Triple T: Team Camp, Travel, and Training

That's the perfectionist in me - of course I cannot just write an update, I have to have a creative title :)
Team Camp
The Sonoran Distance ladies headed up North to Flagg for camp last week.  And it was nothing short of amazing.  And even I am saying that despite conditions being a little 'rough' for me!  I think everyone gave me crap all week, but I am not the greatest "camper" - - and when a spider (no joke) crawled across my face at 2am on the last night, that was game over for the live off the land experience!  Seriously no electricity, no phone service, no wifi, nothing - and for someone who for work is constantly buzzing and beeping that in itself was a huge culture shock.  Looking back at it though, I kind of liked it - - maybe no one really needs me that bad :)
I could wrote a whole post on the experience in itself, but CB style I am boiling it down to Top 3:
3.  (Least favorite) Running up to 10,200 ft  always sounds better the night before.
OHHHHHHHHHHHHh veyyyyyyyyy.  We did this 7 mile hill race as a team that literally is just a vertical climb to the top.  BRUTAL.  I mean at mile 2 I was swearing at myself saying why, why, why do I always say yes to stupid things like this?  Especially things that require a 4 am wake up call.  lol.  The highlight had to be at mile 6, teammates Ariana and Priscilla ate a burger for the MAMA BURGER challenge - GROSS.  I did manage 6th, and we all placed top 10 - HELL YEA!  SDP representing!

This was minutes before the start when we realized what the hell we just signed up for - 7 miles, 2200 elevation gain (already at 7700 ft at the start)

2.  Feeling at "home".
I feel like I am coming out of my shell now  - but always feel like a complete weirdo as every trip I have all my 'accouterments" -  foam roller, rubber bands, R8 roller, yoga toes, 3 different pairs of running shoes, compression stuff, the list goes on.  I have had people recognize me from the airport saying  - "Hey  I think I saw you doing like some leg swings at the airport" - yep that was me :)  But in Flagg, it was like being with 11 other aliens!  Everyone had their weird stuff and routines - - except....it' wasn't weird?  I fit in!
1.  Stronger Together
It truly is our rally cry  that originally we got from and to support our amazing sponsor, Pantene, but it really does embody our team.  We are a strong group of women who support each other, not ripping each other down  - and this weekend I think a lot of us got closer, worked out any differences we did have, and kind of became determined on a mission to empower other women to do the same so we can all rise :)  LOVE IT.
0.  Archery
I am adding this in because seriously when I retire from running this is my sport.  Autumn taught me how to shoot the thing - and then I hit 3 in a row (after initially pointing it the wrong way) - wicked fun!  This could be way too political of a statement, but I think we should have bow and arrows instead of guns, I mean at least you would have to really want to hit your target because it takes like 5 minutes to get it ready :) And I am not sure, but I don't think you can die from arrows?  But you sure as heck would be on your butt.

My archery coach (and amazing runner too) to the right is Autumn

seriously, I think I look like a natural? No?

Travel
This past week I had an awesome opportunity to travel to SLC for work and got to run with teammate Natalie Como - -we had 8 miles (also a 4 am wake up call that sounded great the night before) - that went by so fast.  Catching up was a fantastic way to start the day, and sometimes in those quiet miles of the morning the conversations you have are so real, so important :)  After I left Natalie, I went to Corner Bakery and ate the entire menu.  The man came over with everything and asked me what the person joining me would like to drink.  I smiled, and said there was no one, and he  -verbatim  - "Damn girl, that is awesome".  Ha.  Lately, I have been starving non stop.
After a work meeting that went spectacular - the kind that gets you on a total high, just like running, I headed to Cincinnati.  It was a quick in and out, but in a span of less then 48 hours, I got in:

•  tough as hell track workout on my old stomping grounds
•  6 meetings
•  Justin time 
•  dinner + 2 runs + Graeters +  SDP/Pantene meeting with John and Ariana   

It was good to be back in Cincy and see someone you know literally on every corner - and it was even better playing tour guide to SDP :)

Breakfast with the Pantene team!  (We agreed beforehand to behave while ordering and not completely scare them -even though we literally just had ripped off the miles :)

