All it takes is all you've got

I'm glad that your knee is feeling better and that you had a fun trip. And welcome back home to Colorado. I'm glad to be here too.

You have to be careful about hurting us newbies feelings by calling 40 miles pathetic since I've never once run 40 miles in a week in my life. Ok, I'm over it already, nevermind.

So are you still having issues? Do you think it was that doo-hicky Aaron brought home from that house?

I don't think it was the doo-hicky itself but rather my profuse pushing with the doo-hicky combined with an already extremely tight and partially weakened spot on my outer thigh/knee area which caused the tendons reaching down over my knee to scream and hollar. Don't wanna mess with those guys. They can really put up a stink. My knee is feeling better though; just a little tightness in my hips and ITs. Normal stuff. It looks like you've been feeling pretty good lately. No owies to report of? Good job on your tempo this morning.

No owies. I can't believe I felt so good this morning. Knock on wood. Was what I did really called a tempo run? Fartlek? Something else?

Intervals?

Fartlekking Tempovals

That's awesome that you're feeling so good. You are really lucky to have a husband who is a runner, particularly one who will massage your legs for you!

Great run!

great run, its hard I have a hip problem but just getting through it for now, keep foaming its worth it :-)

Glad the knee is feeling better; hoping it stays that way!

sounds like a fun workout. nice job pulling the group along for longer than two minutes :) i blame burt for the fartlicking.

I have done this fartlek workout with my group at the track. Its is fun and challenging trying to match each person's pace, isn't it? I found that the miles went very quickly.

That is really an interesting workout and sounds like a lot of fun.

One thing I like about running alone is you can "fartlek" all you want!

How fun. I read somewhere fartlek means speed play, and that sounds like what you did.

I haven't drunk any egg nog since Christmas, so don't blame me for fartlicking. You're a real smart feller allie, a real smart feller.

I always thought Allie was more of a filet than a feller.

Use the stick on your glute. Just be careful not to [insert jr. high joke here.]

I'll bet you really had that elliptical flying.

Burt-I guess I'd better use the stick since you can't handle hearing about Aaron rubbing it out.

Carolyn-It sure felt like I was flying. But I'm not a pro ellipticaler or anything so for all I know my pace was pitifully slow. I took it a little easier on the elliptical today and it felt more recovery-ish.

Nan, you have an astounding vocabulary.

Thanks, Burt. My only hope is to some day be as smartish and vocabularific as you.

I think you're right. Favoring one muscle can stress another. Maybe you need to use that poky thing that Aaron brought home on the glut.

Nan, I am so thrilled to see you being so successful with your running. You are amazing and I know you are going to qualify for the trials. Sorry your glut is bothering you. Your eliptical workout on Wed kicked some trash, girl!

You ever think about having it removed?

Great workout! When is your big race?

I am finding that also; favoring the injury inevitably results in something else acting up. If I favor my knee, I just stop running now and hit the pool. I did just two pool days this week, though!

My coach actually caught me doing it in a local run a few weeks ago. He snuck up behind me, watched me run, and sent me a note later that it looked really bad! This is such a small town.

My maiden name is Sheppard. We only ran together 2001. I did steeple with you, Mooner, Mars, Liz and Tara. Yes, I too am doing Boston. I don't have as lofty a goal as you, but I am really excited to go and race with the big guns. I love reading your blog b/c you inspire me to kick some booty out there. I'm impressed with your motivation.

Carolyn-I tried using the poky thing a little but I'm a little frightened of it because I think it contributed to my knee seizing up.

Melody Sheppard of course I remember now! 2001 was a way fun year. SO many of us did Steeple together. Cool that you're still running fast too!

Toby-The Houston Half is next weekend. So this injury is horrible timing.

Burt-Yes, I am considering having it removed more every moment. Do you know a good bum removal guy?

Auntieem-Yeah, I have a feeling I'll be getting more acquainted with the pool too. I really don't enjoy swimming though. I'd much rather be outside.

Oh yeah. My guy's great. I see him twice a month since mine grows back so quickly.

Burt-SUMB (that is for snickered under my breath). Maybe you should take it easy on the Krispy Kremes. It must be expensive to have your bum removed twice a month?

Marathons are tough - but being sick when you've got to take care of kids - I'd much rather run a marathon. Hope you feel lots better soon.

Oh Nan, I'm so sorry that your struggle with this pain. And I feel bad that one of your runs on slippery snow was with me. I hope just a day or two more of rest does the trick for you.

Thanks Carolyn. My slippery run with you was probably less harmful than a slippery run alone would have been since alone I would have been tempted to push the pace more. So there is absolutely no reason for you to feel bad. I'm sure I'll heal in due time.

I am so bummed for you Nan! I know you know all the running tricks - but what about a deep tissue massage from a sports massage therapist? I am excited to hear how Houston goes!

injuries. seriously. annoying. i am so sorry nan. rest well tonight and tomorrow and i will hope for the best for you. totally feeling for you right now. i am glad to hear you are feeling better though.

I don't know why this sort of stuff piles up just when you don't want it to, but here's hoping a long weekend puts things back in place.

Well that just stinks! I bet that seeing the chiro will be just the ticket for your bum. I know if you are still able to run the 1/2 you are going to rock it! Keeping my fingers crossed for you...

Sorry you're having troubles with your health. I hope you can still go, so you can give Shalane Flanagan a run for her money.

Hey Nan I hear you on the bum soreness, I have had this before and now, but I raced a half last Spring 1 week out like you before the race, and did everything to race it, I was actually pain free will mile 9 and omg it hurt from there on, I did a pr still but I should have done a huge pr...... I didnt run for nearly 2 months after this race, So please dont race just my outlook on it, its just not worth it, it re-occured in training for Berlin but went effected my hammy and the hammy went snap ! so I am really only just getting over it now, and it is aching again, I am able to run but only slow pace...... I am doing mileage good mileage but it hurts mine is piriformis and my groin keeps going tense too, but sitting on a tennis ball in the bum cheek is great, it releases it straight away I can go into a good Hammy stretch.

So if you try sitting on the tennis ball with your weight and gently massage the ball around it hurts like hell though, and this eases the acheing, you got Piriformis, if not it must be something else, but this is a good test to do at home hun. I hope you get better soon and I will check back to see how ya getting on. fingers crossed for you :-)

I am so sorry. My bum issues cropped up a month before my PF Chang marathon last January, but didn't get bad until two days before the marathon, but I ran it anyway because I had trained so hard through the winter and had paid for the travel, etc. It was a bad move for me. My situation is different of course, because it took me another 5 or so months to get a autoimmune sourced diagnosis. However, I do wish I had pulled out of the race. A target race with an unresolved injury can carry a high price. I hope it clears up for you, but if not, it sounds like you are already wiser than I was a year ago.

Thanks for your support everyone, this injury DOES stink. Bad timing for sure. But Sam and Michelle are right. I don't want to extend the injury and make it worse because I'm too stubborn to pull out of a race. After trying to run again today and realizing it is not healing quickly enough, I've decided to pull out of Houston and get healed so I can resume my training for Boston.

Nan- very sorry to hear about your injury. It's frustrating to work so hard for a race and then not be able to run. Go get healthy and kill Boston.

Sorry to hear about the injury not cooperating. Hope you are back on track soon!

such a bummer...although it is a very smart move. i spent a good portion of the past three months running like a crazy limping person. only made things worse. not worth it.

i hope it heals quickly. you still have plenty of time to get ready for a great race in boston.

oh Nan, so frustrating! Good move on not racing this weekend, priorities are priorities ...

I'm sorry you had to make this call, but it sounds like you made the right one. Hopefully you can heal up quickly and benefit from your wisdom.

Sorry about the injury but I agree with everyone else. You are smart to be looking at the bigger picture.

You made a really hard decision, but a wise one. I hope you are rewarded with a speedy recovery.

Thanks everyone. Yeah, I'd much rather take it easy and run healthy, even if it is slower and less mileage, than exaggerate injury and not run at all.

Think how lucky we are to have this sunshine when the poor folks in Utah are stucky with the nasty air.

You have pink eye? Gold mine!

Hey sorry you have resorted to biking, did the tennis ball thingy work ???? or any more news on the actual injury ? hope your ok its hard not running when running is allot in your life :)

glad you had a nice ride. sounds wonderful.

yes carolyn, you guys are very lucky to have clear air and sunshine. the air here will make you choke. and the snow is frozen solid and not melting any time soon. and it is not pretty white snow either; it looks like black mold. very gross. that i why i want to become a snowbird.

Too bad you don't live closer. I have some great drops for pink eye. I'm jealous of the nice weather and clean air.

Carolyn-We are very lucky indeed! Poor Utahns. :(

Burt-You want pink eye too?

Sam-I actually really enjoy biking too, but I'm addicted to running. I have been doing the tennis ball pressure and I got a deep tissue massage. I may go to the chiropractor again and probably another massage next week.

Allie-Being a snowbird sounds nice. One of our goals is to get the business to a point where we can leave for 6 months and have the business thriving upon our return. When we go to New Zealand one winter, you'll come visit?

Melody-My pink eye is finally looking a little better...like it may be gone by tomorrow. Thank goodness. What are the drops you use though?

Your whole day yesterday sounds like a workout! I'm glad you were able to run today in good form.

I wore NB 790s today as well. They are great in fresh snow.

I'm so excited for you Nan. It has been so fun and motivational to watch you train (via FRB) - you are amazing!

I too need my stress release from running. Working hard and sweating cure all mental ailments. Definitely a good addiction!

Yay!

Hooray!

Ah so wonderful you can get out on the road!

Yippee! So happy for you! Working through an injury is such a good feeling. Interesting about the NBs, I've always like NBs, and have a pair of lightweight trainers; find them very comfortable for 5-8 mile runs.

Great news!

so glad you can run. mid-50s is perfect running weather. it finally made it above 30 in logan yesterday, but the air is still the worst in the nation. cough. wheeze.

flatlander is in Denver. Tell him hi if you see him.

