr. last.  I mentioned I owned a home ultrasound therapy device.  I told him, I had read online that people have experienced some faster recovery with them and what his thoughts were before I tried it out.  He told me it couldn't hurt and to give it a try, and gave me some tips on when and how to use it correctly for this.

I have been using it for almost 3 weeks now, and have been seeing some steady improvement.  It's hard to explain, but the injury pain and inflammation is slowly changing.  I know my body pretty well, and injuries even more, LOL...  I can feel it's on the mend.  Do I think I will be running on it in a week, probably not.  But for the first time in months I finally feel significant change and pain decrease.  YAY!!!!  I really do believe its from the Ultrasound Therapy Treatments!

This has been a long and a not exactly thrilling journey of recovery.  I am not sure when it will be over, even though I hope and pray very soon!  I have had a difficult time watching all of the many races I had planned to race this spring. (well over half a dozen now) Come and go.  But even though my favorite passion in life is on hold.  I am trying to remain upbeat about other things.  Busying myself with other activities and keeping my mind occupied.

A few good things have come out of my being unable to hit the pavement with my running shoes.  I am thrilled with the other achievements I am making.  One of them was blogging more often and exploring the blogging world.  I think I am addicted to blogging and following other blogs:)  

Sometimes we are meant to go through a few struggles to appreciate the good times and successes in life all that much more.  With that said, I am very much looking forward to appreciating every detail of being a runner again.  And oh how great it will be to run that next marathon, which will also be #40:)  Hopefully soon, I will get to plan out which lucky 26.2 this Fall gets to be the big 40...

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So tell me, do any of you have fun race plans for the weekend?

Motivational Monday - Life Doesn't Always Go As Planned

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY BLOG LINK UP AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST

     I have both been wanting as well as not wanting to write this post for a while.  Sometimes life has a funny way of working out.  For me that has come these past few months in not exactly the ways I would have chosen.

I've shared part of this before, but for those who don't know let me explain.  Prior to January of this year, I was a girl with a lot of determination, a high tolerance for pain and set on a path of a goal.  Last September, I had a horrible hip flexor injury.  So bad even my high pain tolerance couldn't stand running on it.  In short I had to take 6 weeks off running to heal.  I thought this injury was the worst ever!  I had to pass up on 1 marathon in NH I had already paid for, and I still had 5 more marathons that fall to get through.
After no running for 6 weeks, I went out for a short 6 mile run a week before my next scheduled race and I determined and felt things were okay and I could run again.
I was right, and I ran my 5 marathons last fall, and even pulled off 3 full marathons in 15 days of which the final one I had caught the dreaded flu:(

After that time off and injury I thought that was the worst possible thing that could happen and I was going to take every precaution.  So that something like this would never happen again and I could continue running and working on my goal.  Of course, I could do everything within my knowledge correctly.  But sometimes fate has a different plan...

My injury that I have been dealing with now for 3 months now with pretty much no running peroneal tendinitis wasn't even caused by running.  In fact I had been taking a slow down and huge drop in mileage to recover from everything I pushed my body through last fall.  So I was only running a very few miles a week at the time. However, I had taken a 2nd job and thought I would just buy a supportive comfy pair of flat shoes to wear since I would be on my feet for long hours.
Who would have guessed that those comfy flats would have caused the tendinitis and put me out for 3 months and counting...  (Apparently I should have just kept on wearing running shoes, flat shoes can be pretty bad on the feet.  Especially when you make a sudden change in footwear and standing time:)

I have had my down moments, and I can't even begin to describe my itch to get running again.  But I have forced myself to find ways to stay upbeat about it all.  With that came taking on some different projects.

I own a wedding company, and added a couple of new awesome services this year.  All of which I might not have gotten accomplished and finished if I had been off racing in the 7 marathons I have had to pass up on, that I planned to run this spring.  (Not that I am counting, LOL)

Example of what I do - A wedding me and my company decorated for:)

Second, I started my blog a few years ago as a way to share my 50 state & D.C. marathon journey with those who were interested.  But it was rare I ever blogged other than talking about a race.  I did nothing to promote it or get it out there.
But being laid up with this foot/ankle injury has given me a bit of extra time on my hands.  These past months I have really gotten into it more, addicted really:)
I have also loved following other blogs and have found some amazing ones out there.  I've had a few great opportunities come my way because of blogging, and I am really grateful for not only the opportunity but the skills learned from them.

