Friday, March 23, 2018

Loving....Not Loving

Sunday, I woke up at the beach and ran my race in Florida. Monday morning before the sun came up, I boarded the train for my pediatric nurse practitioner conference in downtown Chicago. Talk about doing a complete 180! I didn't know whether I was coming or going. It was a little overwhelming, to say the least. Fortunately, as the week went on, I felt more grounded. I was also exhausted.

With most of my time consumed, I figured I wouldn't be able to run much or write for the blog. After sitting in lectures all week, my fingers were itching to write something for today. Plus I was having trouble staying awake during some of the lectures.

You know I loved my time away at the beach, but I also loved my time in the city this past week. There were some things I didn't love so much though. It's been a long time since I've done a loving/not loving post, and the time was right. Here are the things I've been loving but not loving. There's more to love than not...



Let's start with the weather. I'm loving all the sunshine we've had in the Chicago area this winter. Normally, conditions are very gray and gloomy in the winter months, but when I flip through all my Instagram posts, I see mostly blue skies. I'm feeling pretty lucky that I was able to walk from the train to my conference under sunny, blue skies. What I'm not loving are the prolonged cold temperatures and the wind. Did I mention the wind? It was blowing off Lake Michigan and it was brutal. Now that I've had my little winterlude to Florida, I'm even more ready for warm temperatures. I'm not loving that my trip, by the way, was not long enough!

I kind of loved that the gals at Sweat Pink shared my handstand on their IG stories!
Speaking of that trip to Florida, I'm loving that I was able to spend those 5 days with my parents at the place we've spent spring break for so many years. I know how lucky I am to still have both my parents and even more so that they are in relatively good health. It's kind of fun to let my mom and dad take care of me! It's also nice to have some alone time. After a day or so, I started to feel somewhat lonesome. I'm not loving the melancholy I felt with the rush of memories provoked by being there without my boys. I enjoyed the break in my routine, but I would have loved to have them there with me. I'm not loving that they'd rather stay home and hang with their friends than travel with me. It's hard letting go, isn't it?

Mom, me, and Dad at the Sandbar for dinner
While in Florida, I especially loved that last minute half marathon I ran on Sunday. I was really pleased with my race and the recap is coming on Sunday. I'm still loving those Mizunos Wave Riders I've been running in for the past 6 months. But what I'm not loving is the pain I have in my inner ankles after a long run in these shoes. I mentioned in a previous post that my feet are rolling inward in the Mizunos.  I hoped that a new pair of insoles would remedy that problem, but no such luck. So I need some advice as I search for a new pair of shoes. Does anyone know what shoes will give me the support of the Asics Gel Nimbus I ran in for so many years, but have the lightweight ride of the Mizuno Wave Riders?

Why not?

As a nurse practitioner, we are required to obtain continuing education credits every year and I'm loving that this year the national conference was held here in Chicago. I'm loving being able to take the train and walk the approximately 1.5 miles to the Chicago lakefront location where the conference was held. What I'm not loving was struggling to find time to squeeze in a run. I'm loving I have the excuse of that half marathon on Sunday so I can call this a recovery week. Walking to the conference from the train means I did get in over 10,000 steps every day. I'm loving how that made me feel less guilty about stopping daily at Starbucks. I mean, they are on every corner in Chicago! For what it's worth, I regained my Starbucks Gold Status.


I'm loving AND feeling oh so grateful for feeling good. After my liver went into full rebellion mode and my doctor stopped the offending medication and increased Humira to weekly, I'm feeling like a new woman. Actually, I'm feeling like my pre-RA self again! I kid you not. I'm waking up pain-free in the morning. My knees don't hurt anymore. I felt good enough to run a spontaneous half marathon last Sunday. What's not to love? I'll tell you..I'm not loving how painful those Humira shots really are. A double-edged sword for sure. I have to psych myself up for the injection every week. The positive outcome is a good incentive.


What are you loving? Not loving? Pretty sure most of you are really not loving on winter overstaying its season. But what else? Please share any shoe wisdom you might have. Thanks in advance!

I'm linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday 5.0!






58 comments :

  1. I am glad Winter is almost over. But some days it is plain cold and windy. Over it.

    Hope to see you Sunday!

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  2. This past weekend I traveled to LA thinking I would be in sunshine and warmer temps. Not so much, great race conditions, but not beach weather. I am loving this week that I can be lazy after running my marathon on Sunday.

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    1. It was kind of cool in Florida too, but I enjoyed it.

      Good luck on Sunday!

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  3. Right now I am loving having my daughter home for her birthday and for spring break! They grow up too fast :)

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    1. I totally understand that! My youngest graduates from high school this year and I can hardly believe it!

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  4. I loved having a snow day this week. I did not love rolling my ankle, and it's even more embarrassing that I did it around the house! I think my feet will do ok in my Mizunos with my SuperFeet inserts, but I may try something else next time I need shoes -- no advice for you yet. So glad the Humira is working for you. Sorry the injections hurt. I had to do daily injections when I had my DVT but not for so long that I got used to it.

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    1. I don't think I'll ever get used to the Humira injections, altho I hear they are working on making them less painful!

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  5. I remember those shots not being so comfortable. Methotrexate was the same for me--i had to prep myself for it! IVF shots were easier!

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    1. Methotrexate didn't hurt at all, but the side effects were unpleasant. I guess you can't win!

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  6. I’m loving all your travel! Although exhausting, it’s so much fun! I’m loving getting all this spring snowboarding in but not loving being home with school canceled and being trapped indoors!

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    1. I'm actually so tired of the cold! Those 5 days in Florida were heavenly!