Yes, we are having lovely weather. I'm glad you are able to get out and run in it. I could actually keep up with you at the pace you're going these days.

Ah, the whole "altered stride causing a different injury" paradox. We are silly, us runners.

Hooray for feeling better!

so happy you could get out! I ran with MelodyJ this morning and she was telling us how AMAZING and TALENTED you are! best wishes for speedy healing!

Allie-I'm really sad for you and your horrible air. Good job getting in some solid mileage despite it though.

Burt-OH yeah we totally had him over for dinner and reminisced on old times! No we did not. Who is flatlander??

Carolyn-Yeah, its a comfy pace. If only we lived a little closer to each other.

Jon-Yeah, we ARE silly. I'm glad your hips are starting to feel better though.

Toby-Glad to hear your ankle is feeling better too. I totally hear ya; trying to do Dr. visits without kids is a great juggling act.

Amber-What Melody isn't telling you is how talented and amazing SHE is! And YOU TOO, for that matter. I'm jealous that you all get to train together. Sounds fun!

Nan - there are actually two flatlanders on the blog. One is a boy, and one is a girl. This is the one I was talking about : http://thurm.fastrunningblog.com/blog--26F-21-wind-chill-8-54-miles-in-ab/01-15-2010.html

Awesome bike ride, Nan.

I would like to get a decent bike some time and get in shape for cycling. Maybe someday.

The days of per diem were nice weren't they? I remember going to the grocery store and stocking up on bananas, yogurt and bagels. We could feed ourselves for less than $20 on a 2 day trip. I love that you bought a bike with it! What kind are you riding now? Have you ever done a century?

glad to hear you got the rest and recovery you needed and its actually good timing to be ill as well as sort of injured that happened to me too how weird, but you got 2 birds with one stone :-)

Very good hope recovery continues to happen speedily!

Hooray for feeling better. You'll be back to your amazing self in no time.

My daughter caught your pink eye. I'll have to stay away from your blog for a while.

Glad you are healthier! Good luck with the hamstring. This sounds strange, but my knee got noticeably better as soon as I stopped being angry at it for keeping me from running. I just started being nice about it. Makes me wonder who's in charge here.

Im glad your hammy is getting better Nan and that sounds like a hardcore cycle :)

The church really keep us busy sometimes. It's nice of you to help out with the YW and the RS.

You are a great example of being careful about recovery. I'm trying to follow your example.

Why would allie have done a better job? Because she's 17 and still in YW?

Hey Allie, I think you getting better well on the mend there, just a bit longer and you will be right back on track again and you have done so much xtraining etc your gonna still be strong and fit as always :-D

burt - the world does not need another 17 year-old allie. i was as obnoxious as they come. really. ask nan about the time i showed up to track practice with whoppers stuffed up my nose.

Yeah um Allie knows probably at least 432,598 grams more about nutrition than I do. Which is 16,954% RDA in case you didn't know. My friend Marcia was the one who asked me to present on nutrition. I think because of a conversation we had a couple of months ago when she asked me about my diet and I told her I eat 6 times a day. She must have been impressed that I am not the size of a whale and thought that must mean I know about nutrition. But just because I eat a lot doesn't mean I'm a nutrition expert. I know more about running than nutrition. It was fun preparing and presenting though. I know more now than I did before.

Actually I wouldn't mind having another 17-y-o Allie around though. Quite entertaininly hilarious if you ask me.

Any excuse to workout works.

That is a great article.

I wish I had the time and money to have ART done on my hamstrings every day.

He's a stand-up guy.

Thanks for sharing the article Nan - loved it. I'm glad you're on the mend.

Hooray!! I'm so glad you're feeling better. I'm going to have to check out those dynamic stretches.

Yay, Nan! What an example you are to the rest of us fanatics out here: "lots of rest, recovery, ART therapy, massage, ice, and patience." I need to remember that the next time I get injured.

You are amazing Nan! What a great workout - I'm so glad you are feeling better. We are all rooting for you to open a can of "whoop A" in Boston!

Woooohooooo Nan thats great well done on all your hardwork and effort in recovering, and what a great workout well done :-)

This is great news Nan!!

I love those dynamic stretches!

That's wonderful! Dynamic stretching really does work wonders.

What exciting goals! I look forward to seeing you achieve them!

Super goals, Nan. I'm sure you'll achieve all of them. I'll look forward to seeing you in Boston. You will have a good 30 minutes to chill at the finish before I come it... :)

in!

Wow Nan those are some incredible goals! You are a smart runner and will achieve them all. I am excited to "watch" from FRB!

That's really cool. I'm jealous. Can't wait to see it all happen. And all of the races are on Saturday or Monday.

Are you serious? You're adults and someone doesn't run all the way so they punish the lot of you? Ha!

I think Coach D had already planned on surprising us with one more, he just chose to "blame" it on Sarah. No one seemed to mind; we just laughed it off. Its good to be familiar with surprises in training 'cause it happens all the time in a race. (And I'm not talking about BMs). BTW, have you perfected the art of PAS (popping a squat) yet?

I have never PAS in a run. I remember in HS when my BF needed to. He said, "Look around for some newspaper." I grabbed something from off the ground and asked, "Will this do?" It was a roll of TP.

Why are we using so many abbr.'s?

PAS. LOL. TTYL.

Great workout as usual, but I don't know about all this potty talk!

Carolyn, I just want you to take note that I did not initiate it.

cool--I'll have to try that alphabet exercise . . . sounds fun!

I love your goals you posted earlier in the week- you are very inspiring and have so much motivation and discipline!

Nice workout Nan! I've been doing alphabet with ankle - it's hard! Good luck with weights!

Hmmm...I'll just watch that girl do the alphabet. I think I could watch her all day.

It looked like she was doing capital letters.

I really appreciate your posting links to these exercise videos.

I'm really appreciating ART. I hope you're able to get your hammies all worked out.

I do that one, and I thought it was supposed to be cursive.

Cursive sounds easier on the joints.

Sorry :(

Glad you got that extra hundredth of a mile in because that could have been bad.

Bleh. Not the best week so far. I hope your ham feels good tomorrow.

Yuck. I hope you feel better soon.

BTW, I did the alphabet leg thing today.

urgghhh so sorry for your illness, I hope you feel better soon happy smiles to make you feel better

:-D

Nan, I am so sorry to hear about your hamstring woes. Dean (my better half) has been battling this for over a year now -- although I am sure it is different for him (if for no other reason than he is 50 and has been running competitively for nearly 35 years). If you want any details about the things he has found to help (and he has tried many things) let me know and either one of us can give you some ideas.

Bonnie, I would love suggestions. So far all I have done is ART and Chiropractic. After reading Adam's blog I'm wondering if I should see a sports doc too and also wondering if my SI joint could be the problem? Wierd that the pain started in my hamstring and now its in the hip flexor.

Personally, I wouldn't see a sports medicine doctor except as a last resort. Not to generalize too much, but many of them are not really well-versed in over-use or soft tissue injury and their first inclination is to say, "don't run for X weeks and see how it feels". Doesn't address the issue, how it got there or what to do to avoid it in the future. Most of the time, with running injuries in particular, these injuries are due to a fundamental imbalance in biomechanics and without somehow modifying the root cause, even if it goes away (with no running) it will come back.

Having said that, there are probably no fixes that work for everyone ... Dean and I both use the Egoscue method (a mixture of stretching, pilates and yoga developed by a guy named Pete Egoscue -- search for "pain free" -- you can check out some of the exercises without actually entering data on the website, and he has a couple of books that outline his method). This would help (hopefully) correct for the imbalance. Dean has also used a thing called MAT (muscle activation therapy) with limited success - also as more of a correction of the overarching problem, not helping with the acute symptom.

For the acute symptom ... I would suggest looking into PRP (http://www.orthohealing.com/plateletrichplasmatherapy-prp/). This is a technique that Matt Tegankamp used last year for a knee injury he had (http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=2893597). The basic idea is you inject either saline or your own platelets into the site of the injury. This causes a natural immune response that will promote healing (as your body will send cytokines and anti-inflammatory proteins to the site. Dean had good success with this. The cavet is that you need to find both a person that does this AND someone (we used our ART guy) to help direct where the injection should go. I would ask your ART person about this, or I can send you our ART guys email and you ask him ... Better yet, come out here for 2 days and meet him. You can stay with us, and we will shuttle you where you need to go, you can talk to John (ART guy - works on Abdi and all the elite athletes in Arizona) and he can probably tell you if that is what you need and find you some folks there if it is. In the meantime, if you would like to talk to Dean (who is more articulate on this subject than I am), I can PM you his phone number.

Sorry this is so long...

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions. I'm certain I could use some pilates/yoga/stretching type exercises. I was doing pilates reformer twice a week as I prepared for TOU this fall, and I just stopped when my son started kindergarten because the time was right when I had to be dropping him off. But I should definitely get back into focusing on my core and hips. I'm going to keep doing more dynamic stretching and core strengthening exercises and see if that helps.

PRP looks intriguing. I've never hear of it, but it makes sense. I'll ask my ART guy what he knows about it today when I go in. To be honest, injecting myself makes me a little nervous but if its effective then it may be worth a try. I wish I had more time to devote to getting immediate attention. As a busy Mom of 3 young'ns my family takes #1 priority; so for now I'll just do whatever I can locally and pray I can heal. I would love to come visit you in AZ sometime though...I'm going to keep that offer in mind. :) Thanks!!

Nan -- you don't inject yourself, but the person who does it might not be a "sure" of where the exact spot is -- but your ART guy would. If he would like to speak with John (our ART guy), I could give you his information. When Dean had it done John went and helped point out the spot on the xray and on his leg one time, and another time he used a Sharpie to point. It really helped Dean with the most acute problem (although, unfortunately I think Deans problem is more severe at this point - we will see what the MRI says).