Training
The training update this week is about transition.  I am moving from "running" to being a "runner" which has different demands of your body.  And I feel it.  We have put together 5 solid weeks of 55-60 miles, and 2 weeks of track work (12 X 400, and 7 X 800).  Sleep, nutrition, hydration all change, and I am just working my way through that now.  I also have transition with work that I need to manage through, scope of role changed significantly, and right now it is very overwhelming :(  But like with all things - give me 3 months and I will figure it all out.  I have gotten lots of messages about race plans, game plan,etc.  That too is under construction :)  As soon as it is all ironed out I promise to share!  As for now, I wake up everyday, truly happy, truly smiling, and more focused then ever for 2:43!

ahhhhhhhhh, nothing makes me happier, back to the track!

Arizona!

I can't believe it but it has already been a year since I moved here!  One of the most unique things about this blog is that I am blessed to have friends/family all over the great states reading it - so I thought I would do this one on top 10 things about running/training/living in AZ....with a little fun special sauce at the end for everyone living elsewhere :)

1.  Cotton Mouth

Yes, this is just what it sounds like.  So when I first moved here and would go running I could not make it a mile without literally feeling like there was a full out wad of cotton in my mouth.

no caption needed - that is how I Felt!

Everyone told me that it would go away and it did - I just have to be vigilant about my hydration.  I drink 130 oz of water a day, 2 Nuun tablets, and this does not include any fruit or water I use for food.  Before I run I literally force myself to drink 12 oz of water.  If I do this everyday - I pretty much never have issues with the heat.  (see # 7)

2.  The Morning

I have always been a bit of a morning gal, especially when I was a work a holic - but when I moved to the East Coast I started to value sleep more, and since it was SO cold in the winter I often would run at like 9/10am on the weekends.  Now, I am ready for dinner at 10 am on Sunday :)  Running at 3:45/4/430/5 is very common here, you have to be done by 8 latest.  Especially if you are doing any sort of effort (tempo, pick-ups, strides, track work. etc).  And now that I am an old fart it literally takes me 45 minutes to get out the door because I have to go to the bathroom, drink water, go to the bathroom, do my ankle exercises. go to the bathroom,  hip exercises, foam roll, and go to the bathroom one more time just in case :)  And then Monday - Friday before I leave I check email to start the clean up of any disasters that have occurred overnight.  Retail world is full of overnight chaos :)  As a result, I am in bed by 9....#hugenerd.  While I am still fighting this a bit, and love my sleep, I will say there is something so beautiful about the quiet and sereneness of the morning.  In fact, teammates are often so tired we don't talk much either, but all you hear is the breath on the crushed sand as the sun welcomes the day.  I have seen more beautiful sunrises here to fill my heart for years to come.

3.  The People

LOVE THEM.  By far the best part.  When I moved out East, I struggled for the first 2 months because I am more happy go lucky and no one smiled or talked to you - there were lots of fingers flying while driving, and it just felt 'gruff".  When I said hi to the front desk guy at my apartment he looked at me like I had a disease.  I quickly learned NOT to take it personal ~ it's just the East Coast Vibe, and I learned to love it - it's funny actually.  In fact, one of my teammates is from NYC and once (ok, now I feel like I am doing this one time at bandcamp....) during mile repeats there was a group setting up some sort of charity thing on the track and as we whizzed by she said if they don't move that #^%$%  I am going to go "New York" on them.  That was the end of the mile repeat.  Laughing and running is not my strong suit :)  Anyways back to the people - they are so friendly.  I literally met my best buddy. Lauren,  here in a yoga class, she saw me and said "you're new aren't you?" and that was that.  Now we talk/text everyday.  She has been my rock to lean on as I learned AZ.  And of course my teammates - all like sisters - love them to death.  And then just all the other pockets of people - Yoga teachers, pilates teachers/peeps, church friends, neighbors, haircut lady, my PT, etc just all amazing.  I have never been in a place with so many people who are self-less and loving.  It's awesome.  The ironic part is not too many people are TRUE Arizonians, most are transplants.  Not sure, if that has anything to do with it - like a melting pot?  Having said that  - the people are my favorite part in EVERY city I have lived in, looking back at the friends I have made in every city just speaks to the point, there are 50 different states, but one thing is the same - the people are amazing.  While Providence (East) was perhaps the gruffest - I met some of my closest friends there - it's just their "cover" :):)

