Denouement

Thanks so much Michelle! You have pioneered the way for me by running the courses before me making the races more popular and drawing more fast girls there! Thanks for your example and encouragement! I AM SO EXCITED about running!!! I am so happy!! You are getting faster and faster too, at a higher level! You are a MACHINE!

Michelle : Sometimes our bodies just need a little extra rest. No worries. You are ready to fly for the 'thon in two weeks. You've put in tons of work and you have the determination to beat all the competition.

Sounds like a very fun, active, accomplished day, Way to go!!!

Geeky???? I am going to tell Dr Brady!!! lol. It made my run yesterday to see you guys! :D My husband wondered why you were all the way over here, I told him , when you run 1,000,000 miles a week, you've got to run somewhere :)

SWEET SWEET RUN. NO worries. I generally drink about 40 ounces of water on a long run and will still lose 6-7 pounds. I'm sure you are going to have a really fun and SUCCESSFUL RACE in two weeks! I can't wait to read the report!

All I have to say is WOW!! Great job Michelle you are going to do great.

Thanks guys! Sorry we couldn't get together this week Josse. I hope your back doesn't pay too much for today's run. Benn-thanks so much for all your positive comments! I just hope I can believe in me at mile 23 the way you do. I need to think, "Think of Benn, he'll be crushed if you don't put your heart and soul into this race!"

Great job adapting for mother nature Michelle! I have great expectations for you in two weeks!

See you then!

Bonnie

Great run! You are looking good for PF Chang! It is a pretty fun race, flat as you indicate. I went out too fast last year and suffered later so your plan is solid. There are a couple of small inclines later in the race and some "declines" that I never really felt helped. Have fun!

I am so a wuss on the Treamill too. I can go much faster outside. Way to make it 18 on the Treadmill.

I am so stoked to see what you pull off in this marathon. You better call me after and let me know how you did. I hope after kids I can come back as strong as you. BTW I think I probably weigh more than you now! and oh yah 18 miles on TM-wow!

(117- HOLY COW!!!! I am surprised that I could even see you yesterday :)

Way to be brave on the treadmill!

Wow - 18 on the treadmill. You are my heroine! How do you lose weight running? I swear I gain weight on all my runs.

Wow! How early did you get up to get this in?

Good run. Good luck on the tapering. I was kind of glad for an excuse to run on the treadmill today.

Oh, I am so glad to hear that you survived the cold this morning. I was hoping you didn't get frozen solid in mid motion due to the chill. I can't believe how cold it is out there. You are amazing. Good Job!

ahhh ... there you are. I was a bit worried. 4 secs faster than September is looking good Michelle, especially since it sounds like you were running a slightly easier effort.

I am supposed to do a 5-7 mile tempo run on Thursday, and I was thinking to do 5, but then I thought the same as you (I will run 5 if I run 7:25 or faster and 6 if I run slower) -- great minds!

So -- is it a go for me to pick you up at 1PM after the race? It will be great to see you again - and celebrate!

That would be great to get together!

Great minds. . .make for swollen heads??!!!!!

What driving miles can be deducted?

For the most part, you can only deduct your expenses if you are running in a professional way, ie, you are trying to be profitable, and treat your running like a business.

For most runners, they only get income occasionally, and you can't offset that income with expenses except through Schedule A, itemized deductions subject to 2% AGI threshold. So if you get an Ipod from a raffle, you are supposed to report it as income, but can only offset expenses if they and your other misc itemized deductions are above 2%. If you already have misc itemized deductions, then you're ok, but most don't have that many (most common are unreimbursed employee expenses and tax prep fees). You can call me if you have questions :)

Most runners don't really have to worry about it, but when you start getting cash and noncash prizes regularly you need to have a tax plan.

Yes- I get that- I mean about other miles. Which miles can be counted for deductions. Do the miles only count for travel if you own the business? (sorry- non-running question ;)

Hey- do you get to deduct Dr. Brady??? Cool stuff :)

Nice run, Michelle :D. Question: Can it be spring already?! I miss shorts weather :(.

Are you racing this weekend?

Nope. Next weekend! I am getting excited!

Yay! I am excited just to read your race report! :)

Thanks for your insight! I gained lots of weight once. Not going back there! Had a friend that got me into eating for $1 a day, including ramen. Gained weight, felt awful. Good. I'll enjoy my food and stop feeling guilty. I can't solve the world's problems. If I could I would. So I might as well be happy and not worry about things I can't control.

Good job, running in the cold is sooo tough. I would have whined too :) What marathon are you getting ready for?

Thanks Kelsey. I am racing the PF Chang Phoenix Rock N Roll marathon next Sunday. It's coming up~!

Sounds like you had a little colder conditions than me. It was about 19 degrees on the Jordan river parktrail for me. Sounds like you had a good workout. I promise Ill get with you guys soon. Hopefully in much warmer conditions.

Great job Michelle ... sorry about the digits ... hands being cold is the worst! You might need some cheap gloves for next weekend, it is chilly in the AM lately. You are going to ROCK with the nice warm temps here!

You are the car?

It was 9 degrees this morning? I thought there was reason why my beard froze up this morning!!!

I agree you are going to rock that race next weekend, I can't wait to see how you do!

That's awesome, good luck!!! I am sure you are all set. I took some time off running and wasn't on here for a while so I took some time this morning to look through your work outs. You have had some great ones leading up to this marathon and I am sure they will pay off! I was really impressed by the 3x5k, I think I will try that workout when I start training for my next one. If that doesn't make you strong I don't know what will!

Jon - Cars are fast, its positive mental visualization, yeah, . . . or a lack of proofreading (how exciting a comment from Jon, oh, wait, its just him poking fun)

Kelsey - next round of training I'm planning on doing 2x10k too, all about baby steps. Baby steps toward excellence :)

Ooooh, your marathon is coming really fast, Holy Cow, how did that happen. You are ready though. Good job getting out in the cold. That first mile (waiting for your face to freeze over and go numb) is painful! You are driving to Phoenix right? Is your family going with you?

How early are you going down to AZ? That is going to feel SO good! I am so excited for you!

Your work outs are amazing. It is SO cold.

KellieS- I am going alone, no family, no friends. I can't drive because it cuts into my time away from kids (makes the trip harder on Paul), it doesn't make sense financially (I lose work time because of drive time), and my hams specifically and whole body generally would get banged up from that long of a drive before the race.

Marion - I am going Friday afternoon. Have absolutely nothing to do Saturday yet (other than pick up my packet), which means I'll hit AZ mills and go see a chick flick?

Movies! They are my favorite thing! I can't wait to read your race report :)

Good luck at Rock n Run!!! The weather in AZ will be much better! Yeah I am too afraid of the cold...I am a slight wimp. :-)

Great job today, I passed you guys right before the 4 mile mark of the speedy. I said hi but not really any response from you guys. It was still dark and really cold. I was running with Shawn Wright, he didn't want to run with any new people today? When are you planning on the 2x10k? I would like to try and redeem myself. I think that the Payson 10k would be a great course to do that.??? Good job.

I saw you and said hi, but you must have not heard me, and you know how loquacious I am during a tempo. I figured you had my running schedule so would join us if you wanted to. We were wondering who the other fellow was who was with you. It was too dark to tell, but we did rule out SteveK and Pat.

I was with Shawn Wright, he lives in Salem. His house is the 2nd house just north of the Loafer Elem. He ran St. George 2 years ago in 2:45:?? He got injured last spring and was not able to run it last year. He called and asked if I would run with him on Saturday. E-Mail me your running plans for the week.

I hope that the doctor can help your ankle. Do you ever tape it for races?

Yay for tapers! It's going to be a kick butt race! I can't wait! :) Super Michelle up up and AWAY!

Your going to do great Michelle! The race this weekend is it on Saturday or Sunday?

I am soooo excited for you. You are going to run a cool, smart, and controlled race and kick some behind:) I can't wait to see what you can do. Clay the race is on Sunday.

Maurine- I rarely tape, and I don't think it's necessary for this race. Dr. Brady worked the tendons around the ankle really good yesterday, along with both hams of course. It'd take a more serious injury level for me to tape - thankfully it's just a niggle.

Clay - yeah, sorry, it's Sunday like Josse said. And the race doesn't start until 7:40am, too, so I get to sleep in!

I was thinking you were tapering for Painters but you are doing PF? WOW you are awesome!!! Go Woman Go. You are going to do awesome. Visualize the finish line tape that you get to break!!!

I'll be cheering for you. I was reading the St. George Marathon result book last night and got excited every time I saw your name. (Of course, I also noticed that the cover picture DEFINITELY was not from this year).

You have put in the work, and now its time to savor all that hard work!!! I think you are going to blow the doors off PFM, I just have a feeling;-D

Julie - That's sweet, but they do have a nice fat purse and international racers, so I am not likely to break any tape for this race. It will be fun to race with (behind) truly elite women. Might even see some bummies :)

Maurine - did you have to pay for that book? I haven't ever seen a results book. All my pictures from this year were bad, I looked like a wet running rodent!

Clay - thanks man! Keep sending those positive vibes my way. I'll have a piece of you with me during the whole race (your watch).

Great job today. You will do awesome come sunday, you have prepared just right for this race.

My SGM booklet came in the mail yesterday. If you don't get your's within a week or so, then call the city and they will send one.

Its your watch now sister!

i am glad you are emphasizing RELAX. you have been working SO HARD and you are going to do great. i will be cheering like crazy at the finish line...just don't beat me there! (1/2 starts at 8:30, so that gives me 1:50 or so to finish before you come through. hope i can do it!) do you have a goal time? even though it won't count yet, an OTQ time is a definite for you!

Good luck this weekend!

Just relax. I mean come on... take it from the pro of being calm before a big race:) In all seriousness your more than ready to run the race of your life so just go do it and have fun along the way. Take it from one of my previous blog titles "Just Making Memories".

Go make yourself some sweet racing memories in AZ!

With the Jack Daniels marathon taper, are you forgetting to drink the Jack Daniels? This could help with the sleeping ;)

Here is wishing you TONS of SPEED and HEALTH for Sunday! :) (and a bit of luck, although you don't need too much- you've made your own!!!!)

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO!!!

Good luck on your race. Wish you the best!

