Tag Archives: health

Long time no blog

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I am SO sorry for not being here.

I am gearing up for some big changes in my life and have neglected one of my favorite friends, my blog. I have been selfish, busy and lazy and have failed to share my ideas and adventures, which has left me feeling a bit empty. I love curling up on the couch, wrapping up in a blanket and spilling my day over the keyboard, so I promise this is my return.

Some of these big changes I cannot share at this time, but I promise  if you continue reading over the next few weeks (and yes, I will be writing more) you will find out all about the new paths in my life. 

I last posted right before I headed off for a lovely week-long spring break with my family and my boyfriend Dave!

Our time was filled with lots of family

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and friendsIMG_1486and I can’t believe that time has come and gone already!

Leading up to this spring break I was praying for each hour to move faster so that I could finally be on vacation, but once that time was upon me I was grasping at every minute to try and slow time down.

Unfortunately, no matter how many times I attempt to manipulate time, that clock still ticks by at the same rate every minute. I am trying to appreciate every moment that I have, whether it is where I want to be or not, but of course that is easier said than done.

Because big changes are hovering in the not so distant future I have decided to practice patience and revel in the time I have now. And of course, what better way to appreciate the now than by posting on this very blog. So there you have it. I will be back soon with reflections on the present – happy Monday!

The Grass is Always Greener…well maybe not, but it sure looks like it

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It’s hard not to walk down the street and look at a person running by and think, gee, they are so lucky they can run, and compete in races and jog with friends.

Or see someone with a flat stomach and assume that they get to eat whatever they want and still look good in an ab hugging shirt.

Even looking at a couple on the street it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that they are happy and in love and everything in their lives must be hunky dory.

Of course life does not work like this. The person running might have just come off of an injury and is easing back into running by only going as far as down the street before he or she has to turn around. And the person with the tight tummy might have to wake up early every day and workout for an hour in order to keep in shape. And the happy couple may fight 99% of the time and only smile when they are walking down the street in public.

Sometimes when you’re life doesn’t feel all put together you assume that everyone else has everything you don’t. The reality is that no one has everything and you probably have a lot more than most.

At the start of this New Year there are many things in my life that I am still lining up to fall into place and I am trying my hardest to appreciate what I do have until then.

So far in 2013 I have spent time with loved ones, taken a step (or spin class) in the right direction of recovery, and I am starting to make better eating habits part of my routine.

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What have you accomplished so far this year?

Do you sometimes think about “greener pastures” and then appreciate your own?

Starting the year off right

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I hope everyone enjoyed their New Year’s festivities!

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I celebrated with a night of drinks and dancing :)

It was a perfect way to spend the evening, moving on the dance floor with both my good hip and my no-longer-broken one.

The first day of 2013 was spent resting my tired legs, enjoying the fresh January San Francisco air, relishing in good cuddles

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and enjoying a new twist on my old favorite, carrot soup.

Dave added ginger to my soup recipe and created a new vibrant and heart warming masterpiece.

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2012

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365 days ago I started this blog.

It was supposed to chronicle my journey as a runner and my healthy (and not so healthy) habits. And while running was a major part of this daily publication for many months, running took a major back seat to many other life events that happened this year.

Some of the wonderful highlights include,

 Vacationing in Anguilla with the family

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Finding a love for PIlates

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Starting a new job

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Exploring the Bay Area

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Welcoming a cat into our family 

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Swimming in the bay 

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And of course with the good comes the not as good including,

A life changing accident

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A long distance relationship

A loss in the family

 This year has been a tough one, full of unexpected changes and numerous challenges. With each turn my weaknesses have been exposed, but more importantly, my true strength has found its way to the surface. 2012 will be a year I never forget for the good and the bad, and I am excited and energized for the year to come.

I am determined to get in the best athletic shape that I can in order to start running again by the summer, I will continue to grow my career, my friends and family will see me more often and I will take on new challenges with a new found confidence.

I wish everyone success, happiness and health in 2013!

Happy New Year!

 

A Story

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If you see me walking down the street you would never know that almost 6 months ago I had major surgery to repair my broken hip. I have no visible limp, you cannot see any signs of surgery and I have a smile on my face. Swimming on the other hand leaves me very exposed, physically and emotionally.

My scar travels down my leg and it is glaringly obvious that a 25 year old should not have this signature hip surgery mark. I am often approached by older swimmers inquiring about my scar and I have to say I am more than happy to tell them my story, because it is a story. I am not living in the days right after surgery and I said goodbye to crutches months ago. I have reached the point in my recovery when it has all become a story and that was all I focused on during the ordeal. I just wanted it to be a story where I reflect and say “remember when?” and now I can do that!

My recovery is still in progress and I am not allowed to run for another 6 months, but this too shall soon become another part of my story. I will be training for races again before I know it and this time away from the road, my Garmin and finish lines will just be something I remember and recount.

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(This will be me again in 6 months!)

Have you gone through an accident, loss, ordeal, or troubling time, that you now comfortably discuss as just a chapter in your life?