4.  Food

Super Healthy, which I love.  There are lots of great restaurants that focus on fresh, farm to table, organic, non GMO, etc.  You absolutely can eat out healthy.  Also the Whole Foods/Sprouts type stores are abundant and in general people just tend to eat healthier.  It might be because it is so hot you do not want to eat big heavy meals?  Or also because the 'athlete' community here is so strong and obviously nutrition is about 80+% of the game.  Either way I love it.  A few of my favs are True Food, Flower Child, Fresh Box, Phil's Grill, Morning Squeeze, and Luci's Healthy Marketplace.  If you every visit me you can be sure we will make a stop at one of these! My treat ;)

5.  Grocery Stores

This one might be because it is what I do - but I find it fascinating the number of grocery stores out here.  Well, really on the west Coast in general.  It is SO different then the Midwest/East Coast.  Out East, I had Stop n Shop - which if there was a bed bug registry for grocery stores I am pretty sure it would be on it.  On the other hand here,  I  have 12 options of legit grocery stores (Fry's (equivalent to Kroger), Safeway, Albertson's, Winco, Smart & Final, Basha's, Haggen's, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Target w/Grocery, Trader Joe's, and AJ's Fine Foods.  I prefer the Fry's by me, it's beautiful and produce section rocks - but I also get my fish and a few things Fry's doesn't have at Sprouts.

6.  Traffic/Driving

I think the drivers here and the traffic is not bad at all.  People complain  - like everywhere  - but it's all about perspective. I was used to gridlock on 88 in Chicago, or the East Coast where everything is SO tight, or 71 on Cincy.  At least it always moves!  And I feel like there is less crazy zigging and zagging out of lanes like you see everywhere else.  The HOV lane system here is pretty good, and I cannot say I feel like traffic is a drag.  The use of the horn is definitely a cultural thing - In Cincy I don't think people know it comes with the car, in Chicago it;s used just as much as the brake pedal, and out East I'll just say the horn is an extension of the mojo we mentioned above!  Here there is horn usage but I am pretty certain that is your Chicago influence!  It's not common, and usually more taps then hold downs.  A huge difference :)

7.  The Weather

So, Arizona has these storms called "Haboobs" - yea for real.  The first time I saw one I thought I was in the Wizard of Oz.  It's like a tornado, dust storm, terrible thunderstorm, all rolled into one.  They happen during Monsoon season - July/August.  These are the toughest 2 months because not only is it very warm, 110+, but there is humidity too - so a double whammy.  As for the heat - honestly, it doesn't really bother me, but I am weird, and someone who is ALWAYS cold.  (Quick Frame of reference - I just got back from Chicago where it was 75/80 and I was wearing a sweatshirt...Justin always brings extra stuff for me even though I say I will be fine, and never fails I always end up putting it on).  As long as you are hydrated I think it's very bearable, and feels REALLY good at night.  I love being warm :) I do drink an extreme amount of water so whatever I do  'do' outside I am sweating profusely, pretty much non stop, but that's pretty much the only downside I can see :)

8.  The Critters

Not going to say anything about this because I am superstitious.  Enough said.

9.  The Discussions

This one could obviously be controversial, and I am not trying to be - at all - just an observation I have had.  Folks on the East Coast are very in tune with current affairs - and I felt if you ran into someone you knew at Whole Foods, the gym, or anywhere you would start talking about GMOs, Gay Rights, Politics, etc.  It was very liberal, and very educated.  Very different from Chicago, MSP,  or Cincy - where you run into someone and you start talking about your/their life - what have you been up to, what's new, etc?    Arizona on the other hand, you run into someone, and it's about what you are up to "athletic" wise :)  what race are you training for, what do you recommend to recover faster, what do you eat before workouts, how do you do strengthen this, etc? There is just a VERY strong athletic/fit culture here - it's a lifestyle.  I cannot say one is better then the other, they all help us relate to each other and deepen relationships in a different way :)