Michelle I just checked your time online and YOU ROCK!! Way to go! 2:55 is AWESOME!!!

Just stalked your results!!! Congrats on an awesome PR!! I hope you are happy with your race, can't wait to hear the details.

(Does this mean you are only 7 minutes away...?)

I'm an idiot and just realized it was a couple minutes off your SG time. But it is still freakin sweet and I hope you had an amazing experience. You're incredible!

Lion Queen, no doubt, with Gwen, you will give it your Lion's best. There are no ugly girls, they are all special.

It is always difficult to feel out of place, confidence wins.

Best of luck in the race.

Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out

Lion Queen, read your race report and the comments. You do have the heart of a lion. I have always said, if you feel your in shape, get a race plan and go for it, you did, no regrets, no regrets. I have had many races like yours over the years, some good, a few great and many no so great. But, the key, is always, you gave it your best.

The lion queen still roared, she will circle her prey again many times and will have a great hunts.

Stay Kool, Great is as great does, B of BS Rools out

By the way, I am with you, really like Bonnie, great person.

I didn't want everyone on the tread to suffer with my belayed comments.

OH Michelle I feel for you! I think many of us feel for you. But I am glad you stuck with it to the end. I do think we learn good lessons form that, unless you are ready to pass out;) I am so proud of you and think this was a great learning experience. You deserve a massage and I will give you one free of charge for being one tough cookie:)

I'd don't have any words of wisdom cause you're more wise than me. I do think you're an animal though... and so do your purple shoes. Good job girly!

Sorry to hear you had a hard time, but congrats on finding strength out of nowhere to finish the whole race. Still, with all, you had a great finish time even if its not a PR.

Tough race, but you were right to gut it out, and will benefit from the toughness you gain. I was surprised you were in the marathon. I checked the half results at first, because that's what I thought you were doing. I agree that it's too hard to do marathon-specific mileage and workouts during the winter in Utah. However, since it's just a practice race, you got some good experience. You will go sub-2:50 in your next race.

Hey Michelle sorry to hear your race didn't go to plan. On the plus side you had a bad second half of the race and still got within 5 mins of your PR - you've worked really hard and trained loads so I'm sure you will run a great marathon at some point.

I'm certainly no marathon running expert but more tempo/progression running sounds like a good idea. Possibly interesting link here: sorry if you've seen it already http://www.vivamarathon.dk/rCanovaMarathonTrainingMethods.html

Remember all the training you did as I'm sure once you recover you'll be in for some great racing once your speed returns.

Hope the recovery goes well

I'm assuming more than three Americans beat you, so no money? Keep up the good work, and look at the bright side. While you were out there running, a few miles away the Cardinals were winning their way to the Superbowl! (I doubt that's any consolation.)

The only way we learn and improve is to have some small failures, even though I look at your race and see that it is a very small blip!!! Positives; placed in the top 5 of your age and top 20 over all and you fought hard until the end, which I think is totally awesome!!! Now you know what you have to do to move upward and onward and become even better than you are and I think the skies the limit;-D

Michelle - 2:55:53! That's awesome. I was down there for the half and running through suburbia is always tough! You'll rock it out this year! Nice job.

Well first things first Good Job!. You've been working hard for months and although you didn't get a PR you did still run a great race. I enjoyed the race report and in a weird way could feel your pain at around 17 on in. Sorry about the potty stops. Even if everything else is going good stopping to go to the bathroom can ruin a race.

Anyways everyone else is right in that by gutting it out you will become stronger and more mature to handle difficult situations down the road. I'd say your training is really good and has been. Just keep in mind that things are always a work in progress. So keep the fitness you've gained over the last year and just try to keep building...

I'm not the only one on here that thinks your going to do some great things down the road with your running career. So just keep up the good work.

Michelle, I am sure impressed with your gutsy effort. I look forward to your great year that you have ahead of you!

Michelle,

Wait to gut it out, it would have been so easy to just give up. Your so amazing in how you evaluated the situation and was able to learn from it. In the next 3 years you are going to reach beyond your goals!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO ((((hugs)))) I am SO proud of you. You know, even though it stinks, we learn the most when things aren't the way we'd like them to be :) Darn those silly legs, it's a good thing they are such cute legs :) I am really sorry it wasn't the race you wanted but you still are a SUPER STAR!!! :D xoxoxoxoxoxox ((((HUGS)))) Lunch thursday??? I can come and meet you on Friday if you have to work :) I don't have any kids on Friday, we can go for grown up food :)

Thanks everyone for your comments.

Josse - thanks so much. I hurt all over so I will take you up on it. Can you email me when would work for you?

Burt - No money, and no, I don't give a lick about how the cardinals did. One strange consolation is that the #6 lady was the first american, and ran high 2:35, but the third american was 2:47:20, so I could have theoretically done that if I had a good day.

Nice job for a winter marathon. Regardless of the results, you should be a step up in training from most of your Utah peers.

Michelle,

I know that it is a lot easier to give congrats out to someone than take them when you don't hit your goal. But you will get there. Like you said - three years... of hard work, learning, and pushing yourself. So go get it!

great job michelle! i was there at the finish. my sisters and i cheered when you went by, but we were right under a giant speaker so you probably couldn't hear a thing. you still ran an impressive time and demonstrated a lot of inner strength. and you were looking strong at the end. some of the others coming by were in BAD shape. very wobbly. my race didn't go as planned either...it happens! i think you did awesome. i was telling my sisters about you as we were watching for you to come by about how hard you train and how i wish i could be strong enough to handle those workouts. i hope you enjoyed your trip...especially the weather!! rest and recover and just remember you can smash any utah race. you are at the top.

Hey Michelle, Just remember that this is only your 4th marathon. You should have many more to come. You are still learning the ins and outs of a marathon. Its been fun watching you put in all the hard work. Your my inspiration :) :) :)!!!

Great job fighting your way to the finish line. I know you aren't looking for excuses, but the differences in weather conditions during your training and race (not sure what the weather was like) could have had an impact. Just considering other factors.

I think you are amazing! And I know it's disappointing not getting the time you wanted, but you stuck it out even with your legs burning and you still got an awesome time! You are an inspiration to so many! Keep it up!

I checked the race website as soon as I got home from church and was sad to see you didn't make your goal. I really wanted you to get a 2:45.

I can't run a 2:45 or even a 2:55 so my advice might not mean anything, but I think you don't sleep enough. Better luck next time.

Michelle, let me start off by saying you are obviously awesome. If you put it into perspective, what you just did was unbelievable.

I'm sorry your race wasn't what you wanted to be. I actually had a similar thing happen at my marathon. Because it was the first time I actually ran a marathon hard, I was still able to PR, but it was the hardest/worst running experience ever, and not in the way it was supposed to be. I still can't figure out what I did wrong- I think it may have been all the driving the week before.

I haven't been following your workouts too closely, but I am sure you did everything you could do, especially with the Utah weather. It's not like you can do a 20 miler on a treadmill, and 5 degrees isn't much better.

I don't know where I'm going with this, I guess that I hope you figure out what made you feel so bad. I am starting to wonder myself if it just happens sometimes. You don't seem to have any bad races, so maybe it really "wasn't your day."

As in my marathon, at least you learned your drive is stronger than you ever knew. That's a good thing to walk away knowing. It does sound like you would benefit from having a coach and a few more running partners, since you seem to be so social.

Good luck with your recovery, can't wait until your next race when you go sub 2:50.

Michelle, you are awesome! I am sorry you had a bummer of a race, but everyone has good days and bad days and MANY would have given up and been done. You did not give up and you finished with everything you had left!

I have no advice because I am a running moron. But I would gladly bring you some mint brownies if it would make you feel better?!?

I have to add that winter has got to be brutal for REAL training. We had a few weeks where there was just nowhere to run safely. And if you did brave a run, it had to be slower than normal to keep you free from injury or death. Maybe you need to move to a warmer climate for the winter??? Go live in Mesquite with all of the old people!

Good luck with the healing from the race, You are awesome and you inspire us all!

Michelle,

You are such an amazing person, wife, mother, and runner. In that order! You have accomplished so much and I admire you for all the hard work and time you put in. All the early mornings and going to bed early, possibly missing out on things just too make sure your training goes well. You should be so proud of yourself and what you have accomplished.

I always make pre-race goals and they always change during the race depending on the day. You did the very best you could for that day and that is all you can ask of yourself. I hope you can find some satisfaction in this race.

Happy Healing!!!!

I am just going to say "ditto" to what everyone else has already said. I am sorry that you are disappointed but wanted to say how much I have enjoyed learning from you as a runner and as a person. If you need anyone to go out on any easy recovery runs, let me know. I am proud of you for toughing it out and I think you did Amazing. I hope you feel better soon :)

A good race for a January marathon. You ran really well coming off winter training. I found the same thing happened to me last year there (and this year at Disneyworld) that a lack of quality distance training in our frozen tundra does not help. Don't look at this as a bad race, just a very solid winter marathon that will make you stronger for spring training. You did great on a course that is a bit tougher than advertised.

I agree with Julie above about the little sleep looking at your posted hours of sleep lately. I think just getting 8 hours every night will help your body/mind to recover and bounce back to your goal of a sub 2:50 marathon. Hope you are able to. But all in all you did your best for how your body and mind was that day and your bad day is all of our fantasies in running so I say learn from everything done and said and arise an even more perfect runner!!!

THANKS for sharing your race experience and the lessons learned. You gutted it out and ran a very respectable time. So sorry that it did not turn out as you would have liked. I ditto what has been said. I stand in awe of your talents and toughness. I have no doubt that you will rise again and become better and better. Speedy recovery to you!

Michelle:

All I can say is way to go. Even though it's not exactly the race you wanted going in.. I see that you have taken a lot away from this race. I too believe that it is too dicey to train for a winter marathon if you are anywhere north of the Mason Dixon Line. It's simply too cold! (unless you just want to pound out endless 6:00 miles on a treadmill! which is just nuts!). I also believe that you would benefit from a coach because you already have so much talent. Keep the faith. You will realize your potential. You are a superb runner, a great friend, and an inspiration to us all!

Peace out super runner mom.

Benn

Sorry your race didn't go as well as planned, but you're still an inspiration to many on the blog.

I don't believe you haven't run yet this week. . .I really enjoy reading your entries every day. Where are you?

