First of all, IT issues. And that would be IT as in I – T, not it. If you’re reading via Google reader, you may not have noticed that my layout and heading have CHANGED. This was not exactly intentional, but in updating my previous theme, it wiped out my custom header and personalized settings. FAIL! However, it did force me to spruce things up a little around here. So if you’re reading ing Google Reader, please (!!) click on over and tell me what you think of the new header, the layout, what am I missing (?), and any other comments. Minnesota Nice comments though – that constructive criticism.   Here is what I have noticed, and would love your help if you are blogging/internet/html savvy and know how to fix it!

1. When you are on the main homepage, just reading the posts through scrolling down (versus clicking on each individual post), there is no link to leave a comment!?!? This used to be linked down by the tags, at the bottom of each post. How/where do I edit the html code to put that back in?
2. When I list things… the text is all squished together. I don’t like it. How could I make it 1.5 spaced like the rest of the text?

Um… that’s actually all I can think of that’s different. My pages tabs have moved to the right side bar, my “fueled by” sponsors/links have moved over to the right side, and so has my search bar… what am I forgetting about?

Just to note in the mean time, you CAN still comment! (haha, no pressure though.) You just have to on an individual post page (click on the title of the post) and scroll to the bottom. Frustrating, I know, but hopefully I’ll have it figured out soon!

OK, now we begin.

In all of seven days, I’m going to be renewing my student status and heading back to campus at my dearly beloved University of Minnesota. And trust me, this girl will not be dragging her feet. Summer 2010 will not exactly be looked upon “fondly” in my books. Alright, no B.S. – it was truthfully the worst summer I have ever had. I’m looking forward for this summer to be done, and I’m ready to just leave it at that – close the chapter, and turn a new page.

ANYWAYS.

What am I looking forward to other than summer ending? A lot. Copious amounts. Heaps, loads, MUCHO!! But for the sake of time (and your sanity) I betcha I can break it down to three:

SCHOOL

Yes. I am looking forward to school. Class. Homework. Cadavers, textbooks, exams – bring it. I know my major is the right fit for me because I get out of bed and I’m excited about it. Every. Damn. Day. And AMEN for that, because I went through that year and a half of unsureness when I started out doing architecture. (THROWWW BACK POST! I look so young! [Edit: that was only two years ago you doof!] I miss my dad!!!) And that’s OK – if I have any young guns out there going off to college (or still in high school!!), let me tell you two things. A) Say HI!! One of my new favorite people in the world left her first comment recently, and I love that girl! I want to hear from you!! Oh yea… B) You do not need to know what you want do do/be “when you grow up” when you go to college. That’s what college is for! Take classes outside your comfort zone. Use your general eds to explore different fields and see what really lights your fire. [That sounded dirty when I reread for editing. How old am I??]

On track… on track.

I’m excited and looking forward to school. Here is my schedule for the fall semester – classes only. I may or may not be adding on one more 1 credit class (another PE – Kines needs 5 to graduate, and I’m at 3) but I need to wait and see how some other things (that I’m also looking forward to!) pan out.

1. Into to Kinesiology. Yes. I am taking this way late in the game. Oops!
2. Sports Psychology.
3. Intermediate Swimming. Will get to do my own workouts, since the prereq for “intermediate” is “PE 1007 or equiv, proficient ability to swim 100 meters or instr consent.” 100 meters? I think I’ve got it covered.
4. Human Physiology + Lab
5. Motor Development Across the Lifespan
6. [Potentially.....] another PE, Monday nights, 6:45 – 8:30

TRAINING

It probably doesn’t blow your mind that I’m looking forward to training, but when you hear that I’m still not running… it might. Its true – I was SUPER down about not being able to run – pretty much this whole summer. And I’m definitely still bummed about that. But I am in the hands of some of the best sports medicine doctors the Twin Cities has to offer, and for that, I am so grateful. I feel so solid in the decisions I’ve made about racing and training this year, so solid in my coach, my goals, and the plans she has given me to help me reach them, and more solid than flipping Fort Snelling in having given this one over to God.

And also pretty solid in rocking my new prescription sleeve. It makes me feel like I’m almost still a runner. Did I mention I love my sports med team?

Note: nope – I’m not on the UMN XC team. Just a groupie. :/

MY FUTURE

I will tell myself over and over again, until it’s permanently engraved in my mind. I can do anything through Him who strengthens me. I’m entering the new school year with a good attitude, a solid head on my shoulders (jeeez, you’d think I like the word solid or something… [note the official sarcasm color]) and a strong hand of faith on my shoulder. There are plenty of opportunities out there just waiting to be seized, and oh man, do I plan on seizing. In fact, I plan on going pro at it, so watch out! This summer blowed, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the year has to.

Life is only what you make of it my friends. If you’re questioning whether or not your makin’ of it… I ask you this: If not today… then when? (That is a direct shout out to YOU mama bear! I love you!!)

Alright kiddos… [I do realize the majority of my readers are older than me... I should change that out. This editing-post-writing is a good thing. Highly recommended.] Scratch that. Alright compadres, it’s time to wrap. The Twins just beat the Tigers. The world is right. (Or is it solid..?) And it’s bedtime.

READER Qs: Are you tech savvy//very empathetic, and can help me fix my html to make the comment link reappear? What are you taking this semester if you are still in school? What was your favorite course in college if you are all done?