10.  The Running!

I saved the best for last!  Running here is by far the best I have been in - you can train year round (unless you trip on a rock and it sidelines you for 4 months), there are hardcore trails, soft canal long run trails, roads galore great for running, no potholes, altitude an hour away, good spots for hills, lots of flat - - really a running heaven for me :)

One of my favorite routes....rocks so big your worries seem tiny

And I thought this would be fun, a little chart ranking the cities I have lived :)  This is N=1, so just my ridiculous POV, but thought it would be fun!
The point is, and I did not plan this - but isn't it amazing we live in one country, yet there is so much different culture, quirks?  We truly live in the best place in the world :)  Happy 4th of July!

Happy Trails,
CB

Updates!

No more debbie downer posts (I do feel bad for Debbie, she gets a bad rap for no apparent reason)...not that everything is perfect, but there is too much good to be happy about and dwelling on the bad is pointless. In fact I have learned in the past 4 months to take these challenges as opportunities to trust.   As my sister and now maid of honor :)  always says... "Life is beautiful, and life is messy all at the same time".

So good or bad you can count on me to write and not "hide" --  that leads us to 2 updates for you.

First, the most frequent question I get besides "how is running"...is "how is wedding planning going!!!!???? "
Now, for some reason I seem to have quite a few doubters on my wedding planning skills - like I am not domestic or something? :) But I will have you know we have a date, venue, wedding party, readers, church, priest, and theme!~  Boo yea!
The wedding party was very important to Justin and I, the day is about celebrating with a group of amazing people who helped us get to where we are.  So we put a lot of thought into it.  There are four people who have had a profound impact on my life- perhaps not during all of it, but during key stages/milestones.  So I sent each one a bracelet with the gift (which was one word) they have given me.  And then on the inside it said, "Will you meet me in Chicago on June 24th 2016?"  After some small mail issues (seriously any business acts like the post office and they would be bankrupt) - everyone received theirs and said YES! :)  Yea!

These are the 4 bracelets with the 'gift' on the outside and the date question on the inside!

Second, training update.  We are still not perfect but the goal is by July 1st to be 100%. The past 2 weeks we have made a lot of progress  - and with each day I grow stronger and more optimistic.  The key really was finding a PT who looked at the total body and selflessly has worked with me to rebuild the chain.  She has been my angel for sure, and I only hope to pay it forward to someone some day, some how.  We have been doing a lot of stretching (which seems odd for the ankle, but it works, because if your hips are tight it cascades down), laser therapy (I call this the magic wand), PT exercises, manual therapy, and wearing Yoga Toes (to straighten out my toes!).  All of it has led to close to pain free training!
Meanwhile I am building quite the base - which I probably never have really done well - but I have had 4 solid weeks in the 40's and now two weeks of quality 50 mile weeks.  My body feels better then it ever has, and the ankle is just so so close!  The heat is starting to crank, so we are up to run REALLY early, which means I have become the ultimate nerd and usually am OUT by 9 - COLD.

Monday= cross training day - Went to PT before my move (more on that in another post!) and did 45 minutes on this thing called "Jacob's Ladder" - BRUTAL.  But it helped build the strength of my feet.
Tuesday= 8 miles with some short strides to test it a bit, felt pretty good - tweaked ankle a tad on the curb (seriously I know) but actually I think that pushed everything back into place or something, as felt fine later?
Wednesday= 7 miles, ankle felt good
Thursday=10 miles, HILLY, tough route - great run, felt very strong - solid pace

Got to rejoin the team again too!

Friday=7 miles, felt pretty beat up, went hard on it yesterday - and realizing as mileage climbs, I feel more tired, probably need to add another hour of sleep in
Saturday=8 miles, feeling really good, barely felt ankle AT ALL - good clip on pace, and HR stayed very low
Sunday=Team Long Run at canal - 12 miles - longest in 4 months - just happy to be back, who care it was blazing hot :)-

Total for week: 53 - - feeling on track to start training again July 1 - just plain happy to be back with team too!

I wont do this every week for fear of extreme boredom on your part, but once in awhile for the running geeks out there :)

Until next time,
happy trails,
CB

Roller Coaster Ride?