My blog is not one single stream line topic.  Of course I love running, so I'd say the majority of things are fitness or health related.  I am a wedding planner, so I still share a little on some of the weddings have a lot of fun decorating.  I also love to read and writing, so I like to tie in book reviews here and there.

What are my blogging goals?  I'd love to turn the tables a little and get even more into blogging and see if I could make any income out of it.  Do I know exactly how to do that?  Not exactly:)  I am taking things one step at a time.  But would love it, if I knew someone who was a professional blogger who wouldn't mind chatting with me and pointing me in the right direction.

Third, I have been able to drop 18 pounds since I haven't been able to run.  Sounds funny doesn't it.  Most people need exercise to lose weight right?  Not me, apparently!  Actually it's funny because when I was pushing so much higher mileage and traveling frequently.  Two things happened.  One I was hungry all the time from all the running.  Two, traveling I wasn't exactly eating the healthiest.
I wasn't gaining any weight, but I wasn't losing any either.
But not being able to run, has reduced the hunger which in return has allowed me to figure out healthier eating habits.  That I am now pretty sure will carry through when I can run again and I am hoping to drop even more when that happens!

Last, with being injured I also finally found the time to start getting my book out to publishing companies and try my luck and getting it published.  This will be a long process, that I know.  But its a start, which is more than I can say might have been if I had been out traveling for running all spring.

Life happens, we can't always control it and it may not happen as we would have chosen.  But sometimes things happen for a reason, I believe also so other opportunities can come our way.
I may not have wanted to chose spending all of my marathon travel money on Dr. bills, foot braces, therapy, etc...   But it is what it is and I have a choice, I can be depressed about it.  Or I can find other positive things and goals to work on to carry me through!
Just in case you can't guess, I have been working really hard on going with the positive attitude and finding and making new goals to occupy my time until I can resume my passion of running again!

So tell me, have you had struggles that you thought were the absolute worst when they happened.  But when you look back at them you realize you had other opportunities or positive things happen in your life because of it?

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Mistakes Runners Make

I am ONE day away from, *fingers crossed* finding out if I can start running again.  I can't wait to head out Saturday morning even if it's only for a mile or two at the most and see how things are feeling.  I have been wearing a foot and ankle support boot for a solid week now, and before that compression wraps.
If things go good, I can begin some physical therapy and slowly start building up my mileage again.

January 28th, I remember that date, it was the last time I was able to go out on a good run.  It was also the day I realized something I'd been trying to ignore was wrong, and what I was doing to help it heal was not working.

I wish I could say injuries are a new thing to me, but that would be a lie.  Honestly, I have had more than my fair share of them over the past year.  I've made many a few mistakes along the way, and hopefully I am finally learning from them.
Because of all I have been through, I thought I'd share a few tips to hopefully and possibly prevent others from making the same mistakes.

Most importantly and if you only follow one rule, follow this one!  Listen to your body.  You know your body better than anyone else.  If you are an experienced athlete in any sport event, you should know the difference between a good pain and bad pain.  Sometimes a bad pain will come along, and a day off is all that may be needed to set things back on track.  Other times longer time off may be needed and a doctor visit may be required. But that initial warning sign, don't dismiss it!  It's your bodies way of saying something is wrong, so pay attention!  If you do, you may be able to prevent much worse case scenarios.  If you don't listen to it, well you might end up in my situation.

Last fall I tore my hip flexor, it put me out of running for about 6 weeks.  How did I get it?  Well I ran a marathon, and then right after jumped into a car and sat in a passenger seat for a few hours while I was driven home.  Made the biggest mistake ever because I was in a hurry, I didn't stretch after.  You would have thought with 30+ marathon's under my belt, that this wouldn't be a mistake I would make... Wrong!  (Yes I admit, at times I'm an idiot!)
It was horribly painful, and I really couldn't run even if I wanted to during that time.  But I did one very smart thing.  I had a Dr. and then Specialist diagnose, then I rested and took the weeks off needed to let it heal and I started physical therapy on it to stretch it back out.
I was able to come back quickly and fortunately because of my pre-injury fitness levels even after 6 weeks off running I was able to jump right back into 26.2 without continued training and finished one marathon and then managed to knock off 3 more a few weeks later to finish out the year. (Do not try that yourself, I would never recommend taking the marathon lightly!)