Sleep tight!
-E

Be back soon. Promise!

-E

The questions is usually phrased something like: “I’m just getting into [running, triathlons, etc.] and I signed up for my first race!! But I don’t know what to EAT before or during the race!! Any advice?” The answer to that question is SUPER individualized, and just because something works for me, or these other lovely athletes down below, does not necessarily mean it will work for you. But you never know until you try, and I think our “go-to”s will give you some good starting ground!

For more PRE-RAE PREP, aside from delicious // butt-kicker breakfasts, check out my post Train on Top Volume 4.1 – PRE RACES!!

Mom

@ No blog. She should though because she has some awesome artwork featuring Minneapolis photography for sale. If you’re interested, let me know!

1 // What races do you participate in?

I am no longer racing, but raced a lot in the ‘80s and ‘90s:  many Grandma’s and Twin Cities marathons; the Boston Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Houston Marathon, three marathons in Utah, Easy Street to Lake Street Half-Marathon, New Prague Half-Marathon, Hennepin Lake Classics, Edmund Fitzgerald relays, Melpomene 5K, Victory Memorial 10K, among many other races.

2 // Your stand-by pre-race fuel

My pre-race fuel was a peanut butter bagel and banana along with several energy gel packs during marathons.

Me!

@ Right here my friend…

1 // What races do you participate in?

I’ve been through it all… from the mile and two mile on the track, to XC, to triathlons, all the way up to the marathon.

2 // Your stand-by pre-race fuel

My “stand-by” has changed quite a bit over the years. There are definitely phases and kicks I’ve gone through…. though I wouldn’t follow my example of that season of high school XC where I thought candy corn was responsible for my kick (until I crashed and burned).

However, I will give the following recommendations:

1 // Coffee is not a question of if but of Mexican dark roast or Twin Cities Blend? 2 // [IMO] Slightly upping the carbs the week before a big race is a better idea than shoving your face with spaghetti the night before. Have a nice, balanced dinner, but nix the pasta party. 3 // Kona Kola Nuun is not only deliciously amazing (amazingly delicious??), but also a life saver. 4 // Twizzlers & Raisin Bran on the beach while waiting forever and a half for your wave to start is actually a pretty good idea… 5 // Agua, H2O, dihydrogen monoxide, oxygen (di-)hydride, mizu, WATER!! All week leading up to the race.

Jamie

@ SwimBikeRunLive

1 // What races do you participate in?

I participate primarily in triathlons, mostly half ironmans.

2 // Your stand-by pre-race fuel

My favorite pre-race breakfast is nothing special. I try to keep it pretty similar to what I normally eat in the morning. My pre race breakfast is usually a bowl of Frosted Flakes, a banana and some sports drink. My fav is First Endurance EFS. I will sip on a bottle when I get up and then another while setting up the transition area and waiting for the race to start. My stomach doesn’t like too much in it as soon as I get up, especially with pre-race butterflies flapping around, so I focus primarily on staying hydrated instead of chewing up solids.

Laura

@ Frayed Laces

1 // What races do you participate in?

I’ve raced just about everything, from 5ks to 50 mile ultras.  In years past I’ve been primarily a runner, but recently got into triathlon and just qualified for the Ironman world champs in Kona this year.

2 // Your stand-by pre-race fuel

I always have the same pre-race breakfast, no matter what the distance.  A few hours before the race I have a bowl of oatmeal with raisins, soy protein powder, and cinnamon.  I also have about 3 cups of coffee.  About 45 mins before the race start I’ll have a banana. I think the most important thing is to race using the same conditions you’ve trained with. I am not a fan of having a huge breakfast before a meal, as I don’t race well with a lot of food in my stomach.  I don’t even have a big dinner the night before.  Instead, if I have a major event (marathon, ultramarathon, half ironman, etc) I have a slightly larger than normal lunch, and then an early dinner.  During longer distance events I rely on keeping myself adequately fueled by taking in a steady supply of GU.

Lindsey & James Cotter

@ CotterCrunch & The Cotter Chronicles

James’ Race eats:

1 // What races do you participate in?

I compete in triahthlons professionally. Main races are half ironmans and a couple full ironmans per season

2 // Your stand-by pre-race fuel

Pre race fuel are usually oats or gluten free corn flakes. The wife makes me a small bowl of rolled oats and sticks them in the fridge overnight. In the morning she’ll had banana, cinnamon, honey, and maybe just a tad scoop of vanilla whey protein to mix in.

1 bottle of EFS by first endurance (an electrolyte drink) to take with breakfast and another bottle 45 minutes before race (sip on it in transition area while setting up). Then 15 minutes before race start I’ll take First Endurance Pre-Race powder (caffience stimulation powder) mixed with 4 oz of water.

Lindsays Eats:

1 // What races do you participate in?

No triathlons for me right now. Sold my bike and will get a new one later in the year. That being said, lots of Half marathons this summer/fall! WHOO HOO!

2 // Your stand-by pre-race fuel

I have a gluten intolerance and can’t handle much before a race so here’s what works for me before a half mary.

