Okay, I am getting somewhat used to the sound of trying to be mobile in an aircast boot. On the whole, I think I am doing pretty well. I am still bummed about the walk, but I have accepted that. Basically, I am really missing my early morning walks. It was a reason to get up in the morning. It gave structure and purpose to my day. It was social time, too. I was walking and enjoying the company of a good friend.
My doctor has approved that I can ride an exercise bike and resume my elliptical as long as I build up slowly. But, while it has seemed so easy to get up and meet Misty, I can't seem to make myself do it just for me. Plus, my foot aches and throbs just from my daily grind of being on my feet, so I am not terribly crazy about trying to do more and making my life miserable earlier in the day.
I have found a way to help ease my stress. I have gotten out my knitting and began to start making a few things again. It helps to feel like I am being somewhat productive, at least. Last night, I decided to give crocheting a whirl. I knew how to do a very little bit of crocheting from when I was a little girl and a neighbor showed me. I found a good tutorial on the internet and followed along. I don't know if it was due to the fact that I had played around with a hook and yarn so many years ago, or if it is just easier in that I only had to learn to really manipulate one hook with one hand as opposed to two needles in both hands, but I seemed to pick it up really simply. Don't get me wrong, I am by no means an expert, but I didn't struggle for days in order to feel comfortable making basic stitches. It took DAYS and DAYS with knitting and my tension is still not the best and I have been playing with it off and on for 3 years or so. For what it's worth, I am enjoying it. I love having options.
I have scored some awesome fabrics from the dollar table at Wal-Mart in the last 10 days or so. I don't have much time to sew and I am a very rank beginner, but my Mom has gotten excited that I have lost my 40 lbs or so and she is helping me a bunch! She has made up a beautiful microsuede into a full, gored skirt that is dreamy. It is a dark, chocolate brown and with topstitching, it looks just like suede. It's going to be gorgeous for this fall. She is also making a matching jacket. It's yummy. I did find some gorgeous taupe fabric for a suit and some khaki for a light cardigan with 3/4 sleeves. I will likely wear that lots at school when it gets chilly.
Mom also found some fabrics that I had bought years ago (before my weight had gotten so high) and pulled it out and some of it was in colors that I am trying to work around. Subtle greens, browns, touches of burgundy. So, my wardrobe is growing without my having to spend much money. It's good since I don't have much left since losing weight. Instead of grungy t-shirts and jeans that don't fit, I will have a few skirts, pants, and such that can be put together in a number of ways. I've never been this coordinated in my wardrobe and I think I am going to really like it!
School is going well this year, so far. Other than a few issues with enforcing dress codes, I haven't had any real problems. I am sticking to my high standards and insistence in classroom order to really push the kids. I think it's going to pay off, overall. I think we will see an increase in SAT scores in the next couple of years. Plus, I have seen a decline in both work ethic and critical thinking skills over my career. So, that is what I am stressing. Critical thinking and the desire to work hard to achieve a goal is likely to be a definitive factor in future success for these kids. Oh well, I will get off of my soapbox for now!
Happy Labor day!
Showing posts with label 3-day training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 3-day training. Show all posts
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Run Forrest, run.
Sorry to have been out of touch for so long, but I have been battling a situation that I really haven't felt up to blogging about. Right after I returned home from vacation, I apparently (on my very first post-vacation training walk) managed to develop a stress fracture in the 4th metatarsal in my left foot. It was discolored and swollen and a little sore, but I could walk okay, so I took a few days off from walking. I soaked in hot water with epsom salts, alternated that with soaking in a bucket of ice water, and took alleve for swelling. I could get the swelling somewhat down, but never all the way gone and it would come back easily.
After a few days, I strapped on my shoes and went out and managed to complete the first 8 miles of a planned 14 mile walk. My foot didn't really hurt, but I could feel it swelling in my shoe, so I stopped and went to the walk in side of my doctor's office. At this point, I had been walking on it for a week.
The doctor explained how difficult it is to diagnose a stress fracture vs. metatarsalgia and that it often won't show up on an x-ray at all for several weeks. Nevertheless, insurance insists on an x-ray being the first test done in these situations. Since it was the weekend and since I could walk on it, I was instructed to come back on Monday after work to get my x-ray and start the process.
I returned Monday to find that their x-ray machine was down and they scrambled to find a local radiologist that could fit me in that late in the day. I arrived at the chosen one with paperwork in hand at 4:45 pm. I was x-rayed and stayed to talk to the radiologist to find out if he thought that the foot was broken. He did not. At least we could rule out acute fracture (where the bone was broken all the way through).
