we'll all float on okay...

So pretty much nothing has gone my way this week. Just one of those weeks. Hopefully I'm due for some good karma sooner rather than later.

I'm enjoying reading Ms. Bender Birch's book. Some of her hints like, knee pain can be due to quadricep weakness and shin splints can be because of tight calves just make sense to me biomechanically. And her theory of strong AND flexible jives with everything that PT has told me. As soon as I am able to make a 7:30 class at the gym again, I will be redoubling my efforts at yoga.

At this time last year, I have no idea how I was managing a regular workload, keeping up with my training, and maintaining a relatively functional relationship. I can barely seem to keep my head above water this time around. I need to be much much better at my time management. To a bunch of people in my life, I seem to disappear to them because happy hour and going out late for birthdays are activities that just don't jive with my 'elementary school' schedule (a term used derisively by someone who never approved of my choices.) Priorities, I guess. I am not one of those people who can burn the candle at both ends without eventually burning out. Catastrophically.

I've been struggling with BMSBs since I moved into my new apartment. Just to rub it in, this week they decided to start entering my apartment through the bedroom window, and I was attacked by one last night in bed while reading (Gross. But, they are loud and slow and easy to catch. I much prefer this pest over other options). I was reminded that I probably should continue to look to buy. I was upset when I looked today and saw that one of my top choices was just recently put under contract (rubbing it in yet again). It was a small single family house with a backyard and a fence. Two blocks to Beach Dr. and Rock Creek Park, 10 min drive to the metro. Is the dog and the family far behind? What is happening to me?

crazy going slowly am i

"You know, 90% of the world's problems are caused by tiny words that come in pairs. I mean, we're healthy and we're happy but when people ask we say, 'not bad.'" -Shameless

Kind of shamelessly addicted to this show, even though it's tough to watch at times. Mostly because I love Emmy Rossum and her character. Also the main love interest dude is kind of hot, with his dark hair and light eyes. Could be a bit more rugged and scruffy though. (hey, I never said I didn't have a 'type') And too bad he's actually kind of an a$$hole. Oh well.

Was also kind of wowed by this song when I heard it on the radio this morning- much more mature and thoughtful than most of Kenny's stuff.

I made a mean impromptu eggplant parm last night. I think I'm going to experiment with eggplant more often.

I guess I don't have alot of training to report. Komal and I tried to run last weekend before her bridal shower/bachelorette party, but the 1+ feet of snow on the ground on Long Island kind of got in the way. I found a second abs class to go to on Mondays (which unfortunately I didn't get back to on time on Monday). The abs, core and stretching I've been doing at home seem to be helping, since I drove a total of 10+ hours over the weekend and did not have any of my normal discomfort when sitting. This is a huge improvement over where I was before.

I also found a really neat 3.5mi loop from my house that I can do at night. I've been looking for more places to go at night since that's the only time I can run these days and running along Rockville Pike is not the most pleasant thing. On the weekends I can go wherever in Rock Creek Park but I refuse to run through there at night, obviously. The trail in Grosvenor Park around the lake is actually pretty well lit, and I only need a headlamp for a few sections like the back of Komal's old building's parking lot.

I need to become a morning person again so I can get to work on time, do what I need to do, and then to the gym on time. I'm a little upset I missed yoga last night. I need to work on that.

earworm: Kenny Chesney - Somewhere With You
currently reading: Power Yoga- The Total Strength and Flexibility Workout- Beryl Bender Birch

Never mind.

Mmph. I think I spoke too soon. After my run yesterday I had this fairly intense pain in my left knee (not the one I hurt while stretching- that one actually feels fine now). Mostly anterior pain while extending under resistance. What would that be- patellar? That's my best guess.

Well, anyway, when I was discharged from PT Jamey recommended I look into this service his other office provides- basically an official gait and posture analysis for athletes: http://www.schrierpt.com/ampt. Not covered by my insurance of course but I would have to suck it up as part of the costs of training. I should schedule this soon.

take what you want from me, it means nothing now

NHM11 week 1: Mostly a success. It's like a hand grenade. Almost is good enough in this case.

Thursdays are tough because for a couple of weeks I have two places to be for volleyball. All the extra driving, then running on top of it, can be a bit much for one evening. But then a Fri-Sat-Sun run-bike-run combo is also a bit much. This week I put off the long run on Sunday to Monday. I just did 4+ mi, relatively pain free! I need to work out this random pain at the bottom of my left shoulder blade that is preventing me from sleeping comfortably. ugh.

If I ever start taking for granted that Rock Creek Park is literally my backyard, someone please slap me upside the head.

On another note, during all the stretching/icing/heating I've been doing this weekend, I've been watching the Twilight movies since they've been on Showtime. I can see why these movies are so popular- they play on all the basic teenage emotions. I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I am firmly in the Team Jacob camp. Yes, he has random mean streaks, but at least he doesn't make Bella look constipated every time she looks at him. And Bella's dad has a point- sometimes you need to learn to love what's good for you. Regardless, sparkly vampires still make me laugh.

Next thing I have to look forward to- the final planning stages of the Snowshoe trip! I think two days of skiing is more than enough cardio to fit into the schedule, right?

Time to go figure out what else I can cook in bulk or prepare ahead of time in the slow cooker. How do you all do this training thing full time and still find time to cook and eat nutritious food? I'd prefer to not eat at 10p or later, and I would definitely prefer other options than Chipotle on my way home from the gym. Food and sleep really are the two key ingredients for me in successful training, and there's definitely room for improvement in both.

earworm: Anberlin - Impossible
currently reading: 'Six By Seuss - A Treasury of Seuss Classics'

Schedules.

Officially discharged from PT. I'm not entirely happy with the result but at least I'm back to where I can run regularly without too much trouble. I have a 'maintenance' appointment in 3 weeks to see how things are going. I have learned over the last 6 weeks that I need to focus alot more on core strength.

In case you are looking for me in the next 11 weeks:

Mon: Zumba, Core and Stretch
Tues: run with Bethesda Running Group
Weds: spin, Core and Stretch
Thurs: vball, run
Fri: Zumba (or run if it's a 2-team vball night)
Sat: spin
Sun: long runs

I'm not sure exactly what Zumba contributes, but it's something fun and I need to look forward to something during the week.