Sore

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I have come a long way from my first weeks in the pool. I no longer have to stop between every 50 yards, I have much stronger form and I can swim comfortably for 45 minutes. Of course I still wake up sore the next day depending on which stroke I focused on and it feels great to know that those aches are because I had a good workout.

I’m even more sore this morning because before I hit the pool I got a flu shot, and man those leave you in pain the next day! I wish I could wear a sticker that says, “be nice to me I feel like I was punched in the arm”.

I was wearing bright pants yesterday to distract myself from my aches and pains,

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but too bad I don’t have a second pair to wear today.

I hope everyone has an ache-free Friday!

Do you love feeling sore after a great workout?

WIAW – On a Totally Full Tuesday

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Most days at work are incredibly busy, but this week has been especially full of things to do. In order to be properly fueled for the day I have been turning to eggs for breakfast, complete with chicken sausage.

This meal kept me full all morning, which was great because I was running around every which way at the office.

I had to leave the craziness early to head to the dentist and sit in the chair for a while. Not super pleasant, but it had to be done and my reward was dinner with my friends!

Granted half of my mouth was numb so chewing and drinking were a real challenge, but being with my friends was a great distraction from my drooping left cheek haha.

Now it’s time for another very busy day and luckily the numbness in my face has subsided and I can smile and speak properly again.

Wishing everyone a busy and happy Wednesday!

How do you get through your dentist appointments?

I made it!

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I went in to the office every day this week! After spending the morning on the couch, sleeping a bit more, relaxing and getting comfortable, I would head to work around noon and work till end of day (5:30pm).

I was nervous to go back on Monday after 3 weeks of absence, but it felt quite natural to be back. It’s not terribly comfortable to sit for long periods of time so I would stand at my computer every once and a while and took plenty of trips to the bathroom and the printer. It was a wonderful distraction to pick up where I left off on that Friday over a month ago and forget about the fact that I have a serious injury.

Another great distraction was seeing my dad for a few days this week. It was great having some father daughter time over coffee discussing my recovery and the ups and downs of life at the moment. The fatherly advice and comforting words were more than welcomed :)

One month ago today I went for a run, I sat in the middle of the road with a mangled hip, I was rushed to the ER in an ambulance, I was x-rayed while in the worst pain I have ever experienced, I spent 4 and a half hours in surgery and I slept my first night since I was 5 in the hospital.

Today I am starting my last week of hopping around on one leg, feeling stronger and more at peace with my traumatic event. I no longer have an open wound from surgery, but instead a beautifully arced scar that has healed and become apart of me.

I am excited to start heading to work full time, exercising with physical therapy next week and heading back to the doctor for an update. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with supportive words and love. Your support and kindness has meant the world to me!

Thank you

Milestones

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This time last week I was waking up in the hospital after a 4 and a half hour surgery to put a metal plate in my hip to fix a broken hip socket. Needless to say this is not how I expected to end my 10 mile run that Saturday morning, but life happens and so do freak accidents and I guess my number was up.

Looking back over the week I have had so many milestones and in any situation where you are trying to reach a goal it is important to reflect on the steps you have accomplished along the way. I have been keeping a daily list of milestones and thought a would share just a few with those of you who have been following my recovery:

- Being able to leave the hospital and recover in the comfort of my own apartment was an incredible relief, especially being able to shower!

- Taking daily “walks” (crutching around) on the walkway outside of my apartment makes me feel like I am getting fresh air and exercise.

- Having an appetite for home cooked food!

- Dressing myself from head to toe – yes, I put on every part of this truly fashionable outfit by myself :)

And keeping a smile on face, which isn’t always easy, is something I try to accomplish daily.

Soon enough this list will include going back to work, putting weight on my left leg, and getting rid of crutches all together. But until then I will continue to track the smaller milestones, like crutching to the kitchen and getting my own spoonful of peanut butter, smiling all the way.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend – what is something you have accomplished recently, big or small?

The Injured Athlete

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When I started this blog on January 1, 2012 I was on my way to finally recovering from my runner’s knee and I wanted to document my training as I re-entered the running world. For a while I was doing quite well! I changed my running form and started to build up my mileage again. But then 2 weeks ago it appeared that I pulled my left glute muscle, which has left me with back, hip and leg pain, making it very difficult to walk. I went to the doctor last week and while he assured me a would start to feel better it feels like it has gotten worse and I have scheduled an appointment with another doctor today.

While I would much rather be posting about my nice long runs and how I fuel for them, my injury, which has pretty much taken cardio out of the picture for the moment, has forced me to yet again take time to reflect on myself as an athlete. I am a runner. I am someone who enjoys sweating, panting and hitting the pavement for more than an hour at a time. And this way of life is going to come with injuries every once in a while. It just so happens that my two most extreme injuries I have experienced have been back to back, but it is forcing me to see the larger picture. I wont hurt forever. I will be back and running sooner than I think. And it’s ok to take a break. These words are not easy for me to say but it is important that I write them here to solidify my commitment to myself to take it easy and heal so I can get back on my feet.

With that, walking, well really hobbling and wincing, was my exercise for the day yesterday and I look forward to answers from the doctor later today.

Confession: I enjoy watching this show when nothing else is on TV or when I simply don’t feel like changing the channel.