I played phone tag with the doctor's office for a couple of days and couldn't get a straight answer from anyone I talked to. How ridiculous! Finally, a nurse calls and tells me that I have a referral to an orthopedist and tells me who to call to make my appt.
So, the following Monday (now 3 weeks since I first hurt my foot) I see my new orthopedist foot specialist. After a review of my x-ray under an especially bright bulb, he sees the tell-tale signs of a stress fracture. Actually, he sees more of the side effects of what happens to the bone in the presence of a stress fracture instead of the actual fracture. The good news is that it is a very small break, the fraction of the size of a human hair.
The bad news got a bit more emotional. He hung up my x-rays to explain to me what was going on. Even I could see that there was a big problem with my foot. Then he asked the magic question: Were you completely club footed at birth or just partially? I explained that I wore braces (in the shoes, no, not the Forrest Gump kind) as a child, but that it was because I had some bones in the wrong places, but that it had been fixed and that I had never had club foot--my uncle had, but I had not. He picked up my foot and showed me the tell-tale signs of corrected club foot. They were all there.
I knew I had weird feet. Always had them. But, corrected club foot was serious, the kind of thing that required careful and constant care to prevent things like broken bones in the foot! The doctor explained that I was in a generation of kids that they didn't use the term "club foot" with unless surgery was the only option. Because of surgeries that were only partially successful in the past, there was a stigma attached to the term club foot. Club foot meant crippled to many people and often people felt that there was no use in treating it. Hence, I had a genetic mutation in my feet and braces would straighten the bones. My ankles were always straight, so surgery wasn't necessary at all. Just special orthotics in my ugly, orthopedic shoes. I wore this lovely combo from kindergarten through my seventh grade year.
I can remember being so happy to get out of the special shoes and to go with my Mom to Fayva (blast from the past, huh?) for the express purpose of buying cute shoes like everyone else had. I was a kid in a candy store. But, I digress.
Unfortunately, while my feet were relatively straight, the bones inside were still angled, some of which ran almost 45 degrees across my foot before connecting at a bizarre angle to my toes, leaving significant areas of my feet without any real support. The doctor said that it was no wonder that I am clumsy. I have absolutely no side to side stability.
But, there are some nasty realities to having corrected club feet. One is that I should have always been wearing orthopedic shoes. Now, I will have to wear them forever. Perhaps that is not a good thing, ultimately, but it feels like a horrible curse after having to wear them for years when I was a kid and wanted so desperately to fit in. I must admit, that this is the part that has been the most difficult for me. Also, I shouldn't have ever been training for a distance walking event at all. The doctor thinks that I should be able to eventually resume some walking for fitness, but no more than an hour or two--tops, ever.
So that is the end of my dream of the 3-day. I am crushed. It is over. I feel as if I have let down my team, my walking partner, and worst of all, myself.
Now, I am in an aircast and am at sixes and sevens with myself. I miss getting up early to walk. I feel sluggish and useless. Oh well. I can't change it.
Now, I struggle to accept it.
After a few days, I strapped on my shoes and went out and managed to complete the first 8 miles of a planned 14 mile walk. My foot didn't really hurt, but I could feel it swelling in my shoe, so I stopped and went to the walk in side of my doctor's office. At this point, I had been walking on it for a week.
The doctor explained how difficult it is to diagnose a stress fracture vs. metatarsalgia and that it often won't show up on an x-ray at all for several weeks. Nevertheless, insurance insists on an x-ray being the first test done in these situations. Since it was the weekend and since I could walk on it, I was instructed to come back on Monday after work to get my x-ray and start the process.
I returned Monday to find that their x-ray machine was down and they scrambled to find a local radiologist that could fit me in that late in the day. I arrived at the chosen one with paperwork in hand at 4:45 pm. I was x-rayed and stayed to talk to the radiologist to find out if he thought that the foot was broken. He did not. At least we could rule out acute fracture (where the bone was broken all the way through).
I played phone tag with the doctor's office for a couple of days and couldn't get a straight answer from anyone I talked to. How ridiculous! Finally, a nurse calls and tells me that I have a referral to an orthopedist and tells me who to call to make my appt.
So, the following Monday (now 3 weeks since I first hurt my foot) I see my new orthopedist foot specialist. After a review of my x-ray under an especially bright bulb, he sees the tell-tale signs of a stress fracture. Actually, he sees more of the side effects of what happens to the bone in the presence of a stress fracture instead of the actual fracture. The good news is that it is a very small break, the fraction of the size of a human hair.