2 brown rice cakes (gluten free brand) with sun nut butter or almond butter, 1/2 banana, and honey on top. I sometimes add some sea salt crystals just to get some extra sodium in if its going to be a HOT HUMID race. Oh and COFFEE COFFEE is a must. I usually drink an electrolyte drink on the way to race sight (like EFS by first endurance). Then I during the race I make sure to have honey stingers with me. They are easy to chew and stick in my pocket. I alternate between gatorade and water for the majority of the race.

Post race (usually about 30 minutes after), I love CHOCOLATE MUSCLE MILK! The light kind is easy on my stomach because its lactose free and gluten free. I usually grab some fruit with it.  Its the perfect recovery fuel you can tag along with you to races.

READER Qs: What is YOUR “go-to” pre-race breakfast? Have you had any big breakfast blow-ups?

El fin.

Almost! If you haven’t noticed… I haven’t been posting much about my own training and pre-racing and racing hoo-ha lately. [I mean hoo-ha in the sense of "all that nonsense" or "all that business". Urban Dictionary might lead you astray....] And, that would be because I haven’t been racing. BUT, going by my last post, and my facebook photo, hopefully you all can see I’m still WORKING. There is a method to this madness, but a method where I’ve had to put my faith in God to follow. Not fe ciega mind you – although I’ll admit, I do have a bit of that – but guided faith. This is another one of my I’m so much smarter of an athlete now than I was then moments, and it feels RIGHT. Haha I didn’t say good, but it’s definitely right.

And speaking of good and right, there’s a company I want to make sure you guys know about. I say “make sure” because I had never heard of them until my girl Mrs. Frayed Laces enlightened me. And I’m SO glad she did! You can expect to hear more about them in the near future, but in the mean time, click on over to America’s Nutrition. Fair warning that you WILL want to fill you shopping cart, because they have something for EVERYONE. My “heavy lifters” … my marathon junkies … everyone. So fill your cart as you wish, but don’t hit check out just yet!!

[Muah ha ha!! What a tease.]

PEACE.

-E

As August is speeding past faster than the Tokyo bullet train (shinkansen!!) I suddenly found myself with this wrinkled forehead, this sense of tension. The second I finally felt as though I was getting into the swing of things – a “new normal” and something good – I realized it’s all going to change. To come to an end. Within minutes, my (type A+) mind built a mile-long TO DO: list of all things still needing to be done before the start of the fall semester.

Go pick up books. [Attempt to] sell past years’ text books. Pay for UPass. Rent rec center locker. Figure out student loan situation. Figure out CAR loan situation. Find [a used] new car. See grandparents. See cousins before they go back to school. Book ticket to see Dad, and please dear Lord before Christmas! Finish redoing bedroom/paint/new bedroom furniture sets. Clean out old clothes. Yard sale. Haul 75% of things not sold at said yard sale to Good Will. Figure out school year employment. Figure out how to combine school year employment/training/full-time-STUDENT (aka, primary reason I’m paying to get an education….) What am I going to do post-kinesiology. Pre-med vs. Physical Therapy. And what the heck, I didn’t even say make time for God?!

And I wasn’t even going to write that list but it all just came out, like my lemonade was spiked with a literary emetic.

But then I stopped, and remembered the action of exhalation. And in the same two-seconds it took to grow that list, I came to three important understandings.

1. I found a new normal. I struggled with being “thrown off” without running. I wallowed in my pity-party-of-one for a good minute a week long enough. I thought about what I can do. I got my attitude in check. I made changes. And look at me… I made progress.

2. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippeans 4:13) And by all things I do not mean that I get to create this monstrous* to-do list, and then say, Aright homes – show me your love. I mean that whatever struggles I may face in the material world, I have Christ’s strength backing me, guiding me, and helping me through. I have faith that I will accomplish whatever needs to be done, and what doesn’t will fall to the wayside. I tend to create more anxiety over smaller issues, which in turn stops me from taking in the whole picture. It’s that mountains out of molehills thing… I’ve never even seen a mole for goodness sakes. No matter how wrink-frickin-finkled my forehead gets, I will get through it.

(* I am attempting to eliminate the word “epic”, or at least the misuse of it, from my vocabulary. Call me out if I slip up.)

3. Did I really just say I wasn’t making time for God? No. There are weeks where I stress myself out about not making time to go to mass. Not making time to read and study the bible. But then I stop, and remember the walk I took around the lake… chatting with the Man the whole way. I remember the long drives we take and the jokes and heart-to-hearts that pass the time. (You know when you see someone pulled up next to you, think they’re talking to themselves, and then realize they have one of those cell-phone ear piece things? No… I don’t. You just can’t see my home boy in the passenger seat. No biggie.) I remember that my relationship with Christ is not something I “make time” for. It’s something that is present all the time. I don’t, can’t, and don’t want to separate the IT from me. And I don’t know why I felt the need to put this out there on my running/triathlon/medicine/college life blog, but here I am. Roll.

To explain my current state of being, you could combine Jay Z’s 99 Problems and Matthew West’s More. Hmm… on second thought, lets leave them separate.