Umm, sorry Amy, I am laying low. No running yet this week. I just walked three miles on the treadmill, while reading. It took forever.

Way to tough it out and finish. To us mere mortals, still a very awesome time. I hate it when the gps just decides to quit, that has happened to me twice. Looks like you learned quite a bit from this race, I'm sure these lessons are going to help get you to where you want to be. You are quite an inspiration to us.

When is your next race? Marathon?

Next race, probably the Provo 1/2 in April, though it will just be a display of lack in shapeness, long tempo run.

Next marathon, probably the fall. Now tax season, and reduced mileage, reduced sleeping, increased work and stress.

I thought snow shoe form was more of a flail about for a while ;) Sounds like fun :)

Yes, Vice President Lowry, what is the first thing on your agenda for this term?

Running miles for Oil? sweet! Thatll get all those fast food junkies out right?

Glad that you are back on the blog. I am glad that you are the V.P. now get some of that construction money in this State so that we can get to building some roads.

i took to the treadmill this morning as well. boo treadmills! boo winter! glad to see you back in action.

You would make the best VP ever. I would vote for whoever you ran with! Great dream, great run. GREAT.

Great run in cold and slippery conditions. Take care of that knee! What is your next race?

Hey, just wanted to leave a comment for a few reasons :) 1. I think your dream about being VP is soo funny 2. I think you are an incredible runner! Wow! 3. I also like how in the middle of your marathon you thought of Alli whom you've never met and knew she would understand how you were feeling. BTW You did great in the marathon, even though I know it's not what you wanted.

Your running times are so amazing. I do have a question, , , what's the difference between unaided and aided on your accomplishments? I might just be dumb but I can't figure it out!

Good effort today. What time did you guys start? I left my house at 6:15 and followed some tracks down by the dairy road. I ran in my Yak Trax this morning and I was able to hold a good pace.

Good job again.

Maurine - next race? I may run a 10k in two weeks, but it would just be a workout. I will likely do the Provo 1/2 in April, but I will be out of shape, so again it would just be a long tempo. I'll be racing-racing again in May or June.

Amber - thanks for the supportive comments. On the aided vs non aided, I differentiate because they are two different kind of courses. Aided means downhill and/or significant tailwind assistance. Non aided means no net elevation loss and no wind help.

Tyler - I'll PM you the answer. I don't want any predators knowing too much about my start times/places. Are Yak Traks metal things you put on the bottom of your shoes to get a grip?

Yak Traks are nice, but salt ruins the elastic too easily (they slip over your shoes). I like the hobnail kit I got at a running store. No slipping at all with that and you can use them year after year.

Take it easy for a little while Michelle, your body will love you for it!

Dont worry about your weight. I could make you feel real good about yourself if I told you what I weighed right now!!!

Ya, let me tell you I'm carrying around an extra 10 pounds since the STM, and I like what Marcie said don't worry about your weight;-)!!!

If it makes you feel better I am packing on the pounds;) I agree with clay, just take it easy. I wish I would have taken more time off after SG.

Hey I took a whole week off after this marathon, and it was so hard and I was pretty much in a bad mood the whole time. So now I'm back to running, but running easy. No more days off for me, not until work gets real crazy.

Ya I would do the same thing if I could:)

Thanks for your concern and suggestion Michelle! I do have some sharp pains and limp around frequently, so I probably should be more careful. I want to train hard though so I can be prepared for races and know how to gauge my effort in races. I guess I'll just wait til the guys do it on weekends and hope I can keep enough contact to keep pushing myself!

I think you needed it Michelle. This is the most important time in your next set of training!! Rejuivinate your body and your mind!

i always say if you accidentally sleep in, you apparently needed it. looks like your recovery is going great!

ahhh ... you are getting back into it, Michelle. You know, I was thinking this morning how nice it is not to have to schedule my day around my runs, to be able to get so much more work done this week (because I was not as tired and can work the extra 10 hours instead of running) and how cool it was to get up from a chair and not wince ;-). However, I do think a lot more about not eating and I miss the actual runs!

Michelle,

It was AWESOME to see you tonight!! (btw, I think it is only fair to tell you that it was your hubby who told us to take you out of the game after he had been taken out!!)

I LOVE your new haircut/color, etc. It looks incredible on you.

(still embarrassed that I did not recognize you at first ... the non-blonde, non-ponytail look threw me off)

Laters!

So glad to see you last night. You look fantastic! You need to update a picture with the new Michelle!

See - you could have eaten another mint brownie and saved me from myself.

15F at Woodland Hills?! It was in the high 20's here, perfect running temp. The inversion is starting to build up though. Is it better up your way? The party was SO fun. I'm glad I wasn't the only one who didn't recognize you with your new do and non-running attire. You looked dazzling.

Susanna, it was actually warmer up at my house than where I run, because of the inversion. My house is above the inversion, which is great, except for the 10% grades all over that make running (or convincing a running buddy to join me up here running) not likely. Thanks for the complement. Make up and hair dye are cool. It was nice to eat dinner with you and get to know you and your husband better. We will be doing a party at our home after tax season, the plan is April 25th. Hope you'll take the time to drive down. Parties really are so fun, I wonder after I go to one/throw one why I don't do it more often.

How are you feeling Michelle? it looks like you are back in the swing of it, keep working hard.

I noticed that there was a lot of women walking on canal road this morning. I even passed 2 down by the dairy, I think that I scared them too. Keep up the good work and stay away from spiked punch!

OK - you make me feel like a slug. I didn't wake up until 4:45 today.

Good job on the pacing!

3:40 for me today. Got you both beat.

What time do you get to bed, Dave? Do you do anything other than work and train?

I usually fall asleep by 10:00 p.m., some times a little earlier. At times I will get out running at 3:00 a.m. But rarely do back-to-back days that early. Also on these early days, I don't drive to work, I take the bus to Salt Lake and always get in a good snooze. During the summer, I often do a mid-week Mount Timp climb starting at 2:30 a.m., finish in time to still catch the bus for work. Pretty crazy.

Oh, goodness. Funny post, glad you had fun.

You are a LONE FAITHFUL, how did that happen? Oh well, I fixed it.

Great run, your easy miles are my tempo miles. AMAZING.

That is an interesting stat you have going there. "Driving Miles." I like the idea of using that tracking for something other than shoes.

Good run Michelle!

Did you get some word from MacK yet?

Yeah she's good.

Oh, and I just noticed the title of your blog! Whatever, as if you could get thinner! You look amazing already.

Jon - tracking them for my schedule C.

Kelli - just lyrics from a new song out on the radio which explores the shallow concerns of the modern female. I think its funny because on its face its so dang shallow, but actually don't we all feel a boost to our psyche when we drop a couple? Here's another lyric for you: "Sad but true!" (name that band)

I need to hear that song, who is it by? I never listen to the radio or watch TV commercials, just and iPod and DVR for me, so I am not good at this!

Let me ask Scott...nope, nothin'. He does not know.

Let me ask my teenager...Metallica? (Really???---that is me speaking. That can not be what you are talking about.)

And, just to comment, it is a sad state of affairs for us women. I get on the scale first thing in the morning and what it says seems to determine my mood for the day. So, I broke it and got rid of it. Now, I can just be happy and live in ignorance.

I am back. I just found out my daughter googled those "Metallica" lyrics, she has no clue!! But Scott asked me why I was asking so I showed him your title, and he said, "That is the Lilly Allen song you just put on your iPod a few days ago." Shows you how much I know, I do not even listen to the lyrics! Apparently Scott does, as he is vacuuming and wearing my iPod as we speak.

Metallica baby! I went to a Metallica concert this fall. It was incredible.

Yeah, now listen to the Lilly Allen song and pay attention to the lyrics,

I look at the sun, and I look in the mirror, I'm on the right track, yea I'm onto a winner (from memory)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCF19cBWb0I

There is the live version of Sad but True. I had no idea you were a metal head Michelle! I am more classic ac/dc, Van Halen, Scorpions, Led Zeppelin and most everything else.

Metallica ROCKS!

Metallica scares me! I would never have pictured you as a fan. I do like AC/DC and Poison, but the rest scare me. OH, and Guns N' Roses, they are my very most favorite. My boyfriend (when I was 15) gave me a Guns N' Roses CD, I think I still have it. Or, wait, was it a tape? I am pretty sure CD's had not been invented yet.

I will listen to the lyrics by Lily Allen tomorrow, I am sure the song is bound to come up while I run for 2+ hours.

I love Metallica, not because I like that genre (I don't) but they are the best at what they do.

I really like the remakes that they have done!

this is a stupid question but i am curious...just noticed your watch on your right wrist in your pic...lefty??? i pay attention to these things. and periwinkle mizunos? very nice!!! good luck with tax season.

Treadmills suck but do save time. I can just jump on mine at home without any real prep... just basic clothing as no one will see me.

You have got a busy time ahead of you. Garrett has been swamped already, everyone wants there money back fast this year. Good thing my baby is not coming during these next couple months!

Let's see that will make me almost 20 weeks pregnant at the end of tax season.

How many hours a day do you work during tax season? How many hours of sleep do you get?

Josse - half way point.

Jon - depends on the day, usually like 11-6-11-6-10-4(M T W TH F S). Sleep, last year I was probably averaging 5.5 or 6, this year I want to get at least 6 a night, but we'll see.

Nice run Michelle, your doing well...

I'll sleep some for you :) I missed you today. We went to Starbucks for hot chocolate.

Great run Michelle. My parents are accountants and my mom has to totally stop running during February and March, and my dad has to go at 3:30 to still have time. Growing up around that I completely understand what you are going through! They have their own business and by the end you just want the people out of your house! Plus some of them smell funny and we have to spray air freshener when they leave, haha.

So what you are doing is verrrry impressive. Keep up the good work, stay sane and keep getting your sleep!

Hey thanks Kelsey. I like that there are no clients coming to my house. That would just add stress. Most of my clients smell ok :)

Nice new pic! Good luck with tax season. You can train around it - but be patient.

I like how you are on the 'lone faithfuls' list - you get lots of comments, but Sasha must want you to get more.

Love the pic Michelle!!

Here's to the deepest possible 6 hours of sleep ever.

