Cocogo Review and Giveaway

I was given the chance recently to try Cocogo. I was sent a box of Cocogo free to try out, but all opinions expressed are my own.  I am a fan of nearly everything coconut.  I am going to assume you have heard about the wonders of coconut water by now, all those great electrolytes, good for rehydration, etc.

I was sent three flavors to try out

• Lemon-Lime
• Grape
• Raspberry-Passion fruit

I enjoyed all the flavors. If I had to pick a favorite it would be the raspberry-passion fruit.  Amazing good flavor without being overly sweet.
 

So what is Cocogo you ask?  It is a real fruit hydration powdered drink mix.  They flash freeze dry the coconut water and fruit juices into a convenient to pack around powdered form.

What do I like about it?

• comes in convenient stick packs which make it easy to carry around and customize flavor
• no artificial flavors
• no artificial sweeteners
• no artificial colors
• 34 calories per stick
• yummy flavors
• not too sweet

How it works.

1. Take 14 oz of water (turns out my favorite race beer glass is a perfect fit)
2. add 2 packs for moderate hydration and a fruity taste
3. add 3 for more flavor and electrolytes
4. add 4 packs for intense workouts for maximum electrolyte replacement

Since not everyone has water bottles that are 14 oz containers they even have a great graphic that helps you figure out how much you want to mix. Here is part of the graph.

The most I tried was 2 packs added to 14 oz of water.  I like my water lightly flavored when working out.  I was even happy just adding one pack to my water.  I don't get as many electrolytes that way, but I still liked the flavor.  If you want to see how it stacks up to other electrolyte replacers check out this graphic.

 

Want to try some for yourself?  You can get 40% off when you use code 40COCOGO or free shipping with code FRSH4COCOGO at store.cocogo.com checkout. I have already ordered some more Raspberry-passion fruit and Grape.

 

or you could be one of two lucky winners as Cocogo is offering two of my readers a chance to try it out for themselves.

 

Three Things Thursday: Burpees, Pay it forward, and SNOW

1. I kind of hemmed and hawed about it, but decided last night what the hell I am in and got my first 40 burpees out of the way. It would be fun after all to win and be outfitted head to toe from Under Armour.   Even if I don't win I get to have all the fun of doing the burpees, I normally do quite a few anyway.

want the details? Click here

 

I don't have a set goal per day, but I do have a 200 per week goal starting next week, and plan to do 100 the remainder of this week to kick it off.  So that means I have 60 left for the week.  I plan to knock them out today.

2. I was in line at my favorite coffee kiosk yesterday morning scrolling through Facebook on my phone when a coworker posted about getting her coffee bought by the person in front of her and how happy it made her.  I went ahead and bought coffee for the person behind me in line.  I hope it made them as happy as it made my friend. 

3. I am starting to officially reach the point of really being over winter.  I am ready for warmer weather. Not summer, because I am not a fan of anything over 72 degrees, but springtime and those lovely 50 and 60 degree days and sunshine.  I say this as it is snowing and blowing outside once again.  UGH.  January and February always feel like such long months.  I will just keep swallowing my vitamin D and dreaming I guess!

Are you in for the burpee challenge? 
At what point were you really over this winter?

Runners are annoying crazy jerks.

I had a dream last night I was late to track practice.  I was getting in my car when I realized I hadn't even packed my running clothes or shoes!  Aack!  I had to run down to my bedroom (at my parents house no less) and then I couldn't find my shorts.  I think my dream was picking up on my daughter's birthday being in one week and I haven't done anything to prepare for it.  So that will be one of my projects today!
In other news I was searching for something on Google, but got distracted when this came up.

So I thought I would see if Bing was so biased.

 at least they also threw in a "more productive".

Seriously do other people search those things to make the search engines suggest them?  Yahoo was no kinder.

We might be smarter to them, but also annoying and narcissistic.  I guess that is why some of us blog isn't it? We might be weird, crazy, different, but I tend to think we are also happier, healthier and not all that worried about what the rest of those crazy people who don't run think.

We know the secret to being happy is getting new running shoes and finding that sweet spot during a run.  Happy is a new PR or just a run after being injured, a new place to run, or friends to run with.  Happy is seeing all four seasons up close and personal. If that makes us crazy I'll take it.

What's your favorite runner stereotype?

