Gobble Gobble

Made it into Cincinnati yesterday morning from NYC. I left with Charlotte (friend from Cbus) and Katie (her sister's friend's sister) on Wednesday around 2pm. We anticipated to sit in traffic, but the roads were actually not that bad. We arrived in Columbus shortly before midnight and I was able to stay the night with my old roommate, then drove into Cincy Thursday morning.  It has been a bit overwhelming being in large homes and apartments.  I am use to living in such a small box, over populated streets, congested trains, and crowded grocery stores.  

                

Another Reason Why I love Brooklyn

Saturday Stroll in Park Slope with Kaytie. 

We went to the Farmers Market at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn. It was FRIGID. I had 5 top layers on and 2 layers for my legs and was freezing. We got sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, green peppers, tomatoes, and apples.   YUM!!

Rainy Days

Another rainy day....

I have experienced more rain since moving to NYC then I did all of last year in San Antonio. I was use to blue skies and warmth.  Now I have rain, cold, and darkness beginning at 4:30pm.  The worst is walking a mile in cold rain--no matter all the effort I put into staying dry, I will be wet. 

Last Wednesday, I saw an orthopedic doctor for my foot. It has been hurting since the Scranton Marathon.  Before I saw him, I thought of worst and best case scenarios...Best: give me some physical therapy and i'll be ready to start running.  Worst: boot me. 

The Worst was chosen. I am now wearing Betty Boot Jr.--the smaller version of my original boot that I got in January.  An MRI was done on Tuesday and I will find the results out on Friday.  A positive side, I will most likely be able to start running around Christmas and should be able to run Boston in April, even though I should technically begin training the beginning of December... 

So now, I have the opportunity to walk 2 miles a day in Betty Boot Jr (she does not stay dry in rain), go up in down subway stairs, and balance myself while riding the subway.  Occasionally a nice person will let me sit down.  Some people look at my single boot and ask if I am ready for ski season.....

Bike Rider

A friend of mine in NYC let me borrow her Diamondback Century Hybrid bike last weekend. I moved some furniture around and was able to fit it in my tiny 9x9 room.  I gave my body about 2 weeks to recover the Steamtown marathon by doing very little physical activity.  My foot swelled some after the race and I had some swelling last week.  Friday night, I went for a 3 mile jog through Park Slope and felt pretty good. However, yesterday morning, I woke up to terrible pain in my right foot.  After icing several times yesterday morning and taking advil, the pain subsided, but it was still evident. This morning, I woke up to pain once again my foot but not as severe as yesterday.  This is the same foot that I had a significant injury too on January 1. Unfortunately, I am not going to run until getting approval from a doctor. I am going to try and find a sports med/podiatrist this week.

It was such a gorgeous day today, I couldn't just stay inside--so I rode for the first time in Manhattan. I rode to the Manhattan Bridge and cut across the island through Greenwich Village to the West Side Hwy, where I had some great views of Jersey City.  I rode back home via the Brooklyn Bridge (which I hated doing on a weekend).  The Brooklyn Bridge is packed with tourists on weekends and my patience dwindles when they suddenly stop to take pictures, walk on the wrong side of the path, and walk 4 people across the path.  It was a great way to spend 3 hours of my Sunday afternoon.  Just another reason why i love NYC....                                                            

marathon!

I ran the Steamtown Marathon in Scranton, PA October 12 with Theo, Keith, and Shaun.  Theo's wife and three of our friends drove out to Scranton with us to support and cheer us on.  It was gorgeous!

I finished 3rd in my age group, qualifying for Boston with a time of 3 hours, 22 minutes and 18 seconds. Keith finished at 3 hours 35 min, Theo at 4 hours 2 min, and Shaun at 4 hours 11 min. 

The race was a lot of fun and pretty. The crowd support was fantastic and people were so enthusiastic when we would run through their towns.  The last 3 miles of the marathon were the toughest part of the race with hills. 

Going to take the next few weeks off of running and letting my body recover and let me foot heal (the one I broke has been swollen since the race).  Then training for Boston will take place!

Tough Week

Last week was rough--I pushed my body too hard last Sunday during the 1/2 marathon and then paid for it.  Muscles acted up and it was really hard to walk. My leg and side were constantly spasming.  Baclofen really helped the spasms and allowed me to at least function during the day. Spent Saturday inside the entire day just resting and then attempted to go for a walk.  However, the arms and legs were incredibly weak. 

Last week made me angry.  I hated that I was unable to run and do other activities that I would have wanted to do. I was angry that my body was acting the way it was.  

I was in New Paltz, NY yesterday afternoon and was able to spend some good time at a coffee shop journalling and getting my thoughts and feelings out. I was also able to spend some time in prayer, which I realized I lacked all week. 

This week is already off to a better start....only taken one pill today and my legs are co-operating!!!!

Maine

    Sail boats in the Portland Harbor. York Beach 

While in 5th grade, geography class focused on studying all 50 states, requiring students to be knowledgeable not only of all the states and their geographic location, but their capitols as well.  Projects were also required of each student to write a report about each state. My state was Maine. Since writing the report, a dream and goal of mine was to go to Maine.  16 years later, that dream came true. My co-worker, Emily, and I went to York for her to run in a 5k race and for me to run a 1/2 marathon. We then adventured to Freeport and to Portland. I excelled in eating my first lobster, walked the sandy, crittered filled beach, enjoyed the multitude of New England Clam Chowder, wore my winter coat in the 48 degree evening temperature, ate my first Whippie Pie, and heard the term "wicked" in almost every phrase or sentence.  It was a gorgeous, fun-filled weekend away from the city and being a 4 1/2 hour drive--it's a perfect weekend gettaway.