Monthly Archives: August 2009

The Butt of the Post

Posted on by Run DMT
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After 16 days off my feet, I found the motivation to get moving again on Monday and then I realized that I needed a few more days off from running.  Painful hemorrhoids An uncomfortable situation popped up surfaced and prevented me from any further running. 

 

Some big changes are happening in the DMT home which I’ll tell you more about in another post, but my butt body is finding bizarre ways to deal with the changes.  Isn’t it ironic that when I’m feeling stressed and really want to run, my body fight backs in ways that prevent me from running?

 

This uncomfortable situation could also have been a result of skipping meals and not eating enough fiber combined with the stress caused by change.  Regardless, it forced to remain seated for a few more miserable days.

 

After a few more days off my feet, the uncomfortable situation resolved itself and I felt ready to run again today.

 

3 miles

Pace 9:59

Time 29:58

Back in Black

Posted on by Run DMT
9

Yesterday (Sunday) was the first day that I woke up pain free since I crashed my bike over two weeks ago.  I decided that if I woke up pain free again on Monday morning, then I would attempt to run three miles.

 

This morning I felt some soreness which could best be described as a cramp, but nothing like the tightness and pain I had been feeling for the past 17 days.  I took a deep breath to “test” my pain and there seemed to be little pain present.  I quickly threw on my running clothes (which have been sitting on my dresser for two weeks hoping to be worn again) and ran out the door.

 

I took it slow and steady and ran three easy miles.  It was tough, not due to any pain, but my muscles haven’t been used for so long and my legs seemed to fight me every step of the way.  It was hot and I thought I was going to die, but it felt so good to be running again. 

 

I’M BACK! 

YES, I’M BACK IN BLACK! 

(Should I state the obvious and mention that my running clothes are black?)

 

 

 

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My Minnie Marathon

Posted on by Run DMT
5

I happened upon a piece that I wrote after running the Minnie Marathon (15K) last year.  I had such a wonderful experience and thoroughly enjoyed my first experience of “magic of Disney” at a race event.  It was one of the few races I ran by myself and I wrote this to share my experience with my running friends.  In fact, this race inspired me to run in the Disney half-marathon the following year (which became the Unofficial Goofy Challenge) and also taught me a valuable lesson:  Always run with you camera.

 

Enjoy this blast from the past! 

 

Originally written May 4, 2008

 

Minnie came out to greet us and to wish us luck. With her squeaky voice, she told us “If you dream it, then you can do it”. I never knew how profound Minnie was! 

 

Fireworks signaled the start of the race and as usual, there were many walkers to maneuver past. UGH! But, it was all very exhilarating and exciting and a truly emotional race for me. I wish you all were there to share the experience with me. 

 

We ran from Animal Kingdom through the parking lot and out onto the main roads. The first stretch was the hardest because there were lots of inclines and overpasses or as I like to call them “highway hills”.

 

Then about the 4 miles mark, we started heading into Hollywood Studios through the cast member entrance. We ran through the backstage areas and then all of sudden, we were running through downtown NYC. It was the most bizarre feeling! I was staring at the Empire State Building as I ran past a subway entrance. I felt like I ran the NY marathon! LOL

 

As we ran through the park, the cast members cheered us on. Mulan and Mushu cheered for us and I couldn’t resist to give Mushu a high-five. 

 

When we exited the park, the next stretch took us through the Swan and Dolphin Resort and the Boardwalk Vacation Club. That was the most scenic stretch! It was so picturesque. As the sun began to rise, it reflected on the lake and it was such a beautiful sight. The guests at the resorts came out to cheer and clap for us. It was a great feeling. 

 

Then, the final stretch took us through the World Showcase in Epcot. Once again, the cast members cheered for us. I got my second wind in the last mile and really booked it to the finish line and as usual I smiled the entire time. Although, this race really got to me and I was very emotional about the whole experience. My eyes kept welling up with tears and I am not a crier. I guess I finally absorbed how hard I have worked and I am really proud of myself. Jackie and Lori e-mailed this morning with words of encouragement and I just cried. You don’t know how much that meant to me. O.k. I have to stop now.   The waterworks are starting up again. 

 

 Chip time – 1:28:12.

A Fortnight

Posted on by Run DMT
3

“So you really hurt yourself, didn’t you?”  Tiffany asked me the other evening.  “It has to be bad, because I know you.  You’re a shake-it-off kind-of-gal.  I’ve seen you run through some pretty bad pains.  You rest and then you’re back on your feet in no time.  But this has got to be bad if you’re not running for weeks.”

 

Yes, it really is that bad.  Taking deep breaths still hurts, so I can’t even imagine how I could run when it feels like I am being crushed.  The pain conveniently sits under my bra line, so underwire brasseries only make it worse. 

