Dingos are all Barefoot Marathoners! April Running Thread - Page 29

[1jooj]

mamas. It got ugly around here, too. Must be something on the wind. Dh can't be depended on and it makes me so tired. It's enough to have to do every single thing when he is on the road, but then to have to do it when he's home because he can't be bothered with a single function (school or sport) really just bites. And I am tired of the manipulation games dd plays with him, and that he buys in. And I am sick of acting like a b!tch all the time.

There was ice cream here, too, but it was Breyers vanilla. I took flexeril for the SI joint and I think it makes me stupid, too.

Hi Mandy! Hope the race is fun! Enjoy the quiet time.

RM, P.S. Have we discussed that it's a FOLDER? For GYM? I know, I am sure they are keeping important notes and we probably all should...just wanted to do this . Is Nick right? Is this the same teacher? Seems to have some bit of complex, no?

[kate~mom]

Originally Posted by loftmama

Does anyone have any old style Tevas for men in size 13 you can sell? DH likes them flat & not fancy. His current ones are held together with duct tape (REALLY!) and he will not let us buy him any new ones. He figures there's some out there ready for a landfill that will be just right for him. I swear I don't know whether to or at him sometimes. So. Difficult.

i think so! let me ask dh and check sizes. he hates them and never wears them.

[tjsmama]

rm~ on your behalf. SO not ok.

and welcome, Tara!

Currently trying to decide whether to run tomorrow AND Friday, or just Friday, or just tomorrow. Sigh, decisions. Tomorrow is my normal morning to run with friends, but I have an 11:30 appt to get blood drawn to prove immunity to Hep B and chicken pox for school, so if I want to get it in, then I need to run from home (not my favorite) and relatively early (even more not my favorite). So I could just take an off day and run long-ish on Friday instead, but Skirt Sports is having their warehouse sale this weekend up in Boulder, and I'm awfully tempted to go check it out. Hmm...

Oh, oh, check out what I *finally* got done tonight: http://twitpic.com/1hfkpk It's a memory shadowbox from the marathon. And I got it done a lot faster than I did the one for my first tri. All the good stuff...race pictures, pictures with the friends who were a big part of the race for me, race number, timing tag, finisher's certificate, and of course the medal!

Did I get anything truly productive done tonight? Um, not so much, but that's ok!

[Mel38]

Originally Posted by poppywise

my little house

this is a friend of a good friend of mine and i was just thinking how great it would be to have a dingo house on wheels. we could all pass it around going to visit each other when we need some dingo retreat time.

Oh, I love this! I read the article and it reminded me of this story I read to DS last night. A little pig and his big brother find an little old house off by itself, and they hear lovely guitar music coming from the house. The little pig asks his brother if all houses make such beautiful music, and the big brother pig explains, "No, not the new ones. New houses have to clean themselves and pay themselves off, so they don't have time to make music." How true!!!

Bec, I'm so sorry to hear that your leg is still bothering you! Can you see a sports doctor before your new insurance kicks in? I know it sucks to pay out-of-pocket, but maybe a visit would be good investment in peace-of-mind.

Memiles, did you ever find that hole punch?

Originally Posted by doctorjen

so surely I'll fit in, right?

Yes, you will fit in! Let us know how you like it.

Hi Tara2! I moved on to one of Hal Higdon's novice running plans after C25k. I like to have something printed out and stuck in my daytimer book, so I can check off the workouts I've done.

Originally Posted by Realrellim

My good news: I had my 6 week pp checkup today and I'm cleared to run! It's 5 now and I have a meeting at 6, so I'll head out tomorrow afternoon.

Great news!

Alex: Oh take it easy while you are sick! I hope you are all feeling better soon.

Jo It all sounds so tough there right now. I love reading about your barn-life, all the babies, but I'm sure that is so much work for you in addition to a house, kids, job, husband... Hang in there. I'd like to send you a virtual DQ blizzard.

Gaye, I love the shadow box! I saw the FB pics and it looks fantastic. Much better than just pinning the stuff to a bulletin board, or worse, hiding it away in a drawer somewhere.