The bad news got a bit more emotional. He hung up my x-rays to explain to me what was going on. Even I could see that there was a big problem with my foot. Then he asked the magic question: Were you completely club footed at birth or just partially? I explained that I wore braces (in the shoes, no, not the Forrest Gump kind) as a child, but that it was because I had some bones in the wrong places, but that it had been fixed and that I had never had club foot--my uncle had, but I had not. He picked up my foot and showed me the tell-tale signs of corrected club foot. They were all there.
I knew I had weird feet. Always had them. But, corrected club foot was serious, the kind of thing that required careful and constant care to prevent things like broken bones in the foot! The doctor explained that I was in a generation of kids that they didn't use the term "club foot" with unless surgery was the only option. Because of surgeries that were only partially successful in the past, there was a stigma attached to the term club foot. Club foot meant crippled to many people and often people felt that there was no use in treating it. Hence, I had a genetic mutation in my feet and braces would straighten the bones. My ankles were always straight, so surgery wasn't necessary at all. Just special orthotics in my ugly, orthopedic shoes. I wore this lovely combo from kindergarten through my seventh grade year.
I can remember being so happy to get out of the special shoes and to go with my Mom to Fayva (blast from the past, huh?) for the express purpose of buying cute shoes like everyone else had. I was a kid in a candy store. But, I digress.
Unfortunately, while my feet were relatively straight, the bones inside were still angled, some of which ran almost 45 degrees across my foot before connecting at a bizarre angle to my toes, leaving significant areas of my feet without any real support. The doctor said that it was no wonder that I am clumsy. I have absolutely no side to side stability.
But, there are some nasty realities to having corrected club feet. One is that I should have always been wearing orthopedic shoes. Now, I will have to wear them forever. Perhaps that is not a good thing, ultimately, but it feels like a horrible curse after having to wear them for years when I was a kid and wanted so desperately to fit in. I must admit, that this is the part that has been the most difficult for me. Also, I shouldn't have ever been training for a distance walking event at all. The doctor thinks that I should be able to eventually resume some walking for fitness, but no more than an hour or two--tops, ever.
So that is the end of my dream of the 3-day. I am crushed. It is over. I feel as if I have let down my team, my walking partner, and worst of all, myself.
Now, I am in an aircast and am at sixes and sevens with myself. I miss getting up early to walk. I feel sluggish and useless. Oh well. I can't change it.
Now, I struggle to accept it.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Trauma and more trauma
This week has been a rough one. My youngest son's beloved Hamster, Donnie, died. Then, our puppy (bloodhound/coonhound mix) attacked our smaller dog. Scary. I realize that it's the hunting instinct coming out in her and that our small dog is about the size of a small cat (or coon, or large rabbit, etc.). So, we are put in the sad position of finding a new home for a dog that me and the kids really love. As far as being around people goes, Savannah is a joy with a sweet, calm temperament. But, she is going to kill Daisy if we are not very careful. So, a dear friend is helping us to find a good home for her. It will be sad, though.
We are getting geared up for a week of beach time. Each year, we meet my best friend and her family in the Georgia keys for a week that revolves around kids and casual fun. I look so forward to it and so do my hubby and boys.
Hubby is taking pictures at a wedding in Macon, Georgia today. Hoping that the photography business begins to take off with more regular work. He is so talented. I know that people will be thrilled with his images. It's an exciting time.
I am also gearing up for fundraising for the 3-day walk. I am about halfway to my goal and I really will feel much better when my $2,200 is all turned in. So, I am sending out more letters and am working to make sure that our Crop for the Cure is a success.
Today, we walked 13 miles to get ahead of the training schedule. That way, I don't have to do a long slog of a walk alone in a strange place. We had to leave at 5 am to avoid it being too hot and muggy to safely walk. It will only be worse at the coast.
Good news: our renters may want to buy the house they are leasing from us. That would be a major blessing in our lives. Pray for us!
We are getting geared up for a week of beach time. Each year, we meet my best friend and her family in the Georgia keys for a week that revolves around kids and casual fun. I look so forward to it and so do my hubby and boys.
Hubby is taking pictures at a wedding in Macon, Georgia today. Hoping that the photography business begins to take off with more regular work. He is so talented. I know that people will be thrilled with his images. It's an exciting time.
I am also gearing up for fundraising for the 3-day walk. I am about halfway to my goal and I really will feel much better when my $2,200 is all turned in. So, I am sending out more letters and am working to make sure that our Crop for the Cure is a success.
Today, we walked 13 miles to get ahead of the training schedule. That way, I don't have to do a long slog of a walk alone in a strange place. We had to leave at 5 am to avoid it being too hot and muggy to safely walk. It will only be worse at the coast.