You could bring your children, we have two dogs who love kids -- they are better than TV's as babysitters!!

Nan, that's so sad. I hate to see you cry. Why must you punish yourself like that?

You've been having a rough go of it lately, with injuries, not feeling well, and now frozen feet!

How is the sugar avoidance going?

Oh ouch ouch ouch so sorry it was crying territory, yikes! I have never experienced frozen feet like that, sounds terrible! What a sweet little girl you have, though! My daughter is two and she likes to grab my hands and "help" me touch my toes and stretch and then tells me what a good job I am doing--makes me so happy!

Frozen feet, , ouch, , sounds so painful! But I agree w/ April, so sweet of your little one to empathize with you!

Hey, I just read you are doing no sugar for FEB too!!!! YEAH!!! The more the merrier to our cause of health! How's it going so far?

OUCHIE ouch ouch Nan thats not nice is it, I have bad circulation and I get cold hands and feet its not nice at all maybe letting them warm on there own rather than the warm water ouch !

Way to go on the cycling though in the cold, you really are digging it, but I am so sorry for your hip its not nice at all being a runner and being injured, Have you tried swimming yet?

Burt-I know! Why DO I punish myself? I should really try not to huh.

Carolyn-Yeah, its been a rough start to 2010 but the sugar avoidance is helping me feel a little better mentally, at least.

April-Kids are awesome huh. They make life SO much more meaningful and fun.

Amber-No sugar Feb is going great so far. Hasn't been too difficult yet, and I am starting to feel better.

Sam-Yeah, I have bad circulation in my feet too. My feet are ALWAYS cold if I don't have three pairs of socks on or shoes to keep the warmth in.

I do enjoy biking, but can't stand swimming. I wish I could bear it, but its just like time goes a slow as molasses in January every time I try. I am not a swimmer.

Those exercises sound like great hip strengtheners to me. Hope the ART visit goes well and improvement quickly follows.

Sorry to hear about puking kids - YUCK!

The stair stepper always kicks my tail. It's one of the few things at the gym (besides the tread mill) that works me as hard as running - it will definitely keep you in shape!

Good luck this afternoon!

Great cross training, and sorry about the sick baby.

Who's your ART guy? I wonder if my ART guy knows him.

OOh sick kids urggh and the washing sorry for your little girl :(

Hey way to go with xtraining, I know swimming never used to be my thing either but I learnt to swim proper by watching and listening to my sons coach's at his swimming club and I love crawl swimming now it gives me a good workout lungs wise and the water seems to massage the muscles but hey I dont swim unless I am injured no time ! :-)

You make your baby do laundry?

Wow. That's quite a picture of Burt's Mom.

I'm impressed that you swam laps. I'm sure I'm a horribler swimmer than you are.

I've been doing a ton of swimming due to my 2 stress fractures.(I can only do the back stroke though - I have a big fear of water. I had to write a blog post about it - www.barlowfamily6.blogspot.com - under My Drug of Choice). It definitely builds the upper body (maybe not quite as much as Burt's Mom). Have you done deep water pool running? That's hard too!

Why does my mom have a bigger lower back than her rump?

You're just as bad as allie. Tee hee. Speaking of rumps, here's a question for you. This would be a personal question for most normal people, knowing you, it's dinner table conversation. With your glutes and hips giving you so much grief lately, does it hurt to sit on the toilet? My glutes have been very tight lately and sitting on a hard porcelain seat directly where the soreness is, is not comfortable.

Carolyn-Yeah, I didn't even know it was Burt's Mom until I read Allie's blog yesterday. I bet she made Burt some matching leopard print "stretchy pants" that he wears alone in his room sometimes. (just like Nacho).

Toby-Yeah swimming is a good workout as well as aqua running. My gym's pool is not deep enough for aqua running but I went to a deep pool last week for that purpose. Its nice to mix it up and get different workouts in. Good job getting over that fear of water and jumping in the pool!

Burt-Who knows why fat (I mean muscle) stores where it does. I just admire your Mom for her confidence to workout in such a flattering outfit.

I'm glad we're over the personal question barrier too. I have experienced the pain you describe before but not presently. It does hurt when I sleep on my side though. Darn hips.

Oh, and there's these situps we're supposed to do in P90X where we lay on our side and come up from the hip. That hurts my hips (not glutes) real bad. How can anyone do those?

you are so lucky that you got to swim next to burt's mom. does she swim in the leopard print or does she change into snakeskin for the water?

Oh my gosh! Do you even remember going down? Get better you two!

Yuck ... sorry things are a little in upheaval at the kennard house ... way to show Aaron what kindness will get you (just kidding ... just think how bad it would have been if he had been a jerk).

seriously, hope you all feel better soon. It is hard when Mommy and Daddy get sick!!

Oh Nan be careful! Have you ever fainted before? What a wonderful husband you have--hope you are feeling stronger today.

Thanks guys, yes I've fainted many times before. Its always a little freaky though. I'm feeling a lot better today, and Aaron is already feeling better too.

wow. so sorry to hear about your nasty bug. hope you and aaron feel better soon. no fun.

I think a rest day was a wise choice (understatement).

I hope that nasty bug is short lived and you're both back to normal soon.

Ew. Glad you had a knight in shining armor handy.

That is crazy, Nan! I hope you start getting your energy back soon. What a sweet husband you have.

Oh I'm so sorry to hear you two are sick! I'm glad you guys are already feeling better . . . take it easy, lots of warm soup, reading, sleeping, resting, water, etc. Now if only that were all possible (especially with little kids to take care of ):) Really get better soon!

Thanks, everyone, we're better now. Aaron and I concluded that it must have been food poisoning from a spinach salad I made Thursday. I got sick about 8 hours after eating the salad for lunch and Aaron got sick about 10 hours after eating it for dinner but none of our kids got sick because they didn't eat the salad. Not sure if it was the spinach or the dressing, but I'm throwing it all away.

You entertained the guy next to you while you were on the elliptical and then you got some entertainment from the lunging ducks. It sounds like your gym is an entertaining place.

I'm so glad you're feeling better. You've really been through a lot lately. I hope that you're good to go on Monday.

way to sleep! glad you are feeling better. it sounds like you have top-tier gym entertainment. i would love to see some penguin lungers. my entertainment consists of watching the Air Force ROTC mile time trials. about 75% of them end up on the sides of the track puking into the trash cans. i try to avoid the gym on those mornings.

If people were giving me dirty looks for that I would have got off and scratched my fingernails down the chalkboard.

Hooray for a good workout Nan! Here's to a speedy recovery!

Way to stare down the squeaker. But the poor guy just needed an elliptical to work out on. Go stare down the people who run the gym so that they'll fix the squeaky machines.

Good job taking it slow and easy so as to avoid reinjury.

What did Ryan say about PRP? Dean is, unfortunately, going in for an MRI soon (he hasn't been able to run consistently for over a year now) -- John (our ART guy) suspects labral tear of the hip (can manifest problems in hamstring). Interestingly, Nick Willis won the mile handily on Saturday, almost a year after having surgery for both the labral tear and impingment in his hip. One of the things that Nick Willis said was proper diagnosis was the most frustrating thing about the whole injury. For us, as you can tell, we have tried just about everything up to now -- a slew of PTs, exercises (both strength and flexibility), PRP, acupuncture ... it is so very hard. And Dean is more than willing to put the time and effort in to get rid of this thing. In a way, I hope it is the tear, at least we know there is something new to try ... though I hate surgeries -- it was nice to see Nick Willis able to compete so well after the surgery.

Hope the hamstring behaves ... and you lose your hearing only at the specific decible that the annoying treadmill transmits ;-).

And I thought I was the only one to "test" machines until I find the perfect non-squeaking/non shaking perfectly balanced one.

Burt-Oh, you're THAT guy, huh?

Toby & Carolyn-Thanks :)

Bonnie-My ART guy thought that PRP was a little too early in stages of research and too new to trust yet. He is confident I will get results with ART, and I think I finally am! I'm sorry to hear that Dean is still having problems with his hip. Proper diagnosis can be very frustrating. Surgery is a big decision and a scary one; but sometimes very helpful. Good luck with the diagnosis and decision. If he is willing to keep putting in the effort to heal, I'm sure healing will eventually come.

Melody-Haha, yeah your definitely not alone in your machine testing. :)

Happy to hear your hip is feeling better. Sounds like you got a good rehab going. GOOD LUCK with gradual mileage build up. Are you still planning on the Half at DC in March?

Thanks Smooth, no I'm not doing the Half in March anymore. I don't even know if I have enough time to prepare for Boston now. I'm not ruling Boston out completely yet but it would take some small miracles to get ready for a decent marathon in less than 10 weeks, I guess we'll see.

I'll keep my fingers cross and send positive vibes your way. GOOD LUCK with full recovery and back to 100% training!

Fingers crossed for you Nan, but take your time its worth it, you will be there soon :)

It sounds like thing are on the mend. Here's hoping for no more troubles.

Hi Nan. Just realized you were injured...I've been in sleep mode. I need to put you under "my favorite blogs" list. Not fun for you. I understand about hip issues. Most of mine were the first few years after having a baby. The hormones, specifically, relaxin really causing the joints to be real lose. Melanieb is dealing with that right now too. I hope I can avoid those problems but I have to say it is still a common one that tries to show its face often. I do a lot of after run hip stretches- side raises and front raises. They help stretch the hamstring quite well. Runner's World has a short article on some stretches, odd I was doing on my own 4 of them already. I have been hip injury free--knock on wood--- since doing them. Any way I am sure you will be back in no time come Spring. The colder weather probably contributed to your hip problem by the muscles being not warm enough. Here's to Spring!! :D.

Good luck with your appt tomorrow, and take care as you build up your miles! I'm adding my positive vibes to send your way so you can recover and still run a great Boston!

I hope your hip loosens up satisfactorily.