So what did I just accomplish in this way-too-long amount of time it took me to write this? Well for one, that wrinkle in my forehead is gone. 99 Problems on repeat tends to have that effect. For two (alright, I’m going back to school. Secondly…) I really did drink a Nalgene full of lemonade… but I promise there was no emetic involved. The word-vomit just happens sometimes. And thirdly, I think Chaucer was maybe just having a bad day. Yeah, you could say “all [good] things come to an end” … but you could also say all good things have gotta’ start somewhere. I’m excited to go back to school. I’m excited about these musculos. I’m excited about my new goals and even the minimal bit of running I get to do right now. I’m excited about the “new normal” of human physiology and sports psychology this fall. I’m excited about life, because I know you only get out what you put in…

So I ask you not what is coming to an end, but what are you starting?

-E

Link sponsored by CSN Stores, which has over 200+ sites and a selection of items for just about everything. I am excited that they are an awesome company, and helping me with the start of something good. Stick around and you’ll have a chance to too!

Sorry guys, I know it’s been quite a while. And while sh¡ts and giggles about eating “tree stars” for breakfast is nice and all, that’s not what Dr.TriRunner is about. Thankfully though, Betsy was nice enough to call me out on it. I have definitely shaken the funk that brought me down in early July when I first found out about my sfx. That’s great – obviously no one enjoys being down. But I still don’t feel like I’ve fallen into any sort of “normal” routine or training schedule yet.

Athletically speaking, a “normal” summer for me (“normal” I guess only in reference to the last 4ish years. I’m not that old…) would look like ~50-80 mpw of running, gearing up for or gearing down from a marathon, plenty of core and XT, but damnit anyways!! I still HATED biking. I’d do it to and from work – it was free transportation, but I got zero enjoyment from the “sport.” A permanent Gomer tan around my arm, with sports bra/shorts lines to match. Racing ~2x per month. And expecting to be fast.

Please let me introduce Sperly Summer 2010:

• On Tuesday, June 15th, I stopped running. I didn’t know what was going on with my tibia, but I knew it was no good.
• On Wednesday, June 30th, I marked in my calendar “Long ride – SOLO!!” Emphasis on solo… not so much long. It was only 40 miles, but the first time I had done anything 30+ on my own. With two exclamation marks to follow, it sounds like I might have been kinda proud of that.
• On Thursday, July 8th, a left tibial stress fracture was confirmed. The MRI also showed evidence of fibrous dysplasia (the genetic b.s. cause of my femoral neck fracture in 2008) in my right tibia. I was there to find out about my possibly-fractured left tibia though… so that was like a free bonus I think.
• On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 9th/10th/11th, I pool ran without a belt for longer than I ever have in a teeny tiny bathtub swimming pool in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
• By Wednesday, July 28th, I had pretty much married the words long+ride+Wednesday, because looking back at my calendar I hit 40+ miles, solo, every Wednesday in July. A new normal? Which is a good thing, because…
• On Friday, July 30th, on my way to the swim workout, I realized my clutch was on the floor. We already knew my Honda was essentially dunzo, so the mad dash to find a [used] new car began. From Saturday 07/31 to Wednesday 08/04 I logged 151 bike miles.
• Realizing that trying to research/find/purchase a car in one week was putting me on anxiety-overload, I decided to fix my clutch. In doing to, I RAN, three miles, at turtles-running-through-peanut-butter pace, from the auto shop back to my house. $200 later, I have been reunited with my accord, but I can say YES I am keeping my Wednesday long rides, and YES I am still a runner, and YES I am a triathlete. !!

(And no, I don’t still “hate biking.”)

I know no one would watch it on TV… not even me. But pool running might just be my only chance at becoming an olympic athlete!!

So here I am. I have run. I have ridden. And I have REALLY [needed to make this alliteration work] loved swimming in Lake Harriet. All my mini-apple triathletes… come join me! The water is crazy clear, and the buoys are set on “long course.” I really am serious though… I’m not waking up at the butt-crack of dawn to do it, but I WILL be continuing my OWSs in my back yard lake. And I’d love the company. Eh? Mr. Speedo? Fit Girl? M.Dot? DRog? BigGreen? All the cool kids are doing it. Two words: Peer. Pressure.

(By “all the cool kids” I think I mean me. And Mr. Wrinkles who was there today, but let me tell you that man was way cool, side strokes like a beast, and super willing to share the lake.)

But just because I feel like I AM still a triathlete  - shoot, I don’t even care about the tri part right now – that doesn’t entirely establish a “new normal“… leaving me still without a plan. If you aren’t fortunate enough to know anyone who is “very Type A” or as I like to say, type A+ … I will inform you right now that [I] they don’t function well without a plan. In fact, they might very well implode. And because imploding is generally frowned upon, I turn to coach. Coach Jodi.

If you read Dr.TriRunner via Google Reader, or something of the likes, I encourage you to click through. See that left side bar? See that Model Per4mance logo? That is how I have come to know/love/fear/admire Mrs. Jodi Jones. She knows her stuff. She will be honest and straight forward with you. She will call you out if it is merited. She will push you to push yourself, and she will help you to reach your goals. And then, she’ll help you celebrate them! This is starting to sound like a girl crush diary entry, so I’ll just end in saying that I’m getting new PLANS from coach Jodi this week. My goal is to improve my swim time. And with these plans, I feel confident I’ll settle into some sort of “new normal.” Alleluia.

Reader Questions: What does your normal summer look like? Does your training change seasonally, or does it stay the same year round? What is your current goal?

With THAT my friends, it is time for me to run to Target. With my brand-spankin-new clutch. And my Grandma’s Marathon Finisher tee.