Good news: our renters may want to buy the house they are leasing from us. That would be a major blessing in our lives. Pray for us!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Another pound gone!
I attribute it to the long walk yesterday more than to the new diet pill that I have taken exactly one time, but I have lost another pound! Woo Hoo! Yay for me! Yipee!
So, now it is a total lost of 38.4 lbs. All of these little losses are finally starting to add up into something that feels substantial. I like that feeling!
I took today off from walking because my muscles are very sore and locked up in my lower body. A little google research (and advice from my walking buddy) indicates that since my potassium levels can't be depleted with the amount of sports drinks (sugar free, of course) and bananas I am eating, that I probably have lactic acid locked up in my muscle fibers and I need to get it out.
I am sending out another round of fundraising letters today and tomorrow, so I can finally reach my goal.
So, now it is a total lost of 38.4 lbs. All of these little losses are finally starting to add up into something that feels substantial. I like that feeling!
I took today off from walking because my muscles are very sore and locked up in my lower body. A little google research (and advice from my walking buddy) indicates that since my potassium levels can't be depleted with the amount of sports drinks (sugar free, of course) and bananas I am eating, that I probably have lactic acid locked up in my muscle fibers and I need to get it out.
I am sending out another round of fundraising letters today and tomorrow, so I can finally reach my goal.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
12 miles--whew!
Well, my walking partner and I have walked for 12 miles this morning and I must admit that I am pretty tired now. We left at 5 am and walked till 9 am. We are definitely not pushing for speed, but only for endurance this time.
I really hurt when I finally finished. After some alleve and a hot shower, I was feeling much better in time to rush eldest son to his Asperger's behavioral therapy group session. While he was in the session, I took flyers to Scrapbooks, Invitations, and More in Peachtree City. It was the first time I had been there and it was amazing! It took my breath away with all of the beautiful embellishments and stickers. They also had loads and loads of stuff with guy themes. It's easy to find girly stuff, but some of us have little boys (not so little anymore).
Now, I really don't feel bad overall, but my feet are a tad sore and I am kind of stiff when I move in certain ways. I can definitely tell that I worked hard!
I also had my follow up appointment with the doctor yesterday. She recommended that I keep with the new antidepresant regimen and add a small, half dose of an diet pill in order to help kick my metabolism up a notch. So, today is the first day that I will have tried it. We'll see how it goes. If it goes well this month, I may be able to move up to a whole dose in a month or so. I'm holding my breath to see if it helps. I sure hope so.
Now, I just have to continue on with fundraising.
I really hurt when I finally finished. After some alleve and a hot shower, I was feeling much better in time to rush eldest son to his Asperger's behavioral therapy group session. While he was in the session, I took flyers to Scrapbooks, Invitations, and More in Peachtree City. It was the first time I had been there and it was amazing! It took my breath away with all of the beautiful embellishments and stickers. They also had loads and loads of stuff with guy themes. It's easy to find girly stuff, but some of us have little boys (not so little anymore).
Now, I really don't feel bad overall, but my feet are a tad sore and I am kind of stiff when I move in certain ways. I can definitely tell that I worked hard!
I also had my follow up appointment with the doctor yesterday. She recommended that I keep with the new antidepresant regimen and add a small, half dose of an diet pill in order to help kick my metabolism up a notch. So, today is the first day that I will have tried it. We'll see how it goes. If it goes well this month, I may be able to move up to a whole dose in a month or so. I'm holding my breath to see if it helps. I sure hope so.
Now, I just have to continue on with fundraising.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Finally!
I did it! I really, really, finally did it! The scale has dropped below the horrid 200 mark. I have struggled and struggled for over a month wondering if I would ever see another loss or if I was forever stuck at this weight. Whew! I am SO glad that is over and I can continue on with my progress. Never before have I been able to stick with anything long enough to get past a plateau. I have never been able to lose more than 10 pounds or so--ever. Now, I can say that I have lost 35.8 pounds.
I have hated each and every day of this plateau and each and every step I have logged during it because it seemed like all of my efforts would never pay off. Now I can honestly say that sticking with it has been worth it.
I have to admit that I am still a little bit disapointed that I haven't lost more of my weight over the summer while I have had more time to devote to planning, working out, cooking, etc. But, I am pleased with my loss. Now, I guess it is time to set a new goal. So, here goes: I would like to be able to say that I have lost 40 pounds by the time school starts. That amounts to a little less than 5 lbs to lose in about 2-3 weeks. Now, I just have to make that happen.
By the way, walked 6 miles with Misty and did well. It was awfully muggy today, though.