Weekly Review and a big award

Sunday    60 minutes elliptical  (really wanted to run in the fab weather, but don't want to overdo it!)
                 40 minutes kettle bell

Monday    Rest day.was going to run 2-3 miles after work, but my nephew broke his tibia and so I made my sister and her family supper instead.  

Tuesday    5 mile run  (really great run)
                 15 minutes HIIT workout
                 45 minutes yoga

Wednesday  3.5 mile run

Thursday  3.1 mile run with my little sister
                 elliptical 30 minutes
                 30 minutes of yoga in the morning
                short arms workout in the afternoon

Friday       Rest day

Saturday  60 minutes elliptical
                 5 minutes core work
                45 minutes dancing

Runs 3 (11.1 miles about the same as last week) (no goals here just easing into it)
Strength training 3 (goal 3-4)
Yoga 2 (goal 3, oops)
Rest days 2 (planned 1)
Elliptical  150 minutes

I'll call the week a win.  I was short one yoga workout, but with my little sister and her family in town, things were a little more hectic than usual.

Last night we went to the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame Scholarship Banquet and my family's ranch got an award for preserving the western way of life in the ranching industry throughout the years.  There is a lot of us.  My kids were so excited when we got to go up and get the award.

The award. There were 7 other ranches honored, as well as a lot of other awards for rodeo things. 

After all the awards were given out the band fired up and the dancing started. The kids had so much fun cutting it loose on the dance floor.

8 cousins.  so much fun!

A very fun night out with my family. and yes we danced quite a bit too.

The kids lasted about 5 minutes in the car on the way home and were asleep.

Three Things Thursday

1. (yes this deserves all caps)  MY LITTLE SISTER IS HERE! This means lots of cousin time for the kids, in fact I am keeping the kids out of school today so they can play with their cousins.  That also means we had a sleepover last night and my sister and I get to go for a run together today. Jess, my mom and I discussed it yesterday while she was at the Denver airport.

so I have a lot of running clothes.  but they make me happy so it's justified.

 

2. I did a short run yesterday and was bummed when I pulled on my second favorite pair of running tights and the one good zipper blew out. I guess I need some new tights. This was a really hard picture to get by the way, can you tell I am bending over?

It made me thankful for tall compression socks that keep my covered! The run was freezing.  It was 27 degrees out but the wind seemed to go right through me.  BRR!

 I shared this on Instagram already, but I really love this picture.  I was fussing with my phone when Cola came over and stepped on my shoe.  Then he was courteous enough to keep his little paw there while I snapped a picture of it.

Obviously not yesterday since I have on different socks and shoes and the sun was shining.

3. This is one of my favorite things to eat lately.  Shredded Brussels sprouts, cucumbers, and cauliflower with olive oil, white balsamic vinegar and Italian seasoning.  Sometimes I add sunflower seeds and tomatoes too.  So good I could eat it by the bucketful!

What's your favorite way to eat Brussels sprouts?  Up until about 2 years ago I would say I didn't like them but now I also like them roasted with olive oil and sea salt, and steamed with butter, lemon juice and dill. 

Attitude Adjustment: Enjoying the Gift

I was out running the other day about half way through a three mile run, there I was in the sunshine, running, and thinking about what a bummer it was that I was only doing three miles.  Three measly little miles.  I wanted to get a "good" run in.  I seem to define that as at least 5 miles but preferably 7 to 9 miles, when it hit me. 

Here I was RUNNING.  It felt good.  My foot were moving one in front of the other and it felt good.  My body was moving.  I closed my eyes for a couple of steps and enjoyed the freedom of the movement, the sunshine on my face and the coolness of the air around me.  Running is a gift.

Instead of resenting the miles I was running I vowed to enjoy the gift, every step.  No pressures for time, no pressures for distance.  I am sure that by being in such a hurry to get back to my sweet spot for running all I have done is delayed getting there.  Although I have stayed active, I have hardly ran since I hurt my foot at the start of October so I need to ease back into it.

Lots of people have commented how I do so good finding other things to do when I can't run.  Those things are all good and great, but running is where my heart is.  I have never really been one to wallow in self pity.. much, and I know that I feel better, sleep better and eat better when I workout.  I need something to keep me focused.  That isn't to say I haven't had moments where I wallowed because I have.  I have sulked around like a 13 year old denied a trip to the mall. I just don't let it take over my whole day.