I AM [still] an athlete. !!

-E

Susan
“What about “eat your vegetables, starving children in (insert country here) would die for those vegetables”

REPLY
Jason
“I always told my parents I would pay the postage.”

Andrew
“My mom would say eat three bites and if you still don’t want it you don’t have to eat it. ……”

[That was definitely a rule in my house!! And I'm pretty sure I was the only 5 year old who'd pick seconds on asparagus and not dessert!]

Tracy
“When I was very little my mom told me you couldn’t chew gum until you were 21. It worked for a few years. I stopped asking for gum!”

Grondahl
“I’m starting my toddler early. Anything that’s out of bounds is “Hot!” Candy bars, stove tops, dishwashers, cookies, edible or not, they’re all “Hot!” We’ll see how long he goes without developing a complex.

REPLY
LSbloo
“Careful with that one or once he realizes that cookies aren’t hot he may figure the stove isn’t either.”

Elyssa
When I was a toddler, I wouldn’t eat fish. So my parents told me it was ocean meat and I ate it.
My dad told me all sorts of food would put hair on my chest. Luckily I knew he wasn’t serious because I certainly didn’t want hair on my chest.
I told my son that the ice cream truck was the music truck. His jaw dropped open when he was two and saw kids at the park getting ice cream from the music truck. I had to tell him the truth then.

Kat220
“A neighbor used to tell her sons that when the ice cream man played music that he was out of ice cream. My mom always says she wishes she had thought of that.”

girlwonder
“My parents used a lot of these on us, so it’s been very entertaining reading through all of these. My kids were small when the ‘Land Before Time’ baby dinosaur movies were popular. I always served them raw baby spinach leaves for dinner, and told them they were ‘tree stars’, the favorite food of the baby dinosaurs. The kids were so happy to have a pile of these leaves they ate them right up. They are 14 & 20 now, so they don’t believe me anymore, but they still eat their spinach raw & say they will tell their kids the same thing.”

[I LOVED this one because I was hooked on Land Before Time. Any time I had to stay home from school sick, my dad would let me pick up a movie (and a 12 pack of diet ginger ale). I rotated between My Neighbor Totoro and the Land Before Time series… ahhhh memories.

Tree stars!!!

OK…. sorry – this is obviously nothing Dr.TriRunner related, but it was fun.

READER QUESTION: What “tricks” did your parents tell you as a kid to get you to eat certain foods? Mom – if you’re reading this one… what am I missing? I know I went through a picky stage, but both my sister and I were pretty good about eating our peas!!

Catch you guys soon. Despite my lengthy absence, I do have several posts ready to go! Wishing you all the best,

-E

[Why is there a huge space underneath this photo? I am not qualified to answer that question...] Thats right… after months over a year of debating, I finally bit the bullet (ohh I crack myself up!) and purchased a VitaMix. I looked everywhere trying to find better and better deals – new, refurbished, various online retailers, craigslist, ebay, you name it. Then about a week ago, there was a message from God.

[C'mon.. he looks just like an angel singing....]

Already in an elevated mood by simply being in the store (at 11:30 am, with no traffic…), I was headed over to the meat and seafood department. And then I saw it… shining in the corner my eye like a pretty lost diamond. Only little it was not. A pyramid of bright white VitaMix boxes end capped the kitchen appliances isle. I’ve seen the Blendtec at Costco before, but never the VitaMix. This, I thought, was fate.

Until I remembered that like most things in life, señor cash-money is a prerequisite. And I thought about my bank account. And upcoming expenses. And pretty quickly, my little bubble of hope began to deflate.

UNTIL several days later, when in my mailbox I found $5,000 cash. I wish. But I did get my security deposit back from my previous apartment, in the form of a $900 check. Now let me give you a warning my little chickadees: if you ever find yourself in this predicament, you will have the sensation that you are being gifted this money. And when you are given a “gift” of said cash-money, you will want to spend it. In reality, this is money YOU PAID some time ago. It was deducted from YOUR checking account.

Here’s my caveat: It’s not like I haven’t been working this whole time. In addition to my hourly wage at my two jobs, I make some decent tips at the restaurant. For all the years I’ve had a job with tips, that “extra” money has been mine to decide what to do with. I know I could use a new bike. I know I will shortly need a new car. I know there are trips I would like to take, and events I’d like to attend. But I’ve thought about this long and hard, and I was getting a VitaMix damn¡t!

[p.s. Is that even the right context to use the word "caveat"...?]

So. Yesterday afternoon when I was at Costco with my madre, and there were still a FEW VitaMixes left, I knew what I had to do. Like any good mother, my mom questioned me if I was sure this was something I wanted to spend so much money on. She asked, “What’s so special about a VitaMix versus a regular blender?”

If you have one… you will know.

And on July 20th, 2010, I brought baby Vito home. Yes, I am that girl who named her bike (Rilo), her GPS (Gomer), and now, her blender. If you’re going to name your car, or your wanger, I get to name my blender!! He’s already fitting in perfectly with the rest of the crew. (No… I don’t name all of my kitchen appliances. But Vito is special. )

My first creation? A Vanilla frosty inspired by miss Janetha B. who is off right now celebrating her HONEYMOON! Congrats lady! I’m wishing you the best, from far far away!