Why bother jacking up the incline if you're going to hold on like that? On The Biggest Loser, they're always yelling at the contestants to let go of the railings on the treadmills.

this is a very common approach to exercising that i have observed over the years: if the belt is moving, it's a workout.

sometimes i turn on the treadmill and go eat breakfast. i come back an hour later and i have magically gone 8 miles! this approach is great on the joints, and it saves you from having to deal with all of that 'icky' sweat.

I always love reading your workouts!

Way to pass up the sugar. I had to pass again on cake last night as another daughter of mine had a birthday.

Ah some good news on the hip! Yeah! Way to pass up temptation--you are such a sweet mother to let the kids have their treats and fight your own cravings. I feel like I sorta cheated, I made peanut butter candy with 1/4 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup honey, and 1/2 cup powdered dry milk and then patted it all down on a plate and chilled it in the fridge. It is a treat my mom used to make for us when we were kids. I told myself that the honey was natural so didn't really count as sugar...I will probably just keep my cheat day light with a few pieces of chocolate and call it good for the month to compensate!

I'm glad you're hip is feeling better.

My ART guy doesn't do scraping. In fact, I'm not real clear on exactly what scraping is.

You're doing a great job avoiding the sugar. I need to follow your example.

Burt-Wow, I'm impressed. You probably have a stronger will than most of us doing the no sugar diet.

April-I make those for my kids too! Fun! They do have a lot of sugar, but honey is better than cane sugar, at least.

Carolyn-My ART guy does ART in combination with Graston technique:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6uIwTixqu0

OUCH I have had a bad week for sugar and stuff, when I am on an easy week I just cant stop eating its crazy I feel like crap too for it..... great workout and so glad your hip is kink free nice :-)

It sounds like you're going to have a really fun weekend.

I've never had a facial either.

Those are my favorite kinds of gifts! I love massages and facials. Enjoy!

I don't frequent spas but I do love me a good massage and facial. I think you will enjoy it. Have fun with your friend! PS: what a sweet hubby!

I hope you enjoy every minute of it!! Sounds like so much fun and so relaxing, you do have a sweet husband! Great job and resisting the candy this week too! This week was harder than I thought it would be! Are you having a free day at all?

Yes, it was definitely nice. Amber, the no sugar is going well, I'm just going to keep it going and avoid a free day.

i went and saw valentine's day yesterday as well. overall i really liked it, but there were some random things thrown in there that didn't make much sense. made for some good laughs.

good plan on not taking the cheat day. almonds! go with almonds! and bananas! and honey stix!

Wow great running Nan, whats with the no sugar diet thing...... ??? tell me and how long does it last I take my hat off to you for doing more than a week LOL :)

What a wonderful Valentines Day present.

You're doing great on the no sugar thing. I really should get on that bandwagon.

Allie-Mmmmmm....almonds.....

Sam-No Sugar February. Just something I decided to do after noticing that I was having dessert every day and often twice a day; I wanted to break that pattern. Lots of other bloggers are doing it too. http://runningmama.fastrunningblog.com/blog--Roll-Call-nbsp-Ok-so-here-s-who-s-i/02-05-2010.html

Carolyn-Its not too late to jump in and go no sugar for the next two weeks. It really has helped me feel a lot better mentally and its not even hard to resist anymore.

Be gone tightness be GONE! Nice "easy" paced run! Glad it was pleasant.

How are you going to beat Goucher if you can't get rid of this tightness???

She'll beat Goucher. The tightness will go away and she'll fly!

She'll be wearing your Olympic uniform soon enough and we will all cheer loudly!

Haha, thanks for your confidence everyone (except Burt). Beating Goucher isn't exactly on my agenda at the moment but maybe someday I can run close enough to actually see her for part of the race.

Oh hello quite a brisk pace there! Glad it was easy!

I'm glad to see you getting back into your groove.

Maybe your 3 yo knows something you don't ;)

Hooray for a great workout! It must feel so good to be back pounding the pavement!

Thats funny kids are so funny arent they LOL....... great running there Nan, your back to it fast as usual :-)

Careful, you know, one way to get pregnant is to say that you aren't planning on it. Cosmic humor sometimes works that way.

Oh come on Paul, don't jinx me now.

Good for you!

I'm so glad you are feeling better! What specialty is your brother graduating in?

Hey well done Nan thats a great run ! and I hope you bro stays near too, its good to have family nearby.

I agree with you ART guy too not too much on the muscles foam rollering it can mash the muscles so to speak :-)

Yeah! You have really done a great job dealing with your tightness.

Great longer run Nan! Hope those legs keep cooperating!

Glad your back and feeling great Nan!! Great runs the past week. Those hip exercises really work :D.

It looks like you're really getting back into it. That's great!

You're BACK!!!! Hooray for you and your diligent resting!

Glad you are feeling good. You are a great inspiration to me.

Thanks everyone. Yeah, no time to waste now that I'm healthy I gotta make every run count. I'll ease more gradually into the speed work this time, but I really hope to get that long run built back up so it'll still be worth it to run Boston.

Great day working out Nan, this will make you so much stronger hitting high mileage again..... Im so glad your getting back to the training though your such a great runner :-)

Running ALL week! Congratulations!

Nice day at the gym. You're really doing a good job with recovery.

nice workout today. how are you liking/what do you think of the ART therapy?

You're back in the saddle again Nan! Hooray for recovery!

Very nice workout. I bet the group was glad to have you back.

Great workout! Glad the hip is doing well. Middle group or no, those are some great speeds!

great workout Nan and you make it all sound so easy, nice paces your back on fire again :-)

Thanks, everyone. Its definitely good to be back.

Allie-I do like ART. My guy scrapes with Graston tools along with ART and that part is painful, but I feel like it is effective. You went to an ART guy in Brigham City, right? What did you think?

i actually ended up going to a guy in south jordan just for an initial consultation. his cost was a little too high for my liking so i couldn't stick with it long-term. but i did get some good information and learned some good stretching/massage techniques that i can do on my own. i have never had any scraping done---sounds rather painful but it seems to be very effective for most people. i am just so glad that all this stuff is helping you. darn hips!

Nice solid workout!

Sorry you had an "off" day. Hopefully things are better tomorrow.

tell Aaron I said happy birthday!

Chuck e cheeze- yuck, I am glad I am beyond that, what a scene that is.

I got injured last year training for Ogden, tried to push through it and just made things worse. I wouldn't feel bad about bagging out of Boston, or just run it for fun if you already have a ticket and hotel. It is just as fun that way anyway.

We need to be focusing on the Bolder Boulder anyway. I am counting on you to push me to a PR so I need you to get healthy fast!!

have fun tonight, Scott

Dang it. I'm sorry that this injury is still bugging you. It's hard to drop out of a race that you've been aiming for, but maybe it is better in the long run, so to speak.

Can you just run it for fun or do you have to try to race it if you run it since you have a comp entry? (You do have a comp entry, right?)

so sorry! that stinks.:( Hope you had a fun day. You must be the sweetest mother and wife!

I'm SO sorry Nan. What a bummer! It is so hard when you are mentally ready to ROCK! But you are a smart runner and will make the right choice!

That is so frustrating. I'll hope Boston works out for you this year - but if not, goodness knows you'll be hitting it hard soon. You're amazing!

I came over here to reprimand you for not commenting on my Sunday post, but now I can't. I'm so sorry your injury's not cooperating. That is frustrating. :(

Hiya Nan, sorry to hear of your un-co-operating body is that even a word lol but anyways, I have had to back off and train not like others at all but its working, and I ended up writing off last year due to me running through injury in the spring to do a half marathon, and it all came back in the training for Berlin which was a huge decision to not run even lost the flights and the whole price...... I think you take a step back do fitness training and cross training, I did lots of swimming, you can do lots of cycling or what helps you ! and some running if your body lets you..... Its hard but I wouldnt run a main race for fun and any marathon really takes it out of you its best if you dont think you will be in tip top condition why run it???? if your real goals in your mind is to pr, then you wont pr if your not in tip top condition. Just my thoughts and I hope this helps you in some ways its better to make the decision if your like me I am a stress head until I make the decision.

Happy Birthday Aaron, and I hope you all had a great day ....

You can always be my pacer. My MP would be a walk in the park for you, Nan. Truthfully though, I am really sorry and hope that you can kick this injury once and for all. Talk about annoying!

Thanks for your encouragement, everyone. I was feeling pretty down Wednesday and Thursday, but am feeling better now. Just choosing to be grateful for the things that ARE working out in my life rather than discouraged about the things that aren't.

what an ADORABLE video! How precious!!! You've inspired me, I think I should do some scrapbooking today :) lol, I spend all my extra time running and now my kids have no scrapbooks! They grow up so fast though! Thanks for sharing a bit of your family :)

Good luck Nan with recovering from your injury, hang in there. It's so frustrating, but soon you'll be able to run pain-free again! Your distractions are good to take your mind off the injury, , , it's just as much a mental game as a physical one! Anyway, sending healing vibes thru the computer your way!!!!!

Loved the video. I could certainly do with some extra time to consolidate all the video of our kids, but alas, I'm a slacker. I hope you heal quickly and can get back to your amazing training.

Fantastic video! When you are a grandma, you kids will love all the time and effort you put into making the memories.

It is always nice to have a goal to work on. Something that lingers in the back of your mind (when I was in college, I always had homework lingering). Way to go!

Love the video! Can't wait to see the new year version--so glad you are feeling better about things and it won't be long before you are up and running again!

I loved the little hands and little feet part. And the boy with the breast pump.

Thanks for sharing that Nan. Its a good reminder of how good life is!

I'm getting anxious for Spring.

Back to running today, eh. Are you feeling better?

Yeah, after resting most of last week I was itching to get out. My hip is still weak but it seems to handle easy running just fine. Seems that my body has taken out a restraining order against all sub-7:00 pace running though, so I better obey or I'm sure to be punished again.