I know it has been awhile.  I am not going to lie, when I started this blog and titled it  "the ups and downs of chasing a dream" I guess I was expecting more "ups" then "downs". One thing I have learned is that you cannot really separate your "life" from your ultimate dream/goal -because that "life stuff" really effects what you are chasing.  The past 3 months have been nothing but a whole lot of messy - in every way - the ankle obviously, dog adoption gone wrong, crazy work travel, hospital visits, life decisions, and I think all of those have effected healing.   It's been more difficult for me because it was a freak accident - and unfortunately this is a key year. It's hard to let go and not force what you want, but 3 months has certainly taught me to just let go. I truly am at a point now where I KNOW I will achieve my dream, just possibly not on the timing I wanted. And I am at peace with that.  I have to be :)

Last night, I was on my way to the mailbox in my own world ....when all of a sudden my neighbor called out "Hey CB how are you!?"  To which I replied - "Awesome!  How are you?"   He responded..."Not very good".  

And then I knew this was not going to be your standard 2 minute 30 second mail box trip.  So I walked over to him and he sat down on the curb.  Now mind you this guy is about 3.5x my body weight and could bench press me with his thumb.  He is a former ASU football player and in incredible shape.  So I couldn't really look down at him, so I sat down on the curb next to him.  This sight probably was absolutely hilarious to the cars driving by because I am pretty sure I looked like a 4 year old girl next to him :)

CB:  "What's bugging you?"

Big Guy (we will call him BG to protect names of innocent):  "Do you ever just feel like everything is going down hill?  I mean I just am waiting for that one piece of momentum to swing things upward. Like you know... the JACKPOT!"

CB:  "Oh yea, absolutely - however you can't spend all your time waiting for that because IT WILL GO UP, but then you know you might come down again."  

BG:  "No, I don't think so, I was just talking to my uncle and he was saying once you hit the turning point,  it's all up man"

CB: "Hmmmm......well haven't you ever been "up" before?"

BG:  "No, not really."

CB: "Really?  Tell me about your football days..." (eyes light UP and he goes on for 5 minutes)

CB:  "Ok, I would say that was an up" :)

BG:  "Huh, yeh I guess.  So you're saying it's always up then down, up then down."

CB:  "Well kind of, ....like a roller coaster"

BG:  "I think that sucks. I like my uncle's theory better.  Because then when you are on the high's you gotta be worrying about when it crashes."

CB:  "Well yea dude but that's why you don't get too high with the hi's or too low with the lows." 

BG:  "So have you ever been at the bottom of the rollercoaster?"

CB:  "Ha, oh my yea,,,,I mean right now my cart is scraping the pavement."

BG:  "So you lied to me when you said you were "awesome"

CB:  (in my head - - oh dear...)- "Huh, yea I guess, I just didn't really think you cared."

BG:  (standing up) "I don't really....but it;s really cool that someone as happy go lucky as you always are has lows.  I feel better now.  Thanks later gator."

And there I am sitting on the curb wondering what just happened.  And then starting to rethink my famous roller coaster theory that I have used forever.  Maybe life is just an upward trajectory that you have to wait to hit it?  No, I like my theory better.

Anyways, the point of this running blog is to update you on my journey - not my neighborly sidewalk philosophical conversations; but I think it pretty much sums up where we are at right now.  Basically building our way back up - things have started to heal, in all aspects of life :) and I am just starting running again  - scrapping all races and plans at this point and working to be 100% healthy by July 1st.

The work ahead is daunting, but then again so is attaining most great things in life.

So as I sign off, I am not sure whether I believe in the roller coaster or Jackpot theory now?,... but either way - - I am heading upwards....and looking forward to the ride ahead. :) Thanks for sticking by me, you have no idea how much I need you.

Racing!

