A MILE!

I swam a mile today.  I'm not saying it was fast or fun.  But it is done!  Jack is home right now and I can take my time w/ my workouts.  So today I decided to swim a full mile for the first time.  Swimming a mile is not like running a mile.  I AM EXHAUSTED!  I am thinking I may do it again tomorrow....

Thank you

Thank you to everyone who prayed for my friend's daughter.  Baby Cate passed away this week.  Please keep her family in your prayers.

A Request

Hello all.  If you have stopped by here lately you will have noticed I've been ignoring my blog.  I started neglecting it during Vacation Bible School b/c I was so exhausted.  But then something else happened.  A friend of mine from college has a 7 month old daughter who is very sick.  She is currently in ICU after undergoing open heart surgery.  My friend has been blogging about their struggles here.  I just feel a little shallow blogging about dieting and exercise while this sweet baby is fighting for her life.  I know the two are not related.... and I will probably go back to updating my blog now.  For the past week I've really been wrapped up in his blog and didn't want to blog here.  Maybe I just needed a break.  

Please pray for Baby Cate.  I wanted to post a picture of her here but blogger is acting up.  If you click on the link above you can see how adorable she is.  Again- please pray for her.

Bible School- Bad for the diet!

I am so hungry these past few days!  I am not kidding.  I cannot stop eating.  I have been busy and running around a lot lately... maybe that is why my hunger has increased.  (Lisa has Vacation Bible School this week.  I am the chaperon for her class of 20 4 year-olds.  Need I say more?)  When I get home from VBS I eat anything!  I actually considered ordering a pizza!  I was able to work out yesterday but today I was too tired.  I can tell this week is going to be loooong.  I am going to bed now so I don't eat another thing!  Peace out! 

Long Week

Both kids are really sick.  They each have 2 illnesses.  Geesh!  Sorry if I have been out of touch. This is what I am dealing w/ here people.

Oldie but Goodie

My latest Amazon order arrived today.  And what was it?  A classic!

This was a regular in my house growing up.  (VHS of course.)  We loved it.  My sister got the DVD a few months ago and reminded me how great it was.  I did one abs workout and one buns workout today.  As expected- they were awesome!  (And it was only $10.99!)

You are only as strong as your groin

Well, that is what Dr. Osborne thinks anyway.  And I tend to agree w/ him.  Here is an article he wrote about the importance of inner thigh/groin muscles in running.  Hmmmm.  Something to think about.  So in my efforts to heal my leg injury and become a better runner I am taking his advice.  I bought a pair of ankle weights today.  (My Mother watched the children so I could go to the Y and the store- they are still sick.  Thanks Mom.)  I was unsure about which weights to buy.  I originally thought I'd just strap 20 pounds on each ankle and go to it.  But my Mom figured that was too much.  A quick email to Dr. Osborne confirmed that it was too much and I should be using 5 pound ankle weights.  When I got home w/ my 5 pounders I realized that they were 2.5 pounds each.  Hmmmm.  Do you think that is what he meant?  The box is labeled "5 Pound Ankle Weights".  Let me tell you.... 2.5 pounds is not easy when you are doing 600 repetitions a day!  I don't want to be wimping it out though... So I am going to email him again and now he will surely think that I am crazy.  Here is a video of the exercise.

And not to be outdone.

Mechanical Difficulties

Sorry- I have been so MIA lately!  Things are happening here!  My children are both sick.  My best friend just moved up here from Florida.  I have been at doctor's appointments and vacation bible school meetings.... you get the picture.

Sooooo- to catch you up to speed.  Yesterday I saw my fifth specialist about my Iliotibial Band Syndrome.  This guy is amazing.  Dr. Osborne is a podiatrist.  (His website.)  He is also board certified in "Running Biomechanics".  (Who even knew such a field existed?)  He t

ook one look at my feet and how I stand and he knew my problem.  I had a full biomechanical evaluation an Dr. O explained it in a lot of medical terms but basically my feet aren't hitting the ground properly.  He also contradicted all the other doctors and believes that my right leg IS anatomically shorter than my left.  These two factors wouldn't be such a big deal if I wasn't a runner.  So to fix my biomechanical problem Dr. O is putting me into a pair of orthotics.  I am super-excited about this.  He thinks they will have me injury free before long.  Then he thinks I will be able to run as far and as fast as I want!  Let me tell you-- that was music to my ears.  The orthotics will be ready in 3 weeks.  Until then he doesn't want me to run.  My orders are to ice my knee 30 minutes every night.  Swim, walk, or elliptical as much as I ca

n.  And to strengthen my legs using ankle weights.  Sounds good to me.  I'll keep you posted on my progress.  Peace out!

A Berry Good Time

I had a lot of fun w/ the children tonight.  We went to the Strawberry Festival and my Mother came a long too.  Baby Jack was in awe of everything there was to look at.  Lisa had a blast playing games and going in the jumping house.  They shared a piece of strawberry pie.  It is one of Lisa's favorites.  This was Baby Jack's first taste of strawberry pie.  He loved it... of course!

In workout news.... I swam a 1/2 mile today.  Pretty hard pace too.  I also did about an hour of weights and ab work.  I can always tell when I've worked out hard b/c I get the munchies that night.  I am so hungry tonight!  Also- my leg is killing me.  Tomorrow is a day off cardio and weights.  I will just do a little ab routine.  I need rest.  Speaking of which... it is time for bed! Sweet dreams and good night!

Up and At 'Em

I made it to the Y bright and early this morning for a workout.  I decided not to swim today mainly b/c I hate it but also just to switch up my routine a little bit.  So I headed to the elliptical machine.  The YMCA just got all new ellipticals and treadmills.  They each have what is called a "cardio theater".  That means- a private television on each machine.  So cool!  The machine I was on, The Precor 100i,  is actually called an "Adaptive Motion Trainer".  Needless to say- it was pretty cool.  What a great workout I had.  I went 4.6 miles and burned over 400 calories.... all while watching The Early Show!

tired

Today I had a big workout day.  Three-fourths of a mile swim (still hating it... see picture... that is me.)  My longest weights routine.  (It takes an hour.)  And my new abs routine.  I am beat!  I am looking forward to running more and really hope that my injury is healing.  I also had a big eating day as I am STARVING!  Not much is going on here.  I hope to get to the gym first thing in the morning so I better get to bed.  Night!

My gear

Lisa says- "Mom, you look like a fish."

Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

.... That is a cure for my leg pain.  After a re-check w/ my Sports Medicine doctor today I am thoroughly frustrated.  Both she and my physical therapist recommend orthotics for my shoes. Geesh!  And I think they are probably right.  I just don't think they know a ton about running and I don't want to spend the cash on orthotics and get the wrong ones.  I have been hesitant to go see my Dad's running doctor in Cincinnati but that is where I think I am headed.  I'll keep you posted on this never-ending injury saga!