 

For the past two weeks since I crashed my bike, I’ve tried differently physical activities to test my limits.  Swimming hurts.  Mopping and sweeping the floor is a painful chore, but at least now I have a valid excuse for an untidy house. 

 

Fortunately, sitting at my computer is pain free, which is doing wonders for my backside.  Blogging, shopping on-line, tweeting on Twitter, updating my Facebook and watching videos You Tube do not require heavy breathing.  Well, I guess it would depend on what videos I view on You Tube and of course, I am referring to comedy sketches, because laughing still really hurts.  What did you think I meant?

 

“What does a mommy blogger runner write about when she can’t run?” Lori asked me the other day.  Then, Tiffany also commented on the variety of interesting topics on Run DMT since my injury.  At least I am expanding my blog’s reading audience!

 

So, what exactly does a “mom on the run” write about when she isn’t running?  She writes about how she has missed running for a fortnight and feels like her body is turning to mush.  And have I mentioned my face is breaking out too?  I need my stress release again.  I want my ultimate “me time” back before I lose my mind as well as my body.  Since bruised ribs take about month to heal, I only have one more fortnight to go!

 

your life your blog

Sawing Logs

Posted on by Run DMT
5

 

Due to my sore ribs, sawing logs has been my only recreational activity as of late.  But even with sore ribs, sleeping has been a difficult task.  Then, this past weekend, my DH and I bought a new mattress. 

 

The rule of thumb for mattresses suggests buying a new mattress every 10 years and at the 12 year mark, our old mattress desperately needed to be replaced.

 

After breastfeeding and co-sleeping for several years, I had forgotten what a good night’s sleep felt like.  After the kids moved into their own bed a couple of years ago, I found myself sleeping on a slant, leaning into the center of the bed caused by the weight of my DH’s body.  In the morning, my back ached from the slanted sleeping.  So, the kids were out of our bed and I was as well spending many nights sleeping on the couch.  For the next couple of years, I complained about my sofa slumbers (or lack of) to my DH, but my complaints went unheard. 

 

Then recently, my DH started suffering from stiff necks and like so many husbands, once they begin to feel the slightest discomfort, it becomes a problem.  Fortunately, the problem was solved this past weekend with a wonderful new mattress, which was delivered this week.

 

My comfy, cushy new cloud mattress is like a dream.  I’ve been sleeping like a log for the first time in years!  Unfortunately, reclining and sitting up are still very painful due to my bruised ribs, but the pain is so worth it, because once I lie down, I saw logs soundly all night long.  Now hopefully all this wonderful rest will help heal my ribs more quickly.

Funny, Silly Face

Posted on by Run DMT
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This is my first time particpating in the I ♥ Faces Contest.  When I saw this week’s theme, I had to participate because my youngest LOVES to make funny faces.  I couldn’t begin to tell you the number of family portraits she has sabotaged by sneaking in crossed eyes or sticking out her tongue.  She’s my little goofball, my little comedian and her silly faces and expressions always makes me chuckle.  Well, I may not chuckle at that particular moment, but months later when I look back at the photos, I find myself laughing at all her funny faces.

 

 

FunnyFace_Emma

Book Review: Hot on the Range

Posted on by Run DMT
1

Parents and educators understand the importance of teaching problem solving skills to children.  Sometimes it can be difficult to sit back and watch children fumble through mistakes to learn the best path; however, through real-world experiences the process becomes more meaningful. 

 

By demonstrating problem solving skills, we guide our children to make informed decisions and determine the best choice.  Children’s books make great tools to help teach our children this process and with the aid of Hot on the Range, problem solving and decision making skills are modeled to young children. 

 

In Hot on the Range, a young horse discovers the best way too cool himself on a hot summer day in Texas.  Through a series of events, Chester learns that sometimes the best way to do something for one isn’t always the best solution for another.  As he fumbles through his mistakes, he eventually uncovers the solution to his problem with the help of his master.  Through trial and error and patience, Chester discovers the best solution to his problem.

 

Typically in juvenile fiction, the elements of fantasy and humor teach lessons to young readers.  The author, R.D. Jentsch, uses real animal behavior and instincts to teach problem solving to her audience.  When reading this story, young readers will learn how a horse survives the Texas heat as well as understanding the decision-making process.   

 

Since my girls (ages 7 and 4) love horses, they were instantly drawn to the story.  David C. Bryant’s beautiful water color illustrations held their attention.  Parents and educators will appreciate its simple lesson on problem solving and trial and error. 

 

Hot on the Range is available at Amazon or you can visit hotontherange.com.  R. D. Jentsch’s second book, Froggy and Friends Go to the Creek, is due to be released on August 29, 2009.