I love spring my favorite month I am so happy you got some training in and are feeling a little better :-)

Glad the hip lets you do some running; must be awfully hard to give up speed, though. We are in full blown early Spring here, weird and unnatural, but great for running.

We played outside all afternoon. My kids were bouncing with energy!

Hooray for a good run!

Glad you could get out and run! Your slow pace is the daily norm for mere mortals like myself haha I am sure you will see the underside of the 6:00 miles this year nevermind the 7:00 miles. Can't wait until you heal up and storm the line!

Ah yes, Spring is the BEST!

April-I am obviously very mortal too. :) I am really enjoying the 8+ min/mile pace. Its just perfect.

R.I.P. sweet IPOD.

Nice run, Nan. I need to put my ipod away too. I don't usually train with it unless I'm going alone, but I am addicted to racing with it. Maybe I should accidentally leave it in my running jacket...

poor ipod. i like your percentage comparison from yesterday. very precise. i think it made it up to 38 in logan yesterday. it felt so warm! spring is here! at least for now.

You're in luck Nan. allie's renting out her IPOD. Really cheap.

My son's ipod went through the wash awhile ago. It died too.

I'm glad you're enjoying some peaceful and quiet slow(ish) runs.

yes non-ipod runs are the i ching. i am going to go on some music free runs. you reinspired me.

It's so great to read you are running! Sorry about the Ipod. I'm not that tough to run without one. I guess I need something to distract me!

Nice peaceful run Nan! It is going to be in the 50's this week too and I am looking forward to stroller running! I wonder if Vanessa will like it this year as well as she did last year...

Melody-Thats funny, I've never raced with music, I just like it on training runs sometimes.

Allie-I have to be very precise in my healing measurements because I am SO sick of the repeated crippling limp walk. Cramps my style.

Burt-Thanks for the offer, but I don't think I could handle Allie's alternative punk rock style. Guster, The Killers, and who knows what other annoying screechy noise she's got on there. I'd much rather borrow your 80s soft rock mix. Do you have Foreigner on there? They are so HOT right now.

Carolyn-And you've told him time and time again to empty his pockets before putting clothes in the dirty clothes hamper! Sheesh. Kids (and me) these days.

Julie & Toby-Its the new trend, quiet running. Ipods are so last year.

Put your ipod in the oven at the lowest temp possible overnight. Then charge it, and you may resurrect the thing.

ellipticarific. i like it.

when you work it really hard you can call it ellipticardiorific. and when you reeeaaallly don't feel like ellipticaling anymore you can refer to it as elliptihorrific. a well-defined workout can be elliptispecific, and on the balcony of a hotel in california it becomes elliptipacific.

You are very precise.

what exactly is your hip problem? is it psoas-related? Allie- for those medical people I would call it Status Ellipticus, which is where I would wind up if I had to be on one every day.

status epilepticus-- the life-threatening condition where the brain is one continous seizure : SSSSSSSS

Allie-Women should ellipticadural to manage labor pains. Elliptiphen-phen to magically lose weight or elliptiprozac to fight depression. Sorry, Julie got me on the medically minded answers.

Julie-My hip problem started in the hamstring, then moved to the hip flexor, and has been lingering in the groin/adductor region for the longest (going on 4 weeks now). I'm starting to wonder if part of my problem just exists in my head too.

There's a guy here in Highlands Ranch that just got in trouble for running a medical marijuana dispensary out of his house.

I have a friend who had breast cancer and said that marijuana was the only thing that helped with the nausea from chemotherapy. But I'm disturbed by the completely healthy, recreational users of "medical" marijuana.

very interesting article. maybe i could find a job if i moved to colorado. "i am very passionate about marijuana"

Hooray for a massage!

Carolyn-Thats funny. I'm glad there are some parameters that dispensaries must follow. The really savvy drug dealers don't get put out of business, they just get a business license and boost their sales by 800%. I'm sure medical marijuana helps a lot of people but its not the least risky drug out there. I guess people know the potential risks when the consent to treatment though.

Allie-I didn't know you were so passionate about marijuana. Well, now is the time for you to turn that passion in to CASH!

Toby- :)

Glad you were able to work your kinky back out. Ok - that sounded weird...

I'm glad you're feeling better. We had fog Friday morning too.

sounds like a nice day to run too, glad your back running Nan :)

Looks like an awesome run. Glad this are starting to look up for you!

Hooray for being back on the way up! There are great things ahead of you.

We had rain overnight down here too. I would love it if we were done with snow for the season, but I don't dare count on it.

Glad to hear things are looking better with the injuries and such.

Everybody needs a good solid run to know they are still in the game - hooray for you! You deserve it!

yay! Great run and pace! Are you running w/o music on purpose? ( oh I am now remembering something about an ipod found in the wash ???) :) oh man! sorry. but a nice time to think probably, , , do you usually run w/ music in a race?

Nan, your an inspiration! Thanks for all your comments and encouragement.

glad things are looking up, we still have, what, 11 weeks until the Bolder Boulder, lots of time to recover and peak for 10K racing by then. pace me to a a sub 37 minute finish and I will be eternally in your debt. or just leave me behind if I run out of steam. Are you still doing Ogden?

Good to hear the injury situation is improving!

Thanks, everyone.

Amber-Yes, my ipod died in the wash. I've never raced with it, just used it on training runs most of the time over the past couple of years. But I'm realizing more and more that I really appreciate the quiet.

Scott-I'm looking forward to the Bolder Boulder. That will be my first race this year. I'm hoping I can eventually get back into speed work in good form here in a few more weeks. But I'm not going to push myself back into injury, so I'll just see how it goes. Not sure sub-37 is in the cards, but maybe?

That's pretty funny, Nan.

Haha that is an awesome stage. After that I like the stage where they say the funniest stuff! Nice run today!

hahaha! that's a funny story.

Cute. Once she starts making the upside down peace signs while puckering up is when you have to look out for her.

What I want to know is, why are you making all those strange faces all the time (that she is imitating) ;-)

She is very very cute! Genetics are hard to beat!

I actually never look at my kids with a straight face. Mostly I look at them with photo #2's expression.

J/K, No really this child came up with those faces all on her own. It was strange; one day I was just playing with my cell phone camera and she would not stop being crazy! There are like 12 more pictures similar to these from that day and not one with a normal looking face.

Cutie Pie Nan your little girl that is LOL great running Im doing the same again today my hips and knee are sore so its another recovery run and the sun is shining :-)

My two year old does the same thing with Body Glide.

looks fun! and funny.

i would totally use one of those.

Especially because its lime green, right?

That thing is wild. It really does look fun. Especially if you can go fast like him.

I would love to see you on one of those. Did you get a lot of stares while you were kicking tail on your machine?

You were bookin' today on that elliptical! Nice workout!

Okay at first I laughed my head off, then I watched him riding it then I laughed again then I thought that looks wicked I wanna have a go and I like lime green nothing wrong with lime green ;-)

Btw excellent training today sorry about the strange talkative person LOL.

I gotta get one of those.

That dude's a total nerd, though.

nice miles! glad your hip is cooperating.

no doubt the pot was for medicinal purposes.

We have the traps that are the sticky paper stuff. That way the mouse doesn't die right away. It suffers a slow painful death of starvation.

I prefer the quick death snap traps. The mice squeak and wimper while they're stuck in the glue tracks. It's horrible.

I was at the middle school last night and they had a poster up about some survey they did. It said that 98% of students don't smoke cigarettes, 98% of students don't smoke pot, and 93% of students don't drink alcohol. Make of that what you will.

I'm guessing the hundreds of other kids skipping school to smoke/drink weren't there to take the survey. Sounds way too optimistic to me.

Or they were afraid to answer honestly because they thought they would get turned in.

What a mean mom- won't let your kid play with the dead animals! :)

Pot is legal in Colorado, right?

I'm with Burt on the sticky mouse traps.

Glad your hip is doing well. Haha funny how kids think! I bet Mr. Marijuana was feeling happy about life!

Naughty Mom how mean of you and yay to the great running :-)

Melody-Yeah, medical marijuana is legal but supposedly you have to carry an ID card to be in possession of it and have a prescription to get it. I'm guessing its not super difficult to get it for recreational purposes either though. Why? You want some?

I'm with Carolyn on the sticky mouse traps. GROSS. I have never used them but I'm not interested in inhumane torture and I don't want to hear the sqeaking, dying mouse. I like the snappers because they are quick, efficient, and reusable.

So last night I think we caught 4 of those little rascals. They're out of control! Around 1am I went downstairs and heard one squeaking. It was writhing in agony. I decided to leave it there in case any of its friends came to try and help it. Much to my delight there was another one with it in the morning.

Luckily my son has a fascination for killing things, so he puts them out of their misery.

I have saddle soreness! Just thought I'd share.

Nice run.

You totally need the elliptiGO! They are available for retail purchase this summer!!

Sushi sounds delish right now. Any niggles today?

It sounds like you had a busy day. I'm glad you got some adult conversation.

What a fun date! You guys are tough!!

Oh, I guess it's just Nan now. You're such a grown up.

Now that's what I call a date. So fun!

That's some serious elevation change! But I have to admit, the video made me a little sea sick. Good job in the snow and ice.

That looks so beautiful! So glad you got to go run in the mountains with your husband!

Toby-My legs are killing me today. Feels like I did 2 hours of stair-stepper yesterday.

Burt-Change is good

Jess-Your niece babysat for us. When I was driving her home I was telling her about our run and she said, "you totally remind me of my Aunt Jessica."

Carolyn-Sorry for making you sea sick. It was filmed on Aaron's cell phone.

April-Sounds like you had an intense day of "mountain" climbing yourself! And 16 miles afterwards! You rock.

Dang IT, I'm always doing that. Last comment was me, not Aaron.

LOL! Thanks Aar-nan.

I have had that dream!! I couldn't even move ... and I was trying to tell the starters that I was paralyzed and I couldn't talk either. Weird.