And if you look closely, um… no. Those are not tapioca pearls (although that would be BOMB)… they are still little bits of ice. I may or may not have been slightly impatient in letting Vito finish his job. And afterwards I topped it with cinnamon, and it was STILL amazing.

To answer my mom’s questions – What makes a VitaMix so special? What can a VitaMix do? Well ever-so-kindly, they answered that one for me!

The company has a claim to “52 food feats” that the VitaMix can accomplish. You can check them all out HERE, but here are a few I’m really looking forward to!

• smoothies
• ice cream
• soup
• jucing whole fruits and veggies
• fresh salsa
• hummus
• crushed ice
• salad dressing
• popsicles
• shakes
• “frappuccinos”
• batters
• eggs
• quick and easy homemade whip cream!!

AHHHHH! That is my excitement. But one thing I’m figuring out is that there was only one itty bitty recipe book included in my box. And I know a LOT of you who own a VitaMix have come up with some amazing recipes. So here’s my….

READER QUESTION:

SHARE with me!! Help me out!! What are some of your favorite recipes you’ve made with your VitaMix? I don’t want to miss out on any of the goodness!! PLEASE!?

And one more READER QUESTION in regards to my last post.… which I’ll definitely come back to soon. Those who left accusations “comments” … do you want me to address them publicly or privately? Or did you not really want me to address them at all, because you didn’t leave a legit email address? If you actually want an answer, leave me another comment or send me a message at drtrirunner (at) gmail (dot) com and I’d be more than happy to have a chat with you and answer your questions.

MANNNNN… do I really have to go to work? Don’t I get some sort of maternity leave or something?! I guess Vito will have to wait till’ I get home. Thanks in advance for any brilliant ideas you pass my way!!

-E

p.s. YES I know I went a tad overboard with the LINK LOVE today… but that was intentional because I WANT someone from VitaMix to see it and I want them to know I am SOOOO HAPPY! The end.

Well I can count two written and non-posted novels… but more importantly, it’s been almost TWO WEEKS since the Kayak Theory! Ugggh. Not giving an excuse. Just, ugggh.

In the last 13 days, I have:

• Had a 9:15 pm MRI at University of Minnesota Fairview.
• Got up at 5:00 am the next morning for a flight to Detroit.
• Celebrated my sister and brother in law’s WEDDING with family in Ann Arbor.
• Received the call of doom telling me, yes, I do indeed have a tibial stress fracture.
• Pool ran sans-belt in my life in a “pool” the size of a a jacuzzi tub.
• Swam some, biked some, elliped some, and did some core… but not nearly enough.
• Completely fallen off the wagon with proper eating habits. National ice cream day =/= whole pint.
• Finally got a hair cut. Now that I have all this time that I’m not running. (Haha! Feelin a little salty over here? That was written with a complete pouty face. And then I read it. And cracked up. Myyyyy bad. )
• Went to my first Twins game in the new Target Field. It was awesome.
• A lil good ol’ self reflection. And prayer.

So…. yeah. If you could read the other two posts I wrote (though you might not want to – literally multiple pages worth in Word…) you might understand a little bit of the turmoil that has been my thoughts lately. One minute I’m way up, sun is shining, and the next I don’t really want to do anything or be with anyone. I’d rather sit out on the porch in solitude with a book. Don’t get me wrong… there’s a time and place for personal reflection and whatnot, but I typically enjoy being with other people, going out, doing something dangit!

HOWEVER….

I know from past periods of non-running that this is what happened. I wont call it depression, because I have no idea if what I feel is anything in comparison to those who are truly suffering from that. But It’s a “funk” for sure, and one I’m not enjoying. I guess my point in post this is so others understand that this is real life – not everything is peachy keen and great training rides and swimming like kayaks. Sometimes life hands you a basket of lemons. And if you don’t like lemonade, you better paint that sh¡t gold.

If one word could describe my thoughts, my attitude, and probably a lot of my actions… it would be FRUSTRAT/ED/ING. Oh wait… what did I call that? Vexation. I’ve been trying to remind myself to use the help of my old Roman buddies to keep me grounded. No… not those Romans….

THESE Romans:

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

They do a good job. But alright already, ’nuff of this.

I’ll be back tomorrow with something much more light hearted, from a funny article I somehow ended up reading from CNN. Just needed to get this out there, and for sure didn’t want anyone thinking I drown during an OWS or something!!

Catch ya,
-E

The Kayak Theory….

Go ahead on the right hand side and type “kayak” in my search Where Do I Find? Bar. (Or don’t… cause I’m just gonna’ tell you what happens.) You will be directed to my New Bri Tri race report. Upon hitting ⌘F (find!) and typing this auspicious word, you will be taken to the swim where I tell you “I have this kayak theory…” and then that’s about all you get.

Helpful… right?

OK, ok, I’m just waisting time here. I think because it’s hard to explain what the “Kayak Theory” is.  But I will try.

Kay•ak The•o•ry:

Noun. A mental state and self-imagery technique employed in which you visualize yourself as a kayak, moving swiftly and effortlessly through water. You are streamlined, and completely aerodynamic (aquadynamic I know is not a word… is there a word for that?) with no drag and zero inefficient-ness. Your arms are like paddles, alternating left, right, left, right, taking the same amount of time on each side to complete a stroke. Your hands are the blades, slicing just perfectly into the water, fingers staying tightly together and pushing you forward through the water. And to top it all off, you’re all headed for this:

The first time I ever felt like this kayak while swimming was last summer at one Thursday group workout. Thursdays are typically reserved for longer endurance swims, while Tuesdays are shorter speed intervals. We had a 1000 steady on the plan, and I remember a few hundred yards something clicked, and I thought about how efficient I had suddenly felt.