(Maybe you can master Benjamin Franklin's trick of training his body to go directly into the REM cycle and hence only needing 4 hours a night. Perhaps that's not even true ... but I remember reading it somewhere.)

You're amazing.

Hey at least you figure it will be a GOOD nights sleep tonight then right? HAHA. Cool new picture! You can see the whole world behind you bustling around (Arc de Triumph, right?) and yet you manage to hold still just long enough to snap the shot. Really cool!

Sorry about the sleep :( sorry about the lbs :( Sorry about your butt :( oops, I mean gluteus maximus! oops, I mean minimus! Bahahahahahahahhahahaha! Yes, I am cracking myself up! I hope your day ends up better than this comment :) happy Valentines week! I want to eat a candy store!

Benn - yeah that was it. Paris was so beautiful, especially at night.

Marion - you crack me up! My rear is still hurting pretty bad, so I guess I have to make an appt with the doc, then just hope the pain goes away so I can cancel. I always want to eat a candy store. At least the chocolate aisle.

I just bought a dove milk chocolate bar and ate it before I got home. I want another one, but am having a bowl of cereal instead. I am feeling like a bottomless pit today. I hate days like that when i could eat a small nation. On the flip side, when I feel like that and don't over eat, i lose a ton of weight :) Here's to the scale tomorrow!

Good luck with Dr Brady. If you are getting a bum rub does it count as a date?

Not if it's done by a professional, then it is a paid transaction. I just try to ignore what he's doing and get into a happy place. Otherwise it can be embarrassing. Yikes!

If he's a "professional" .... never mind ;)

Getting to that happy place is HARD as he's digging into the damages tissue. I am so impressed that all that pain really causes amazing healing. I am so glad you sent me over there. Good luck! I need to quit avoiding fixing dinner and get my act into gear :)

Hi, Michelle

I suffer with loss of sleep too, people just dont understand unless they suffer too!

Know how you feel, its not a nice feeling, you got any races coming up ??

Glad you didn't get hurt! Be careful in the ice! So impressed with your miles and pace. Wow!

I am glad that you didn't get hurt! I woke up today and looked at the roads and climbed back in bed. I hope to hit the asphalt around 1:30 today. Maybe the roads will be wet and not icy! Good job again, you always seem to hit your daily mileage no matter what happens.

Thanks guys (even though Tyler knows from an email that I was planning on running 8 on Monday and I only ran four). At least a little vindication today!

I pulled a Tyler and went back to bed. I just went out and it is snowing again but no ice :) Sorry about the fall. I don't remember falling being as painful when I was a kid ;)

you should try my TM treat/speed workout that I invented today. I am queen DORK of the blog :) Did your glute give up and get better? ...or did it have to get a beating?

Only self flagellation with the foam roller, plus stretching and some mild weights. It's almost all better. Just a twinge at one point today.

Good! I love it when we get better all on our own! :)

I can't believe that you slept in!! 4:07, you are such a slacker!!! Rich was almost 10 minutes late this morning. I am glad that he sent me a text and told me so that I could run before he got there. Good job today!

Michelle, If your going to eat sweets then make sure it has chocolate in it, otherwise its not worth it! I agree with Tyler you are a slacker for sleeping in:-)

Great job on the run today...

I've been eating sugar cookies for 14 hours straight :( No chocolate either.

I have been making hummus almost daily though. I have come up with 2 new variations that I really like :)

I love your new picture, your hair is so cute! I agree with clay, it needs chocolate and marion has got it right on with the sugar cookies! Marion I should be helping you eat those sugar cookies!!

You are an amazing runner, we all know this. So I have no comment there. But your weight just amazes me. You say peanut brittle makes you go up a few pounds, then it is a gone a few days later. If i have one moment of indiscretion, it is more like 4 pounds and it takes weeks to get rid of it!!! Your indiscretions must be very SMALL!!!!

Struggle often.

How about struggle always?

Well, I was trying to be a little more positive, but YES, struggle always.

Great job, Michele. How is the glute feeling now? (only 2 months until April 15th)

Nice run (as always) Michelle.

Hope the icebath helped (sorry about the breathing).

I remember that and when it's that painful it's painfully obvious not to run but for some reason its hard to walk away from a run...way to go!

Man I hope that your pain goes away real quick! Your work must really be a pain in the "REAR". I don't think I have ever seen you stop during a work out, I am glad that you did today. Be careful and get feeling better.

Hope this isn't anything serious. Glad you stopped! Get well!!!!!!

Dang! Sorry to hear that Michelle. Are you going to see the doctor about it? Is it your sciatic area?

Crap indeed! I hope it's nothing serious Michelle, good luck with the doctor! Sending good vibes your way!

I hope that you can get into the Doc today and that it is nothing too serious. I am impressed that you are not running through the pain - but imagine you are pretty frustrated right now.

Nobody knows the crap your talking about better than me, hang in there and try and get to the doctor as quick as you can;-)

Aww sorry for the pain. Hopefully you feel better. I hear you on pain = "bummer" (haha literally and figuratively!). If it is any consolation I did not have yesterday off. I had to go to school :(

I had to work yesterday too. I should have gone by and egged Dr Brady's office for you! What exactly is a "holy mother of crap?" I have to say that you are cracking me up ;D I hope the bum gets better fast!

Could you please play that through you clean video player and see what it bleeps out? That is weak for PG-13! I was expecting a lot worse. Maybe you need to go and buy a doughnut to sit on? Maybe even eat a couple while you are at it. I hope that pain goes away real soon!

Thanks for the laughs guys.

I'll update my blog with the diagnosis (got into the doctor this morning).

Clay - I know I am such a baby to whine about a condition you and other running buddies have been in for so long. I am an addict :/

Benn - puns are not fun! Sorry you had to go to school.

Marion - Next time we'll go do it together :) Especially after the length of needles he put in my backside, is that a reflection of how big he assessed my posterior to be? Holy mother of crap - not me, I am the mother of angels. The Destroying Angel who hands out injuries to the running faithful, I'd say that's the unholy mother of crap.

Tyler - knock it off! I can't eat anything now that I'm not running (yeah like that's going to happen). I'm going to be like one of those miniature animals you soak in water and watch them quadruple in size overnight :(

Oh yeah and Tyler, I wrote PG, not PG 13. It was basically a warning to the Pachev family and any other who would find the c word offensive. I think its crass but I can't give it up. It my innocuous expletive of choice.

I am so sorry to hear about your pain in the rear! It sounds so painful, as does the hot stone thing ;-).

Good luck Michelle ...

Well flaming poopy, that stinks! I feel your pain with the SI stuff...every day. Hopefully you will not become so familiar with it that that you start rattling off phrases like "sacrum", "ischium", and "proximal tendon insertion point" without wincing.

Enjoy your time off, use it to refresh your body and mind, and to get hungry to train again. And eat whatever you want; life is short.

Your doctor visit description sounds more like a witch doctor, jk, I've actually been to him before;-) If I don't get better soon I might be going back to him!

Clay, you know what I am going to say. . .

You should have gone to him a couple of months ago ;)

That is a LONG needle, ouch!!! And something that feels like worms crawling on my skin would have me running out of that office faster than you can say DONUT!

Thanks for the great laugh. I am not laughing at your pain, just your way of dealing with it. I have never laughed hard enough to make my bum hurt, though. Hmmm....you are funny. I, too, was expecting some very crass words, but crap is not on my list of crass. You are very morally superior, I suppose. Or I am just down there with the dust and worms.

Feel better soon, take it easy, eat 2 pounds of chocolate, and call Dr Brady in the morning.

Maybe we need to make an offering to he Unholy Mother of Crap. Do you think she'd take a burnt offering of old running shoes covered in used acupuncture needles?

DON'T MARION! YOU ARE MAKING MY BUM HURT FROM THE LAUGHTER!

Kelli - don't knock it till you try it. That's just the way I explain it. It made my tissues around the patches tingle and get all warm. It was sweet. I would eat two pounds if I had two pounds. Good thing my pantry is full of boring food.

I am sure it feels great, it would just FREAK me out if it felt like something was crawling on me. I SCREAM like a baby when a hair falls on me, I always think it is a bug! I am a wee bit squeamish, or a big chicken/baby, however you want to phrase it.

I will FedEx you some chocolate, I have way too much (the Valentine stuff was all on clearance!) I also have some old shoes to donate to the burnt offering. But if I mail them together, the chocolate will taste like stinky shoes.

Michelle- I know... But my insurance won't pay for it so its kind of hard to put out the money;-( But even then I probably wouldn't have went, I'm just to dang stubborn!

Clay - its a fine cocktail of stubbornness, time lost, and money. But his cash price is only $42 after the first trip, so its not that much more than my $25 copay (and I went more than 26 times last year, so I ended up at that rate in December).

Paul's comment about flaming poopy almost made me fall out of my chair . . . :D Sorry you are hurting, I have had electric stimulation before - it's not bad at all, as long as they don't turn it up too strong. From your (and others') comments about Dr. Brady, sounds like he is a real good doc to work with. I remember one time at BYU where they were treating my PF with ultrasound/stim, and they turned it up too strong and the muscles in my foot started to contract and cramp up. Get better soon.

So I've already had the first visit will he only charge $42 dollars now or do I have to go through the first visit again?

Michelle--Has your doctor ever said running on a treadmill might cause this issue? I don't know how much you run on a treadmill, but I used to run a lot, at least 3x week, and I've had a pain in my glute for at least the past two to three years. I have not run on a treadmill for about 3 weeks now and the pain seems to be lessening. Just wonder if you know of any coorelation between treadmill running and glute/hamstring pain.

i am sorry to hear about your injury, but man, this entry made me laugh hard. funny! i hope it gets to feeling better soon.

Oh geez, sorry to hear about your injury. I know too many people that run anyway, so that's good that you are committed to listening to the good doctor. Hope you have a speedy recovery! Hang in there!

That stinks but I have to say, from experience with SI problems, if you don't let it go too long and get to the chiro and ice and STRETCH every day, it gets better quick. I had problems the week of Hobblecreek but was amazed that it got better in just a few days and was able to run fine. Good luck!