I really think a lot of how happy you are is about your attitude.  I like to be happy (who doesn't?) so I force myself to focus on other things and see the bright side.  Right now 3 to 4 miles is pretty bright. The last couple of runs I have done I have concentrated on enjoying every step and being thankful for the miles I do get instead of resenting the ones I don't.

#megsmiles and recap of last week

Last week Meg Menzie was hit by a drunk driver while on her morning run.  She left behind three children.  Breaks my heart.  So I joined up with the tens of thousands of other runners yesterday in dedicating my run to Meg and #megsmiles. 

I took time to savor the feeling of running and how I love the freedom it brings.  The quiet time to think my thoughts, no pressures.  I thought about how her kids would have to grow up without their mother.  Breaks my heart.  I had to go home and spend some extra time with my kids.  You just never know when your time is up and every moment is such a gift.

not all my kids, one is a friend and one is a cousin

and here is a look back at how my week was last week.  I am doing really good on the yoga thing. 


Sunday   65 minutes elliptical
               35 minutes strength training core and upper body

Monday elliptical 45 minutes
               15 minute HIIT workout

Tuesday  35 minutes yoga in morning
                3 mile run after work

Wednesday  Rest Day

Thursday  35 minutes of yoga in the morning
                  4 mile run after work  !!!!!

Friday    15 minutes yoga in the morning
               60 minutes on the elliptical
               30 minutes of strength training I did two old BodyRock workouts
               The Lose Yourself workout

                and Attacking Hot Warrior

           they left me a little sore on Saturday, they both include the sandbag

         and I just got one and am trying to use it more.  I love it by the way.

Saturday       Two yoga workouts for runners from Youtube. This one was great, but I was still wanting to do more

so I did this one also.  I enjoyed both of them

 

 I didn't realize there were so many yoga videos on Youtube!  I like the 4 yoga DVDs I have at home but variety it awesome!

Miles ran  11, up from 7 last week (no set goals here, listening to my body and no runs longer than 4 miles this week or next)
Yoga Workouts 4 (goal is at least 3 a week)
Strength workouts    3(goal is at least 3)
Elliptical minutes  205!
Rest days 1

and I worked on my pullups and chin-ups, those have been a little neglected in the past year or so.  No big goals with it. 

How was your week last week?

Armour39 Product Review: Testing my WILLpower

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Fitfluential LLC on behalf of Under Armour.  All opinions expressed are my own.

I am a bit of a numbers person so I was really excited to try the Armour39 out.  It measures real time heart rate, intensity, calories, burned, and WILLpower while you are working out.  Seriously, look at all the number feedback you get, both in real time and afterwards., just by wearing the heart rate monitor strap.

All I needed to do was:

• down load the free app to my iPhone
•  set up my profile
• BAM ready to test my WILLpower.

The app is super easy to use and set up.  There...

Wait, let's talk about this WILLpower thing.  What exactly is WILLpower and how is it measured?

WILLpower™ is a single score of how hard your body has worked during a training session, on a scale of 0.0 10.0. It accumulates over the length of your workout, taking into account information that includes the length of your workout, body position, intensity throughout, user profile, and key heart rate information. With WILLpower, you can, for the first time, objectively measure a hard day versus a light day.

The scale is designed to be increasingly difficult to move up. This means that it is easier to climb up the scale from 0.0 to 3.0 than it is to climb up from 6.0 to 9.0. source

I, of course, had to find out what it would take to get to a ten.  It's hard.  It took me an 45 minute elliptical workout, with intervals at the end AND another 24 minutes of HIIT training to reach a 10.  I was wiped! In the month that I have been using my Armour39, that was the only time I hit a 10.  I have learned I am happy to hit closer to an 8 or a 9.

The last 180 workouts are saved in the Armour39 app where you can swipe through the details and make notes about the workout so you can compare later.

You can also compare trends over the last 30 workouts

All things to love for numbers people who love to compare stats. I know I do.  Seeing those number on the screen made me push harder to get my WILLpower score to keep moving up.

The chest strap is easy to put on and I liked that it wasn't boring and black. They added some fun yellow details to make the Armour39 stand out from the competition.

 

I have a heart rate monitor that I have used maybe 20 times in the last three years, but I have to admit having all this instant feedback with the Armour39  makes using a heart rate monitor a lot more fun. I have used it for yoga, running, elliptical, kettle bells, and HIIT body weight workouts. 