Thus, the Kayak Theory was concocted.

Thinking of this “kayak theory” has helped me on numerous occasions. There was one time when I was definitely mid-panic in the lake, and I talked myself out of it by reminding myself to just “get like the kayak!” And then there was New Bri Tri… where I felt AWESOME in the ¼ mile swim back to shore. I was the kayak.

You too my friend can be the Kayak.

If goodness-gracious all that is just too much for you to handle… (or you missed the memo on the color “sarcasm”) my girl Dori will give it to you straight.

“Just keep swimming… Just keep swimming!”

-E

________________________________

Unfortunately, the title of this post reveals the fact that I’ve been at the doctor lately… but I’ll get more into that in the next post. For now though, I just need to get this out. My vexations observed in this post reveal a little bit about why I want to be a sports medicine doctor. They are also feelings that I’m sure all of you as athletes have faced at one point or another if you’ve EVER been to the doctors for an injury. So here we go….

(Vexation: noun. She stamped her foot in vexation. Annoyance, irritation, exasperation, indignation, anger, crossness, displeasure, pique, bile, disgruntlement, bad mood; informal: aggravation. That was your bonus word of the day BTW.)

Quick background: Since the beginning of June, I had been feeling some “stuff” going on in my left shin. Remember that day I said I had the run from hell? Turned around after two miles because my anterior tibialis muscle felt like it was made of steel? That was the start. At that point it was solely muscular feeling.. and I was thinking, oh crap… compartment syndrome?

Fast forward about a week (2^nd week of June) and the muscle tightness was pretty much gone. Raced New Bri Tri and felt fine. Then towards the end of that week (around the 10^th…) I started to feels some tenderness midway down the shaft of my Tibia. That’s your big shin bone for those that aren’t anatomy freaks. I say tenderness intentionally because that’s what it is – not pain, but feels almost like it’s bruised. Which does happen, so I sort of hoped for that.

However… I’m also not stupid. I might have been able to pull off the “well I didn’t know it was feeling bad….” thing off in high school. Since fracturing my hip and all having surgery on it in December 2008, I would like to say that I am a little bit smarter. No… I will say that. I am a much smarter athlete than I was several years ago. I love running basically as much as life, but I love it enough to know that I’d rather take the present moment to heal so that I can still enjoy running in my future.

Wow… I’m getting off track.

So I say my tibia was “tender” … but let’s be real – that’s still somewhere on the spectrum of “hurt.”  I had Manitou the Sunday after New Bri, and it was Friday when I had that “ohhhh crap” moment. I spoke with my doc, and we agreed that I’d go ahead and race Manitou. It was just a sprint… so that race (and really, just the 5K run) wasn’t enough to make or break any injury. So race Manitou I did. It was “tender” afterwards.. but still wasn’t “pain”.

By that Tuesday though (June 15^th)… I knew I was not in a good spot. Tuesday nights are my regular runs with my guys group, and I went out with them with the intention of just doing one lake. Well one lake turned in to 7 miles, and let me tell you, those might have been the longest seven miles I’ve run in my life. There’s nothing like being out there on a run, KNOWING something is wrong, and having to just. get. home. Tell me – have you been there?

From that night, I said, “OK… running’s out for a while.” The words no runner ever wants to hear (or think…) – stress fracture – were like this high frequency buzz in the back of my mind. The thought was there, but I wasn’t fully aware of or accepting of the possibility. I think because I’ve been through stress fractures before (two – both fibular.. aka your “little” lower leg bone) I am almost able to minimize the situation – because in the end I’ve come through them stronger and faster than before.

So because ‘running was out’ … I ran 7 miles on our camping trip at Baker. Still no “pain,” but it definitely wasn’t one of my standard feel-good 7 milers. More than anything because I was just cognizant of it the whole entire time.

Which brings me to the doctor’s appointment. Because of my super awesome Student Health “Benefits” insurance plan that has such fantastic coverage… (I am declaring this the official color of sarcasm) I am not able to see my regular sports medicine doctor or treatment team. I was less than thrilled with this, to say the least. However, I was able to run the situation by him… because we’re neighbors.

Doc’s thoughts: it is less likely to be compartment syndrome. I should definitely get in for an MRI to figure things out and get started on a treatment plan. I should see Dr. F through my [one singular allowed and covered] clinic… he’s a good guy.

So I called my [one singular allowed and covered] clinic to schedule, and it turns out that Dr. F was booked out for quite a while. But the scheduler told me that Dr. A also “works with some athletes” and he would be just as good to see. And he was available the next day. So I took the appointment and the next morning I was off to the doc.

[Wait - did I say this was going to be a quick flash-back? Psych! Sorrrrrry.]

I will say right up front that I was a bit on edge before I even saw the doctor. I was not feeling good about seeing someone other than my USUAL doctor – the guy who has treated me for years throughout various injuries. Knows my history. Knows my personality. Knows my mentality. Knows my lifestyle. I was also a little on edge because I didn’t go in for my appointment for an HOUR after I was scheduled. If you know me… you might have realized I’m not the most patient person in the world.