Hey you have to ask Aaron do you thrash about as if your actually running when dreaming of running, apparently I do LOL

glad someone else is sharing in the joy of hammered quads although I'm not using the railing I didn't really climb up 2000 feet either : D. It is always an interesting sight, the kind that makes my husband realize even more why he doesn't run!!

I would love to run in the mountains! Too bad we don't have any of those in Kansas. Sounds beautiful, although I wouldn't enjoy the thrashed quads.

That's a crazy dream. I just dream that I'm have classes at both BYU and the U of U on the same day and I don't have time to get from one to the other. Or it's the end of the semester and there's a class I'm registered for that I've never attended. I guess I didn't run enough in college to have running dreams.

Now you know how I feel after a marathon :)

I actually clean in my sleep and one time my husband woke up with me standing over him on bed. It kind of freaked him out. Maybe if I ran in my sleep it would make me faster in real life. LOL Hope your legs feel better soon. :)

are those quads still hammered? hope you are doing well : D

What a great gift. You sound like a really fun mom!

glad the hip is getting better. good idea to take it easy. My motivation is low right now too, so I am glad to see I am not the only one.

I am beginning to think January and february are good months to not do any running at all unless an important spring marathon is on the agenda. I think I am going to get some x-country skate skis and just do that next winter for two months and bag running completely.

Glad you had a good workout today. Hip feeling good + newfound motivation sounds like a great combination-hopefully you experience it soon. You are such a tremendous athlete that in reality it will not take long at all for you to get back into shape. I doubt you are very much out of shape anyway! The low-key week sounds nice--I am planning on a few of those after my April marathon!

Remember that time you ran a 2:44:10 at TOU? That was awesome!

:) Thanks for that Burt.

I know from my past that fast running can come back pretty quickly. I've done it three times after not running at all through pregnancy and I've had my seasons of very little running followed by lots of fast running. In fact, last winter around this time I was running about 10-15 mpw and didn't even start bumping up my mileage until June when I joined the blog. So a fast fall marathon is still in my realm of possibilities.

You are an INCREDIBLE ATHLETE and really an inspiration to so many runners/bloggers! I agree w/ Burt, think of where you've been, , , ,you'll for sure be there again. Hang in there girl!

I think the relative rest you're having right now will do you good and you will come back stronger than ever when your body and your m ind are ready.

Morning runs are so nice - less traffic, air quality is better - peaceful. My favorite leg of Ragnar was the middle of the night run.

slipping out in to the darkness when all the world is asleep and coming home with hours on your hands to get the rest of day on track, a big treat. Enjoy the day, hopefully it remains peaceful!!

That sounds like a great morning plan. And it's wonderful when your kids take care of each other. That's the big pay off for having more than one kid.

You can get ready to run in 10 minutes? It takes me that long to sit on the toilet. Oh yeah, you just go wherever.

Burt-Its called fiber. Get some.

LOL!

"Tractor field." That's pretty funny.

I loooked at my watch at around 6:50 while I was out running today and figured that you were running too.

LOL! Love kids! Hope they have a blast in tractor field. Nice early run and hope the Emergen-C works--it really seems to make a differnce for me!

thumbs up for emergen-c.

tractor field. haha!

here is my biggest misunderstanding as a child:

"i am a child of God. and so my knees are gray."

i was the primary loser.

"has given me an eartly home, with parents kind of dear"

My 3 year old was recently heard singing, "Jesus wants me for a zombie!" I guess we've been playing too much Plants vs. Zombies at my house.

...with parents kind of weird...

I was having a loud and contentious day at home with every one there, so I left and came to work.

I hope you get feeling better. I'm feeling a touch of something beginning as well. Is these changing seasons, I think.

Hope it was actually quiet for you and you got some rest!

My kids have actually been very amazingly pleasant today. The older two have been playing pretend all day and I haven't been asked even once to turn the TV on. I took a two hour nap while my 1 yo was napping and the older two were building forts with the couch cushions. AMAZING!!

I also got a little bit of exercise shoveling the wet, heavy snow off my driveway and sidewalk. My head still feels like its 80 lbs though.

We have that junk going on at our house too. I took children's benedryl and I felt hung over all day. NOT worth it!

I think that it's the treadmills fault. I'm not a big fan of treadmills. I hope you feel better soon.

You amaze me at how patient and smart you are about listening to your body. I'm sure it will all pay off when you are running the Trials in 2012! Take care of that sinus infection--hope you have chicken and noodles available!

Nan, I may have missed this, but have you consulted with a doc already? Maybe some kind of mineral supplement would help with all these muscle problems. Regardless, I hope you can get out of the woods soon.

Is it upper hamstring? I've had upper hamstring problems for almost 2 years now. Once it really sets in, it just doesn't seem to want to go away. Hang in there. It stinks to not be able to train how you want. I hope it gets better soon. Perhaps test for hla-b27? Maybe you can join the fastrunning-AS group.

You have been SO patient Nan. That goes to show what kind of athlete you are! SUPA-STAR!

Have you used your NetiPot yet?

April-I don't think it is patience to back off so much as it is lack of motivation to push through. But yes, the 2012 trials are still on my mind.

Steve-I haven't been to a ortho, but have been to some chiro's, massage therapists, and an ART guy. It does seem to be healing slowly but surely, I'm just taking it easy until I feel 100% again.

Melody-NetiPot!! Hahaha I should give it whirl eh! For others who don't know:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTxMYKfd0Yc&feature=related

I'm glad you were able to get your head cleared out, at last temporarily. I always appreciate that when I run with a stuffy head.

It's also great that you've found a pilates instructor that you like.

Hey Nan so glad you cleared your head, the pilates class sounds great, just what I need :-)

Yeah, I highly recommend pilates reformer. I think it helped my adductor loosen up quite a bit because it felt better than it has felt in MONTHS on today's run!

YES! That sounds so incredible! What an uplifting run! Oh you so needed this! So happy that you felt the "joy" of running!

Awesome! Sounds like a great experience.

Fantastic! The sun finally peaked out down here probably around the same time. I'm so glad you had a great run!

So happy for you Nan!! It is days like this that it is SO good to be a runner!

AWESOME!!!

Congrats on the good 10 miler

Everyone needs an ego booster to remind us why we love to run. You totally DESERVE it! Way to go Nan!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!! You so needed that! Things are only going to get better from here. . . . . Congrats on a wonderful run!

Look at all this womanly support. Such sweet comments. I actually want to give a sweet comment too, but I don't have the words. So I'll just comment on your post from yesterday. Gross!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't been there since I was 8, and we're thinking of going soon. You'll have to tell us how it is with young kids.

You lucky duck. Everyone's going to Disneyland lately (except Jon.) Are they having a special or something?

I've never been to Disneyland. Really. Can I come?

Burt- did you hear about the give a day, get a day? That's how we got our tickets.

Nan- get a DoleWhip! I absolutely love those and it's the only place you can get one besides the Dole Plantation in Hawaii (I think).

I totally agree with the Dole Whip (they have them at the PCC in Hawaii and are AMAZING). Have a great trip and relax!

I haven't heard of that. What is it?

Nan - don't mind us. Melody and I are going to have a side conversation.

Carolyn and Jon-Meet us there! April 23rd and 24th.

Melody-The give a day promotion has expired now so we're just getting discount tickets through our hotel. I'll have to keep my eye out for the Dole Whip! Whatever it is.

there is no other way to say this that won't spark a comment from burt, but it must be said...the upgrade to gas is a dream come true.

(now you can flambé)

nice running today! and nice weather.

Hooray for a good run and fun day at the zoo!

Hit refresh on my page and you may be surprised.

Oooo, I'll have to learn how to flambé. Sounds fun! Any recipe suggestions?

Gotta love the shuffle- so small. I bought a 1GB cause the battery runs out before the music does.

TMBG- wow, real old school. I love Women and Men from them.

Let's see- some of the songs on my list are Take On Me (by A-ha), some Erasure, lots of Dave Matthews Band (chill out music), Coldplay, The Fray, Danger Zone (Kenny Loggins!), Crazy Train (Ozzy), and Red Hot Chili Peppers. But that's just me.

i'm with jon on coldplay, the fray and red hot chili peppers.

others that i have on my "running mix"...

guster, mates of state, ben folds (the older stuff), the hush sound, vampire weekend, one republic, arcade fire, nada surf, stars (HIGHLY recommended), black eyed peas, black eyed peas, black eyed peas...

do you wonder if this blog is spreading hip injuries around? i think it is contagious.

Definitely contagious.

My brain is too tired to think of play lists right now. So I'm just writing a lame comment anyway. Have fun with your new shuffle.

Oh, here's one: The Ting Tings.

Jon-TMBG has hundreds of great songs almost all of which I think we own. The challenge is to just pick a few of the best so I don't overload my playlist with them. I like your suggestions, I do have some Coldplay, Fray, and Chili Peppers on there already.

Allie-Thanks for the ideas. I just purchased some Mates of State, Vampire Weekend and One Republic. Arcade fire reminds me of Band of Horses, another great band. Cool stuff. That'll refresh my playlist nicely.

Carolyn-Ting Tings are unique and fun! Thanks for sharing.

Ooo and I just had to buy more Guster too. I needed more Guster.

Amber G compiled a pretty good list and posted it right before her Spectrum 10K. I keep meaning to check it out and buy some of the songs she mentioned. I have been rocking out to a lot of Lady Gaga songs lately. Party in the USA is also a groovy tune, but there is a part where a guy says, "HEY!," and it only feeds through one of the earphones. It scares the crapola out of me every time I listen to it.

Lady Gaga is always upbeat.

Seriously, my personal favorite that I always love to hear when it shuffles through is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMnjF1O4eH0

GREAT SONG!

Good job getting the garbage out on time. That's more important than .2 miles, especially when you've got a house full of kids.

just remember this day when you are running your next marathon. you saved .2 miles worth of energy today to be used on the homestretch of the marathon.