Do you think real time feed back would motivate you to push harder?  It sure does for me.

Three Things Thursday

1. We are participating in Shape Up Montana at work and had enough people sign up to make three teams.  I am going to be the captain for one of them and we are all signing up in the activity division and you can bet I will be working to get everyone motivated!  Since we have three teams we will be competing internally and are working to get some fun prizes.

What is Shape Up Montana?

Shape Up Montana is a fun, interactive three-month team competition from February 1 — May 1 that encourages Montanans to develop healthy physical activity and eating habits.

Team Effort

The Shape Up Montana program is a team effort. Teams are made up of friends, family members, co-workers, and more to compete against each other in a state-wide competition. In the spirit of the Big Sky State Games, the members of the team with the most activity logged or weight lost in their category are awarded gold medals and receive a special award. Other prizes will be awarded throughout the competition for the teams with the most participation, weekly challenge participation, and monthly reporting. Everyone is a winner by taking part in the program and being more active.
The Shape Up Montana program is based around accumulated activity or weight loss divisions

2. I ran three miles after work Tuesday and Wednesday was a rest day.  I got home from work yesterday and it was so nice out I almost went for a run anyway. 46 degrees in January.  Shorts weather!  I had to give myself a pep talk about how not resting enough is why I am in the injured boat in the first place. I didn't run.  I took my rest day and enjoyed it.  Why is that so hard sometimes? 

3. The winner of my Core Power Fit Kit giveaway is posted.  Did you win? It's posted on the Rafflecoptor widget in the giveaway post.

New thing and a funny thing

First the new thing, I gave in and downloaded the FitSnap app on my phone yesterday, I had some envy when I kept seeing everyone else using it, now my running pictures on Instagram don't have to look boring like this anymore

I can give them the upgrade to this

you don't even have to read my comments anymore.  Those sunglasses are really great to run in, but I really hate the way they look on my face.  I think I won them in a giveaway last year.  I would never have picked them out for myself. 


Now the funny thing, Cory Reese recently became an Altra ambassador and had to submit a video in the process.  I watched his video with my son and it made it twice as awesome.

My son kept saying "Mom, you have to get these shoes" "Mom, you NEED these shoes" "Mom, seriously you have to get the shoes"

He was a little unnerved by the Michael Bolton statement, because my son hated the car commercials that had Michael Bolton on them recently and then when he said "what does the fox say" Cade and I started laughing so hard and at that point he realized Cory was being funny during the whole thing and we really laughed.  Kids are awesome.

So if you have a kid, get a kid and watch it.  Hopefully you will think it is as funny as we did.

What new apps have you downloaded recently? 
What was your favorite part about Cory's video? 
Oh and my Core Power Fit Kit giveaway ends TONIGHT, did you enter yet?

Running, not running, maybe running

I have been pretty good lately about working out.  Running is supposed to be as tolerated.  I ran 6 miles last week and the first two went pretty good.  Two days later I ran four miles and the first 2.5-3ish miles went pretty good and then I started getting tight in my groin all the down my inner leg to the knee on my right side.   I was so sore the next day.  Boo  So I didn't run all weekend, but I did the elliptical and that seems to not bug me.

Yesterday my son stayed home from school with a tummy ache so it was back to another day of the elliptical which I am so over so I cut my workout short by ten minutes to play cribbage with my son.  He felt better by the afternoon so we rearranged the living room and had some wrestling matches.  He is getting so tough! After he spent most of the morning on the couch he felt better and he had such a great afternoon of Mommy and Cade time. 

I am hoping to try for a couple of miles after work today as the leg is feeling good, hopefully the wind will be better today, it was awful yesterday so not running wasn't all that much of a bummer.  I might have blown away.

Last night I heard my daughter rustling around in the pantry so I asked her what she was doing.  I got a "I just need a few bags"  She loves bags and boxes, so while my first instinct was to tell her to put the bags back (not because I am a mean mom, but because I could only imagine the craziness she was planning and the mess that could result. been there, done that,) I decided to let her do what she was doing.

Here was the result.

A very long rope made of plastic grocery bags that her and her brother ran around the house with.  I love their imaginations.  They had the best time with it for about 20 minutes and then Avery tucked it away in her room "for later". 

 I am really loving my new haircut, even my just climbed out of bed in the morning hair looks pretty good.