So yeah, I was a little uneasy. And good Lord, I’m also long winded.

My doctor lost my faith in FIVE steps.

ONE // He entered the room, didn’t shake my hand, and just introduced himself. To me, at least in the professional world, that is sort of like the equivalent of saying “Hi. I’m  Important. I’m glad you have the chance to meet me.”

TWO // He took my patient history, and instantly had an impatient tone with me. I know I just said that I’m the one who’s impatient… but really? He asked when I first started noticing pain, and I said during the middle of an easy run on June 3^rd. He asked told me “Can you please Be more specific.” Roughly how much more specific were you looking for Señor? The number of days out from the next Hailie’s comet?

THREE // He had me stand up barefooted and took a look at my feet anatomy. By just looking at me standing (stationary…), both facing forwards and backwards, he told me I “greatly overly” pronated. I’m not saying he’s not qualified to make such judgments… I’m not. But I’ve spent a lot of time with both my own sports medicine doctor and my physical therapy team. During that time I’ve had TWO video gait analyses done both at the beginning of treatment and several [rehabilitated] months later, and have definitely not been told I overly pronate. There is a slight bit of pronation on one side because I have a decent leg length discrepancy. That’s quite different than “severe over pronation” – much less “severe over pronation” deducted by watching me stand still for less than 15 seconds. Moving on…

FOUR // Not only have I fractured my femoral neck, but I have also had stress fractures in both fibulas in high school. I don’t say this because I’m proud of it or something… but to demonstrate the fact that I do know a thing or two about stress fractures. Not to mention… my field in school is kinesiology and sports medicine. In talking to this doctor, I got the impression that he thought I was about as bright as a box of rocks. I know that x-rays don’t typically show sfxs until they’ve already begun to heal. I know that I have a leg length discrepancy… in fact I just told you I have a leg length discrepancy before you responded with, “Well, you have a pretty big leg length discrepancy.”  I know that orthotics might help, and in fact I’ve been given several prescriptions for them, but your Student Health Shit Benefits insurance doesn’t agree that they’re necessary and won’t cover them. I don’t know any college student working to save and pay for rent/school/groceries/a car/gas/LIFE that can shell out $500 multiple times a year for new orthotcis, nor do I feel your 3^rd degree interrogation of why I’m not wearing orthotics will help the cause.

[I love how each consecutive point is getting longer and longer and increasingly “vexated”….]

FIVE // Speaking of those x-rays that don’t really do much for sfxs (sfx = stress fracture… btw)… I had spoke with my usual sports med doc before going in to see Dr. A, and my usual doc told me to get an MRI. So when I go in to see you, tell you this, and you say, “Why would we do an MRI? An x-ray is all we need.” I will be slightly defensive, a) because I have complete faith in my usual doctor, and b) I have had wayyy more radiation than anyone my age should have by now. I do not want more (Sam I am). Not here, nor there, nor anywhere. Five minutes following the two x-rays taken, when you find them inconclusive and “suggest” we do an MRI, I will be slightly exasperated, frustrated, and annoyed. That exasperation, frustration, and annoyance will rise on the scale of 1 to insanity when you tell me that this MRI is also not covered by my Student Health Benefits, and will cost me roughly $260 out of pocket. Plus $500 because I really need to be wearing orthotics.

AAAGHHHHH! I feel something along the lines of this:

Flickr -> "Angry Redhead"

________________________________

When I first started writing this post, I wanted it to stay all cool-and-collected sounding, and keep more of a pleasant yet humorous tone. But over the two days plus that it has taken me to finish this, it has become apparent that I’m really kind of PO’ed. Not only because of the way I felt this doctor treated me, but because yet again – stress fracture or not – this is an injury.

So did I get the MRI? No. There is a point when you know what your prescription will be, pretty much regardless of the actual diagnosis: rest.

Resting I am. I haven’t run since June 15th (aside from that seven mile run while camping…) and I’m going to give it to at least the end of the week before trying it out again. I’m doing my best to maintain my sanity, because although I can swim and bike, it just doesn’t do it for me like running. And I am getting to that point where seeing other people/hearing other people talk about running is making me mad. I don’t like me mad.

Fortunately my July racing schedule was pretty skimpy. I might do a swim race (the Great Prairie Open Water Swim)  in the middle of the month just to still be racing. I thrive off having a goal and competition! And I’m PRAYING that I’m good to go for August, because my month is packed and FUN, and I want to be there for it. I will accept donated prayers as well.

That post on pool running recently? Karma? I’m just sayin….

READER QUESTIONS: Have you ever “been there”? Do you have a good doctor, or one who makes you want to pull your hair out? Any of you currently dealing with an injury? What is it, and how are you hangin’ in there?

I hope the rest of my runners out there are runnin’ strong. Keep up your XT and your pre-hab!  I will tell you that I indulged in a little retail therapy at the AWESOME sale going on at Pure Blue right now. (Sale is ONLINE too for all you non-local folks!) I have two new swim suits, a matching cap (Oooh gosh… really?! Yes. Really.), and a new pair of tri shorts. In the mean time, you can find me in the pool!

-E