So the surgery went fine. Thank you guys for your well-wishes and funny suggestions! I was so tempted to write a message on the other knee, something like this:

The worst part was that I was hugely nervous. You know, I didn't want the general anesthesia, but because of my nerves, I was actually thankful for the sedative so I could just be unconscious during the procedure. I still think the general is sort of more for the convenience factor. They want you up and out of there within a couple of hours.

Anyway, the surgeon came over after it was all done and said, "So, the ACL is torn." I looked surprised and he actually said to me "Well, that's what I already told you!" Umm, no... his precise words were that it was "loose". To me (like your's Gaye!) I think loose means loose but intact. He told me that there are only single strands holding the ends of the ACL together and they are non-functional. All that wasn't visible from the MRI because of the way it was repaired over 20 years ago. Anyway, the re-tear probably happened on a ski trip in the mid-90s, and I've been walking (and running, and skiiing...) around like this since then. He said that they removed about 1/3 of the inner meniscus. Probably the ACL not doing it's job was what contributed to the meniscus damage.

Today, I'll go see my regular orthopedic doctor and see what he recommends for PT. Then I'll do some research on what I can do without the ACL as far as strengthening muscles, and when I'm back home, look into fixing that. Maybe this procedure will have even put us at our deductible, which would be awesome. Then I would get it done this year.

Anyway, I'm taking it easy around here and DS is staying home with me keeping me company. I just found out that 2 different old friends will be driving by on Sunday and will stop in to visit! Yay!! I'm so excited! And the weather is supposed to be gorgeous this weekend.

[Runningmommy]

Nick and Jo~same PE teacher, my other son. He humiliated my 10 yo in front of gym class because he wasn't galloping correctly that day. This time he yelled at my 8yo. for something he didn't do and that was totally out of his control (his folder was knocked under the bleachers that are pushed against the wall and needs a special tool and ADULT to get under), and forbid him from coming to class. Success period is seperate class than PE.

Okay, it's being announced today to the other leaders of our church's mom group of 70+ women, that I will be co-leading this coming year.

getting up to get kids and self ready and quick work out in!

[1jooj]

Wow, Mel. Glad the surgery went smoothly, but that's not the news you really wanted to hear. You sound calm about it, though, and I applaud you. Love the message of the house story. There are days I think we should hang it up and go find some $90k house to quietly live in with no debt...but I remember what dh and I are both like when our inner farmers are bound. Not good. Thanks for the . It gets better. I'm an equal part of it. I keep my expectations high when I should just ignore him and get on with things. Then, he may or may not take the hint, but at least I'm not trying to rely on him for anything.

Did I mention I am down 17 pounds? I'm definitely taking my sweet time losing it, but that's because I still haven't mastered my binges. May should be a good month, good weather and lots to do, and this summer promises to be a very active one. Looking forward to getting into my ideal range for real. And in the meantime, the weights and ab work are making a great difference in my appearance and strength.

Tara, good luck with your progress toward the 10K! That's a fun distance, a great feeling of accomplishment, and (for me) a good way to find the runner's high. (See previous link on addicts )

Today's plan is to get the barnwork done, hit the Y (swim?), then the office, ds's orthodontist appt, and back home again to make dinner and do barn chores again. I am considering pulling dd out early with ds so we can stop at a store. We're out of stuff like shampoo, and if I leave dd in school, we have to make it home for the bus. Blah.

[Geofizz]

Sounds like someone is ready for a career change.

It's funny, since I had this (day) dream yesterday on my way to work of having a cycling program for PE majors that would give them commuting skills and then certify them as child cycling instructors through the American League of Bicyclists. What better for physical education to teach our kids to ride their bikes safely and effectively? A real skill to learn in PE instead of learning to be mocked or bullied, which is what it seems to be for many kids.

There was a huge house fire yesterday morning, T and I rerouted last night to take a look. "There by the grace of <insert higher power> go I"

[1jooj]

RM, is "success period" like a class that trains them in things like organization, confidence, etc.? Is leadership connecting any dots at all? Yuck! So sorry you and your kids are dealing with this. And btw HUGE for your moving/buying/selling transition...and dsd stuff. Hope things are OK.