Was is windy where you are yesterday? We had gusts of up to 60some mph.  Ick!

Looking back

Here is a breakdown on last week's workouts. 

Sunday      30 minutes of yoga first thing in the morning
                  30 minutes of HIIT training
                  35 minutes on the elliptical

Monday     15 minutes yoga first thing in the morning
                   50 minutes on the elliptical (watching Downton Abbey season 4 premiere!)
                   I really thought I was going to run today but the wind changed my mind.
                   30 minutes of strength training

Tuesday   15 minutes of yoga in the morning
                  2 mile run after work
                 chin-ups/pullups  6/2

Wednesday
                Rest day
Thursday
               15 minutes yoga
               4 mile run after work

Friday   ZCUT abs
             shopping
        
Saturday 63 minutes on the elliptical
               38 minutes of strength training with kettle bell

So I ran 6 miles this week.  That's an improvement.   Hoping to get out some more this coming week and get in more miles.  Only running at easy pace.

Some crazy things did happen this week.. I got my hair trimmed. It really needed it.  I had two inches cut off and some shape added to it. I love my new hair lady.  I am going to keep this one.  It has been years since I have found one I loved and wanted to go back to. She also curled my hair! The last time I had this many curls in my hair was my wedding day.

I was so in love with the pretty curls.  I didn't want to just go home and ruin the curls, so I met my mom for lunch and then went shopping and got some NON running clothes.  If you follow on Instagram you might have already seen them. I got a shirt and a sweater dress.  Love them both.

I wore the dress to my work Christmas party, yes we have it after Christmas, acutually works better that way.  I tried to curl my hair for it, but my curling iron is too big and I don't have any hair products to make the curls stick so it all fell out mostly.  So fun to see everyone from work out of their scrubs and all dressed up.

There was a wedding reception going on in the same building and we had plans to snag some wedding cake, but they took so long to cut the damn thing we lost interest and we had our own cake. 

Anyhoo that was my week in a nutshell, how was yours?

Core Power Fit Kit Giveaway

I was given the opportunity to be an ambassador for Core Power who is a sponsor for the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.  I love the Olympics so I jumped at the chance. 

What is Core Power? Core Power is a real milk protein drink made from fresh, lowfat, lactose-free milk and real honey. No chalky flavor, no lactose, or preservatives.  It comes in four different flavors chocolate, vanilla, banana, and strawberry banana.  It comes with either 26g of protein or a lower calorie version with 20g of protein.

Why choose Core Power?

• Milk protein contributes to muscle development while the natural carbohydrates of honey provide the energy to rebuild muscle and glycogen stores. Consumption of carbs with protein after a workout optimizes muscle recovery and growth.
• Made from fresh milk and real honey, one great-tasting, lactose-free serving of Core Power provides athletes and fitness enthusiasts with 26 grams of high quality fresh milk proteins, consisting of 21 grams of casein proteins and 5 grams of whey proteins. The light versions still pack a heck of a punch, serving up 20 grams of the same high quality fresh milk proteins.
• The unique nutritional profile of Core Power uses the best proteins and delivers calories that your body can actually use.
• Milk’s unique ratio of whey and casein proteins builds lean muscle while its vitamins and minerals keep the body healthy.
• Honey boosts athletic performance and endurance while reducing muscle fatigue. (source)

Core Power sent me this great fit kit and they want to send another to one of you!

Included in the kit is an insulated water bottle, workout towel, stability ball, duffel bag, and yoga mat.

The entire month of January you can get $5 off a case of Core Power on Amazon
They also have a great workout for the new year on their blog that requires minimal equipment.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

The short story of a run

I got home from work yesterday afternoon and was greeted by this guy.

Can you see those eyes pleading for a run? 

 

The weather like this,

Practically tropical compared to what it has been.

 

I already had on my running shoes and tights

These shoes haven't even been for a run yet and I have had then for over a month. 

That is almost a crime!

 

so instead of going into the house, I took off into the wintery landscape.

What else could I have done that was sane?

 

A happy two miles later I was like this

Too bad I had to go and cook supper and the bus was coming or I could have done three.

 

The end.

100 Marathons: A Book Review

I read 100 Marathons recently and admit even though I have only run one marathon that went something like 21 happy awesome miles and 5.2 grueling will testing miles, I was excited to read this book.   You don't have to be a dedicated marathon runner to enjoy reading this any runner will get his passion and thoughts on running.

