Each Day Is a Gift

Ran/walked with hubby, Wendy and Karen.  ITB tugged a little after 3 miles and running on a slight decline.  I thought with no running for the last 5 days that it is good to go...nope!!!  Sigh!!!  :(

We then went to the pool while they did lap freestyle, I practiced TI skill 1, 2 and 3.  

Now my ITB is giving me fits especially after sitting.  STINK!!! :(

Foam rolled and stretched the right ITB and glute last night...hurts like heck...still hurt when I woke up in the morning! :( 

Went to the pool for 45 min.  Practice TI skill 1, 2, 3.  Freestyle 4 laps.

VT then lunch with Olga and Wendy.  Walk with one straight leg is no fun.

Late for the 8p yoga class so only got 45 min. 

Practice TI skill 1, 2, 3 and a bit of 4.

Freestyle 6 laps with Karen and Leslie while hubby filmed us! :)

Lunch and movie (Skyfall). 

Teena worked on my leg and taped up the ITB good.  She is amazing!!!  :) :) :)

Hubby's ankle is swollen again; so I went to the LC by myself.  Ran 2 miles on the track.  So glad the traffic flow was counterclockwise which didn't aggravate the ITB.  But 16 laps is all I can handle!  Got a drink from the fountain, went down to the locker to get my membership card to open the cardio room gate and ran 2 miles on the TM.  About 1 mile into the run, I could feel slight pain on the top of the calf lateral to the knee.  Focus on form, slowed the pace to 9:15 which seemed to help.  Gently stretched all the key muscles.  Felt so good to get all sweaty!!!

Went down to the pool.  Practiced TI skill 1, 2, 3.  The pool was crowded today so I didn't do skill 4. 

Evening:  Going to yoga class in a jiff. 

Two groups of teens from Willow Creek Middle School and Renaissance Academy were playing in the leisure pool this morning....so crowded and annoying!!!  After getting bumped, splashed, hit a few times, I went over to the regular pool where 2/3 of the pool was occupied by a water aerobic class and all the lanes in the other 1/3 were taken.  So I practiced at the shallow end where the class weren't using.  

Today's hubby's birthday so we went shopping at the Traverse Mountain Outlet Mall (it's also their grand opening day).  He has lost 10 lbs since running consequently his clothes are too baggy and needs new clothes!!! :) :) :)

Since it's his birthday, I let him choose where/what he wants to eat for lunch.  He chose Burger King (ick) where we saw Teena's brother...what a happy surprise! ♥

Tonight we're hosting a birthday dinner, will be fun!!! :)

Today's run was extra special!!! :)  It has been a LONG LONG time since I ran with Luz.  I have missed her SO much.  I was SO SO SO happy to see her!!!  We met at the JRP and RAD was able to join us.  (We miss Toby terribly!)  The weather was perfect, overcast sky, calm and not too cold!  The three of us chatted away the miles.  We spotted Chad around Willow Park when he had already gone 4+ miles because we started late (sorry Chad).  Nevertheless, it was great to see him and we were able to run a mile or so with him.  

With my knee/ITB issue, I wasn't sure how far I could go.  There is something special about being with friends that make everything magic.  When we reached the south end, Luz asked how far we've run (she didn't wear her Garmin).  She got a little nervous when we realized we've run 5+ miles.  This is the farthest we've both run since our respective Full marathons.  RAD being her chirpy, positive and cheerful self encouraged and kept us going on the return run back to the car.  Seriously, you'd never know she had run an ultra marathon at the LV Ragnar a week ago. :)

Well, the running was over but not the visiting and catching up; so we spent the remainder of the morning huddled together in a crowded Kneader's and a warm car, talking, laughing, exchanging good food ideas and enjoying each others' company and friendships.

THANK YOU LUZ and RAD for a wonderful wonderful morning!!! Sure love you girls!!!  :) :) :)