Sunday, May 17, 2015

Weekend randoms

And the chase for the Stanley Cup continues...go Hawks!
I feel a little lost, with nothing on the calendar until fall. Right now it's all about recovery and rebuilding after a really tough winter/spring training cycle. I know a lot of you run races all year, but these aging legs need me to play it conservatively if I want to run forever--which is part of my long term plans. I wonder how these professional athletes do it. Their training starts late summer, and if they make the playoffs, the season continues into June. That's some pretty tough training for 10 months out of the year. I'm sure they look forward to time off. I have to admit, I do like to take a break. But as stressed out as I get about racing, when I'm taking time off, I really do miss the excitement and feeling of accomplishment after I complete the training and cross the finish line. I might say that I enjoy running to just run, and I do, but there's nothing like having a goal race to train for. And a beer waiting for me at the finish line.


Oh, hold up. I do have a goal race-that Chicago Marathon in the fall. The goal right now is to stay injury free. I promised Becky and myself that I would take 2 weeks off running and cross train. The interesting thing that happened is that Mother Nature didn't cooperate one bit with my plan to bike. She's really been on a roll this spring--hot one day, cold and rainy the next. This past 2 weeks, I got one bike ride in. The rest of the days have been cool, windy, and rainy. I won't lie, I'm a fair weather cyclist. I can run in those conditions, but when you're traveling on 2 thin rubber tires, feet clipped into the pedals, well...I just get a little nervous. Remember last summer when I found that cyclist lying in the road, a victim of a hit and run, bike broke in half? The memory of that has stayed with me, and I'm just a little nervous about riding in less than perfect conditions. Plus, I'm kind of wimpy when it comes to cold and wind and I'm riding about 15 mph. Brrrr.


Since I couldn't ride my bike, I decided to walk. Low impact, right? I figured if I couldn't run, I could walk fast. That aggravated my toe like nothing else. Go figure. It's got to be the way I push off on my big toe, right? On Wednesday this week, I could barely walk. I was furious. Damn foot. Ice, voltaren gel, and lots of swearing...nothing helped. In desperation, I called our sports med doctor for a quickie steroid injection, but he was nowhere to be found. Don't judge me. I'm a medical professional and it's a do as I say, not as I do world. As it turns out, the next day it didn't hurt anymore, and I said f*** it, I'm going for a run. During the run, my toe didn't hurt a bit, but it was talking to me a little bit after.  I did the ice and voltaren gel thing again. As the day went on, it quieted down. So did I. This is so odd, but hey, as long as I can run, right?

In case you didn't already know it.
Work has been insane as we transition from the time of year when everyone is sick to the time of year when everyone needs a school physical. It's been more than a little hectic. In the midst of all the chaos, I had something really amazing happen to me this week. I saw three siblings for the first time for physicals, and while talking to the mom and gathering the past medical history, I came to realize that I had taken care of the oldest child years ago when the child was a baby and I was a staff nurse at a different hospital! I'd love to share with you all the details, but that would be a HIPAA violation, and no one wants me to get one of those. I do need to keep my job. If only I could live off blogging...but I digress. Anyways, it was quite a moment, and yes, the mom cried as we hugged. I kept thinking to myself about the odds of this child ending up in my exam room of my very large medical practice for a physical with me. I really should have played the lottery yesterday. Although after this visit, I felt like I had already won.


Speaking of winning and blogging, my husband keeps asking me when the blog is going to make some money for me. See my comment above. I just laugh and laugh and laugh! The blog is my labor of love, as I call it. Today I had a freakout moment when I realized someone put a spam link on my book club linkup. Somehow, they even got their link to change the url of my blog. Then I got an email from inlinkz that they tried to change my password. This was really bizarre. My first instinct was to send a cease and desist email to the offending party, but cooler heads prevail, and after some deep breaths, I deleted the link and I think I took care of everything. I hope. But if you see my content popping up elsewhere in the blogosphere, please let me know. All the while, I asked myself the question, what the hell is wrong with people? Please leave my little blog alone.