Jeffrey Horowitz writes about the journey to his first 100 marathons. He doesn't cover every single one of them, just memorable ones and how running changes him.  He adds in his thoughts about the eternal question "why run a marathon?" and how it evolves for him through the years, and how he got into running.  The book also has some great advice for runners on training, injury prevention, race recovery and running in general.

I found the book to be an inspirational and quick read.  I found myself rooting for him to get that Boston qualifying time and to keep running in the face of adversity.  He adds in some great local details for some of the races, details about some of the medals and friends he makes along the way.  His races span the 50 states and then the globe, even running one in Antarctica!

He starts as an attorney and eventually in his journey quits the law and becomes a running coach and leads team that run for charity for an organization called Team Hope. 

Curiousity nearly killed the cat. The case of the missing cat is solved.

So I posted Sunday about how my bottle baby cat had been missing.  I had first noticed him missing the Thursday after Christmas, but I kept thinking he would show back up and he never did.  The weather hasn't been very fun so I had pretty much given up on him showing back up and told my husband that if he came across Rocky in a ditch somewhere dead that he should move him somewhere I wouldn't find him while I was out for a run.

This morning my husband called me at 7am while he was out plowing snow out of our driveway and asked if I wanted to go and pick up Rocky.  I was a little confused.  Had he just found my cat while he was plowing the driveway? Didn't he remember that I wanted him to move Rocky if he was dead? How had we not seen him in the driveway in the last 12 days?

Well, turns out Rocky is alive and kicking.  and this morning at 7am he was in Billings over 20 miles away at work with my mother in law.  She had heard mad cat yowling in the back of her truck when she got to work and recognized him by his mustache!  We surmised that he must have crawled into the back of her truck on Christmas Eve and rode into Billings with them. 

They knew they had a cat in their garage on Christmas but figured it was a town cat and it was up in the rafters and they couldn't see it very well.  They had left their garage open hoping the cat would get out.  When they didn't see him again they forgot about it.  Until today.

So I don't know if he hid in the garage the whole time or if he got out and then recognized her truck and figured if he got in he might get home again.  He did, so it worked!  He has lost some weight and was a little rattled but was sure happy to see me.  I let him ride home curled up on my lap.  I tried to get a picture of him for this, but every time I tried he got to close to the camera. He didn't want to let me get too far away I guess.

By my calculations Rocky is on life number 4!
Number 1 was when his mother abandoned him in the driveway with his placenta still attached
number 2, he got ran over by a truck and broke his pelvis
number 3. he went on an adventure in a truck and nearly got stranded in town

Looking back and random news

Workout summary from last week.  I don't usually do these and don't know that I will continue to do them, but I thought I would try it.

Sunday           yoga 30 minutes,
Monday          yoga 30 minutes, elliptical 45 minutes
Tuesday         Kettle bell workout, yoga 30 min, 2 mile run/walk
Wednesday    Rest day Happy New Year!
Thursday        Elliptical 65 minutes
Friday            ZCUT Abs 1 and 2
Saturday        yoga for half an hour, elliptical for 50 minutes

I think had the week been warmer, the roads better I would have tried to run a little more. I don't want to be out on iffy roads and aggravate my injury. I know it sounds like whiny excuses, but at this point I am so tired of my injury I don't want to risk it.  The elliptical while boring is more easily controlled. 

  I am happy with all the yoga I got in, now if I can just keep that up.  I think loosening up my super duper tight hips and hammies will really help me.  Not as much strength training happened as I would like, only 2, I would like at least 3 and more like 4. 

The sandbag I ordered is in at the post office.  I don't know if we have a different mail carrier or what.  I would swear they used to deliver boxes, but lately all I get is pickup notices and the post office is so out of my way.  I forgot to get it on Friday after work and now I have to wait until Monday to get it since it's closed on the weekends.  You have to love small towns!  Annoying since I really want to try it out!

Injury report: I would have to say that it seems improved over the week before, it didn't seem to bother me as much at night and I only remember one day where it bothered me a lot and by the end of the day it seemed better.

Nutrition..yeah I don't track what I eat too closely.  Overall not too bad though :) I don't recall have any crazy sugar binges.