It's funny we were talking about TMBG yesterday. I was watching an alphabet-type movie from the library with my 3 year old today, and the music caught my attention. Sure enough, the whole thing is by TMBG! Cool.

THANKS FOR REMINDING ME. I NEED TO PUT THE TRASH OUT TOO!

great running Nan well done, I cant believe you listen to Regina and Kate when Running !

oh and thanks for your support recently ;)

Carolyn-Yes, I wouldn't have wanted to keep those 20+ stinky diapers in the garbage can for another week. Who knows what would have started growing in there.

Allie-Thats right. I didn't burn that extra one gram of fat and now I still have it for future use. Sweet. I have a lot more where that came from thanks to my lower mileage as of late.

Jon-TMBG's ABCs, 123s, and Here Comes Science albums are MUST HAVES for your children's happiness and well-being. Every family with young children should own them.

Melody-Did you make it in time?

Sam-Why are you surprised I listen to Regina and Kate while running? Don't you?

Yes, I made it! Thank goodness the truck doesn't come until the afternoon around here.

Ah, the life of a busy mom.

You're funny (making up the .2).

I like the .2! Glad the kink worked itself out--love the description of your morning, sounds very familiar!

I knew you would make up for it! I'm debating on adding on a little to my 20 just to round out my week. Even undecimaled numbers just sound better, don't they? Glad your kink worked itself out.

Yeah decimals are lame. Gotta make it even.

Great job getting up early on a Saturday. I didn't have an early morning in me today.

I know I'll never be as speedy as you, but can I still wish that 7:30 or even 8:00 felt easy?

Nice run Nan! I love those mornings where your legs just glide! Fun to have a visit from family too!

Sounds like an awesome and good-feeling run! Sweet! I hope they keep coming!

You are so inspiring Nan! Way to keep at it! Hooray for a great run!

Question though - how are you figuring your mileage? I know the standard is to increase it by 10% a week, but you aren't the "standard"!

Toby-I usually feel pretty safe jumping back into 40-45 mpw of easy running. Its the speed work in combination with high mileage (55+mpw) that can start to be taxing on me. I'm just SO stoked to be feeling good that I feel great adding on the miles. I will only go up by 5 miles per week from here on out though. I think the 10% rule is a good rule of thumb in general.

Nice run, Nan. It looks like you're coming back with a vengance!

I often smell bacon and doughnuts when I run in the early mornings because I go past IHOP and Lamar's Donuts, and sometimes Krispy Kreme. I have smelled the dryer exhaust smell while running too.

Nice post. I've smelt Dunkin Donuts a few times on my run. I don't think my sense of smell is as keen now as it was when I first started running, though. Well, smell ya later.

we need to ask sasha if he will put a scratch-and-sniff feature on the blog so that we can share smells that we encounter while on the run.

i do not like the smell of bacon when i am running. the last part of the d-news course runs along the parade route and there are always numerous groups that have camped out and are making breakfast. the combination of smell, heat and fatigue always makes me extremely nauseous. so now i connect the smell of bacon with the feeling of wanting to lie down and die.

i do like smelling laundry. gain is my favorite.

Sadly all UNnatural smells give me the worst headaches, numbness, and twitches in my muscles, cologne and gain detergent being the worst. But nature smells are therapeutic!! GO GREEN!!

....maybe I just have a lot of bad memories? I need a therapist,not, or I should just keep running and running. I do agree about smells and memories...

julie - i take it back. i don't like gain.

You can't just take that back.

Allie you're sweet. It's my problem. I just wish it were not.

burt - yes i can. i take back my typing words all the time. it's allowed for people with diarrhea fingers.

julie - you just ran 20 miles on a TM?!?!?!?!?!?!

You are having some really awesome runs lately--sounds like you are falling in love with it all over again! It is so great to be out running just for the sake of running and feel so good and truly enjoy it!

Yeah bacon is on the unpleasant list thats why its not in this post. I can't handle cooking bacon either. I only do it about twice a year for certain recipes.

I do love Gain though. Sorry you cant handle it Julie, that stinks for you. Good job on your 20 mile TM run though! Woah! I think the most I've ever done on the TM is 12.

April-Yeah! You pinned it right on the nose! It IS good just to be out running for the sake of running. :)

Mmmm, I liked your post, Nan. I do not like running downwind from certain not-to-be-named running partners that have gas.

What the hail?

I can see you rolling your eyes now.

Potty Mouth

LOL! (Seriously.)

You've been so consistent these past 2 weeks. I'm so glad your injury is getting better!

Send some good "potty washing" soap down to AZ - sounds like Burt needs some!

I think we had rain over night in these parts, but it was dry this morning. I wonder what we're going to get tonight.

I'm glad to see you getting back to your normal awesomeness.

Yes. Send me some soap. But don't send it ground. They'll have to drive over the dam, and with all that dam traffic, it could take a while.

Grinding soap up sounds like a bad idea

Nan, I think it was you and allie mentioning about sometimes the hip is fine at fast speeds but not slow speeds (and vice versa). THere was a small aritcle in hte UK RW magazine about the fact that if you imagine when you run along a white line, at slow speeds your feet are closer to the line but as it goes faster they come further out from the line which changes the stress on the ITB/hip etc. Anyway I thought I would just throw that at you, might not be useful but hey...

ha ha Burt.

Chris you are right same thing with me.....

although when running fast we have to hold good form so that is the thing tooo! slower speeds we dont and cant hold good form for as long hence the break down so we all need to make ourselves stronger

so here goes with the ploy do the blooming challenge people it will help honest ;-)

oh and Chris those butt exercises I have not been given yet so I will try them tonight burning :)

Sorry you had such a tough day mentally and emotionally. How sweet of your husband to try and bail you out! It's always good to know that your family is going to be there for you--whether you're running or not! Hope your spirits have lifted since then!

Vitamin D IS a good thing. So is mental stamina.

Shorts?! I'm jealous!

The come-back story wouldn't be as inspiring if there wasn't a little struggle in there. You're doing awesome.

Wait a minute. You're sister went to the dance with Napoleon Dynamite? WHY AM I JUST NOW LEARNING THIS??? I totally want to draw her a picture.

But tell her I want my $8 back for Pirates of the Great Salt Lake. Kerby Heyborne wasn't very funny in that movie and I lost all respect for him when he did that beer commercial. (He's not your brother is he?)

Yeah, she's a total Celeb. Pirates is better the second time and the best scenes are the ones with Em in them. Its not Kirby's best role.

Seriously though, the scene where he was carving wood in his bedroom was very inappropriate.

I completely agree with that.

And now my famous sister is a MOM!! She just had a baby boy last night. :)

congrats aunt nan!!!

Uh-oh. And it's been 9 months since the dance. Does the baby have curly hair and big glasses?

JK. Congrats!

That sounds wonderful Nan! A strong and loving family is a blessing indeed! Glad you had such an uplifting day.

nice workout, great to see you getting your strength and intensity back. you should be in great shape by memorial day!

it looks like your little "break" didn't hurt you one bit : D Wish I could feel so good and go out and run that pace!! YOU are amazingly fast!!

A speedy run plus Sam's challenge. You are really working hard today. I'm glad you're feeling better.

Maybe you could run Boston next week. Maybe not :(

Good to see you're doing the slow crunches.

You are made of steel.

10, 8, 8 on the pull-ups. Hold on a second while I try to do one pull-up on my jaw. That's got to be good for rock climbing. I'm glad to hear that you've got your legs back under you.

Yeah, thanks for the reminder that I'm not doing Boston, Burt. :(

Bolder Boulder is going to be fun though, Scott!

Jess-Ah yes, the good ol' rock climbing days. I have an AWESOME picture of you rock climbing years go. Maybe I'll post it on my post today for our viewing pleasure.

Weren't those numbers from yesterday better than the ones you posted a few days ago?

Hey, I just thought of something. You and Aaron were Deb and Napoleon respectively for Halloween. What a slap in the face to your sister.

Yeah, I get stronger in my sleep, Burt. Watch out.

Emily actually loved our costumes.

What a great picture! Glad to see you are doing well Nan!

whoa! great climbing skills.

glad the running is going well. sounds like you are enjoying some great weather. logan might hit 70 this weekend for the first time this year. can't wait!

I am literally blushing as I type - I've seen the quantcast for this website. Thanks though Nan - my heart warmed all the blood right through me to see those good memories. Oh to throw my leg over some rock like that again. Maybe just one or two more kids and then a few years and we'll toss the whole family at some good porous, pockety limestone. Believe it or not there is a real, outdoor wall near where we will be living in KY.

Oh - and good run by the way (:

Yeah Jess, you definitely have more awesome climbing adventures in your future. I've heard KY has some sweet climbing actually.

wowsers I love climbing but only done indoor, Im great going up I just get stuck at the top as I dont like heights tooo much LOL

That is some climbing picture!

It looks like your running is going really well!

your pu-pu-su is off the charts! tough as nails.

so a PAS and a pu-pu-su all in one day. too fun! and great run!

Oh my Nan. Oh my.

Awesome workout! You are sooo strong--look at those PULLUPS wow!

I'm also too stubborn to ever go back, but I always run to someplace with a bathroom. I don't have the guts to squat. Maybe it's because I tend to run along main roads.

I am impressed with your pu-pu-su workout. I managed 1 pull-up last night. One. That was all I could do. And I was pretty happy about that one. You are flippin' amazing.

I haven't even attempted a pull-up yet and Nan has done 37. WOW. It's a good thing I'm just the "cheerleader" on this whole competition.

Any 10+ mile run wouldn't be complete w/o PAS, I figured I'd just get it out of the way before mile 2.

The pull-ups are definitely the most intense part of pu-pu-su. I'm starting to get calloused on my palms like I used be in second grade from crossing the monkey bars all recess long. One time way back then I had a really bad blister on my palm and as I was crossing the bars it just completely ripped off a good 2 inch circle in the middle of my palm. Hope that doesn't happen again.