Those expletives were my sentiments exactly. However I don't seem to get my injuries from running just seem to attract them when doing other things besides running. But like you nothing will keep me too long away from running. Because of my big fall Monday, I had to take Tuesday off. There was no way I was taking Wednesday off too. Hang in there, our addiction is definitely mind boggling to the un-addicted. We all feel your pain (of not being able to run). I am hopeful you will get great results for actually listening to the Dr.

Hey Clay, I went again yesterday, and asked, they said so long your last treatment was less than 3 years ago, you are considered a returning client. The self pay rates did go up as of 1/1/09 to $45, though.

Ouch MichelleL! I got a stress fracture in my sacrum two years ago that ran along the length of my SI Joint. After it happened, I couldn't even walk for two days. Couldn't run for 6 months. I was able to do elliptical training though about three weeks after it happened. The key will be keeping all those muscles in the area from getting too tight. Good luck. Have you had a bone scan or MRI?

Michelle,

I had chronic SI problems until I found an exercise called a "one leg straight leg dead lift." For an illustration, see the 4th exercise down:

http://www.strengthcoach.com/public/1606.cfm

This exercise targets the glutes and deep hip rotators in functional way that stabilizes the whole SI pelvic sacral complex.

Good luck.

(Isn't PG level expletive an oxymoron?)

Phoenix - I had been doing an exercise similar this, only I was holding dumbbells in both hands. Do you think it's safe to do these exercises now that my soreness is going down, or only when I am healed?

PG expletive - only in Utah. Oxymorons are wickedly angelic.

The simple complexity of the "one leg straight leg dead lift" makes is a great functional exercise. IMHO, holding the dumbell in the hand opposite the the stationary leg is best because it creates a tortional stress across the body, activiting the hip rotators. I find that I get better rotator activation when I keep knee bend a little less than in the link in my first comment. I've also found that hip muscle/glute/rotator activation tends to be greatest at the end of sets. Accordingly, I do sets of at least 20, because its really the last 10 reps that fire up the muscles I'm trying to target. I've also found that doing at least 1 set everyday is helpful and prevents my SI complexes from stiffening up. Overall, its an issue of body awareness, and the more you do the exercise, the better you get a perceiving its nuances and tailoring it to your specific needs.

For me, I 1) let pain be my guide, and 2) adhere to a systematic progression. So, if I was in your situation, I might do a few with body weight only on day 1, and then systematically increase the workload on a daily basis, barring an adverse reaction to the previous days work.

A stupifyingly intelligent path to full functionality.

Funny and much better than the one I could come up with.

stupefaction complete.

Ew. Work = stinky! Why can't we all just be lazy and millionaires?!?!? Or runners and millionaires!!!

Hmmm...I'd make fun of you for working early, but I'm working right now too...at 5AM.

No you're not Paul! :-P You're blogging haha.

Good luck with the doc. hang tough sister! We can go to a salad bar on sat if you want ;)

Michelle, don't even get on the scale while your going through this, you'll be to hard on yourself;-) Just think of this as a little mini break and don't let it get you down, life's to short kiddo;-D

I agree with Clay, don't even get on the scale. It's only going to ruin your day, as if not running isn't enough. It's out of your hands. Get really busy with work and family right now, it'll help....maybe!

Ditto Michelle - no scale. And you need to eat - it helps you heal (take some zinc too). Honestly, you need to keep a positive attitude to help yourself heal. Any little itsy bitsy poundage you might gain in even a couple weeks you can get rid of in one or two weeks of training.

I hope you get better soon! Warmer weather is just around the corner.

In 72 hours you'll be all better ! That's what i thought each time I got a patch. Don't worry your not missing out on anything. We are missing you!

Ah...the "herbal patch" good stuff! I just wish they weren't such a mess if they get loose ;)

Hang in there!!!!

Sorry you still aren't able to run. Look on the bright side that you are letting your whole body do a mini-healing and will come back quickly to top form.

Maurine - you're probably right. I'm not going to rush starting back up. This is my out of shape time anyway.

Keep the faith Michelle, you'll be okay;-)

i think that is a very smart decision. better to run again when you are 100% healthy than to try and push through pain and risk re-injury. wishing you a speedy recovery!!! you will be back at it in no time.

ENJOY the day(s) off and the sleeping in! It will be gone soon enough!

Sweats are a girls best friend, I am sure you have some!!! AND I am sure you are fine (weight wise), you will be back to running and burning serious calories in no time!

Chin up! You are still amazing, herbal patch on the bum and all.

It is hard to know how to measure your life without the running, but when you're body forces you to take time off, you'd better be as serious about healing as you are about running. That's what I've found anyway. You know I'm not the competative at all, but I love to run so much, that I take healing very seriously. It's been 4 months since sustaining a really painful injury in my lower back/hip/ham and learning to do other things while I stretch and heal has been hard. It's a journey, but if you want to be 100% for racing season....enjoy these days off and find something else to do. I suggest skiing while there is still snow:) Good luck with all that stuff. It's tricky for sure.

oh yeah, ischial tuberosity/bursitis just in case you need a few new possible diagnoses long with the other new ones you're learning. I learned a whole bunch back in October. It was fun. And yes indeed, it's one big pain in the aaabum. So sorry. I can show you about 200 really painful stretches for that if you want.

So glad you got to sleep in today!!!! Good attitude and good idea to wait and get a couple more days of rest.

Enjoy your big girl jeans today! I am enjoying mine!!!!

The stress of moving has not helped my eating habits.

Ahh Michelle, so bummed to hear about your injury. The rest will do you good, although thats so much easier to say. Hope it gets feeling good soon. And I defintely know how you feel about the big girl jeans, nothing for me fits!!!!

Sounds like a good choice to make. Heal well this weekend.

Smart idea about the extra day off. I once tried to run through a cramp at the end of a 100 mile week and it inflamed my sciatic nerve so bad it didn't go down for nearly 2 months (even after I was put on steroids for 10 days). You stay on the red line and you can be a champion, go over one day and it may be back to the starting block.

Stay strong and think spring. Just consider this a free pass to take the rest of the month easy to recoup. Who REALLY WANTS to run in winter anyways?!

Ditto what Howling commando said, take some time to reflect on things and just take it easy, your in such great shape you won't lose much! Remember Denna Kastor, two miles into the marathon and she breaks here foot. It happens to the best Michelle, so stay positive and remember this is just a blip in the road;-)

I would say it is not bone related but sciatic. The bugger I have been dealing with for months.

That sciatic is one huge pain in the BUTT!! (sorry for the joke...)

Dang it! I am sorry that it is not better :( CRUD!!!

Have you tried 1/2 lord of the fishes? There is a yoga pose that is very much like a piriformis stretch that really helps me. My bum issues are probably different. Maybe ask Dr Brady if he thinks the piriformis is causing some of the issues. I'm sorry :(

Have you heard of the green smoothie girl? She's a bit nuts, but I may try her smoothies for breakfast.

At least you are getting out there and doing something! Good Job!! What pool did you go to? I would love to swim more but just wish there was a pool closer. I am proud of you though and hope the bum gets better :) (not used to saying that one).

Marion: I need you to show me this yoga move and educate me on green smoothie girl. What's all that about?

Marion - Do you mean McKenzie? She drinks green smoothies in the morning. I haven't heard of that pose. You'll have to show me next time.

Kellie - the Springville pool, and it's way too far away. Hey I have a great idea, why don't you put an indoor pool in your backyard and I will come visit when injured? :)

No- there is a web site called the green smoothie girl.. or something like that.

At least you were able to get in some running without pain. Although it sounds like it was 'a pain' to get the training itself in.

I do drink a spinach smoothies every morning that I put Chia seeds-vital herbs-some molasses-Jurassic green, blueberries etc...you can put anything your lacking in, into your smoothies but mine never taste great, I'm not a big fan of fruit! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELLE!!!!!!!

I was your BIRTHDAY!!! Happy BIRTHDAY!!!

Mckenzie- I am just trying the green smoothies out. Mine do taste very good, but there is a bunch of fruit in them. I'm a wimp. Do you add the molasses for Iron?

Oh my heck, I didn't know it was your Birthday! HAPPY Birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Micheeeee'llllll, Happy birthday to you!! I hope you had a great one. I will run the idea past Tyler of putting a pool in our back yard and let you know what he says. With this wonderful economy we are having, I am sure it's doable. HA HA HA!!!

Oh, my gosh, I didn't realize it was my birthday! Oh, well, that's because it's not. Thanks for the well wishes, though.

(My bday is Saturday)

That's right, now that you say that, I remember you were one of the people at the Party who's birthday was on the 28th!! MY BAD!! Well I think you should start celebrating now anyway and let it roll through the weekend!! May as well~

Hey, were you out running with your hubby this morning? I thought a I saw a couple that may have been you??

That seems down right cruel to have your birthday during tax season! I was actually due in early April, but I held off until the very bitter end as to avoid any tax issues!

Didn't mean to start the birthday talk to early, but your injured so celebrate all week! I thought of bringing you cupcakes before you and Paul leave but the cupcakes would be for your family and a protein bar for you didn't sound like much fun.

Marion- I add the molasses for iron as well as it helps keep the bowels moving. Doesn't taste too great but I don't mind 1 tbsp per smoothie, get the unsulphered-blackstrap molasses. -Not to be graphic-

I feel your pain. I've had bum issues for a few years now. It's been painful to sit, drive/ride in a car, you name it, it was painful. I finally found a good chiropractor who tweaked my running form and did whatever chiropractors do, and I'm doing much better. There is hope!!

Thanks Cheryl.

Hi Michelle, just wanted you to know I am keeping on eye on you to see how you are doing. good luck at the doctor today ... steriods aren't great, but if it gets you on the road faster then it is a good thing. I bought dean a little seat for his car (it is an expensive version of the "donut" but there is an opening where the coccyx bone would be) I wonder if it would help you since you are sitting all day working. Just a thought, here is the link so you can ask Dr. Brady, if you are inclined: http://sitincomfort.com/cocusesucu.html

Have fun skiing. Usually, skiing actually helps my SI joints. I think it must stretch something that needs stretching.

http://www.listentoyourpain.com/sacrum.html

I'm sure everyone here can relate to what you're going through, but I'm pretty sure what you're dealing with is what happened to me last October. I had an X-ray and 3 months of physical therapy. I talked with Josse at length about it. It has been 6 months and hard road (mentally) to try and keep my cardio fitness while reducing the wear and tear of those Sacroiliac Ligament pains. The pain of sitting was unbearable, but I learned a weirds stretch in PT that helps relieve that pain. I showed it to Marion-- if you ever see her, ask her to show you how it's done. My thoughts are with you. Tax season, injury, working hard and not having the outlet/ability to run hard. And, it's just hard to be forced to change a beloved routine.You are an amazing champion of a woman, stay strong.