I have hated each and every day of this plateau and each and every step I have logged during it because it seemed like all of my efforts would never pay off. Now I can honestly say that sticking with it has been worth it.
I have to admit that I am still a little bit disapointed that I haven't lost more of my weight over the summer while I have had more time to devote to planning, working out, cooking, etc. But, I am pleased with my loss. Now, I guess it is time to set a new goal. So, here goes: I would like to be able to say that I have lost 40 pounds by the time school starts. That amounts to a little less than 5 lbs to lose in about 2-3 weeks. Now, I just have to make that happen.
By the way, walked 6 miles with Misty and did well. It was awfully muggy today, though.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Training updates...
I thought that I would have more time to update this blog, etc. during the summer, but it sure hasn't worked out that way.
Monday: 11 miles. Did fine. Stiff when I finished, but after an alleve, I felt really good. Not sore the next day at all. Hung out with the kids at a friend's house and got sunburned.
Tuesday: 6 miles. No problem. Took oldest son to behavioral therapy.
Wednesday: 6 miles. Piece of cake. Took oldest son to work on educational testing series.
Tomorrow we are doing 6 and should do another 6 on Friday. This will give us about 35 miles this week. Not too shabby!
Monday: 11 miles. Did fine. Stiff when I finished, but after an alleve, I felt really good. Not sore the next day at all. Hung out with the kids at a friend's house and got sunburned.
Tuesday: 6 miles. No problem. Took oldest son to behavioral therapy.
Wednesday: 6 miles. Piece of cake. Took oldest son to work on educational testing series.
Tomorrow we are doing 6 and should do another 6 on Friday. This will give us about 35 miles this week. Not too shabby!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Updates on stuff!
Well, I am pleased to say that the anti-depressants are working. I am feeling better, but I am still kind of sleepy. Not as sleepy as I would be without the meds, but I'm not exactly perky either. I am still waiting to see what my bloodwork says.
I did (finally) go for my baseline mammogram. Let's just say that it was an experience. It was certainly not as bad as I had imagined it to be, but I did end up a little sore and bruised.
On the training front...I completed my second 10 mile walk this week. I did much better this time and wasn't very sore afterwards. I was really glad about that.
Tomorrow, we are doing our 11 mile walk to get it out of the way. At least I am making progress with training.
I did (finally) go for my baseline mammogram. Let's just say that it was an experience. It was certainly not as bad as I had imagined it to be, but I did end up a little sore and bruised.
On the training front...I completed my second 10 mile walk this week. I did much better this time and wasn't very sore afterwards. I was really glad about that.
Tomorrow, we are doing our 11 mile walk to get it out of the way. At least I am making progress with training.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Training Milestone
Well, I did it. I completed a ten mile training walk today. It was really, really hard. By the end of mile 7, my feet were getting sore and I had to stop several times on the last 1-2 miles to let various cramps subside. But, I do feel somewhat accomplished just for having finished it.
I came home and took a long, hot bath with epsom salts and followed it up with an Alleve chaser! We'll see how I feel in the morning.
I came home and took a long, hot bath with epsom salts and followed it up with an Alleve chaser! We'll see how I feel in the morning.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Happy Independence Day!
Okay, this post is a day late (and a dollar short), but I did not want to let the 4th of July go by without comment. It's all too easy to forget the meaning of this holiday and to use it as an excuse to have a cookout.
We had a very low-key day and topped it off with the local fireworks show. It was nice. The boys laughed and carried on. They have been going over the Granny's house to play with some local kids who have turned out to be very nice kids. It's wonderful to see my boys (especially my oldest with Asperger's) get out and play appropriately with other kids and be a little bit carefree.
Today, I walked with Misty for 6 miles. It felt really good. Misty walked 10 miles yesterday and I need to do the same before the end of the weekend. Hope it doesn't make me sick like the 8 miles last weekend did. I am kind of dreading it for that reason.
Tomorrow, I will go to see my doctor to discuss changing my anti-depressant medication. I think it's time. Then, I will meet hubby to go to the intake interview for my oldest's son's educational testing. I will be glad to get this process underway and get more information.
We had a very low-key day and topped it off with the local fireworks show. It was nice. The boys laughed and carried on. They have been going over the Granny's house to play with some local kids who have turned out to be very nice kids. It's wonderful to see my boys (especially my oldest with Asperger's) get out and play appropriately with other kids and be a little bit carefree.
Today, I walked with Misty for 6 miles. It felt really good. Misty walked 10 miles yesterday and I need to do the same before the end of the weekend. Hope it doesn't make me sick like the 8 miles last weekend did. I am kind of dreading it for that reason.