All was good again, and I THOUGHT I learned my lesson and I was being a smarter runner.  (Apparently NOT!)
I began working a job that dealt with me being on my feet, a lot.  I assumed using a minimalist (heel to drop) shoe might be a better way to go, than regular shoes or high heel dress shoes for my job:)
The problem with that is, when you spend a lot of time on your feet walking around, switching up shoe types all at once is NOT a good idea.  Long story short, peroneal tendinitis began.
At first I'd run and walked through it, I mean I am a runner I hoped assumed it was a regular foot pain that would eventually go away.  Well it didn't, instead it got worse, much worse!
A few mistakes I made, I switched shoes without slowly breaking into them.  (yes even for work.) Second, my job requires a bit of physical strength and movement.  After the hip flexor injury I always stretch after running (always, lesson learned.)  But I didn't comprehend that stretching at work was a necessity too.  I think if I hadn't made those two mistakes I may not of had to take a couple of months off running!

So the point of my story is, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!  The biggest mistake a runner or any athlete can make is not doing so.  So many things can be prevented just by listening and then being proactive and smart about handling it.
I enter a lot of races, and I know it is beyond hard to have to say "I shouldn't run this one", especially since they cost so much these days.  But if you want to run for life, you HAVE to pay attention to what is going on with your body.  Don't forget stretching, and don't forget to add new activities, shoes, fitness goals into your daily life gradually.

My wish would be that you might never have an injury, but although I do believe some people can be injury free or just lucky, it's unfortunately not likely for everyone (no one is perfect:)
So, have you ever had an injury?  Was it one you might have been able to prevent, or heal faster if you took action immediately?  Or are you an amazing lucky athlete who (unlike me) never makes stupid mistakes?

I am participating in Jill Conyer's Fitness Friday.  Visit her blog HERE to see hers and other fitness posts.

Running Injuries

     The evening of my last marathon (3 weeks ago) I pulled another injury.  I knew the second I felt the injury pull that this wasn't good and not like other injuries.
I got the injury from basically finishing a race and then hoping into a car for a 3 hour drive, things tightened up and when I went to take a few steps out of the car, OUCH and that was all it took.

I HATE running injuries, I am sure every runner does.  But right now I REALLY hate them.  Generally I am not someone who plans months out...  But I thought I would save myself some money and plan out my fall, so everything is booked and pre-paid (non-refundable from the race entry, airfare to the hotels...)

So far while working on this 50 states marathon goal I have had more injuries than I would have ever thought possible in a short 2 years time.  I have bruised the bone on my foot, fractured my foot, broke a toe, tendinitis in the back of both my ankles (brought on by a new pair of shoes, dumb mistake!)  Dealt with the torn cartilage in my knee that sometimes gets caught under my knee cap, bad hip bursitis that then also took on a little tendinitis in it.
And now....  I have pulled a hip flexor.
It's a sharp pain, and unlike lots of the other injuries it's not one I can run though.  The pain is too sharp and intense to run though it.  Not only that, if it keeps getting worse, it could put me out of running all together for 3 or more months.

The GOOD and the BAD news.
BAD news, I basically couldn't run for 3 weeks.
GOOD news, Dr. suggested I get back into running again as slow as the injury will allow.
BAD news, I got this injury because I didn't warm down and stretch enough after the race.
GOOD news, since the Dr. gave me specific stretches I have been able to run daily and in little to no pain.
BAD news, I have a marathon this weekend.

I have been having several good running days.  Generally a few days before a race I don't go out for a mid to long run 10-14 miles.  But tomorrow I am going to do just that.  I need to see if I am going to be in any pain, not only that but I need to do it on hilly course (since uphill hurts it worse than down.)  Because the marathon this weekend is a hilly course.
Depending on what happens tomorrow, I may or may not even attempt the race this weekend.
Mostly because I have 5 other marathons coming up over the next couple of months, so it would be better to miss 1 marathon than all 6.
Of course if I do try to run this weekend, I am going to have to force myself to listen to my body extremely close!  And as much as I will HATE it, if I have any pain at all, I am going to have to stop and have my first ever DNF....  Just the thought of that annoys me!

So tomorrow will tell, if it goes well a week from today I will have another marathon post of a state accomplished.  If tomorrow goes bad, well I should have some beautiful pictures of a trip that I took:)
As for all the IF's on running this Saturday, well I guess that is all going to be TBD...