Geo, I think about that too. We never got any real Phys Ed instruction until college, when phys ed is an actual field of study/major so there are good classes to take. There's so much potential for good, and SUCH incredible need for actual phys ed to take place.

OK, stepping away from computer...Love you ladies.

[Nickarolaberry]

Geo, I agree too. Yeah, like Jo, I remember PE mainly as an exercise (pun intended) in avoiding dodge balls thrown at my head, getting screamed at that I was fat and lazy by a mean PE wench of a teacher, hating volleyball because people beaned the ball at my head or I never could figure out how to hit it without bending my fists back, and getting kicked in the shins during soccer.

Thankfully my kids' PE teachers are great and they do fun things in a noncompetitive environment (yay Montessori!) which is 'safe' for them and no ridicule. Sigh.

But still, a biking class, a running group, something FUN and educational?! Yeah, baby! I'm in.

[mommajb]

I remember hating PE class which is odd because even as a child I was a competent athlete. That biking class sounds like an ideal world type thing. How about designing walkable towns and schedules for our children too?

today: lots of stupid running around which makes me glad I got the good kind of running done already.

[JenLove]

tea here and along

Re: PE - I didn't enjoy it. There were things I were good at and there were things I was TERRIBLE at and embarassed to do them in front of others. PE was stressful, I do remember that. I did love my senior year of weightlifting class with a whole bunch of football players though.

My calves are actually sore after my short vff run yesterday!

[doctorjen]

My PE daydream is that kids would be taught in a non-competitive environment a bunch of physical activities, ranging from cardiovascular activities, to stretching, to yoga or similar. They would be encouraged to pick activities that were enjoyable to them, and set personal fitness goals and plans, and then be graded solely on how well they meet their goals (which would be things like - do cardio 3 times a week, learn 3 yoga poses, etc., not how far can you throw, how fast can you run, etc.) Incorporate some discussion on healthy eating habits, and total body fitness (keeping your mental health up, self-esteem, as well as physical fitness.) Over and over again my ideal PE teacher would stress how it's not important what we look like, or how good we are, what is important is that you are moving and trying to be healthy. I do not understand why in the 21st century, with so much public attention on bullying and self esteem, etc, we are still lining kids up in PE and comparing them publicly on things like how far they can throw a football, and allowing those kids who most need good physical education to feel humiliated and alienated from physical activity. I can't tell you how many over weight clients I have in my practice who were scarred for life in PE, and can't see themselves as someone who does physical activity and it makes me so sad.
I don't know how to get my virtual PE program off the ground, though. Our district is pretty entrenched in the old style PE until high school (which is more health and fitness oriented) and my kids never have to take high school PE because they are in band.

[JayGee]

Mel ~ so sorry to hear about your ACL . Good news is the current mode for repairing those is much better than it was in the 90s!

PE ~ I know I've told you all my "you'll never be an ath-uh-lete" story from elementary school . Luckily, the PE teacher at my kids' school is great. They are both really excited for PE days each week.

Geo ~ I LOVE your idea about the cycling focus.

Off to bring DD to preschool, and then to my doctor's appointment. I'm nervous, and scared. What if this is permenant.....?

[Geofizz]

For the Love of all things Good and Holey, LOOK before you enter the street. Every time. With your EYES. The two on the FRONT of your head. If my kid said "I did look, I just didn't see you," I'd rip them a new one. How is that an OK excuse for a driver nearly killing a cyclist riding IN LANE wearing the brightest possible yellow with the sun in the ideal spot?!? Good thing the sun glinted off his bald head so I could see him NEVER TURN HIS HEAD to look for traffic. Liar.

I need a smilie with steam blowing out the ears.

Happy Earth Day.

Originally Posted by 1jooj

RM, is "success period" like a class that trains them in things like organization, confidence, etc.? Is leadership connecting any dots at all? Yuck! So sorry you and your kids are dealing with this. And btw HUGE for your moving/buying/selling transition...and dsd stuff. Hope things are OK.