This cold weather is making winter seem way too long.  Yesterday we built a "volcano", recarpeted the dollhouse, and played hours of card games.  I should have taken a before picture, but the new carpet is much more "glamourous" according to my daughter. The old was yellow, brown, and blue.

and in sadder news... Rocky Ballerina One-Dot aka Puddy, my bottle baby kitten all grown up went missing last week.  :(  So bummed. hope he shows up soon.

How was your week?  Are you on track with your 2014 goals so far?  I mostly am.
How are you surviving the winter? Ready for spring yet?  I am!

 

So I went to a doctor and apparently was like a celebrity.

Thursday I went to the doctor to see about my right leg that keeps bugging me.

Symptoms, some of them anyway, I could bore you

• aching/burning in inner and top of thigh
• gets worse at night, especially if I sleep on either side
• sometimes goes away completely during the day
• exercise can make it feel better
• can cramp up during running
• feels better once I am warmed up

I had to fill out a form before I saw the doctor and it had the "faces" pain scale on it.  He was amused I rated mental pain a 10 with no running. 

 After explaining all my symptoms, he decided it might be a back problem.  Oh great.  I have had back problems before with sciatica just never down the front of my leg.  I got an x-ray taken of my back and in his words "it's disgustingly perfect", so he wanted to do an MRI, but I know those are rather pricey and I wanted to be more conservative first and figure out how much the MRI will cost before I commit.    He put me on a Medrol pack for a week and then I will follow up with him in three weeks to see how it's doing.

He thinks my symptoms are pretty consistent with L3, L4 nerve problems on the right side.  I really thought he would say, yup, muscle strain, somethingitis, and send me to physical therapy.

On a fun note he is an official medical provider for the US Ski Team. 

Happily he did tell me that I could run as tolerated.  Although with the wintery conditions, bad roads, and sub zero temps right now I think I will put off running for another little bit since I don't have a treadmill and I have no races on the calendar. 

Takeaways

• my back looks awesome on x-ray
• I can still run as tolerated
• he was surprised at how tight my hammies were
• I still don't have a clear answer but we are working on getting it narrowed down and that feels good.

Plan for now

• Medrol pack for a week (steroids)(never read the side effects for these)
• Exercise as tolerated
• Yoga at least 2 times a week (hoping this will strengthen and loosen my back)
• Follow up appointment in 3 weeks

I mentioned before that I work with all the surgeons in this office, and the physician assistants, so it felt weird going in being in on the other side.  I learned yesterday I was the talk of the office.  The surgeons and PAs of course tell stories about things that happen in the operating room and apparently they have heard a lot about me.  Dr. Smith, who I work with a lot, (by a lot I mean at least once a week sometimes twice a week for the last 13 years) has told a lot of stories about me over the years, told me yesterday that some of the office staff over there were feeling like they should have their picture taken with me.   so funny!

Traditions, goals, and Happy New Year!

 

It is the Pennsylvania Dutch (German) tradition to serve pork and sauerkraut as the first meal of the New Year to bring good luck for the year. This dish is usually accompanied by some yummy mashed potatoes which my mother used to tell us would dull the taste of the sauerkraut if you mixed them together.  She was WRONG.  All it did was make the potatoes taste bad and now instead of one nasty lump of sauerkraut on our plates we had a pile of mashed potatoes infected with sauerkraut.  It takes a lot of milk to gag it all down.    I am coming as close as I can get to the tradition today with pork and a nice cabbage slaw.  My husband is a little sad I won't let sauerkraut into my pantry, but I still haven't got past the childhood trauma, and well who wants the smell in the house? There are very few foods I really dislike and sauerkraut and raw onions are two of them.   In other news.. Happy New Year!  I was up at midnight, but only because a kid woke me up.   My goals are still a bit of a work in progress.  So far they look something like this: yoga at least twice a week clean eating at least 80% of the time get my legs back healthy for running (right leg, lefty is fine) do what the doctor/physical therapist tells me to do (this is going to be priority one and no doubt the hardest) take 10 or so minutes out of my morning for a morning devotional something with being more organized  (still working on this one) I want to keep them pretty simple.    I will continue strength training and cross training. I didn't feel like this needed to be a goal since mostly they are both habit. I want to keep working with my kettle bell and use my sandbag, weights, etc.  I will most likely continue with HIIT based training.  I want to up my cycling miles this year to help prevent running injuries.   Do you have any traditional New Years meals? What foods do you avoid at all costs because you hate them so much?