#CountdownToVegas Week 14: Thriving During the Zombie Uprising

Lots to write about this week!  First off let's start with my left knee.  I'd been running in denial since August.  I would not admit my knee hurt, because saying it would make it real, and if it was real I might have to do something like stop running for a little while.  The only person who knew was Josh, because he'd see me icing it, and I would say something sarcastic like "my knee doesn't hurt, I'm icing it just in case it was to start hurting".  Of course he knows how to translate that, though.

I should say here that I was not actually running through pain. It really didn't hurt while I was running, only afterwards.  And on a scale of 1-10, it was a 1 or 2 at most.  But this past couple of weeks, it started to be more of a 3, and I started worrying maybe something was wrong and I was making it worse and damaging my chances to continue to be active long-term.  And once that worry started in my head, it started to suck the joy and fun out of running.  So I made a doctor's appointment.  My doctor is a runner too, so I knew she would get it.  It turned out she was out of town, but Kevin's doctor is in the same practice and he's also a runner, so I made the appointment with him.

I'm glad I went; especially since it was all good news.  He said my knee pain is just from overtraining, gave me some exercises to do, told me to continue icing it and take naproxen.  But most importantly he said it was fine to keep running.  Whew!  And just like that running is fun again!

Countdown to Vegas Week 5: Run Detroit

I spent most of last week in Detroit taking classes towards being a Certified Housing Asset Manager.  I didn't let the travel derail my marathon training though.  I had already planned several runs and workouts before I even left Indy, and of course my fave running shoes went in my carry-on bag.  I am not taking any chance of losing those!

Monday - Long Run

Classes every day except Friday ran from 8:00 - 4:00.  As soon as Monday's class was over, I headed back to the hotel to change and go run.  Monday's weather was in the low 70s with low humidity, and based on the forecast for the week, it was going to be the most perfect day for a run.  My plan was to go down to the Riverfront and run north to Belle Isle bridge, then run over the bridge to Belle Isle State Park, about 4 miles.  I thought I'd find somewhere there to buy water and a snack, then run back.  The first part of the evening went according to plan.

Once I got to the island, I was a little disappointed at first.  There were very few signs, and even fewer sidewalks.  For a park, it was not pedestrian friendly at all.  There were roads and bike lanes everywhere, and all the walkers and runners I saw were in the bike lanes, which forced the bikes into the roads.  Most of the attractions were closed since it was after business hours, so I headed over to the beach.  There my disappointment went away.  The beach was delightful, and even though the cafe was closed there was an ice cream truck, so I got my snack and water, and took my shoes off to run on the sand and in the water.  The Detroit River is very clean and pretty.

Paddle Board Yoga

http://www.peacethroughyoga.com/fitness_class/paddle-board-yoga/

While we are waiting for Laura to tell us about her Grandfather Mountain Marathon (spoiler: she had a great finish!); I'll tell you about my first paddle board yoga class.  I've been wanting to try this out for several years now.

When I first heard about it, it was only offered up on the north side, Morse Reservoir I think, and I didn't want to do it badly enough to drive all the way up there.  A few weeks ago at Monumental Yoga I mentioned this to my friend Tammi, and she told me that Peace Through Yoga offers it at Eagle Creek!  We both decided to sign up for a class, which was last Saturday, and now we both agree it was a lot of fun and we hope to do it again.

I'm Not Ready For This

2011, in Michigan

I think most of our readers know why I haven't blogged since mid-April, but for those who don't: my husband Kevin went home to be with the Lord after a sudden heart attack on April 23.  I am devastated to have lost him at only 47.  We had 11 years together, the last 5 of those married, but it doesn't feel like nearly long enough.  I feel angry & cheated out of the 40 or 50 years I thought we'd have together.  And I don't feel ready for this life I have to now live without him.

I know, however, that God is with me and will be with me in all the days to come.  He knows what I need to get through this and He will make sure I have it, so I am living on faith and taking each little step as I see it in front of me, even though I can't see any farther than that right now.

Weekend Recap: Raining on the Rhododendrons, Yoga on the Circle

View from my mat after shavasana

This weekend Laura ran the 37th Annual Rhododendron 10K, part of Bakersville's NC Rhododendron Festival; while I participated in the 2nd annual Monumental Yoga on the Circle for Summer Solstice, and Cindy enjoyed a restful weekend.

Laura was really looking forward to the Rhododendron 10K.  She'd run it last year and placed, bringing home a cool engraved plate, and was hoping to make it a matched set.  Last year, the weather was in the 50's, but this year it was not so nice.  It started out incredibly hot - very unusual for Bakersville - but quickly clouded up and began to rain.  It rained so hard the last three miles, Laura said she thought they might have to swim.

Despite the uncooperative weather and some leg pain from her sciatic, Laura still won 3rd in her age group!  No matching plate, though - they gave engraved plaques instead.  Laura plans now to take a week or so off to rest and regroup, and she'll be ready to run again soon!  In the meantime, you can always catch her at Urban Athletic.

I'm at the very left edge, just behind the chain. Photo from IndyStar.com

No rain in Indianapolis as I joined hundreds of other yogis for the second year of Monumental Yoga (link goes to the Indy Star photo gallery of the event).  I met some friends from Metta Yoga in a slightly shady spot to the southeast, and we enjoyed a free hour-long class led by instructors from various studios around the city, saluting the sun outside on Monument Circle on Summer Solstice.

I always enjoy yoga, especially when I can practice outside, but there is something extra special about practicing with hundreds of other people like that.  There's such a positive energy that fills the air.

Next up for me, the 10 East Biz District Bicycle Tour & Scavenger Hunt on Wednesday.