Ironically the topic I am supposed to blog on for our team's website is "racing".  Which is quite the funny because I am unfortunately nowhere near even thinking about racing as I am still on the DL from the sprained ankle.  BUT, in anticipation and hope for the days ahead I can offer a little something :)

Racing for me used to be my favorite thing in the world, being competitive there is no better outlet for that then race day.  However, in the past few years the mental side of running has really hit me; and taken a little bit of the fun out of running for me.  I don't think I realized the impact mental anxiety has on performance until Thanksgiving this year.  After months of training and a pretty decent racing season I took off a good 3 weeks - of NOTHING.  As part of my Thanksgiving tradition I ran a race on literally one week of training, and got 2nd - on 6:10 miles - that felt like I was walking.  Why?  How did that happen?  No expectations, no stress, nothing on the line.  Since that very moment I have really grown a lot and really started to put that into action - - January and February (2 PRs) were the first indications of this new approach working.  And then I tripped on a rock (but I digress).

But, honestly I don't feel that I am in any position to provide advice or guidance on the mental side of racing.  I am still learning myself. So what I thought I would do is share a race ritual that I do every single time I toe the line - no matter how big or small.

Every single race I dedicate to someone, and I write their name on my shoes.  At the toughest points of the race, at the moments when I don't think I can keep the pace, when I want to give up, I think of that person - what they have gone through, what they have done for me, what they mean to me - - and time and time again, I get through that rut, and get a second wind.

Running can be seen as such a selfish, individual sport - but that is so far from the truth.  Because it is just you against the miles the support and love you get from other people determine your success.  I remember running Chicago 2010 in the 100 degree heat for a huge hero of mine, breast cancer survivor and fighter, Mrs. Cyr.  As the thermometer climbed and people dropped like flies, I vividly remember speeding up thinking this was a joke compared to the fight she was having.  At the time it was a PR (3:03) in conditions that shut down the marathon early.  That wasn't me - that was her, I am pretty sure, pushing me.  

It's my absolute favorite part of this whole journey, and quite frankly I CANNOT wait to get another chance to sit down the night before a race and "do the shoes"!

I have been doing this for years so I literally have hundreds of shoes/examples, but here are a few  - you get the idea :)

Birthday HOPE

I am about to hit the rack on my birthday, which is weird because technically I do not think I was even born yet, it's 9 pm and I think I came late.  But I mean I barely make it up for New Years ... I need to keep my nerd status.  Anyways, another pointless digression...what I meant to say was before I go to bed, I thought I would do a quick update.

The past 2 weeks have not been any easier to be perfectly honest.  Moments of extreme hope, crashed by the reality of another lost week.  I learned though that in a lot of ways "hope" is what gets us through.  Every night I would go to bed, and think it feels good, I bet in the morning it will be 100%!  And then it wouldn't.  But then later in the day it would start to feel different, and I would tell myself this is it, its turning for the better!  And I have played this game for 1.5 months now :)  You could call it stupidity, or call it HOPE.  I prefer the later.

Hope ultimately is what keeps us going when we face adversity - - hope of healing, hope of resolution, hope of what the future holds, etc.  For an injury, every dr appt, every PT session, every ice bucket gives us something to look forward to and know that after that, it just might be healed. So I can't give up until after that _________(fill in the blank).

 There is clear difference though between "hope" and "the grass is always greener on the other side".  Hope is real.  It's a light that guides you when the chips are down.  It IS what makes you keep putting one foot in front of the other.  Whereas the "grass" theory is always thinking I can't wait until this role is over, this month ends, that person moves, this race is over, etc.  Wishing away the now, for what lies ahead is fraught for disaster.  You never appreciate the life you live now.  It's funny because sometimes I can see myself grow up; previously when faced with adversity I would do the "grass theory" - I can't wait for 2 months from now because I will be happier - things will just be better.  During this injury, it's been quite the opposite - fueled by hope each day - because I am happy NOW, and want to be right where I am at.  I want to work through the injury and become stronger, and learn from it, I want these days of this journey - because the journey truly is more important then the destination.  And I don't want to wish away any of it.  Sure I wish it didn't happen at all, but I am starting to see the lessons embedded in all that we face.  And wishing it all away defeats the purpose of the lesson you need to learn - thus you'll get it again :)

So the update, slowly but surely the ankle is getting a lot better.  I am running again, albeit slowly and conservatively as we build up.  I feel slow and out of shape. And humbled to be back at square one after months of hard work.    I had to withdraw from St. Louis and Eugene which was a rough day.  And I had to face the reality of the clock as well.