A friend is moving to a district that has 30 minutes a day of unscheduled stuff -- time for enrichment for kids that need it, special help for others, time to work on those skills the individual kid needs. I'm suspecting that's a success period at this school. Just my guess.

[Plady]

Originally Posted by loftmama

"Obama v. Roberts: The Struggle to Come"

Dh says you're a perv

Originally Posted by HomeBirthMommy

Hi ladies!
I think tomorrow I might try a couple of miles just to see how it does.

Hi HBM! Good to see you here! Sorry that you've been injured, how did it go? Did you run?

Geo - You need to get an air horn, the aerosol can type boaters use and hit it as you approach the intersection. Seriously, that will get some attention.

JayGee -

PE - Right now dd has a teacher she loves who sounds like a goofball but has her total attention. Last night in TKD though the kids were talking about some weird PE teacher that they agreed was 'creepy'. Same guy. Of course. But then one of them said that everyone loved him until they turned 10 and then they decided he was weird Isn't that about the age that kids start trying on 'older' things? That was the year I developed my raging potty mouth anyway. I hope that's all there is to that story.

Jo - Where's the high five smilie! Damn girl!!! 17 pounds! You must be all r now for sure! I am so impressed. I need to tap into your resolve somehow, I barely noticed as I chowed down about 6 mini reese's thingies yesterday. I need me a little WWJD bracelet. (That's What Would Jo Do? of course!)

So my strange name-changing-friend-dropping-let's-not-talk-about-our-childhood brother just sent me a link to the pictures of the house where we were little kids which is for sale. I haven't been back to even drive by since I was probably 17 but the floodgates of memories, happy ones, just opened looking at all the pictures. It's been updated in a cosmetic way but nothing has been rearranged and it is just the same. Whew. It's a very weird feeling.

Mel - That sucks about the ACL. But I hope you've hit your deductible, that would be worth celebrating! I love that house story, do you know the name of it?

[bec]

Originally Posted by JayGee

Well, I'm all hopped up on my Reeses Pieces Blizzard ! The line was out of control at DQ.

Originally Posted by 1jooj

There was ice cream here, too,

I'm glad I am not the only one hit by the ice cream epidemic It was...therapeutic.

Gaye - I really love your shadow box! What a great way to display your accomplishment! I wish I would get it together enough to do something like that! Of course, having the bib, chip, etc. would help, too!

PE teachers - I was pretty competent at PE in school, and actually enjoyed it most of the time. But, it was not socially acceptable to take PE seriously, or do anything more than the bare minimum. I was not the most popular to begin with, so had to think of that when in class. So far, the kids' PE experience has been very positive. Katie does have Yoga a couple of times a week, as well as other sports and physical activities. There are also discussions about healthy foods, taking care of your body, self care (washing, teeth brushing, hair brushing) discussed in class as well. It seems pretty close to Dr.Jen's vision of PE, actually.

Mel - I hope you have met your deductible and you can get the ACL repaired this year!

Insurance - New insurance starts in a little over a week. Realistically, I wouldn't really be able to get in before then, anyway.

Wendy, I like the air horn idea! Be safe! Drivers don't see anybody!

Jo - Awesome work on your 17 pounds!!!!!

FM - I can't run today. The leg simply won't let me. So, I'm going to either swim or bike, or do both. We'll see. I may just make it up as I go. Bah.

[Nemesis]

No ice cream here, but I subbed too many beers, so

I can't wait for my DH to get home. I am getting kind of mopey without him.

PE: I did ok, even really enjoyed it until they split the girls and guys. Then it was near-hell. The cliques, mean girls, were the worst in PE. Lots of harassment. Too bad, because being active was not encouraged in my family and I had been actually liking PE. Ours was military-style exercising, then short amounts of games. Half a semester of health education two days a week. Otherwise we had an hour a day of situps, pushups, drills, etc..

jo- wow, 17! Keep up the good work!

Hope to bike today and maybe do some pushups and whatnot. I've been slacking on strength training. Also going to try and get back to eating well.