Hang in there Michelle! I know its tough, but just remember its February and your body can use the rest, Blah, Blah, Blah! I'm not very convincing am I. Um. Well, hang in there anyway;-D

Hang in there, this too will soon pass. Have you considered walking or does that cause issues as well?

Sorry about your injury! Hope you get well soon!

Hang in there. Enjoy the decadence while you can.

Ok Michelle- it is fast sunday and now I am STARVING!!! Happy Birthday :) I am so glad that you didn't go busting yourself up. How are the legs feeling today? It sounds like you have a perfect day :) I'm so glad that you and Paul had a great time. That buffet sounds like heaven. Where was it? At Deer Valley?

Good girl getting out and enjoying the snow, I'm way jealous. Was this a birthday get-away?

OMG! your hair is short... and dark. I love it, it's super cute!

Happy Happy Birthday!! And, WOW!, what a fun getaway. I am so glad that you did that. You deserve it Birthday girl and especially during tax season!! Get all better soon :)

Sounds like fun to me (the skiing & the eating);-) Happy B-day too, I wish I was turning 32, but that ship sailed aloooong time ago!

Glad you had a fun birthday get-away and weren't in pain like from running. 32 - you are just a baby! That was sooooo many years ago I can hardly remember it.

Happy 16th Birthday (you are only celebrating your seventeenth birthday for the sixteenth time). Sounds like you were out there feeling like you are 16, hitting the slopes and taking the jumps!! Glad you stayed upright!!!

Ah - defiance. Somedays it is the only way to live.

I want pictures of you in the harness!

No way man.

By the way - its time to get a new pair of driving miles. :)

I am sorry for laughing, but the thought of both you riding a bike with a tire that gradually went flat and wearing a treadmill harness cracked me up.

I need to look into that, I was telling Dean that we need to buy a treadmill fairly soon as it is starting to warm up here - it isn't long before it is hot enough that I will need to do a few runs a week on the treadmill (and I am dreading it). I am thinking about biking to work a couple days a week (22 miles total/day) just in case I can't run as much as I would like.

Good luck with your getting back to running Michelle. Enjoy the day on Saturday. Hope work isn't too bad.

So Michelle, does the harness slow you down? do you know where to buy them?

The harness thing is not so bad. I know a lot of people it has helped including myself. Runners are geeks anyways;)

I can pick one up for you at our running store. I could give you the specs and you could make one for $2. All after tax season, of course.

Ok, feel like a jerk. Stand by the former, but here's the specs how to make. This is for a size small/medium, fits me fine, would you too.

3/8 thick elastic, you'll need 38 inches. Sew it into a circle with 1 inch overlap (so have a circle with 37" circumference when its sewn). Lay the elastic circle flat. Sew across each end at a scant 1.5 inches in from the end to make thumb loops. So then you have a circle of elastic a little over 31 in circumference and two thumb loops.

Thank you so much Michelle -- I think Dean made one of those a few years ago. Interesting, I have tried to mentally hold my arms like that for a few months now ... I think it is helping me (not to go faster, but to cause less damage to my body ;-) ).

Hope you enjoy your "naughty" run tomorrow.

There is a discount used excersize equipment store by the Albertsons on University Parkway in Provo. They sell ellpticals (sp?), bicycles, treadmills, etc. I got a pretty descent stationary for about $200. It's not running, but you can keep your cardio fitness pretty high. That plus, it gives you a great excuse to watch tv/movies to pass the time while you're whatever-it-is heals. P.S. loved reading that you skiied and all the decadant food you ate for your B-day at DV. It was great just reading about it, thanks for sharing.

What I meant was, using the stationary bicycle is "NOT RUNNING' meaning nothing can take the place of running.....

Ouch, not enough sleep.

Wow I could not function on 4.5 hours of sleep. :) Are you counting down to April 15th???

Good run :) The treadmill is a real CRAPPER! That harness sounds like fun ;) Heal bum heal!

Yay- are you running Sat? We are going in 15 min and I would rather just lay in bed. It's been a crappy week. I don't know how you run with stress during the tax season. (I mean when you CAN run...that darn bum!!! ;) I'd better go get dressed and load my fuel belt :p I have a major love hate thing with that belt ;D

Good times.....good times

Bad times.... Bad times

I swear that bike ride was longer than that. Oh well.

I told you you'd get a workout on that bike :-) For the record, it is older than 10 years. We bought it used in 1997.

In the way of bragging - I've done my 10.1 course on that bike in 37:12 when recovering from DesNews last year. That is 16.29 mph average. I had to slow down in a few places to make turns and get around pedestrians. Unobstructed I was riding about 18 mph. I have no clue what I can do on a nice race bike, and I do not want to know that bad - for myself I'll never buy one, and I'd be scared to borrow and ride something that is worth $3K. However, Ted told me several times I should just become a cyclist.

I am glad you are on the road to recovery Michelle, keep taking it easy and come back slow your not going to lose much;-)

ha ha ha ... "is my back tire flat?" - I can just see it now!

Michelle, I am sure you are not a marshmellow yet ... you are too fit for a little couple weeks to get you down.

Sasha, I am pretty sure you would excel at any sport you put your mind to ... you are the most resiliant (this past little illness aside) person I know.

Old bikes are the best. They really get you in the end! hahahahahahaha

Josse and Ericka - you're both right.

Josse - feel free to map out the run and correct me :)

Sasha - Thanks for being so thick skinned. I love that I don't need to worry about offending at least one person in the world.

Clay - good advice. Do you ever bike? We could go out for a ride sometime.

Bonnie - I thought you'd like that. It was funny, though I truly thought I was getting a flat :)

Marion - (is crotch "family friendly"?)

No I believe you, it just seemed longer.

How long did it take you to ride 15 miles? Dean told me (dean this dean that ... how immature is that?) that he would covert from time to miles (e.g., the same way I get my mileage, I run 72 mins I estimate 9 min/mile and say I ran 7 miles -- so if it takes you 40 mins then for you guys it would be about 5 miles).

Anyway -- I think it sounds like a nice way to spend a morning, I wish I could have joined you (although you would probably kick my behind in that too!).

Have a nice weekend ladies.

I think it was 60 minutes, though we didn't track. That would make it about 7 miles, but does it really matter if it's not running miles? It was cool to be out so long working out. That's all I know.

I tracked it pretty close sitting in the car bored for 60 minutes, maybe a couple minutes more, but close to it

Sounds like an interesting training day.

By the way - if you eat lots of chocolate right now you will be a chocolate covered marshmallow... (Oh wait - I love those, so you should stay away from me)

self cannibalism?

No - it would be an attack from a crazed ape (wo)man....

It sounds like you girls were having way too much fun on an old rusty bike... Good job getting a workout in. I feel your pain when you say you feel like your getting out of shape... Big Marshmallow!

All I can say about the bike is that it had a lot of character! At least you get to do something. Sorry Ericka, if I had known you were a lone in a car I would have asked you to sit in mine so the punk who smashed in my window wouldn't have dared!

Oh, man, I have been out of town for a while and I have not checked your blog. What a bummer, but you are hanging in there strong. AND there is no way you are turning into a marshmallow!

Hey, I took almost 6 months off running, gained 13 pounds, and came back with an PR by 8 minutes. So, maybe the break will make you faster and stronger, you just never know!

Mckenzie! Someone smashed you window that morning? I'm so sorry! If I would have heard or saw anything I would have unleashed my inner crime fighter on that punk.

glad to hear you can start running again! and the needles...OUCH

Wooo!!! About the running clearance. Not about the snow. And definitely not about the needles!

YAY for me, YAY for you!!!

Yay, congrats on getting the clearance!! And, OUCH (needles). Holy crap that scares me just thinking about it!! You are one tough woman, but I already knew that!!

I am happy for you :)

Congrats on hitting 5mi again. It does seem like forever when you are getting back to it but at the same time it feels so good just to be doing it again. I hope you enjoyed and I hope this is a sign of more good things to come...

Congrats on 5mi and on 126lbs!!!

So glad to see you on the move again :)

Yea! Happy for you Michelle!

Why did you get acupuncture on your calf? Does Dr. Brady think that is where the biomechanics are messed up and caused your SI joint to get "off kilter?" -- I have heard that most injuries in the upper legs are caused by feet and ankle misalignments.

Hope things are going ok work-wise.

nice bike ride! biking is really so hard when your systems are trained for running, so i admire you for getting out there and putting in the miles.

One gear? What kind of bike were you riding? A Sledge Hammer?

Funny Burt, my thoughts exactly!

What's a sledgehammer?

This is Sasha's bike that he was kind enough to let me borrow. It is old but it gives me a workout, and that's what I need.

Don't tell me you've never watched Napoleon Dynamite! You don't remember when they took Pedro's sledgehammer of those sweet jumps?

'off' those sweet jumps

YEAH, that is a great run for injured you (and a flippin' sprint for me). You are on the mend and we will be back in no time at all. And maybe now you will become an IRON MANer with all that biking!! Add some swimming and you will kick everyone's butt in those races, too!

Have a good rest of the day!

YIPPEE!

Nice job Michelle, you are coming back stronger than ever;-)

Keep working hard!

You will have to show me how good you sounded tomorrow:)

Yay for pain free running :) I want to see the harness and hear the beautiful music :) You should have Paul video you and put it on youtube :)

Yeah- don't go killing off the off spring ;) I am going to be riding on Mondays and Fridays during my marathon training. (yes, I said MARATHON TRAINING!!! YIKES!) You can push me too hard ;) I wish the pool was opened. During the summer I am going to swim on Thursdays and fridays. I will probably ride on fridays too.

I almost rode to your house Wednesday to give you a hug (ok to get a hug) but I didn't have enough time to get that far. I can't ride in the morning during tax season, I have to get in as early as possible. It would be fun to ride together though.