Tomorrow, I will go to see my doctor to discuss changing my anti-depressant medication. I think it's time. Then, I will meet hubby to go to the intake interview for my oldest's son's educational testing. I will be glad to get this process underway and get more information.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Hit the wall!
Well, I went on my first 8 mile walk yesterday and while that last mile was very, very difficult, it wasn't until I stopped walking and was cooling down that I really began to feel terrible. As I was driving the 6.5 miles back home, I had to pull over three times to throw up.
Even though I had drank lots of water and sugar-free electrolyte drinks, the heat just really got to me. My feet were swollen and I soaked them in ice water when I got home. That helped me feel comfortable, but I was lightheaded off and on for a couple of hours. I scared myself a little bit on that one.
I'll leave earlier from now on so I won't be in the heat and high humidity for too long. I can also leave a cooler of drinks at my lap point so I can get fresh ones and dump my empties. That should also help.
This weekend, I need to walk a 10 mile continuous path with 8 miles the following day. I'm a little concerned about that one. I don't want to make myself sick again. It's just really hard to get up and leave home before 7 am.
Even though I had drank lots of water and sugar-free electrolyte drinks, the heat just really got to me. My feet were swollen and I soaked them in ice water when I got home. That helped me feel comfortable, but I was lightheaded off and on for a couple of hours. I scared myself a little bit on that one.
I'll leave earlier from now on so I won't be in the heat and high humidity for too long. I can also leave a cooler of drinks at my lap point so I can get fresh ones and dump my empties. That should also help.
This weekend, I need to walk a 10 mile continuous path with 8 miles the following day. I'm a little concerned about that one. I don't want to make myself sick again. It's just really hard to get up and leave home before 7 am.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
False alarm on the chicken pox
The doctor said that the rash wasn't chicken pox, but from a virus that had been running rampant through kids in our area. Nothing serious, but that it would take about a week to get rid of the sore throat. So, we are past that hurdle and I am glad.
I have finally gotten some of the Injinji toe socks to protect my toes and keep them from rubbing together. It does seem to help some, although the affected toes are still sore from the initial injury, but it is getting better. Today, I put a blister shield on my little toe and then the toe socks and walked. It felt better, but it really hurt to pull off that blister shield. I trimmed my toenail way down to keep it from pulling when I pull off the tape, but I don't know if that will be enough. I may have to switch to wrapping the toe with something that won't stick so aggressively.
Then again, maybe it will toughen up again. I can hope.
I walked 3 miles with Dad yesteday and again this morning. Last night, I did 3 miles on the elliptical (it's easier on my toes). I have got to get my distance back, somehow, without tearing up my toes. Hmmm.
I have finally gotten some of the Injinji toe socks to protect my toes and keep them from rubbing together. It does seem to help some, although the affected toes are still sore from the initial injury, but it is getting better. Today, I put a blister shield on my little toe and then the toe socks and walked. It felt better, but it really hurt to pull off that blister shield. I trimmed my toenail way down to keep it from pulling when I pull off the tape, but I don't know if that will be enough. I may have to switch to wrapping the toe with something that won't stick so aggressively.
Then again, maybe it will toughen up again. I can hope.
I walked 3 miles with Dad yesteday and again this morning. Last night, I did 3 miles on the elliptical (it's easier on my toes). I have got to get my distance back, somehow, without tearing up my toes. Hmmm.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Walking, blisters, and more
Well, I have been able to monopolize my friend Misty's time for mornings this week getting in lots of training miles. It's a hoot--truly social time. I enjoy it so much. Unfortunately, her husband is going to be off work for 2 weeks and he will walk with her instead. Bummer.
But, today I managed to walk 6 miles for the second time this week. It was really good except that I had a sore toe during the last 1/4 mile that we did. I thought I had a hot spot. Apparently, I was developing a huge blood blister on my little toe.
When I got home and took off my shoes my toe was swollen twice the size of normal and stained the color of blackberry juice. Nice. It hurts. So I have been taking it easy today. I guess I am back to my workout tapes (barefoot, thank goodness) or maybe my elliptical if I am super careful about my footwear. Oh well.
Tomorrow, I guess I will help to clean out the garage to set up a "real" photography studio. We have gotten a line on some lovely wedding dresses to put models in. It's really exciting!
But, today I managed to walk 6 miles for the second time this week. It was really good except that I had a sore toe during the last 1/4 mile that we did. I thought I had a hot spot. Apparently, I was developing a huge blood blister on my little toe.