There's winning. And then there's losing. My son's rugby team, who was undefeated until the last game of the regular season, lost in a big way Saturday in their playoff game. I couldn't attend because I was at work (I couldn't get anyone to switch with me--11 doctors and not a one...) but as it turns out, it was probably a good thing. He's not too upset--this kind of stuff just doesn't bother him, and he moved on to play 7-on-7 football the next day. Man, I wish I could roll with the punches like he does!

One last rugby photo for this season...
Or this...


Onward and upward, right?

How was your week? Any races to report? Any wins? Any losses? Any advice?

I'm linking up with Tara at RunningNReading for her Weekend Update. The best place link up on Mondays! Check it out!

72 comments :

  1. I'm a not always but more of roll with the punches than ever before. Hopefully toe will stay quieted down. Sorry about the blogging hassle. Few things infuriate me more!

    Have an awesome Sunday Wendy and take care of that toe.

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    1. Heading out on the bike this morning! That's will give the toe a little rest.

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  2. great week, no races to report :) I hope that toe is on to a permanent mend for you! Sorry about the blog, really who wants to mess with your bookclub link up! Crazy! I have some security alert that runs on mine and occasionally it sends me an email that it bumped someone out for log in fail, it is always from another country. Seriously, do they not have anything better to do than hack our running blogs? Happy Sunday Wendy! Time for some interval training this morning :)

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    1. Yeah, I hope the toe calms down too! It was hurting after my bike ride today--why?

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  3. Hope your toe eases up on you, soon. Love the story about the child you saw previously as a baby!! Sorry to hear about the spam, but sadly some people have no lives. I sure wish we'd make money blogging! Talk about dream job right there, LOL! Have a great week my friend!

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  4. I feel very lost without something on my calendar until fall. Right now, it feels like such a long time away. I think I'm going to have to pick something during July or August for extra motivation. I hope your toe continues to improve. Walking bothers my Achilles, running doesn't. It's all so weird!

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    1. I'll do a half in August/September--I just don't know which one. I want to see how my training for Chicago goes. Damn toe!

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  5. I hope your toe starts to get with the program!! You've clearly sent the memo. :) that atinks that someone did that on your link up. And for what reason?! So silly! I paced a race this weekend on a super tough course. I'm so tired and useless now.

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    1. It even hurt after my bike ride today. It's the weirdest thing. I guess I better go see the doctor...

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  6. You are very smart to periodize your training. I agree it gets difficult in a period with nothing in the near term on the calendar (which is how I feel Nov - March, usually). But the body needs those breaks to recover and get stronger the next cycle. I just picked out my fall "A" race today - a minor change from the original plan. I had wanted to peak for Aquabike Nationals but now that my running is getting stronger I want a fast Olympic Tri course in cooler weather that I can peak for and really see what I'm capable of. The register button was just clicked! Feels good.

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    1. Oooh, nice! I'm looking forward to following you on your training for that one!

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  7. Go Hawks! I think pro athletes can train like crazy because a lot of them are young. It's easier for the body to recover. I'm glad your toe is starting to feel better. I've had times when something bothers you one day and then is completely fine the next, too. Hoping you stay healed up and healthy!

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  8. I currently do not have any races I'm working towards either. After coming back from Disneyland. It's a good feeling that I don't have any. Then again what are we working towards when we don't have any? And the sense of accomplishment at the end of races is priceless! But like you said it is nice just to run for fun and not have to stress about upcoming races.

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    1. I'm looking forward to getting strong again before I start marathon training in July!

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  9. Tell your toe to back the F off, gooossshhhh. My leg is feeling better and better but I'm trying not to rush things! (Because you know that I want to!

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    1. I keep telling it that, and it lets me run, and then makes me pay for it the rest of the day. I don't know what's going on in there!

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  10. That toe better get back in line! Doesn't it know you have running to do?

    Such a cool story about your patient! What a great day!

    I've got a race on Monday - it will be the third anniversary of our first 5K, and it's kind of cool to return to that.

    I need to get on book club. I keep forgetting to charge my iPad and haven't been able to read to review. I took care of that last night and will hopefully be able to post soon!