But, HOPE kept me going, we developed a new plan, a new timeline and that is my "light".  So I work to win each day for that plan, and cling to the hope it provides me.

Today was the ultimate ray of hope - I prayed for a birthday wish weeks ago that I would be able to run with the team as I saw the day landed on Sunday (Sunday long runs).  And I did - and it felt 97% painless.  It wasn't fast, it wasn't far, but it was.  And from here I can build.  It gives me hope about tomorrow, it gives me hope about the new plan, it gives me hope about clinging on to my dream.

Birthday Wish Run - no better present :)

Win the Day

This is the phrase I am using throughout this fun rehab.  Last week as I was going out the door to pool run, I NAILED my toe on my bookshelf (I know right? Kick a girl when she is down); and a book fell off the shelf, it was Drew Brees' "Coming Back Stronger".  I have it, never read it.  Figured maybe it was a sign, and started to read it.  Funny how things work, it's all about him coming back from injury.  It literally is the only thing getting me through this.  Any way - his phrase was don't worry about tomorrow (time ticking by, not going to be able to run Eugene:( and focus on doing what you need to do TODAY to get back - WIN THE DAY.
So everyday I am doing everything I can with diet, supplements, PT, conditioning to keep the level of fitness I was at and heal.

Quick Update on Training...

Miles for this week= 0

Monday:
AM: 5 am pool running for 1.5 hours (did 10 X 1:00, 10 X :30, 10 X :15) then did hip prehab routine...went into locker room and lady who laughs at everything was there; no matter what I say. Started to think maybe I actually am funny?  Then I said have a good day and she laughed hysterically.  Dang,  Ok I guess I'm really not, she just laughs at everything.  Back to reality.

PM:  Went to PT before work trip.  Started out swell.  Asked me to warm up on treadmill.  Old CB - would have been half way home thinking what a waste of time.  New CB - calmy..."Um, I am here because I cannot run, sorry :("

Tuesday:
AM:  Mile repeats on elliptical - massive sweat pool; someone at gym told me to buy "arnica" it heals sprains - I stop at CVS and buy 3 bottles.  It doesn't.

PM:  PT, swimming, strength, someone told me Vitamin D Helps everything heal, stopped at CVS bought a bottle, not working yet.

Wednesday:
AM:  Pool running, why isn't this an Olympic sport?

PM:  PT, mini breakdown, Pilates

Thursday:
AM;  Pool Running, great work call, team bet me 3% chance I could sell something in, sold it in, at least I got that going for me :) Sort of fills the competitive void.

PM:  PT, mini breakdown, swimming

Friday:
AM;  tried treadmill, epic fail, flew home next to drunk woman who had 2 bud lights at 7:45 am, massage on ankle/foot

PM:  PT, heard a "pop" thought that was good sign, super positive, tomorrow will be the day!

Saturday:  Not the day! Tried to run, breakdown...drove to pool, 2 hours pool running, hard, as I was pissed.  Yoga.  Someone told me to try KT tape, lets you run on Sprained ankles, stopped at CVS to buy a package.  At this point thinking I should buy stock in CVS.

At this point just trying to stay positive, and know that there is a reason.  There is a plan, I just need to accept it and keep working hard.    I am working hard, not sure I am accepting it yet - why is that SO hard for me?

ANYWAYSSSSSSSSSSSS.......Now on to more positive things!

1st, thank god for friends.  This is an ENTIRE jar of homemade almond butter - - my favorite food used to be peanut butter, this has now been replaced.  MASSIVE cheer up for me, good friends are priceless.

2nd, when I do start to run again, I will look darn cute! Got 2 new packages from Skechers!

3rd, enough about me!  How about a gift for YOU.  I think you have heard me harp about Nuun a lot, and how it saved my running when I was dealing with serious dehydration/fatigue - which basically we all are.  60% of EVERYTHING you drink should include electrolytes - - it's amazing how much better I feel after I replace those suckers.  Anyway, now through March 26th, you can use this code and get 20% off!!   LuckyNuunFriends