When I got home and took off my shoes my toe was swollen twice the size of normal and stained the color of blackberry juice. Nice. It hurts. So I have been taking it easy today. I guess I am back to my workout tapes (barefoot, thank goodness) or maybe my elliptical if I am super careful about my footwear. Oh well.
Tomorrow, I guess I will help to clean out the garage to set up a "real" photography studio. We have gotten a line on some lovely wedding dresses to put models in. It's really exciting!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Stinky Walking Weather
Yuck! Dad and I went out to walk this morning and it was so incredibly humid that it honestly was harder to walk 3 miles today than the 6 that I walked on Saturday. The funny thing is that it was 97 degrees on Saturday morning and only 81 degrees this morning. But, with all of the humidity in the air, car exhaust, smog, and every foul smell that you can imagine was trapped in that thick air. Yuck! I felt filthy just having been in that nasty air.
Tomorrow, I am walking with Misty. Hopefully, the air will be a whole lot more wholesome to breathe. I don't like the sensation of needing to wring out my lungs before taking my next breath.
Tomorrow, I am walking with Misty. Hopefully, the air will be a whole lot more wholesome to breathe. I don't like the sensation of needing to wring out my lungs before taking my next breath.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Cross-Training and Camp!
To be a little different, I decided to start doing some tapes at home to stay out of the heat and to do some serious ab work (the abs are the worst of my trouble spots right now). The waist is the only thing that is keeping me in Women's sizes right now. Firmer abs means smaller clothes!
On another note, my youngest son was invited to attend a local church camp with his best friend. Unfortunately, we only had 2 days notice about this. So, we have been running around like lunatics getting everything set up and packed. This is his first time to do anthing like this, so I am the worried Mama, but I do want him to have a good time.
One of the drawbacks of having a child with autism (particularly an oldest child) is that it is really easy to forget that the younger child is capable of vastly different things than the older child. I am afraid that I have really (unintentionally) held him back from trying things. For example, my parents taught him how to ride a bike this week. All of his friends from school have been riding bikes for years now. Oops. We also need to work on some other sports related skills. But, now my older child is feeling left out because he struggles so much with these skills. We have offerred to purchase a 3 wheeler type bike and he told us that he wants to ride a bike just like everyone else rides. We will begin trying to help him learn to balance on a bike and maybe (with lots of prayer) he can learn to ride.
Tomorrow, I am walking with Dad. Bright and early. I'd really like to do another 6 mile route, but we will see how time goes with this. I have to be sure that younger son is ready for camp on time. So, I will play it by ear. And try not to cry!
On another note, my youngest son was invited to attend a local church camp with his best friend. Unfortunately, we only had 2 days notice about this. So, we have been running around like lunatics getting everything set up and packed. This is his first time to do anthing like this, so I am the worried Mama, but I do want him to have a good time.
One of the drawbacks of having a child with autism (particularly an oldest child) is that it is really easy to forget that the younger child is capable of vastly different things than the older child. I am afraid that I have really (unintentionally) held him back from trying things. For example, my parents taught him how to ride a bike this week. All of his friends from school have been riding bikes for years now. Oops. We also need to work on some other sports related skills. But, now my older child is feeling left out because he struggles so much with these skills. We have offerred to purchase a 3 wheeler type bike and he told us that he wants to ride a bike just like everyone else rides. We will begin trying to help him learn to balance on a bike and maybe (with lots of prayer) he can learn to ride.
Tomorrow, I am walking with Dad. Bright and early. I'd really like to do another 6 mile route, but we will see how time goes with this. I have to be sure that younger son is ready for camp on time. So, I will play it by ear. And try not to cry!
Saturday, June 9, 2007
I completed 6 miles today!
Wow! It took me all day to get around to typing this up because I was so sleepy! I met my Dad at 7:30 am this morning and we walked the first 3 miles together and then I just re-traced our steps to add an additional 6 miles. I am so proud of myself!
My regular walking partner, Misty, hurt her back, so I am not sure how much walking she will be doing for the next few days, but I can always walk with Dad. But, since she is convalescing, we are planning our first annual, "Crop for the Cure" to help with fundraising for the 3-Day.
We should know about our (fingers crossed) location tomorrow. Can't wait to begin publicizing it! As soon as we can finalize the info, I will post it here and hope you all can help me to spread the news. Also, remember the t-shirts for sale at my Cafepress.com store. Just click the link on the right side to check them out. All proceeds support the 3-Day Walk as well.
My regular walking partner, Misty, hurt her back, so I am not sure how much walking she will be doing for the next few days, but I can always walk with Dad. But, since she is convalescing, we are planning our first annual, "Crop for the Cure" to help with fundraising for the 3-Day.