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    1. Wow, a Monday race! The only Monday race I know about is Boston. Sounds cool!

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  11. haha, what a great post. Those gifs are hysterical. Sorry about your toe bugging you - hopefully it quiets down soon. I haven't raced in a couple weeks which is also the same amount of time since I've run. I need to get it together! Cannot believe someone changed your password. That's awful and I'm with you, what is wrong with people?!

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    1. I ran 5 miles today - yippee!!! I have a half in 2 weeks and don't feel at all prepared but i'll get it together. All mental at this point.

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    2. Woo hoo! And you'll do fine at that half--it's not your first rodeo, right?

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  12. I am a fair weathered cyclists too but I am enjoying my bike rides lately. I find it much easier to bike when it's super hot than run. Hang in there with the time off!

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    1. The weather has just been nuts here! Today 80, tomorrow 55. It's hard to acclimate to anything.

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  13. Taking time off can be so hard! For me anyway. I feel bad when I can't run or workout in some way. It just feels like you are accomplishing something when you are getting your sweat on!

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  14. Yeah the weather has been nuts. Totally up and down. Ok you've got foreign tweets showing up down at the bottom of your blog. I'm afraid something is up with a hacker hijacker.

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  15. Well, my dog prefers to roll in shit, so I'll not follow her lead! ; )

    That sucks about your blog. Seriously what IS with people who do this?

    Watch that toe of yours…you are making me nervous for you!

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    1. I'm going to call the orthopod today, to see what he thinks. You know it's bad if I'm doing that!

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  16. Great read! Isn't it funny about the boys and their sport? My son did dreadful at a rowing competition at the weekend, I thought he might be upset but he couldn't of cared less. He was just ready to move on and train harder.
    I hope you realise all our bikes are like that in Europe? You see why I struggle with cycling? Getting on and off is just the start of the problems.
    Have a great week

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    1. That's hilarious! I thought you'd get a kick out of that picture!

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  17. So sorry your toe is still bugging you and that your son lost his playoff game :(. But happy you got to kind of reunite with an old patient! It's a very small world!

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  18. My running has been off for a few weeks, and with a marathon on the horizon it's a bit stressful. I'm definitely looking forward to rest after the race :)

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  19. Love the poster with the dog! Such a great way to look at things... hope your toe quits giving you so much grief!

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  20. This reminds me of "turf toe," a football player thing. I used to think it was such bullsh$t when players would claim this as their "injury" during the season...until I found out what it really is! Wonder if you're suffering from the same? I've heard that it really takes some nursing to get it back to pre-injury status; I hate to hear that you are still having problems. It's tough for me when I don't have races to stay motivated for; I don't like long transitions between races, so I can relate. I do want you to stay healthy, though! You are my hero! Thanks for linking up with the blog!

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    1. I really think it's related to arthritis in that joint, altho turf toe makes me sound so much more badass! LOL

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  21. Oh my goodness people are jerks! I would be so aggravated if I found out someone was trying to hi jack something on my blog. I agree my blog is a little labor of love and I love all the neat people I have met through it.
    Glad your toe felt better, I am working so hard to only cross train this week, but I bet I try to run at least once. I just love it so much!

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  22. So sorry about your toe incident... frustrating.

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  23. I hate your toe is giving you problems! Had a pretty good week, active about every day. I'm signed up for a half Labor Day weekend in Mississippi, ok North MS but still. It kicked my butt last year with all the hills. I'm gonna be the one kicking this time around! Any advice for a tough run with hills? Train on extreme hills????

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    1. You can do hill training, and/or you can do a ton of glute training--squats, deadlifts, and lunges. That's what I do. It's really flat here, but I don't have a lot of trouble with hills when I do encounter them, thanks to my training!

