Busy Kids

What a weekend.  It started off with Cooper having a Lacrosse game on Saturday at 10:00; Maggie having her yearly piano testing at the College of Marin; then the boys and Chuck drove to Monterey for Charlie's HS bike race.  They camped out Sat. night and Charlie's bike race was today.  Maggie and I were unable to go because Maggie had two Lacrosse games.

Cooper had a great game and although they didn't win their game, he did score a goal.  Maggie had fun at her testing and they won both of their games today.  Plus, Maggie scored her first goal! Yeah Maggie.  Charlie placed 11th in his division which is excellent and we're so very proud of him.  He has such a passion for mountain biking and we're so happy for him. 

My running -- well my knee still hurts, maybe not as bad but it's hard walking up and down stairs.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to run or not tomorrow.  I will start out walking and see how I feel.  I've iced several times this weekend which definitely seems to help.  But when I'm walking and have a busy day it seems to hurt more.  So maybe this week I can try to stay off it some and see if that makes it heal faster.  I do want to walk so I'll try and see how it goes.  

JUNK MILES  Do you know what this is?  Beware of Junk Miles --  some beginning runners run a few miles on their off day thinking a few miles will be good for them.  While doing this, they  are not allowing their muscles to recover before their next run.  So beware of these junk miles and make sure that you are not overdoing it.  

Do you know what the best drink is for a post run?  You should consume something within 15 minutes after your run and an easy glass of low fat chocolate milk gives you the carbs and protein that you need and will make you heal faster.

Yesterday

Yesterday was a really busy day.  I started the day by going to the hospital lab and getting my annual blood test.  It's been 1 1/2 years since my last one so I am way overdue.  I figured it would be a very good thing to have this done.  Just to make sure that everything is as it should be.  

Then at 9AM I went to see my doctor about my knee.  She referred me to an orthopedic surgeon whom I can't get in to see until the beginning of May.  OYYY!  This is not good.  I just want to be able to run and not have to deal with the problems that might be associated with it like INJURY!  

I  didn't want this to stop me so I went to my local running store where I buy my shoes.  I told him about my knee and also that my shins were bothering me.  He said that he thought a new running shoe would solve the problem.  Because I'm and overpronator, he put me in a new shoe that has lots of support and control.  He said I need that because I over pronate!  Anyway the shoe is extremely comfortable and I'm looking

forward to running in it in a few days when my knee is feeling better.  Here's the link:

Not bad, huh?  Well, not great either... Let's hope it helps and my running days begin.

Running

A few weeks ago I decided to start running.  I've always envied runners and have always wished that I could run.  Well, I decided to just do it.  As the old saying goes, "no time like the present," right?  I decided that I would use the Galloway method and run/walk.  This seems like a logical way to, at my age, put this into play.  

I started this about two weeks ago.  I started with a 4 mile walk/run.  My first run, I ran about 30 seconds and walked about 2 minutes.  I'm now up to 1 min run/2 min walk but my distance has shortened a bit because shins have been hurting.  

I decided to track my runs with the Nike+  Nike+ is an awesome

 little, inexpensive device that  tracks the distance and pace of your run.  After your run you can then track your runs on your computer.  Just a super fun little way to track your progress.  No, I don't have stock in Nike but I should!  

My sister, Gail, has been a runner for some years now and I have a brother, Don, that also runs. More and more of my family are taking up the sport and we are planning on running the S.F. Half Marathon.  I hope that I get to that place where my body will cooperate and I'll be able to physically manage the race.  

About 6 years ago, I hurt my knee in a skiing accident.  We'll, it's starting to bother me again and the last two runs that I have done have really done me in and I have had to ice it after my runs.  It really hurts and it's really a bummer because I'm at that place where I'm really committed and I don't want an injury to stop or postpone my running.  

I have to go to the doctor and see what the actual problem is with my knee. Whatever the problem is, I have to find out so that I can deal with it and make it heal properly for once and for all.  

I will call tomorrow to see if I can get an appointment.