Hope it doesn't happen again? Secretely you do. You love pain.

Number two before mile two. That's great!

I'm with Carolyn, but I won't even blow snot rockets. I don't even hock loogies.

I am shocked

Your body will remember and you will get in shape fast. No worries.

Glad at least you were on the way to the car and not in the middle of something like a restaurant or a wedding! I hate tantrums that the children have timed for maximum public display.

A run, pilates reformer, a screaming child, and pu-pu-su. You've got a full day.

I'm sorry I made your kid mad. That was my fault. I'll take the heat.

I can't wait to see the temper tantrums of our TEENAGERS!

Nan, I can't tell you how happy I am to see you running again! Yippee. And, to top it off you get to run with such nice people and get some spiritual exercise too! wow!

i love the physical/spiritual multi-tasking. very efficient! sounds like fun trying to catch everyone on the way back, and nice job accomplishing it.

i didn't do any pu-pu-su last night either. i will have to do it this evening. can you loan me 3-4 pull-ups? thanks.

I want those pull ups LOL I gotta do them tonight tooo ha ha those cheeky drinks disrupted my routine LOL

That's awesome that you were able to run with friends. It sounds like you had a great time. And how wonderful that you were able to do your visiting teaching while running. I wish my VT comp and the people we visit would run, but they don't.

I always look forward to reading your entries! Hooray for good friends and a good run! Good luck with running with the team this week. You are going to do great!

Bonnie- Thanks! Things are looking up!

Allie- Actually, you can HAVE some ...............uploading.............. COMPLETE. 4 pull ups uploaded right into your biceps free of charge. I'll just go order some more mitochondria now. I've heard they sell it in Nigeria.

Sam-Gotta be careful with those cheeky drinks. Funny that all three of us put off doing our routine until Saturday. Who else is doing the challenge anyway? Is Burt? Or is he just talking smack?

Carolyn-Yes, a running VTee and comp is very rare, in fact definitely my first time pulling it off.

Toby-Aw, thanks. Awesome pics from the tri! And congrats to your man!

While I was out running this morning, I kept thinking about how people were running the Boston Marathon at the same time. I need to check in on it.

Nice run this morning. Isn't the weather great today?

The end of the women's race was pretty exciting--I saw it just before leaving for work!

Nice job on the pull-ups and everything. You need to Youtube yourself doing sit-ups so that I can see if I'm doing them right.

Carolyn-Yeah, the weather WAS great. I took the kids to the park for a while too.

April-Oh that finish was INTENSE. I was so nervous for the lead woman. With a mile to go I was certain she would be caught because her form was all twisty and painful looking. I was so happy for her when she held on by 4 seconds though.

Burt-No thank you. I'm telling you, its just a slow crunch....bar. Not a Hershey squirty one.

Yeah she was looking rough, talk about gutting it out through some pain.

Glad you're able to get back into some speedwork.

Nice workout, Nan! I would be too starstruck to even attempt a workout with CD watching. You are still so strong despite all of the hiccups these past couple months.

Nice first speedwork. I saw Darren took 3rd in his age group in Boston, something like 2:32? with Darren and Colleen coaching you you will be in Bolder Boulder shape in no time. I will be watching your blog to get the secret running republic workouts for free.

Did I tell you I met and talked to Alan Culpepper at the 2006 Boulder striders motivational pre-race meeting? I even sat next to him for the group photo ( I am not a member, I was just there with my brother as his guest). No one can find the photo though or I would post it as my blog picture, bummer. Alan is a really nice guy.

I'm glad to see you're back to running with the Boulder Running Republic. And hanging with famous people too.

I would be starstruck too! Wow! That is so awesome! Glad you are feeling better!

Wow that is a cool workout being lead by world class runners!

Thanks everyone! Its so good to be back.

And it IS pretty inspiring to rub shoulders with Colleen, she's very down to earth and humble.

Scott-You can follow the Running Republic workouts all you want, but the real secret to the workouts is RUNNING WITH the team. :) That is cool about meeting Alan Culpepper. I've been in his running store a couple times and I used to see him running all the time when I lived in Superior.

that is hilarious!

So SO funny! I'm SO glad you are feeling better! Way to stay patient and not complain!

You've been so smart about your recovery, and you're starting to reap the rewards now.

That was a funny story.

Have fun in California. You seem to take a lot of fun family trips.

Disneyland awesome you will have such a good time! Funny about the tampon but it sure does look like a big piece of candy in a wrapper so I can see the toddler attraction LOL!

Funny. I think I might have died of embarrassment. Your story will make me more brave next time something potentially horrifying happens, and turn it into hilarious.

Beware of toxic shocky syndrome.

now that made me blush like my video made you blush lol

LOL.

I did two days of disneyland/CA adventure over the kids spring break so my nine year olds could experience it at an age where they are over 48 inches for the big rides and will remember it; last time they were there they were three years old. I am happy to report this is my last disneyland ever. I'll take zion, flaming gorge, escalante or bryce any day of the week thank you very much. 18 years of disneyland trips has burned me out on that scene completely.

I need to run with running republic. this solo stuff is tough. my brother picked up my packet yesterday. bib number A226, see you at the starting line!

Nice run, Nan! Are you back in your house?

I'm glad I don't run in Boulder. I'd be really intimidated seeing you Running Republic people working out.

I've heard of Colleen De Reuck but I don't think I'd recognize her. Maybe that's because I don't live in Boulder.

Are you running the Bolder Boulder in the A wave or with the elites? I could have gotten into one of the B waves, but I'm skipping it this year because it's 5 days before my marathon.

I like that workout. Do you have a set recovery between the pushes or do you take turns leading or how does it work between the surges? That still just blows my mind that you get to kick it with some world class athletes!

Scott-Sweet! Bolder Boulder here you come!

Melody-Yes we are home. We just had to stay one extra night away from home at our friends house. Thank goodness for good friends.

Carolyn-A wave. Along with Scott and a bunch of my teammates. The pro race is out of my league, but its fun to watch on TV! Good call not racing all out 5 days before your marathon.

April-Our recovery was 1-2 minutes of jogging between each push. Yeah, its pretty inspiring to rub shoulders with greatness.

Nice 10 Nan!

Did I say nice tan Nen or nice ten Nan? Oh, yeah. I said it right.

It was nice and warm this morning. I noticed some trees when I was running this morning that really did look like popcorn popping, but I don't know whether they were apricot trees.

Thunks Bart. I was in Sunny Southern California last weekend.

Carolyn, I'm pretty sure they are actually popcorn trees, not apricot. I tasted one and it was more buttery than sweet.

which part did you taste? the bud? the bark? the bad? the burk? the burt? i am so confused all thanks to burt's comment.

BTW, Burt...I'm pretty sure we're coming to Phoenix in a couple of weekends. One of Aaron's former Real-Estate Investing coaches wants Aaron's testimony for an infomercial and he's offered to fly the whole fam in and put us up for the weekend.

Know of any good 5Ks on May 15th?

It was definitely the butt. I mean bud.

more confused....however GREAT RUN NAN, jealous you have nice weather,,, but I think we are blowing the bad your way....sorry.

http://arizonaroadracers.com/Calendar/calendar.php

There's a couple here. One is expensive, but it's supposed to get you into the zoo also. The other one is in north Phoenix. I'll check my other resources to see if I can find some more.

The bad thing is I'm moving the week after, so I'm sure I'll be pretty busy that week. :(

Super awesome run, Nan! I'm glad someone was able to enjoy the outdoors today. I'm tired of Utah springs!

Way to go Nan! You are coming back so nicely!

You did 30 pull ups? Really? Are you human? And female? And an adult?

Julie-Yeah, we got your storm this morning. Its already gone though.

Burt-Moving is a pain in the butt. Good luck!

Melody-Yeah Spring is pretty unpredictable. Exciting and fun though.

Toby-Yeah! I'm SOOOO grateful.

Carolyn-Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. And Yes, last time I checked at least. :)

I'm glad you're feeling so good. We should all follow your example.

We had a few sprinkles down here this morning, but nothing else and it's dry right now. Maybe this is more of a northern storm. Usually they're worse in the south.

That sounds like a really great eating plan--nice and clean but not too restrictive. 85% is doable. 100% leads to a lot of frustration!

I don't even think I could eat clean for 15%. Eating is my weakness.

We must have (had for you) a very similar hip problem. Did yours come on after new shoes, new terrain, or increased speed? Glad you are back. I hope I can nip this early. I can't wear my three year old shoes forever.

I also agree with that book. Should look into taking glutamine etc...

YAY I'm so happy for you that you are feeling great running!

Thanks for mentioning that book, I want to read it. I agree with the 85% thing, I LOVE having some 'wiggle' room in my diet so I can enjoy treats or splurges with my family or on special occasions, , , ok, or for no good reason at all! I agree with April that 100% leads to frustration! THat's my downfall, I try to be too restrictive then I spiral down and splurge! Thanks for the good advice!

I just ordered that book1 Thanks again for the recommendation, I LOVE a good running book!

Thanks for the welcome and also the reminder about all the good vitamins available for good joint health. I am coming off a couple of knee injuries and had forgotten all about that! I am going to buy some next stop at the store!

I love watching Suzy run! Hooray for no injuries and good runs!

Julie-My lingering issue is really in the groin/adductor. My hip flexor and hamstring problems were probably caused by favoring the groin injury. I think what first initiated it was running on slippery surfaces and then just continuing to push it fast without giving it a chance to heal. I did recently get new shoes though and that has helped everything feel a little less strained.

I should check into this Pilates Reformer thing.

It sounds like you have a very full day. You are an amazing running mom.

ummmmm... AMAZING push-ups! wow!

the nap and hiking sound delightful. the running and ethiopian food, not so much...

Did you read the article in Runners World about core fitness? You would totally rock every category!!!