I haven’t blogged in so long that I almost forgot my address. 🙂
My work life has taken on so many twists and turns that I haven’t had a chance to even check in. I miss doing that. (I did most of my blogging at work…so don’t tell.) 🙂
Blogging along with running has always been my therapy.
And holy cow I could use the therapy! 🙂
My brother is getting worse but still hanging on. He barely wants to communicate with us and I understand and respect his wishes. I think the morphine is helping his pain and I’m thankful for that. I miss his voice and his funny, big laugh. I already miss him. I wish I were closer so I could help his girlfriend and him…I feel so much guilt over that. I live about 8 or 9 hours away.
My sister lives a few hours away from him and she wanted to go and help him but his girlfriend and he nixed that. She called me crying that he didn’t want her to come and help. My other brother tries to call but no answer. They really don’t want company. I’m not in his position so I don’t know what I’d do. I know he loves us. I think he just doesn’t want us to see him like that. I have to respect it.
My boss (Tall Poppy) who I have no respect quit under the tremendous pressure we are under due to product growth and plant issues. I can’t say that I was happy or sad.
With all the outside intrusion we are already receiving at work, it’s about to get worse. I’m good with that and I’ll stay busy with projects.
I’m still enjoying my rich personal life with my devoted and awesome husband, my precious grand-kids and their parents. 🙂
I have a new hair cut and color but going back to my dark color ASAP!
We went to see a Rush concert for the 7th or 8th time! I love them but my husband is like a teenager at their concerts.
My dogs give me peace of mind like no other thing can.
Today is Peyton’s 6th birthday and sadly he is having hip issues. We knew this was coming and he has a Vet appointment this afternoon and on his birthday! Hamburger treats tonight for both of my sweet beasts.
Mad Max – Fury Road is on tap tonight at the movies. I’ve been a Mad Max fan since I was in my early 20s. I watch the others regularly.
I’m eating healthy most of the time and losing a few pounds which makes me very happy.
I’m drinking my own strawberry wine watching the birds in my park-like backyard as I type.
In a little over a week, I begin my training for the Chicago Marathon. Training is hell….the marathon is a piece of cake compared to that! 🙂 It’s a more aggressive training that I had the last time and frankly, I am in worse shape.
I’ve got a butt issue!
A few months ago, I noticed a butt muscle that felt pulled or strained. It didn’t interfere with my running so I didn’t pay that much attention. I even ran a half marathon and PRd it with the butt issue.
I admit that I am not a person who does the proper care and maintenance and especially for a woman of my age who only a few years ago weighed 300 lbs and started running.
I don’t stretch properly. I don’t roll my muscles properly. I don’t get massages. I don’t do yoga. I don’t cross train. I just run and that (I have found) is not a good thing. I’m an idiot…apparently! 🙂
The nagging butt muscle started causing my left leg to hurt….knee first and then left foot. For the first time in 20+ years, I’m seeing a chiropractor. I chose one who runs and is a triathlete. I even told him when I first saw him…”If you tell me to stop running, I’ll find another” 🙂 He said he would never tell anyone to give up on running and he would help me get pain free and run that Chicago Marathon like a boss!
So….i’ve seen him 3 or 4 times.
The pain would get better….I’d run and feel good….and then it would return with a vengeance. I don’t take medicine but the pain has been so bad that a few times I took some pain meds that I still have left over from my plastic surgery from Dec 2013.
I have a common ailment and especially with distance runners: piriformis syndrome. The sciatic nerve runs behind the muscle and in some cases in between the muscles of your butt. The piriformis runs diagonal across your butt cheeks.
Piriformis Syndrome:
Piriformis Syndrome is a condition where the Piriformis muscle that attaches your hip to your pelvis becomes tight and inflamed, and traps your Sciatic nerve, which in turn inflames the nerve. The result is that your hip, glutes and your butt are very tight, you have pain in your lower back and butt, and you can have pins-and-needles and numbness down the outside of your leg, knee and even down into your foot (that path of the Sciatic nerve). Pirifromis Syndrome can be the result of over-training, either too much running, or too much quality running (speed). And as we know, speed kills.
So if that muscle is not properly stretched or taken care of, it gets rigid and inflexible. It presses against the sciatic nerve. That causes pain down your leg and affects your foot.
The sitting that I am have been doing more of at work is making it worse.
Hello! Wake up call to me.
I’m on Facebook asking runner friends from around the world how to fix that. I’m only getting minor relief from the chiropractor. But the stretches he is teaching me is going well. The one piece of advice that has given me seemingly remarkable (fingers crossed) results is the foam roller which I have dozens of but didn’t use!
I not only roll that butt muscle but also calves, hammies, quads etc every night a couple of times. (the entire leg affects the piriformis and vice versa)
The last couple days…..I am feeling cautiously optimistic!
In addition, I used my small add-a-day massager and sit on it at work and while I’m driving. I can feel a difference!
If any of the blogging runners who still follow my blog after I’ve been gone so long….plus give me your remedies for the Piriformis Syndrome.
Peyton got a clean bill of health on his check up except for a strained ligament. And he has to go on a 900 calorie diet to lose about 6 lbs. 😦
I’m truly looking forward to structured training again. I’m happier doing that. I’m an idiot! 🙂
I will hopefully be blogging more coming up because I do like to chronical my training. It means so much to me to read other’s training also.
In addition, I miss all my WP friends that I have made. I will be catching up on your blogs soon!
“Remember Why We Celebrate Memorial Day”
God Bless our Men and Women that sacrificed everything and those who are willing to put their lives in harm’s way. They should have our utmost respect and gratitude.
I Run in the Rain 