I am good after school too :) I like after school because it is light and warmer. Biking is SO cold. ((((hug))))) there is a cyber hug. Are you surviving ok? I need to do my taxes today. I am farting around this year because we aren't getting much back and will probably owe in Utah :( Oh well, such is life. It will only take me about an hour on Turbo Tax. I just don't want to do it. I wish David had a burning desire to do our finances. I hate it.

Wow!! I am glad that you made it to the top of the mountain /home in one piece. That is scary, I hope you get feeling better real soon. Tempo runs are boring by your self.

I would like to see a picture of you in the harness. I am having a hard time imagining what it looks like!

Michelle- you can't go dying. Bike riding is SO so cold! Darn that cute bum of yours! What is it's problem?? Polliwogs and gobble-dee-gook! I don't know what that means, but I think it is family safe cursing ;)

Ouch. double ouch. digits and joints, fingers and toes, ouch.

How is the SI joint now?

Bonnie-SI joint felt pretty good all day, just some minor soreness. I iced it twice, took some aleve.

Marion-thanks for the family safe cursing ideas :)

Britta-fat chance

Tyler-I'm afraid I won't be able to tempo with you for a while unless I'm on a bike, then I'll kick your butt!

Interesting choice of words... You must have seen my weight go up this weekend.. LOL

What is supposed to be the benefit of the harness?

Dang - that sounds cold. I ran to Leslie's house and back one day last week and my hands were so cold I was almost crying and couldn't open my garage door because I couldn't unbend my fingers. I feel your pain....

The nap counts but then you have to have FHE again, as penance ;) It's good to see you moving more. Hopefully this down time will be all done by the end of tax season ;)

Oh- btw, on a scale of 1-10, please put Painters, Hobble Creek, Ogden and Riverton, actually any 1/2's you have run. I need some idea of what to gear up for ;) (I am posting this same question on many other runners blogs too) It's an unofficial survey ;)

I am glad you are starting to feel better! Only 1 more month left of your busy time-yeah!

Yup ... maybe a little warm-up (later in the day) is in order. Just don't go too fast (I always end up running faster in the PM, I don't know why, it certainly isn't that I feel better).

You know, well you probably don't know, Dean has been battling a high hamstring injury for 4 months now (it has been really tough on him, and me from an empathy standpoint). He is considering prolotherapy - have you heard Dr. Brady talk about that before? Apparently the chiro Dean is seeing is a runner and had the treatment himself and said it worked.

Anyway -- good luck getting your schizo self (errr injury) under control!

Looked it up online, not sure what to make of it. Sounds like an alternative type treatment, can't quite make out yet if its effective. I'll look more into it.

I am sorry your bum is not getting into gear :( Dang it!

Hang in there Michelle and take it easy, you will get better even though right now it doesn't seem like it! It just takes time and patience, which as runners we don't have a big supply of;-)

Wow! Isn't it nice to run in the light :) Sounds like you are getting better. YIPEE :D

nice race! glad to hear things are feeling better.

No reason to be ashamed of this girl, I'm impressed!

Nice run! I was worried about your injury and am SO glad to see that it is OK :) Sounds like you had a great time with your boys :) I'm glad you had some competition at the race :)

Great job. How's the injury? Almost 100%?

I keep hoping I could write 100% but not there yet. I feel some soreness still, and I did have pain while running Wednesday, so maybe 70-80%?

Congrats! You did a great job and it is good to see you are starting to feel better.

I could hear you getting closer and was sure you were just going to fly by me at the end. I heard you yell and that helped me kick it a little at the finish but honestly I had nothing left. Let's face it, your injury running speed exceeds my race speed. You could have easily passed me but it was wise of you to let that heal. Thanks for the encouragement. Your awesome. I would love some feedback on what you saw at the race.

Thanks everyone!

Sue - you could hear me because I was breathing hard because I am out of shape! But I would have come up limp in an attempt to pass you. You ran a strong race.

Great race to all of you - get those vibes going with the boys early. It sounds like you made a wise choice to have a hard tempo run without pushing injury. What point would a win have been if it pushed your training back a step?

Sure you will do a tempo run with out me! I about died when I opened your blog and saw that you had a race report!!! Good job!

Make peace with where you are---I like that!

I am glad that you are feeling better and know you will be right back to where you want to be very soon! Enjoy the ride....

Good job girly:)

Good job. Good starting point.

Best wishes with your bone scan and finding a doc and/or treatment that will help you. I hope you goals and your body align sometime soon.

Lion Queen, we feel your pain, best wishes for an answer and a plan for recovery. Agree, nothing like running for a runner, cross training does not keep you in to running shape, hopefully, good cross training can shorten the comeback when healthy.

Stay kool, B of BS Rools out

I'm sorry your frustrated. I hope that you can get some answers/direction soon.

Oh Michelle, I truly do feel for you! When your injured it seems like time just stands still and there's nothing you can do about it! Do what you have to do and find a way to get healthy, and just remember 5 miles a day is better than no miles at all;-)take it from someone who knows;-)(about being injured)

That's the best I have kiddo...

I hope that you get back soon! I hate doing speed alone. That kind of sounds bad! But hey, I am sure that drug users hate doing speed alone too?

Michelle, I am so sorry -- I hear your frustration (though your good humor shines through your telling of it, and that is a good thing).

I was just telling Dean yesterday that I would give up all my current running success to be able to see him run well again ... it is so hard on him to be injured for so long (going on 4 months!). I wish the same for you (though it doesn't help you I do try to enjoy even my worst runs because I realize how lucky I am!).

Boy does it make me feel like a schmuck to get sympathetic comments from Paul, Clay and Brent. You all have been so positive through really tough circumstances. I do feel like my blog is my appropriate place to vent, but it must be hard for you to read my bratty response to my short (so far) sidelining injury. My apologies :)

Tyler - you're so selfish :) j/k, you know I want to be out there doing the speed. It's going to be a good while. First - heal (4 wks?), Second - base build (8 weeks? half w/o tempos, then introduce tempos), boy it's going to be a good half year before I'll be able to keep up, probably. It was nice knowing you.

Bonnie - was actually close to hysterical, but glad my blog still held some entertainment value :) I am in a much better mood now. Could you just feel all the expletives I didn't add in? I kept trying to keep it clean. But I've got a black heart :D

I felt it Michelle - I thought of you on Sunday - did you read about my snake story? I yelled (ok, twice I admit) an expletive and then apologized to you

;-).

Though I was laughing when I did it so I am not sure what that means.

I will add on my two cents:) Maybe it's those crappin orthotics. My experience with them is they help at first but after a while make your feet and other muscles weak and you are more prone to injury. I am still dealing with my injury and Dr.B swore it would go away with my orthotics, plus they are making my shins hurt along with other stuff. I might try to transition out of them and see if that helps. What do have to lose? That is what I am going to do, I bought some soft sole moldable insert for 30 buck and will use those for a while. Then just go back to plain old shoes. I am pretty sure that injury and long distance running just go hand in hand. I sure feel for you though. I have seen my goals float farther away as time goes by. But I do know that some day the both of us will get there. Be patient:)

Michelle, intereting comments by Josse regarding the orthos. I have running friends that have given up on orthos, for the reasons Josse mentioned. I could write a book about all the injuries over my 30 years of running. We have all shared the same feelings when injury side tracks goals and we wonder if we will get back. Being at your best is such high risk and high reward game. No smucks on this blog, just darn dedicated runners. We all want you back in top form, you are one of the rock stars of the blog.

Stay Kool, Take a Deep Breath, B of BS Rools out

I feel for you! I'd tell you to enjoy the break but that won't make you feel any better...I hated that comment last year. So it's going to be miserable but IT WILL END....eventually. Love You

:(

My ankle is better this morning, so I won't be having my appointment RUINED(delayed for hours) by your pain in the butt! ;D Good luck today :) I am really interested to see what that bone scan says.... hmmmmmm

Michelle/Josse - I came across something VERY interesting about ortho's a week or two ago that I thought I would through out there to you. I'm pretty sure most ortho's are there to correct some sort of pronation problem. A lot of people get fitted for ortho's and then just put them into their shoes. Well, are your shoes already compensating for pronation? You should probably make sure you are using the ortho's in shoes that are neutral so you are not OVER correcting. Just a thought. You probably have already done that.

Marion - glad you're doing better, sorry the kids were puking for you.

Jon - That is something I looked into when I first got orthotics. I will double check all of my shoes but I am pretty sure they are neutral.

Michelle, I am sorry for your frustration and pain. I am not an elite athlete like you are, so I can only imagine how hard this is for you. It reminds me of watching Deena Kastor breaking a bone less than 5 miles into one of the races of her life.

Hang in there and you will come back even stronger. We are all pulling for you!

Most excellent workout, Kimosabe!!! :D

Michelle, I saw Dr. McClane. Her name is Melissa and I really liked her but she wasn't able to magically fix my fracture like I had planned on her doing. Good Luck!!

Way to hang in there with the cross training, I know its hard but at least by doing it you won't go completely crazy;-)

I hope things go well with the bone scan and it comes back negative, keep us posted.

Don't know the band but feel badly for the pain you are in. When do you get the results? Do you have access to your healthcare results on line? It would show up there before your doctor let's you know, unless he is as anxious as you are. Anyway, hang in there. Your sense of humor seems to be pulling you trough. PS radiologists are paid very well all to interpret "ink blots". Amazing their ability to see the "unseen".

Oh how I wish I new the band so that I could be in "We're cooler than everyone else" club.

Best wishes to you.

Again, I hear you. At least with a stress fracture you would know what you need to do to heal it. With other "weird" injuries, you just really don't know what it will take.

I will be out of town, but anxiously awaiting the results on Monday.

Until then, cross-train well and keep your chin up. Hugs to Josse too.

Thriving Ivory-Angels on the Moon

Good luck on the results of the bone scan. I hope that they find something 'concrete' so that you can know what you need to do in order to be able to heal and move on.

Ahhh Michelle!!! I understand the feeling of just wanting to know whats wrong, my sophmore year of high school I was having horrible pain in my legs during track season, they did a bone scan on me and I had a stress fracture in each leg, it was just nice to get a diagnoses and know that it would get better and then I could make a plan and that I was not going crazy! I dont want you to have a stress fracture but I do want you to be able to know whats going on in your body! Definetly thinking of you!