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  24. What a great update - I love how you touch on so many aspects of your life! Sorry about the toe issues - and the frustration of not being able to do all the stuff you want to do. Wishing you quick healing! And that's scary about the spam link thing...what do these people want, anyway? You already read about my weekend...thanks for visit my blog, too! :-)

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  25. I'm with you, I have nothing big coming up until MCM and I don't like that feeling. I mean I do, because there is less pressure to train but I still feel a bit lost at the same time. Although training will be here before you know it! Very cool about your story about the physicals of the 3 kids. I often wish that I could see how the kids I took care of in the PICU do years later, it would make the grunt work slightly more rewarding. It's hard in the PICU, there is usually no gratitude since you are dealing with super stressed parents and can be a very negative experience. I have to remind myself that it's worth the hard work, but not seeing the end result down the line can be kind of sad.

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    1. I knew you'd get it! It is so rare that we get to see kids down the road after we care for them in the hospital. That's one of the things I really like about primary care. Those relationships are really awesome.

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  26. onward and upward, indeed! glad the toe seems to be doing better and that's so cool about seeing that family again!

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  27. What a cool moment to have realized that during the physical with those three siblings! Its always fun to take a walk down memory lane.

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  28. The driver in the hit and run was our newspaper delivery person. Believe it or not, he kept delivering the paper after he hit the biker. His smashed windshield gave it away, tho...

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  29. Dogs really have the best advice ever! Love it! And that is so amazing about the siblings. It's a small world after all!

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    1. My dog doesn't let anything bother her! I wish I was like that...

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  30. I'm taking a bit of a running break right now and I seem to fluctuate between "ahhh, I'm losing all my fitness" and "eh, whatever, who needs to run." I probably ought to find something to do with myself though.

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    1. Seriously. After 2 marathons and Ragnar, no one deserves time off like you! Just rest! And drink beer.

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  31. lol love that dog quote at the end! might have to print and post it on my desk :) I know taking a break can be hard but it will feel awesome when you come back injury free and feeling great. We'll see each other in chicago! (knock on wood)

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  32. Ack! I hope your toe calms down + recovers completely soon! :[

    That's awesome about your patient--such a small world! :O Big sigh on the HIPAA violation stuffs, haha. I totally get where you're coming from! That's why I rarely ever give any identifying features on my patient stories (other than gender, haw haw).

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    1. I've gotten called out in the past for even mentioning a patient. I think I did a pretty good job of disguising this one!

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  33. I hope your toe stays quiet!! I think your plan for recovery and training sounds pretty solid though. I am excited to hear about your marathon training as it progresses!
    Also, loved that work story. As a momma of young ones who spends an inordinate amount of time in the pediatrician's office, the truly caring and helpful medical staff make a HUGE difference and I would love to be able to thank some of them again in years to come!

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    1. The nice thing about my job an an NP is that I get to build relationships and watch the kids grow. It's really rewarding!

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  34. ugh sorry about the blogging troubles. also - I hate it when I'm asked that about my blog. my blog is like my baby- something I enjoy spending time on whether or not it makes me money

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    1. My reward is the interaction with other bloggers. The fact that people com back to read what I wrote, time and time again, is amazing to me!

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  35. Patience and recovery/rebuild is SO hard. (so is taking a break) I'm assured it works & from my experience, it does - and NOT doing it has had bad effects. Every day you can do things to help yourself though, I find that helps me feel like I'm on plan and making progress.

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    1. That time I took off was like money in the bank. While I'm still struggling with a few things, my legs feel much more fresh.

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  36. I can completely relate to your feelings of being a little lost when there are no races on the immediate horizon. After 4-5 years of training and racing, 2015 is my year of running for fun. My hubby and I are trying to have a baby so I'm just running for the enjoyment of it and staying in half marathon shape without a lot of miles. At the beginning of the year I felt lost as all my buddies planned their race calendars. I've since added some races but all for fun and have found so much purpose through helping others achieve their big goals for the year. It has been pure joy to do what I want when I want. I am still very consistent but there is no pressure. Sometimes we do our best when that happens. I'm excited for you and Chicago and know you will do great. Fingers crossed for no injuries and healthy miles. xoxo

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    1. It feels weird not racing right now, no matter what the reason, right? It's fun to just run, but it's hard to see everyone else's posts, crossing the finish lines! We have to keep our eyes on the bigger goals.

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