Believe to Achieve

So my day consisted of gearing up for a year in (bet you can't guess)....BRACES for not crooked teeth (minor imperfections of course) but for a way OFF bite that has caused my TMJ/jaw pain and  from what I understand could be contributing greatly to my occipital neuralgia and trigeminal neuralgia trigger points (daily headaches).  My jaw has been locking up for years and pops like crazy every time I talk, chew, bite whatever.  So after long struggle with myself I decided one year is a good trade off for total cure (rather than unnecessary jaw surgery even though there is bone wear from my three decade problem).  I guess as my teeth have moved as I got older the problem along with daily stressors which make me clench my teeth have progressed the problem to what Dr. McMillan calls an interesting case (meaning one he finds more challenging for himself, which he stated he likes).  I got back from the upper teeth teenage makeover at 1045am and said alright now lets see how my body likes running with them.  I dawdled around my house cleaning here and there (worked two nights in a row and you know how the house can get without a mom)  and didn't get out until 1105 so since Amber gets out at noon I had little time to get my wanted miles so I booked it at first thinking just get the five in a be happy at a easy pace but then I felt unusually great (like my teenage body was back) and I just kept going and going (like the energizer bunny).  I was surprised to see my pace on the last mile was comfortably 7:30 or so, so I looked on the course tool to map my run and WOW I had run 7.74 miles in 7:29 pace.  First mile was 8:03 too.  I am the bionic woman with my new teenage attire.  Hope it lasts.  Eating with them was tragic (like from the movie (cartoon) Emperors New Groove and the Emperor asks Isma as he looks at her smile "How long has that been there?" and it was a piece of green stuff stuck in her teeth.  Hope you enjoyed my entry.  Sorry so long but a lot to say today I guess.  The usual 1/2 mile cool down at the end brings me to 8.24.  Yahoo!!!! Wish I was doing Painter's.  Going skiing with the family instead.  Must make sacrifices so family can handle my addiction.

7.74miles (Avg pace 7:29).  1/2 mile cooldown (4:18).

Ran at first relaxed but stressed as had orientation meeting for two hours with manager this am and was pressed again for time.  But this time husband home so didn't feel so bad staying out extra 20 minutes to get run in.  Ran a varied route up to Deerfield elem by way of 1100 north and canyon Rd. etc... and back down my 800 rd (3:41).  Last mile I wanted to slow down but downhill for first half so 7:19.  First mile 8:31.  I just feel good and the pace feels easy.  I hope that means well.  No aches or pains (KNOCK on wood) except I am probably going to lose weight on the BRACES DIET.  It feels weird to bite into food.  I am on a soft food diet and not much appetite with all this metal in my mouth.  Sadly chocolate chips don't even sound good. 

Total miles:  8.12:  7.62 miles (avg pace:  7:57), 1/2 mile cool down(4:24).

Ran a varied route with husband.  He has been running the treadmill sporadically and I think I was pushing him too hard. The outdoor air was hard on him.   I slowed down for him which was good for me to do.  Should give my body a break.  Ran 5.76 with him (9:09 pace) then 2.62 on my own (8:30 for two then 8:46 the rest). 

8.38 miles (Avg pace 8:59).

Sleepless in PG run.  Slept four hours after 12.5 hour night shift.  Took forever brushing teeth/ flossing with these darn braces.  Getting less sore though.  Manage to go out for a run at 1pm felt sleepy like.  Moved slow or rather had no sense of pace since had no sense of self.  Mother-in-law dropped off some organic blueberries and black berries.  MMmmmmm good.  Ate some blackberries  then made my whole wheat blueberry pancake recipe minus refined anything.  Great antioxidants they are especially when the next nurse coming on shift piled on the perfume that others were complaining of burning eyes and I was getting my usual headache and memory issues.  I also had the burning eyes.  IHC is smoke-free now but need to pay more attention to the policy about perfume free. 

5.38 miles (Avg pace 8:30).

Actually slept for five hours after getting back from all nighter.  Woke at noon, walked around picking up then decided to do run and kill two birds with one stone and stop at my daughter's elementary school to do the homework papers.  It is only one mile from my house but  I took a four mile loop before stopping the 2.9 miles more plus a real slow half mile cool down.  Stretched well then ate yummy blackberries again and some more whole grain blueberry pancakes with organic raspberry jelly on them.  Yumm!!!  The braces diet has helped to lose another pound so far but I don't think I need to lose too much.    I was 123.5 this morning after a tall glass of water.  But I do think it is helping my joints and frame not to be carrying extra weight which makes a me more efficient runner.  I have been concentrating on form, relaxed hands so shoulders stay relaxed and running with my jaw splint in helps me not to clench.  So far no major headaches (just from perfume overload at work at change of shift) but if I control my breathing then do yoga breathing out in the cold fresh air after I leave the headache dissipates yet I can stilll smell perfume residue on my clothes as I am changing out of them.  I usually take sauna like showers to try to detox and of course eat nutritiously.

6.9 miles (avg pace: 8:25); 1/2 mile cool down (slow didn't time).

Got in a long run in 30 minutes before leaving for a long day skiing.  Our first out this season and my six year olds first lesson.  Freedom for two and half hours was great but she caught on quite well.  Better than one day on the bunny hill last year with me placing her between my legs (not a good idea if you don't want to feel wasted at days end).  I didn't have to do any of that this year, just ski backwards to have her follow my tracks and keep an eye on her.  She even got off the second stop of the chair at Sundance.  She was a little trooper.  I am wiped now.  My run this am started at 630 am.  I ran just under four and then met at Kim's.  Kim didn't want to go as early as I had plans to leave at six.  I ignored my alarm then but got out soon enough.  Ran an additional 6.3 miles with Kim.  Kept good pace for all of it so we wouldn't freeze our tails off.  Had red marks on my stomach and thighs and those two large things I carry around for added fat storage.  Even a hot shower didn't diminish the redness.  I had to do the triathlon-like shower/change/dress take off so as to not tick off my husband for getting in just before 8am with plans to leave our house by 830am.  My kids were flaking without me there so we got out at 840am.  Not too bad.  Avg run pace for 10.12 miles (8:01).  Avg sprint for the ski day pace (6:30, just kidding but it did feel like it was like MOVE!!  MOVE, MOVE!!).  Now I am home feeling completely tired and ready for bed.  Hope everyone did well at Painters.  As for me I finished with a personl best biatthon here in Utah County.