We should know about our (fingers crossed) location tomorrow. Can't wait to begin publicizing it! As soon as we can finalize the info, I will post it here and hope you all can help me to spread the news. Also, remember the t-shirts for sale at my Cafepress.com store. Just click the link on the right side to check them out. All proceeds support the 3-Day Walk as well.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Weather Woes
The weather is fighting me like crazy. I woke up this morning with a horrible sinus headache, so I didn't walk. I figured that I would walk later in the day when the temperature finally went down. But, then we had a lightning storm, so I decided to spend more quality time with my elliptical trainer. Oh well.
Hopefully, tomorrow I can do an outside walk. I'd better actually quit playing with my new hobby (digital scrapbooking) and go to bed at a reasonable time since I will have to hit the road by 7 am in order to avoid the worst of the heat.
But, darn, the layouts that I am doing are so CUTE! See the one at the top right of the screen.
Hopefully, tomorrow I can do an outside walk. I'd better actually quit playing with my new hobby (digital scrapbooking) and go to bed at a reasonable time since I will have to hit the road by 7 am in order to avoid the worst of the heat.
But, darn, the layouts that I am doing are so CUTE! See the one at the top right of the screen.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Just Plugging Along...
As of this morning, I have lost exactly 31 pounds! So, yay for me!
I have been walking in the early mornings with my Dad this week, desperately trying to stay out of the horrible heat and humidity. It was 101 degrees yesterday, not a lot of fun for a fair chick like me. Next week, the friend that I usually walk with will likely be available again.
I have been walking in the early mornings with my Dad this week, desperately trying to stay out of the horrible heat and humidity. It was 101 degrees yesterday, not a lot of fun for a fair chick like me. Next week, the friend that I usually walk with will likely be available again.
Monday, June 4, 2007
10,000 steps in one day!
Okay, after figuring out that there is a feature on my elliptical trainer that will count backwards from 10,000 steps, and determining that the stride length is set to make those steps the equivalent of a 5 mile walk, I decided that I would use that for my training. At least there are no dogs to bite me in the butt!
Whew! I did it in two bursts of 5,000 steps with a 10 minute water and potty break in the middle. That break sure helps to make sure that my feet don't get too numb from sitting on those pedals. But, it sure is a lot harder than plain ol' walking. This is like doing a jog uphill the whole way. I could hardly walk when I got off of the thing.
Plus, my legs and joints ached as I lay in bed. I got up to eat some strawberries to up my potassium levels and take some alleve so that I wouldn't cramp really badly. After that, I was able to sleep.
We'll see if I can keep it up.
Whew! I did it in two bursts of 5,000 steps with a 10 minute water and potty break in the middle. That break sure helps to make sure that my feet don't get too numb from sitting on those pedals. But, it sure is a lot harder than plain ol' walking. This is like doing a jog uphill the whole way. I could hardly walk when I got off of the thing.
Plus, my legs and joints ached as I lay in bed. I got up to eat some strawberries to up my potassium levels and take some alleve so that I wouldn't cramp really badly. After that, I was able to sleep.
We'll see if I can keep it up.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Yay!
For the past two days, my friend Misty has called me at the crack of dawn and I head over to her house to walk together. It sure goes faster when you have someone to talk to--and we do! It's truly social time as well as time to take care of me. I am loving every minute of it.
Today, we walked 5 miles before it got too hot. I am supposed to walk 6 tomorrow, but I may keep it to 5 until Sunday since I am really feeling my knees. Misty's husband uses Osteo-Bi-Flex and says that it helps him alot. So, I will get some today and see how it goes.
Still hoping to be under 200 lbs. for my anniversary. 12 days, including today. Hoping that I can make it. This it the first short term goal that I have set for myself and it will stink horribly if I don't make it.
Well, time to take a quick shower and go grocery shopping. Got a huge bag of hand me downs from Misty (her fat clothes, my skinny clothes!). Can't wait to dig through and see what works. Yipee!
Today, we walked 5 miles before it got too hot. I am supposed to walk 6 tomorrow, but I may keep it to 5 until Sunday since I am really feeling my knees. Misty's husband uses Osteo-Bi-Flex and says that it helps him alot. So, I will get some today and see how it goes.
Still hoping to be under 200 lbs. for my anniversary. 12 days, including today. Hoping that I can make it. This it the first short term goal that I have set for myself and it will stink horribly if I don't make it.
Well, time to take a quick shower and go grocery shopping. Got a huge bag of hand me downs from Misty (her fat clothes, my skinny clothes!). Can't wait to dig through and see what works. Yipee!
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