[1jooj]

Thanks, Dingoes. I'm feeling the burden lift. Ran 5mi in 47:19, mostly feeling pretty comfortable except for a little right-side knee/quad thing which I think has its origins in my SI joint, unless it was more that I was in old shoes. I never got around to unloading my gym bag from yesterday and I needed to let the shoes dry/air out. Blech. Anyway, this is a new capability/speed for me. It's good. Sort of an upward spiral. I get lighter, run faster, and cover more ground/challenge myself more on runs. Lather, rinse, repeat, lose a pound or so a week.

Oh, but what I wanted to say is that, having been so large, when I get down close to "normal" range, the loose and saggy skin definitely keeps me from being all :dance. I look like a shar pei.

Ah well, at least that keeps my vanity in check.

drjen, your PE vision is basically a lot like what I see at my Y. And I love it. The locker room experience is the opposite of growing up, too. Women are kind and generous and nice. Can't we create this experience for kids at an earlier age, so they don't have to work so hard to reclaim it later?

[tjsmama]

mel~Ugh. Sorry to hear about the ACL. I think you're on the right track as far as getting into PT and getting as strong as possible and then tackling the ACL repair back in the states. That will give you plenty of time to research what kind of graft you want, who the best surgeon in your area is, etc. And the stronger you are going into ACL surgery, the more quickly you will be able to rehab it and return. In the meantime, ask your surgeon his opinion about a brace to keep you from doing any further damage while allowing you to return to some of your activities. I agree that the meniscus damage most likely was because the ACL wasn't doing its job correctly. Cycling and swimming should be totally fine until you can get it repaired. Running, eh. Not so sure about that, although with a brace on, the surgeon may ok it. Skiing, football, soccer, wrestling, no.

jo~ Good for you!


So, no run for me today. It was drizzly when I got up, which morphed into a complete downpour by the time we were finishing up breakfast. Of course, it's beautiful and sunny now, but too late for me, since I'm already showered and ready to go to work this afternoon. Sigh. Tomorrow's forecast calls for more of the same. I'm trying to decide if I attempt to get up early to get a long-ish run in and then go up to Boulder for the warehouse sale, or go up first and then try to get the run in before going to work again in the afternoon. Stoopid April showers, messing with my planning!

And DS was up at 6 again this morning. He has not slept past 6:30 yet this week, which is *highly* unusual for him. I know I shouldn't complain, especially based on the sleep stories I've heard from all of you, but I am not a morning person AT ALL. And it would be fine if he would just entertain himself, but he seems to have forgotten how to do that, so instead he pokes me in the face (while saying "bonk" ) or just leans over and breathes on me or starts in with the whining ("I want you to play with me"). No, I will not play with you at 6 am. I'm sorry, but that is not play time. It is sleep time, at least in my house. He's at X's house for the next 48 hours, so at least I get a little bit of a break, although it's not looking like I will get to sleep in at all.

[Realrellim]

Originally Posted by Geofizz

Real, can you give me the name and author of the book?!? That's what I need, and anxiety + introversion seem to be teaming up here with the shyness.

Parenting Your Anxious Child with Mindfulness and Acceptance by Christopher McCurry.

It's had some useful stuff for dealing with DH too, who has (for too long) used any anxiety as an excuse for really obnoxious behavior (witness Sunday, when he felt overwhelmed and anxious by all the stuff we needed to get done, and so he kept cutting me off to say what I'd already said, but in a really obnoxious, condescending tone and when I pointed out that I'd *just* said that, he would say "I'm anxious and I have to do this my way and I can't hear you now.") R isn't obnoxious--unless you count the tantrum-a-day-over-something-inane that's been going on for three weeks here--but DH often lets her use anxiety as an excuse to not do something or insist on everyone in the family stopping what we're doing until she calms down. With school coming up and a new family member who probably won't agree, we need to start working on a middle ground.

More later. DH just got back from dropping R at my siser's for a bit, so I'm going to leave J with DH and get out there and run. Hopefully it won't rain on my head. And if so, I'm just going to call myself hardcore and keep going.