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  7. I wish we had some sunshine!! It's been so cold here lately, hahaha. I hope I'll get to go to some cool locations for conferences in the future! :] I'm really glad you're feeling better too! <3!

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    1. The sunshine has been so nice, it almost makes up for the never ending cold temperatures! Almost.

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  8. Loving/Not Loving would make a great theme post! It would be fun to see what other bloggers (me included) come up with.

    I'm so glad to hear that you're feeling pretty good now! Though it's kind of a drag to feel so good but not to be able to run. Oh well, here comes another week.

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    1. You are not the first person to say that about loving/not loving! I can't take credit for it--Marcia started it. But hey, someone should do a linkup!

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  9. Have you considered being fitted for a different shoe? It's possible your form has shifted over the past year or so, and maybe a little extra support would be beneficial? Myself, I need a lot of support, more than most people (#overpronater), so the Mizuno Wave Inspires and Brooks Adrenalines have been my best options.

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    1. I ordered a pair of Wave Inspires earlier this week, so we'll see if they bring me some magic!

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  10. I am loving how green everything is turning right now - each year I start to despair that all I'll ever see is dead grass and stick, but practically overnight the trees start to leaf out and the grass turns green and all is good.

    Not loving the anticipation of having every room in my house torn up for renovation. However, I know I will love the results, so there's that...

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  11. Sounds like a great trip to Florida, and that's wonderful that you've been feeling so good! Those injections don't sound like fun but it seems that it's making a big difference in how good you feel the rest of the time.

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  12. I switched to New Balance when Asics starting messing up the model I used to wear. I wear the 860s, with Superfeet inserts to give me a little bit more support for my high arches. I don't know how light they are compared to the Mizunos, but they work for me :)

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  13. I'm not loving the winter storms (x3) we've had in the last seven days. Winter is supposed to be over but it's like it just started. I am loving that I'm getting in an upper body workout by shoveling though!!

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    1. I cannot believe the winter you are having out east! Can we just say enough?

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  14. That's awesome that Chicago has had some great weather lately - please send that over to my part of the country, LOL. I love that your half marathon in Florida went so well! :)

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    1. I'm so glad I ran that race! This week was so jam-packed, there was no time for running. How often do I ever say that?

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  15. I can't even complain about the winter weather since we haven't really seem much of it in Texas! It's been cooler in the mornings lately but I'm sure those will move out soon. Glad you did well at your race though!

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    1. I'm so glad it was cooler in Florida for the race. But certainly much more pleasant than Chicago!

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  16. That picture of you with your parents!! <3 love it!!

    Kids grow up too fast, but that made me think that I haven't visited my own mom in a while! I bet she would love to spend some time with me.

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  17. you are a busy woman. I am loving that I leave the cold for Florida soon.

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  18. I'm loving that we finally got rain in So Cal. Not loving the threat of more mudslides.

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    1. So many extremes in the weather this year! Why can't it just rain? Why does it have to pour so hard you get mudslides?

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  19. You're lucky it's been sunny. It has NOT been sunny here. And I am LOVING those heels! Hahaha.

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  20. I'm not loving that we haven't had a vacation this year and still don't have anything planned...I need warm weather! I'm glad you're feeling good and I'm looking forward to your race recap!

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  21. Glad you had a good race, a good trip, and are feeling good! Sorry about your shoe dilemma. Im trying to decide what shoes to get next, but I have some time to figure it out. I need the Levitates to go on sale!

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  22. I had to take a screenshot of those Nike heels.... don’t worry, I won’t be buying them

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  23. I am not loving that Colorado is desperate for snow/rain. But I am loving that spring is here. Glad you had such a great trip to Florida! I think June in Chicago is the best month. :)

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    1. Summer in Chicago is nice! June can still be cool, with the breeze off the lake.

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  24. Wendy, I used to wear the Gel Nimbus too and when they changed manufacturers started having trouble with PF again. I ended up switching to Mizunos after doing a review of them! I have not had trouble with the wave riders, but I also reviewed the Sky Wave and they are great!! They remind me more of the Gel Nimbus, so give them a try if you have not already :-)

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    1. I had no idea that Asics changed manufacturers. Well, that explains why I started having issues with them! I'm trying the Mizuno Wave Inspires, which should hopefully give me a little more support and still let me fly fast!

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  25. I love the idea of this post! I am glad you had such a great time in FL! How fun to spend time wit your parents.
    All this Chicago talk makes me miss living there...but not the cold weather!
    I am loving all the fun classes I have been taking and teaching lately, but I am not loving my level of exhaustion and lack of sleep due to insomnia.

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    1. Any idea why you're having trouble sleeping? I just don't function well on little sleep. I hope it resolves soon.

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  26. Ohhh I wish I could take you to my shoe guy. He made this semi-custom insert for my shoe that has been a game changer for me in terms of ankle issues!
    Glad you got to go to Florida... sorry your boys didn't want to go. They don'tknow what they are missing!!

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    1. Right? I was like that when I was their age and now I just shake my head. They wouldn't miss anything at home!

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  27. I'm sorry I can't help you on the shoes... I have enough trouble finding the right running shoes for my old and tired feet.

    It sounds like you had a wonderful time in Florida and in the city for your conference - lots of things to love!

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    1. So much to love but even more, I love that I'm back home and sleeping in my own bed!

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  28. I’m glad that you had a great trip down to Florida. I don’t think that a trip to the beach is ever long enough, though there is no place like home!

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    1. I'm feeling like I need another trip to Florida since winter just won't let go!

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  29. LOL re: that Starbucks meme. So needed when some people diva. Glad you're feeling better, and I feel you on splash of summer, I did Florida in February and heaven. Alas we had snow yesterday in NYC

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