Thanks everyone for your supportive comments.

Maurine - but you were already in the club :)

LOL - you can't throw a challenge like that out to someone who spends a lot of the day using Google to find answers to questions.

No, no, no, its not meant to be a google test. Who votes for Maurine's impeachment? j/k, but my lyric challenges are meant to test whose in tune with my tunes.

It is going to say that you can do tempo runs with Tyler starting the month of JUNE!!! And who ever else wants to join?? Good luck and I hope to make it into your club one day!

I suppose they are yet to computerize their records :-)

No good guess on the lyrics. However I'll take some steroids or anything that would kill off my hammy hurts for good.

I'm up for some steroids! I can't figure out the lyrics either, I think I'm to old;-) I'm glad for the good news as well:-)

I regularly stalk your blog :) but today I couldn't resist posting Carolina Liar.

Hope you recover quickly.

Rock on Amy! I just love that song.

And admitting your habit is the first step ;)

Good to hear! You will be at the top in no time. I know how frustrating the injury bug is.

Glad to hear its not a fracture. Hope the steroids help and you are back at your training soon!

Super!!

Wonderful news! Steroid injection or pills? Be careful with the pills - I just finished a mega-dose (for this darn rash I have had for 4 months -- it drives me insane -- more insane). The first days (with higher dose) I had WAY too much energy (sounds like a good thing, but it is kind of strange feeling - and it is hard to sleep, so try not to take them too close to bedtime).

Energy's good in tax season. But I hear ya, I'll take them as early as possible. Sleeping's for sissys anyways :)

Shoplifters of the World Unite?

You are so freakin cool :) I love the Smith's they make me smile, they make me cry.

Some girls are bigger than others, some girls' mothers are bigger than other girls' mothers.

I LOVE the Smiths! They get me through the worst runs. Some girls are bigger than others is one of my all time fav's! Girlfriend in a coma is my current favorite!

I should have joined you for a ride....my run was just "junk miles". Good job!

Shoplifters of the World Unite

I found it all very entertaining!

Great workout! Really, truly cool! :)

DAng that stupid bum! Dang it all to heck!!! Well, if rest rest is what it wants, the next 16.5 days may be the most perfectly placed rest ever. I know that is no consolation, but it's all I could come up with. Want to go out for dessert tomorrow night? :D I can make you some, "my life sucks" brownies :) or fried ice cream at Mi Rancherito? I could even bust out the fudge recipe :) Good idea, eh? No running and MORE crap food :) I am a genius!

New Smith's lyrics-

"Running friends bum is broken and I, I know it's serious!"

name that tune ;)

Dang it, the longer I am up today the more it hurts. This is so depressing.

If I were in a coma at least I'd be healing. Maybe more sleep is the answer.

I am sorry :(

I am so sorry for you but great job on the workout. When I was injured I just" threw in the towel" but not you, you just keep on going. Good job!

I would get some soreness in my sciatic and SI joint after crosstraining. I do think our bodies just need a rest form all types of exercise. Unfortunately our brains can't handle it.

very nice workout. sorry you are still feeling sore. i don't have any advice that you haven't already heard from everyone else...but just hang tough, you'll be back soon enough...and your legs will be fresh.

PS: i read your post on the discussion forum..."run on my hands" cracked me up. maybe you can start a new event??? :)

I hope the injections works, is a miracle cure and an speed enhancer all in one! Good Luck on the detox, do you Excedrin handy? HAHA

Information is the BEST THING EVER!!! I am so glad that you got some good answers! ... and a good beating, it sounds like ;) Good luck with the detox! It is SO hard to sleep without all the usual exercise! Our bodies seem to say, "Hey- you don't need to sleep, your not doing much anyway" ;)

When do you see her again?

Good luck with all of this! And you are for sure not a wuss!

ouch ... it hurts just thinking about it (well, so does the childbirth). Good luck with the detox, don't you go through this every year after tax season?

You are going to come back stronger than ever Michelle!

I'm glad you are getting some answers and hopefully this will lead to some healing and more running in the near future. How come this stuff did not show up on the MRI's?

MacK - haven't need the excedrin, though I am tired, and will make sure to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night.

Marion - I see her again next Wed at 8am.

Merri I am the strangest mix of wuss and non-wuss. I guess it just depends.

Bonnie- I sure hope I come back stronger, but I need to come back slowly. I was thinking about you this morning. Maybe I'll shoot you an email (dang now I have to). I do detox after tax season, not with two weeks to go. I just won't be able to pull 14 hour days.

Enjoy your 'roid taper (prednisone, I'm assuming). Just watch out for mood swings.

Paul -- I told her that before the prednisone ;-).

Don't worry Michelle ... whenever you get a chance, you have a lot on your plate right now.

Maurine - didn't have an MRI, just a bone scan.

Paul - funny you should say that. Just had a not so fun piano practice with my middle child who has ADHD. Just not running alone has a tendency to put me offkilter (as if I was ever normal), so I need to remember not to take it out on the fam.

Ha ha, bonnie knows me well. Moody, over dramatic, egocentric. They always say admitting it is the first step, but its such an easy step and the others are so hard :/

Paul - Methylpred, a double pack taper, so 12 days.

Wow, that's pretty long. I did a 6-day taper last June. It definitely helped break the cycle of inflammation in my neck at the time. I didn't have any side effects.

I imagine you already know this, but the other main side effect of pred is weight gain. More motivation to stick with your detox, I suppose.

I was just on a 2 x 6 day course, I was told the side effects (like weight gain, moon face, etc) are for longer term use (more than 3 months).

I didn't find that the 12 days I had affected me at all, except for the sleeplessness, but I have a problem with that regardless.

Ya'll get to watch my weight gain real time with the weight tracker. Good times.

Don't tell MIchelle that ! That's every girls worst fear. Just shy away from the Big Mac's! Your going to be just fine.

weight gain + sleeplessness + acne...

I'm really interested and hoping that this works for you Michelle. (if so i may have to get some contact info from you.)

Hey where'd the acne come from? This just gets worse and worse.

If I can run, then I can lose the weight. If I am facially disfigured, it would make me more humble. If I can't sleep, I can work some more overtime (or blog :) ).

I hope things get better. I've enjoyed reading the details about this injury, even though I'm sorry you're having to go through it. This is the one area where I've also had lots of pain. In the hip and the SI joint. I've never really known what to do or try to get rid of the pain. I do pretty good, but once I start running over 50 miles a week, I seem to have the constant hip/groin pain. I got a few cortisone shots for the problem in high school, but the problem has started back up again the last few years once I got back into running more seriously.

So your cross training on Sasha's bike helped cause this problem?

The doctor thought that was a cause for a flare up, but it didn't cause it and we can't really know anyway, too many inputs. If I had biked on the bike for only 60 minutes it might not have flaired up. But no, I'm like, "I've got a green light to cross train, so here I go!"

Wrong type of flare, if it had "flaired" up that would have been better than a flare up.

I got this same issue when I rode a stationary bike, standing up, at a high resistance for several days in a row. My doctor said my mistake was not stretching the hip and piriformis areas before and after biking. I think we can do uphill riding as long as we're VERY diligent about stretching.

That darn piriformis!! Biking as cross training last summer with my pulled calf caused the calf to not heal :( Sometimes total rest is best... but a bummer!

Michelle,

I am not nearly as strong of a runner as you, but I definitely can feel your pain. I tried to run today after 12 days of no running ... stopped about .25 miles into the attempt, too much pain. It really does stink.

Hang in there.

I am glad that I went for a run! I don't like that Michelle SCOWL!!!

I was scowling and grumbling as I started running in the dark, snow, and wind on Wednesday morning. Then I remembered that I'm on borrowed time anyway, running is a gift, and that I should be grateful to run. After that I was pretty happy to be out there, and even smiled once. Good times.

Is it good that you can feel the SI?

I hope I didn't get the scowl for not running. I am going to cross train today and tomorrow (maybe) and try running on Monday.

I am doing my part -- I am not even complaining - at least about running ;-).

Maurine - You have a scowl-free pass for a while. Get well. Don't do the Michelle.

Teena - sorry you are out of commission too. Hopefully it's a temporary setback for the both of us, and we'll be able to come back roaring.

Sorry your injury is still plaguing you. Have considered a more Van Aaken approach? Similar to Galloway, but you break for walking more often due to the injury. Just my 2 cents.

Good for you with the soda :) David loved Zupas, by the way. It may be our new favorite spot :)

I am so glad that Wednesday was one of the days I actually did run this week! I would hate to have received a scowl!!!

This too shall pass....SOON.

Granny skiing? Sounds like a fun day :) happy Birthday Benji!

I say try to see this time off as a vacation and do fun stuff EVERY day. That will keep your mind off of it, right??? Heck, take Benji to Disneyland for his birthday! That'll do it!!!

If you want, I will continue to be a total slacker with you. But I will not give up diet Coke.

Is it starting to frustrate you that every place you go has a different idea of what is wrong? Do you think anyone has diagnosed you correctly or do you think you have multiple weaknesses/injuries?

I can imagine how frustrating this would be for an average runner like me, but I would imagine it is even more frustrating for a gifted athlete like you to be struggling with this.

You would think it would, but I've been ok with it. The latest analysis of why makes sense to me and there's exercises to improve the weakness so that makes me hopeful.

It always helps to be able to DO something to help :) I am glad you are getting some good help :) I have heard good things about that place.

Michelle,

I can not even begin to tell you how much I relate to what you are saying. Although we have been given different diagnoses the pain and feelings seem so much alike. My PT said some similar stuff to me and has me doing different stretches and strength training. I just saw my 3rd doc yesterday (actually she was the doc's physician assistant). 3 docs, all with different ideas, suggestions, and diagnoses. Hoping that one of them will be able to help me. I am suppose to have an MRI and bone density test this week (things that you have already gone through). They also did blood work and urinalysis (worried about Female Athlete Triad syndrome). I just don't know what to think anymore. But I am so stinkin' tired of this and the weather outside today just made me want to run even more. It's torturous!!

Hoping that you will start feeling better so so so soon!

Thinking about you and sending you lots of positive vibes.

Michelle your at the point where we can run together.lol. I hope you feel better soon and remember your the best runner I've ever meet. (That should mean something!